On February 10 we — the school correspondents of The Himalayan Times — visited TSDCBD. 1991 saw the establishment of TSDCBD in a single room with two deaf and one blind student at Sanepa by Sashikala Singh. Despite all difficulties Singh’s motivation to help the differently abled never stopped and the Centre is now home to some 100 students. TSDCBD has successfully produced nearly a 1000 students till date who are now able to earn their own. Training is available on different subjects like music, clay work, handicrafts, candle making, chalk making, weaving and knitting,etc.

The teachers have to attend a six-month long orientation class before they can teach students at the Centre. As the Centre has been able to employ only 16 teachers the classes have been divided into two shifts. The Centre also provides a six-months course to its students, which includes all sorts of physical as well as mental development. Handicrafts made by the students are sold in foreign countries as well and the income is utilised in the Centre. Initially their clay products had to be taken to Bhaktapur, but now that The Himalayan Times has provided them with a kiln, this saves them a lot of expense. The social service organisation of Nepal and other different countries are supporting them with computers and weaving machines.

Some students have suffered from cruelty from of their own family, which has worsened their physical and mental condition.

TSDCBD is a promising organisation that helps the differently abled who are deprived of love and care. It provides them a homely environment and encourages them to face society by providing them income-generating trainings.

— Tenchee D Lama Tamang, Class IX-A, Ideal English HS School