Mathru School for the Blind: Timeline

• 2000– School started with first grade– Rented premises and “kutcha” sheds.– Goal: Add one grade per year. Be a 10 Grade High School by 2010

• 2002– Subsidised Civic Amenities Plot allotted By local government– Appeals made for funds and services to local donors & individuals

• 2003 – Appeal and plans sent to Asha CNJ for funds to construct a 10 room school

• 2004 – Asha CNJ issues first grant for school construction ($17,000)– Appeal made for local funds to construct dorms, kitchen, dining   room.  community and computer center.

• 2005– Construction started.. Started 5th grade– Second Asha CNJ grant and WAH grant made ($18,000, $10,000)

• 2006– Construction completed. School moved to new premises. – School named The Asha School in appreciation.– ESlate successfully designed, built and tried out in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon Institute

• 2007– Strated 7th grade– Application made to Central Government for grant to run school. When approved Grant will pay 70% of

expenses. • Asha resources

– Time: 3 years, Money: $35,000, SiteVisits: 6+, resident volunteer for several months..

Building and ESlate

“Satish hails from a remote slum in Karnataka. His father is a painter and a drunk, and education was a word alien to him. Being blind, Satish was considered a liability and had a traumatic childhood, left to his fate, until a year back when a field-worker from Mathru spotted him. Astoundingly, Satish now is unrecognizably different from what he was when he first came to Mathru. He can speak fluent English, loves to use the Computer, and is extremely talented.”