About the school: Amo
Vidyalaya, an integrated special
school was setup at Barang in
the year 1999. An incidental
survey following the Super
Cyclone of ‘99 revealed that
this area had high incidence of
disability of different types
which was entirely unaddressed.
From here began the journey of
Amo Vidyalaya.
The school started with 12
students from nearby villages.
Over the years with the active
involvement of the community
more children joined the school,
now with over 60 students. The
school is almost singularly
supported by the organisation.
The school was run in the centre
of the village in a rented
house, but has since moved to
the premises of the VTC through
the active support of the then
Director of Social Welfare,
Dept. of W & CD, Govt. of Odisha.
At present there are 43 students
attending school on a regular
basis. The children come from
dispersed villages, which makes
traveling to school a
challenge.
The school is deliberately run
as a day school in the heart of
the community to create an
ownership and belongingness for
the children and community
people. The school is also
integrated meaning that children
with different disabilities are
accepted and included as
students in the school. Creative
Arts is the dominant teaching
medium used with the children.
The community is very involved
in the activities of the school.
Towards Inclusion:
Besides the regular education
provided to the children, we
also take steps towards their
inclusion in general schools.
For children who are beyond the
academics or school going stage,
inclusion is still carried
through different social
processes.
The Vocational Unit (“Prachi”):
The uniqueness about the
vocational unit in Amo Vidyalaya
is that, along with the
children, the parents also
receive training in different
trades and participate in
product making. Our training
professional gives training to
the students in:
Tailoring
Incense stick making
Doormat making
Appliqué work
Paper bag making
To promote the products made in
the vocational unit regular
stalls are put up at different
exhibitions and events. Some of
the major events where the
exhibits were for sale are
Balliyatra at Cuttack, Samarthya
at Bhubaneswar, Beach festival
at Gopalpur and National
Changemakers Assembly at
Bhubaneswar, Ekamra Haat,
Bhubaneswar, Delhihaat through
Arunim.
Community Activities: The school organises many
community activities. The staff
and volunteers implement the
following activities in all
target villages:
Parents counseling to
encourage them to send their
children to school regularly
Training parents to take care
of the children and to provide
them the basic physiotherapy and ADL practice
Informing about parents
meetings, school festivals,
sports, annual function and
another activities
SHG meeting
Competitions: Children
from Amo Vidyalaya also
participate in various talent
shows and competitive events.
Celebrations: When it
comes to celebration and
festivities Amo Vidyalaya is
always in the lead. Both the
national days and cultural days
are celebrated with gusto. These
occasions are used as a platform
to promote inclusion. Visit our
Photo Gallery to see photos from
International Women’s Day and Saraswati Puja 2011. World
Disability Day is celebrated at
Amo Vidyalaya, promoting the
potential of children with
disability, their recognition
and acceptance in mainstream
society.
Observation of Annual Sports
Day and Annual Event: The
Annual sports day of Amo
Vidyalaya invites children from
nearby mainstream schools to
also participate in the
competitions, promoting
inclusion and community spirit.
The Annual Event of Amo
Vidyalaya is a big date in
everyone’s calendar in the
locality. For the children it is
the best time of their school
days.
Watch videos
from last year’s Annual Function.
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