Oct. 2006: Sangopita – A Shelter for Care (school for special children) - (No FCRA)

The Karmayog October 2006 Nonprofit-of-the-Month is Sangopita.

Sangopita – A Shelter For Care, was founded by Sujata and Ravindra Sugwekar to provide a residential cum day school for special children (those who are suffering from cerebral palsy or are autistic or slow learners) in the suburban areas in and around Badlapur. The idea for this initiative came from their own experiences of being unable to find any such services available for their spastic son, Akshay.

The basic ideology of Sangopita is to provide a Home, Education, Medical help, specialised therapies, and vocational training, that are required by special children, all under one roof, with the aim of enhancing the children’s physical and mental capabilities to the extent possible, thus enabling them to become independent for their basic needs.

Sangopita is registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act : Regn. No.: E/3090/Thane /29-04-2003, and is also exempted under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961.

Since their registration in 2003, in the last 4 years, Sangopita has acquired a plot of land in Badlapur on which a multi-purpose hall was constructed, and the Special School was started here with 2 students. Today 44 students attend the school that has been built and nurtured from donations from friends and family, as well as from loans.

The Special School provides a day school as well as residential facilities, trained staff and assistants, specialised training and care for the students, medical facilities, vocational training, entertainment and leisure facilities, and balanced food as required by the students.

Future plans include expansion of the residential block, increase in staff, increase in number of classrooms, up-gradation of the kitchen, building of a meditation center, acquiring a school bus, and setting up of a rural dispensary to expand their outreach.

Income for the Year 2005 – 2006 is Rs. 6.59 lakhs (source: audited accounts for 05 –06)

To know more about Sangopita, please see www.karmayog.org/sangopita/

We / they can arrange to pick up cheques or cash. You can also donate by credit card or bank transfer.  

Do let our Falguni know at 22000478. 

 Whether you are an individual or a corporate, we invite you to fill  www.karmayog.org/corproform.asp?r=41

Thanks for your support for the Karmayog Nonprofit-of-the-Month concept.

Regards
Vinay
22940109