Our background
On 30th January 2015, GRIRR was founded with just 20 children with disabilities. In 2017, we connected with Kolkata Gives run by Mr. Mudar Patherya, who generously started sending essential physiotherapy equipment — a support that continues to this day, greatly aiding our growth. Understanding the vital role of aids and apparatus in rehabilitation, we expanded to producing artificial limbs.
We are dedicated to helping children achieve self-reliant adulthood by providing high-quality education, therapeutic support, and job placement services. We work directly with children and young adults with special needs, focusing on those from economically disadvantaged and socially marginalized backgrounds.
Our facility
We possess an 800 sq. ft. facility in Garden Reach, Metiaburz, undertaking treatments from 10 am to 7 pm. We possess another physiotherapy centre in Howrah which will we operational from January 2025.
Our
relevance
We are located just where we are most needed in Kolkata. Metiaburz comprises a population of around 350,000 people. Even at a one per cent penetration rate, the incidence of physical disability among children has been estimated around 3500 (apart from adults). There is only one NGO in Metiaburz that addresses the rehabilitation needs of children with disabilities – and that is GRIRR. There is one more reason that makes an NGO like us relevant to that terrain: the demographic profile of the population is low income; any incidence of disability within their families can affect disposable incomes, putting a premium on the need to rehabilitate children with speed and effectiveness. Besides, the neighbourhood mindset s reconciled to the interpretation of disability as a lifelong curse, making it imperative to provide hope.
Our culture
At GRIRR, our culture is one of caring plus competence. We are interested in the individual progress of each child; this is reflected in the customized services that we provide. Our culture also comprises competence: this is reflected in basic training for each GRIRR member [need some material on their certifications]. This has ensured a consistent recall: ‘If you go to GRIRR, you will be looked after well.’
Our ethical fabric
Mission
An inclusive development of society, where children with disabilities and person with disabilities have equal access to education, health, livelihood and good quality of life.
Vision
- Community empowerment and awareness about disabilities.
- Promoting inclusive development
- Facilitating access to services related to habilitation and rehabilitation.
- Capacity building of young persons with disabilities towards independence so that can live with dignity.
Goal
- Help children with disabilities cope with daily/personal chores
- Initiate formal education with the aim to mainstream them towards normal lives
- Enhance awareness on diverse disabilities
- Help create an inclusive society.
Values
Integrity
Professio
nalism
Accountability
Transparency
Team work
Gender
inclusion
Our
community initiatives
Skill training for youth with disabilities
Most youngsters with disabilities in Garden Reach need to commute long distances for gainful employment. Their biggest hindrance: low competence affects their employability. GRIRR responded with a skilling initiative; it provided basic hotel management training in collaboration with Mitti Cafe. Some 80 participants completed their training; we are happy to state that eight have been employed and are now financially supporting their families.
Aashayien Self-Help Group
Aashayien Self-Help Group (SHG) brings together individuals facing challenges to enhance awareness about disabilities and provide access to government facilities. The individuals are encouraged to save in banks. During the lockdown, they stitched masks for a living, generating which allowed them to support their families.
Trash to Treasure
This initiative by homemakers has helped provide clothes for each child celebrating his or her birthday at GRIRR. A private initiative provides a large birthday cake for all those celebrating their birthday each month.
KHOJ
We conducted this research during Durga Puja 2022 to ascertain the number of children with disabilities in Ward 134 of Kolkata (Garden Reach). Despite challenges, we identified 372 children with disabilities in just one ward. A sample wise approach indicated around 3,500 children with disabilities in the whole of Metiaburz. This estimation has only deepened our resolve to make a difference, considering that we presently service only around 10 per cent of our total addressable terrain.