Spreading knowledge in a special way

Here's a tale about a journalist who started her own NGO that works for underprivileged special children. As Sonalee Shyamsundar worked in the field of journalism, she always felt the urge to work for the society about which she was writing in the newspapers. A small research in the BMC about special education and she started with Urmi Foundation which now works for the education of special children.  My Indian Dream speaks with Sonalee about her venture in the field of education.  Tell me about Urmi and how did you start? Before starting Urmi foundation I did research with BMC special schools and communities around. I learned that BMC is the only corporation running special schools in India. The academic conditions were very poor with extremely high drop out rate. Violence is faced by children was severe. During my research 99% parents stated directly and indirectly that the special child is not going to help them in future and would be unable to take responsibility, so there is no point in educating a special child.  This was the trigger, and I decided to found Urmi foundation but at the same time instead of starting own school we decided to strengthen BMC special education department by designing a model for them.     How does Urmi help underprivileged children? Urmi foundation has designed a model, which includes 5 important areas essential for a special child to learn 1. Personal 2. Social 3. Recreational 4. Academic 5. Pre vocational. we have deigned a special syllabus for BMC special schools and also designed impact assessment system to track growth.  BMC has been really kind and supportive and cooperative towards our project.  You were a journalist before, what prompted you to start an NGO? To be very honest I was a bad journalist. But journalism taught me realities and enhanced my human understanding. While doing stories about social issues, I used to feel bad about them. But one day I thought, why should I feel bad? Instead why not convert my thoughts in to action and work in the social sector? Thus (I) started working in different NGOs finally with encouragement by my ex bosses from NGO sector I founded Urmi foundation.    Future plans of Urmi? I would like to shut Urmi foundation In 20 years by making special education system sustainable and by creating inclusive communities where a special child will receive equal rights and acceptance.