Pavithra.K, a young adult with cerebral palsy, is extremely quick when it comes to making earrings and chains using artificial stones. When her neighbours bring in saris asking for matching artificial jewellery sets, she takes but a few days to make them. A student of Saday School for Special Needs, she has been learning jewellery making for over six months now along with 19 other students.
P. Anitha, who trains the children, says they find it easier to make earrings and chains than bangles. “Four teachers and parents who were initially trained now guide the children. They know to match colours and make things very quickly,” she said.
The artificial jewellery training programme has been funded by the National Institute for the Empowerment of the Multiple Disabled in Muttukadu, which includes raw materials and the trainer for the programme. The raw materials including stones and threads are locally sourced.
“Its really amazing to see them make the jewellery. They change the colours when the number of stones is up. When the patterns are repeated, it is easy for them. We now are making jewellery and selling to stores on the basis of orders,” explained M. Sugathan, founder, Saday, which is located inside Lions Complex, Kennedy Nagar near Yatri Nivas. “People also walk into our school and place orders. It takes only three to four days to make the sets,” he added. The parents of these children are very interested in teaching them vocational skills.
