I had been to Zion Blind School, a unit of “Zion Education Society”, Rajahmundry during yesterday’s evening, It is situated on CTRI' junction . It was as an unplanned visit along with my cousin Mr Vellanki Subrahmanyam who happens to be a trade vendor for this NGO and also equally enthusiastic patron of their activities. It is a school dedicated for visually challenged, hearing impaired and kids with speech disorders.
When you enter into the school, it is memorable and fantastic
sight to watch children play with pets like puppies and pigeons. An ideal after-school
recreation and an immense therapy rolled in to one!
Zion Blind School was the
brain child, of Late M Philip, (started in the year 1972). Like the famous
Albanian nun of Kolkata, who is regarded as the other name for service, Late Mrs
M E Rani, daughter of the founder Mr M Philip dedicated her life whole-heartedly
to serve the disadvantaged children. Madam Rani appears
to be publicity shy person and her spiritual disposition would not permit her
to accept the honours and awards, it was even said that she politely refused to
accept the country’s most prestigious awards like the recognition from the
President of India . She had managed to run the welfare activities through the
limited finances at her disposal and through the contributions of like-minded friends
and she was known to be averse on collecting money through the aggressive fund
raising campaigns.
Her worthy son, Mr Benny M J S Raj has taken this prestigious institution under his wings since 2013 and he has reshaped himself into a full-time social worker.
This school has an inbuilt hostel facility and it has about 100 students on their rolls. It is co-educational.
The institution has several buildings in its premises. Apart
from the well-equipped class rooms with audio-video equipment for hearing and
speech impaired children and equipment for vision impaired learners, there are dormitories,
pantry and dining halls and a pleasing auditorium. My cousin Subrahmanyam who
has been a constant observer of the NGO’s activities over the years quips that the
children even help the masons when these structures were being built and
thereby offer their toil for the noble cause.
Mr Benny proudly says that the school, in its vast span of 50
years in service to humanity, it has spun out large alumni who are leading
normal lives, well settled and employed in several reputed firms. In their
later lives marriages among the students appears to be a norm.
Numerous dignitaries of the political arena like Mr Chandrababu
Naidu, Mr Jagan Reddy etc. had paid a visit to the school and the school has
favorably received support from them in the past and present.
Salaries of special educators, purchase of teaching aides, Food,
clothing, medicines etc. are some expenditures of this institution which donors
could support by monetary contributions. Zion is beating the ensuing corona crisis
by installing the safety gadgets and providing sanitizing kits at all required
places in their hostels and class rooms. You could bear this expenditure too,
especially in time of this contingency. (Zion Helpline: +91 99856 72920)
The Christian social workers have often been stigmatized for allegedly having undesirable traits and are said to be working on hidden agendas. The institutions such as Zion disprove these allegations and they continue to work with dedication and devotion towards the children irrespective of caste, creed or their social disparities.
May
this tribe increase!
With
best wishes to Mr Benny and his team!
Srinivas
Krothapally
29-Sept/2020
