Join Madhumita In Her Mission To Empower Hundreds Of Specially Abled Children

As the vibrant colors of spring adorn the landscape of India, we welcome the season with open hearts and renewed spirits. Amidst this joyous time, we celebrate the festival of Holi, which marks the triumph over darkness and the arrival of hope. 

Yet, as we revel in the festivities, we often forget those who have been denied the chance to participate, particularly the specially abled. This Holi, let's take the opportunity to spread love, joy, and acceptance, ensuring that the spirit of Holi truly illuminates every corner of our society. 

For the last 3 decades, Prabhat has been a trailblazer in championing the rights of the specially abled

Established in 1992 by Dr. Madhumita Puri, the Society for Child Development (SfCD) and Prabhat NGO aims to create a better and more equal world for the specially abled. Dr. Madhumita worked at a reputed hospital before she realized that specially abled children don’t belong in the hospital - they deserve to be empowered and uplifted, given special attention, and given the means to stand on their own feet.

Their impact has been profound, benefiting over 300,000 individuals. From education and healthcare to vocational training and advocacy, SfCD has been instrumental in fostering a more inclusive society, where every person can thrive regardless of their abilities. The organisation looks after the overall well-being of these children by providing them with nutritious food, and a safe and loving environment that will help them blossom into confident individuals.

“Our mission, initially, was to focus on the education of the specially abled and help them integrate into mainstream society. But soon we realised there was no point in educating and training them when no one was ready to hire these children,” - Madhumita Puri, Founder. 

The year was 2001, and Madhumita thought of a novel idea. She started approaching temples in India for the leftover flowers from what was offered to the deity and involved the specially abled in recycling these flowers. That was how Avacayam (the Sanskrit word for ‘gathering flowers’) came into existence. It is an initiative that aims to generate income for the specially abled while also conserving the environment.

“We gather these flowers, segregate them, dry them under the sun,  process them, and finally package them. All of this is done with a lot of love and care by the students of our Avacayam program. This gulaal (powdered colours used in Holi) is not only eco-friendly and skin-safe but is also filling the lives of these children with hope and joy.”

Madhumita explains how the colours are a superb alternative to the synthetic colours that flood the markets during Holi. She adds that for these individuals who have faced constant discrimination, ridicule, and even abandonment - being involved in a fruitful process like this to produce something so unique makes them feel more confident of their capabilities. 

This Holi, let’s pledge to build a happier and more equal world with Madhumita  

Over the last many years, Madhumita and her dedicated team have worked tirelessly for the specially abled enabling these children to flourish and contribute meaningfully to their communities. However, this is an arduous task, and support from kind-hearted individuals is required at every step. 

“We urgently need a colour grinding machine that will help us make these eco-friendly colours for Holi. Apart from that, we also need help with groceries, hygiene materials, and stationery for our children. We are on a mission to build a kinder world and your generosity can make a real difference.” 

This year, let’s celebrate Holi with a purpose - your donations will spread joy and happiness to over 90+ children. 

About the NGO: Established in 1992 by Dr. Madhumita Puri, the Society for Child Development (SfCD) and Prabhat NGO aims to create a better and more equal world for the specially abled. Their impact has been profound, benefiting over 300,000 individuals. From education and healthcare to vocational training and advocacy, SfCD has been instrumental in fostering a more inclusive society, where every person can thrive regardless of their abilities. The organisation looks after the overall well-being of these children by providing them with nutritious food, and a safe and loving environment that will help them blossom into confident individuals.