What is GHARA?
OVERVIEW
GHARA is a Bengaluru-based not-for-profit organisation that provides services and support for individuals with intellectual disability (ID). GHARA stands for Group Home and Respite Association.
ID tends to be overlooked, as poverty and health are the two major social issues for government and humanitarian organisations. Therefore, individuals with an ID and their families receive very little or no support. ID combined with poverty, and lack of resources, means that individuals with ID and their families are left with no options.
This is where GHARA steps in.
WHAT WE DO
GHARA aims to build a support network for individuals with ID and their families. In doing so, GHARA runs a Day Care Centre in Bengaluru, which currently provides a range of therapy and training for 16 individuals with intellectual disability. In addition, GHARA also provides one-off supports to clients who required medical assistance, equipment or temporary care, recognising that there are others with ID in the community who occasionally need an extra helping hand.
Our Vision
An accepting and supporting community for people with an Intellectual Disability and their families/carers
Our Mission
- Building local support networks
- Influencing community
- Successfully integrating people with Intellectual Disability and their families/carers to become valued and contributing members of society
We are a small charity, but in the words of Mother Teresa:
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”
Our History
GHARA is registered as a charity in 2009. Our founder, Athellia Dias, witnessed a need for respite and pre-vocational services and founded the GHARA team.
GHARA launched and became operational! Athellia and the GHARA team sourced a tiny tin shed in Frazer Town, Bangalore, supporting three adults with an intellectual disability. The centre operated from Monday to Friday and provided respite and day activities to its clients, thus enabling their parents/carers to attend employment or medical appointments.
GHARA supported over 15 clients and provided one-off supports to clients requiring medical assistance, equipment or occasional care. GHARA’s workers were mothers of adults with intellectual disabilities who attended the centre when they required support. Program activities provided included training in activities of daily living, skills development – social and recreational skills, fine and gross motor skills and community integration skills.
GHARA collaborated with the Sisters of St Francis of Assisi and the Dream India Network. This led to GHARA relocating to the Assisi Special School, where GHARA is currently providing support services to 16 individuals with an intellectual disability.
The collaboration has enabled GHARA to expand its outreach programs in the form of various therapy programs – gross and fine motor skills, music therapy, vocational training, social and recreational programs, and training in activities of daily living. This has been a huge leap for GHARA and we look forward to continuing and growing its mission to reach out to the forgotten in impoverished communities.
GHARA is ever looking towards improving its services, expanding its team and increase the number of clients it services. However, we cannot do this without your support - please consider donating today, supporting us via our Entertainment Book Fundraiser or come along to our wonderful Christmas in July event!
What you need to know:
Approximately 26 million people in India have a disability. Intellectual disability tends to be overlooked, with poverty and health receiving greater attention by authorities. Individuals with intellectual disabilities receive very little or no support from the government and communities.
What we can achieve with your help:
With your help and support, GHARA seeks to achieve: Specialised and committed care for adults with an ID Increased support for families and unpaid caregivers Increased awareness of ID and encourage community to seek support Provide shelter or care to adults with an intellectual disability.