Project History and Mission

This centre was established by Dr.Joseph Gnanadickam in the year 1975 for the rehabilitation of blind women, in addition to his services to other organizations such as Eye hospital, school for the blind, training center for adult blind men and workshop for the blind men. The seeds of this center were sown with the funds contributed by the Trichy public to commemorate his 75th Birthday which has grown in to a model institution to serve exclusively for visually challenged women.

RCBW aims towards improvement of human capability as an individual and attainment of better quality of life in the family, community and society. The project aims at providing rehabilitation, education, vocational training and placement services to adult blind women who are completely blind, below the poverty line and from the remote villages. The whole program of the center is designed to reach the goal of empowerment and advancement of the status of blind women.

RCBW provides for education of girls and prepares them to appear in 8th, 10th, 12th grade examinations and even further education if they are interested. During the past few years, with Asha's support RCBW has provided intensive coaching and all the students who appeared for the exams have come out successfully. RCBW trains the girls and women using various methods and techniques so that they can become independent, active members of society. These techniques can be easily adapted and used by organizations working towards similar goals as of RCBW. Some of the activities and techniques are:

1. Orientation and mobility training.
2. Training in computers using voice synthesizers.
3. Braille shorthand and typewriting in English and Tamil.
4. Helping prepare for higher secondary examinations, degree courses.
5. Motivate the community towards eye donations.
6. Vocational training - Tailoring., Weaving, Telephone Booth manning, Recanning, Block printing, Bakery, Detergents, Plan Craft, Candles, Envelops, Files, Footwear, printing press and binding. 7. Providing Employment and placement service.
8. Counseling parents of disabled children.

WAH Budget Proposal

More on RCBW

RCBW strives to improve the quality of training and education so that the girls can get the best possible opportunities in future. For example, these days it’s not just sufficient that girls are trained to become stenographers or telephone operators. As Computer jobs are becoming ubiquitous, RCBW is training the girls to operate computers using JAWS software which will enable better jobs. RCBW also lets girls choose and decide the trade they want to get trained in and let them pursue their interests such as music. Following their dreams, the women of RCBW are able to give their best which eventually leads to their success.

RCBW continues to get support from the community and local organizations. Also the previous students support the organization in various ways such as volunteering, monetary support from time to time, and by spreading the word among their friends and families. RCBW is keen to find Govt policies which can sustain funding and support in coming years. RCBW also runs a bakery (which is very popular) and there are plans to expand it in coming years helping it move closer to self-sustainability.

Success Stories:

The success stories are best heard from the students themselves -

ILAYARANI -
“Life is a full of challenges and positive response to it will make any person to attain success. I am totally blind coming from a poor family. However my family members took keen interest in my development and took all the efforts to educate me. I studied up to +2 in puthur blind school. After that I came to know about the centre and I joined last year.

My training in this centre has raised my self confidence and the sense of self reliance. Now I am studying B.A.(History) in E.V.R. college.Apart from college study I also learn the craft of plastic bag making, Recanning etc.“

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PARAMESHWARI
“Impossible itself says I am possible” - It depends on how we read and take up the things in casual manner.

My native place is Thirunallur. I was born in a middle class family. Father is a farmer and mother house wife. I am having the problem of low vision, thus I am unable to study and my parents also worried about my education.

We heard about this Rehabilitation Centre for Blind Women through word of mouth and decided to join here. After joining here I got lot of spirit and self confidence. Here my education track started and I feel that I have lot of things to achieve. I studied 8th standard through this institution and appeared for exam as private candidate and I scored 420 / 500. Now it makes my parents and everyone happy and now I am studying 10th standard.

No words to express our Amma care and dedication towards us. Our staff Mrs.Radha Ramakrishnan motivation makes me to do wonders in my studies for achievement of good marks. Apart from studies I learn various activities like Tailoring, Incense stick making and Recanning.

Thus my path of success is going on like a endless river.
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RCBW has more success stories to offer -- Dr.RadhaBhai (M.A. Phd) working as a professor in Govt. Arts college for women, Pudukottai; Mrs.Shanthi (M.Com), working in Oriental insurance company, Tanjore; Miss.Vimala Mary, (M.Com, B.Ed ), working as a P.G. Teacher in Govt. Higher Secondary School, Ayilapettai Kuzumani in this district and so on.
Two of RCBW students, Selvi Kavitha and Selvi Baby are continuing their studies in Teacher Training Course in Music College. RCBW has conducted more than 400 marriages so far. Each year 5-7 blind women are getting married and the entire cost of marriage is borne by the institution.

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