Success Stories

Name: Chadoram Sankar
Age: 20
Village: Ganaparthi

A national program to vaccinate every child in India against Polio was started about 9 years ago and has been very successful in dramatically reducing the number of cases of this disease. Unfortunately the program came to late for Chadoram, who contracted Polio and was left crippled by it. He now uses a big long stick for support as he walks, and with it he actually seems to be able to get around faster than anyone else. He never let his disability keep him from getting an education, and completed all the way to the intermediate level in government schools.

Immediately following the intermediate level he joined the Training Center for Disabled Children, which he had learned about through the local BCT school. At the center he was trained in tailoring, paper bag and plate making, as well as agriculture. Because he had already completed an academic education, he was also able to help the other students with their academic work. Chadoram truly enjoyed his time at the Center because of it’s peaceful and happy atmosphere. He also says that the teaching of skills there is very thorough and complete, and he was able to gain great confidence both in his tailoring and in his speaking and social interaction skills.

Upon completion of the program BCT sold him a sewing machine with a loan to be paid back over 20 months. The first month of business was slow, but Chadoram didn’t get discouraged. Soon the orders started flowing in, and he now makes an average of 70 rupees per day.

During the recent festival period in January, he made 3,500 rupees in 20 days. The community has been very supportive and encourages him by sending orders his way. He returns to the BCT Center regularly in order to refresh his skills and stitch items as a way of paying back his loan. He has also begun saving and just recently at a Games Day function at the Center, willing gave a loan of Rs. 3000 out of his own 2-year savings of Rs. 7000 to a group of students and community members who want to start income generating programs for self-support.

The agricultural skills that Chadoram himself learned at the center have also come in handy, as he now helps his father in the sugar cane fields.

Chadoram is now receiving so many orders that he plans to train and hire an assistant in order to help him meet demand.