Story
Encouraging Independence
Despite the COVID-19 lockdown, Shobhit’s family is supporting and helping him learn new skills.
Shobhit is a smart and very active boy. He is keen to learn new things and loves to play with his siblings.
In January during a door-to-door screening by the Project IDI team in the Maholi district of Sitapur, 9-year-old Shobhit was identified to have low vision with intellectual disability. However, he did not have a disability certificate and was not in school.
Shobit’s family is very supportive and wants the best for his future. For a short period, he had attended the local government school but the school could not accommodate him because they had no idea about his specific needs or how to teach him.
Once lockdown ends, the Project IDI team will support the family to get a disability certificate for Shobhit and help to enrol him in a regular school with support so the school can include Shobit in ongoing lessons and activities.
Until then, Shobhit’s parents are very happy that Shobhit is engaged in a meaningful way at home in activities which are a part of the family’s daily routine. The Project IDI team has been guiding Shobit’s parents over the phone about the importance of hand washing and maintaining hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have also been guiding his parents to involve Shobit in day to day activities at home like fetching water from the hand pump and washing vessels. Shobhit is also happy to participate in these activities with his parents and loves learning new skills every day.
