In Pune, 55 differently-abled kids decorate 65k diyas to raise funds for NGO

This is their only yearly fundraiser which helps them through the expenses of one month.

Since the last one month, 55 differently-abled children at the Aniket Sevabhavi Sanstha worked from early morning to night to decorate 65,000 diyas, which they sell by setting up stalls at housing societies and companies. (Express photo)

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For this year’s Diwali, 55 differently-abled children at the Aniket Sevabhavi Sanstha painted and decorated 65,000 diyas.

“Our target was one lakh, but we did not receive as many orders this year. We usually start after the Ganesh festival. Last one month, kids have worked from early morning to night to decorate these diyas”, said Rajashree Jangle, trustee of the NGO. The children set-up and run stalls at housing societies and companies. to sell these diyas.

This is their only yearly fundraiser which helps them through the expenses of one month.

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Apart from that other expenses come through CSR and individuals. Recently, a company donated a machine that makes paper bags. The NGO was started by Kalpana Varpe five years ago, as a home for intellectually disabled children. This was after Varpe became a mother of one.

The residential rehabilitation center currently houses people aged four to 46.

Jangale said, “80 per cent kids are orphans, 20 percent kids have parents, but they are from nearby small villages. These activities keep the kids busy. We have activities planned for the entire day like sports, painting, and dancing. There are special education teachers who stay at the residence with the kids”.

The NGO has recently established a new residence which helped them in completing their 65,000 diya painting.

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Diwali
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