HOW GERIZIM WAS STARTED?.

One girl aged 2 years was eating food from the road side garbage. She was also full of sores on her head and also on her two legs. This girl child "Ja" was a semi orphan. Mother died and her father was a drunkard. There was no one to care for this girl. Thus she was brought to the family of G. J. Yesudian and Indira and all 3 children grew together in the year 1987. Then two other orphan boys joined with the support of our close friend Dr. Parthasarathy in the year 1988. Gradually this number of children grew into 10 children. These children lived on the side room with two house mothers. Thus normal children and mentally retarded children grew together. In the year 1990, August 23rd Gerizim Rehabilitation Trust was created with 7 Trustees with 55 mentally retarded children and 50 normal children. Then in the year 1994 Japan Government of post and tele communication Department donated so generously one time grant of three million rupees to construct a three storied hostel building with all facilities. This building was over by June 1995. Thus all children got into a very good building. With great difficulty by prayer and begging around all people this service was carried on with all local friends support. Then Gerizim service was published in various news paper and on website. Thus more people, friends and well wishers foster parents come to know this service among mentally retarded children and normal children. In the year 1992 Deepika Day Care Center was started with 20 children in Siddapura Slum. Now there are 75 children. 45 children are regular school going children. Other 30 children are below 5 years. They attend the crèche programme in a rented house in the slum. Beside this there is Health clinic with nurse and a part time Doctor. Then in the year 1996 one Mr. Ramachandra Reddy donated half acre land and with the help of friends, well wishers and foster parents we could build a nice building in Doddakannelli village and all the normal children are transferred to this Home and 125 children are now attending the local Kannada medium and English medium school. Thus we have now 75 mentally retarded children, 24 staff members in Ejipura and 125 children in Doddakannelli Home and 75 children in Deepika day Care Center in Siddapura Slum. These normal children attend local Kannada and English medium schools in the community with other children. We are desperately looking for support for children's basic needs, staff salary, building repairs and maintenance, electricity and water expenses.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

Mr. G. J. Yesudian, M.A. B.Ed., D.S.S.D.H., C.R.P.H., Chairman & Director.
Mrs. Geetha Bai S. Secretary & Parent Counsellor.
Mrs. J. Indira, B.A., M.Ed., D.S.E., Treasurer & Special Education Consultant.
Dr. James Duthie, M.D., Trustee & Medical Advisor.
Mr. G. M. Vijayasingh, M. A., D.H.A., Trustee & Administrative Consultant.
Dr. J. Suresh Kumar, M.D., Trustee & Medical Consultant.
Mr. Joseph Machnaim, M. E. Trustee
Mr. Esley Swaminathan M. E. Trustee and Engineering Consultant

GERIZIM FAMILY

Gerizim children come from poorest of the poor and impoverished families. They are orphans, semi orphans and destitutes, no one cares for them, referred by local people in Bangalore, and it’s surrounding areas and also from other states. Many have experienced abuse, hunger and rejection. Most of them have been acquitted with too much suffering and pain in their childhood. They speak Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and English. In Gerizim Integrated Home and School for the Handicapped, their special needs are met and cared for like in a family like environment. Mentally and physically disabled children are integrated with the able - bodied children in such a way that the mentally disabled learn from the example set by other children. We also care for deserted women, widows, unwed mothers and others who can learn child care and serve them.

The Gerizim Rehabilitation Trust works closely with the local community through its social welfare programmes such as Women’s Club, Youth Club and Sunday Club. It’s two community Health Centers in Ejipura and Siddapura Slum provide subsidised treatment by qualified nurses in consultation with our Doctor, Speech Therapist, special Education Teachers and Social Workers.

In the family environment at Gerizim, children are encouraged into a wide range of activities including special education and skill training, games, sports, gardening, drawing, painting, dancing, vocational training, and cultural activities in an attempt to provide a balanced rehabilitation programme. With a very little regular financial support, the invaluable service provided by the Gerizim Rehabilitation Trust, depends entirely on voluntary contributions from friends and local community. In order to expand and continue the work of Gerizim Rehabilitation Trust, your help is very much needed. Whatever your contribution, it will be gratefully accepted. Hence we depend on friends like you: