Moira Kelly Creating Hopes Foundation

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH PROGRAMME

The 40 days of volunteering at Moira Kelly Creating Hopes Foundation has been one of the most significant experience of my life. I had never witnessed any foundation or children with special abilities from so close. since the start of the placement, I have been learning about the complexities involved in the disability sector. The placement gave me an opportunity to experience the disability sector. Development is a vast concept and prioritising a sector to work in, is challenging. However, my background, aspirations, and desire has been inclined towards Children in Development. The reason behind this, is the alarming situation of children in India. Children with special needs or any form of disability is discriminated at social grounds, which affects their mental and psychological growth. Therefore, I wanted to work in foundation, where I could acquire more skills, and implement them, back in my Country. The initial days of the placement, was just an observation and rapport formation with the children. I knew that, its not going to be easy, as the children were from different community and culture. Though, there were some coordinators as well, but my roles weren’t easy, as it involved direct interaction with the children. I was supposed to assist children with day-to-day activities. initially, it was difficult for me to interact with them, as I was a stranger to them, and it took some days to establish a comfort level with them. After some days passed, my connection with them got much better. There are around 9-10 children in the foundation at the moment. Children in the foundation have underwent life changing surgeries/treatment. Before much interaction with the children, I had the notion that, these groups of children are different from others, their disability makes them different, but I was completely mistaken. The reason could be the difference in both of the environments, ive worked in i.e. India and Australia. one thing which I found out was, the children are more confident in Australia as compared to India. the reason probably is, the Australian model focuses more on active inclusivity, which I think, Indian model didn’t. My placement was going smooth, and I kept on learning new things. I assisted them, organised curricular activities for them, and kept myself engaged with children, to enhance my communication and adaptability skills, also, to understand their mental status. However, there was incident, which was the most significant in the entire placement. I was travelling with my coordinator and a girl, and we were looking for a disable parking spot. we asked the parking representative about the disable spot, and the girl (with a major leg surgery) asked,’ why are you looking for a disable spot?’ you both are fine and I can walk from any distance to the shop. That instance was the most shocking incident for me, as I was amazed by the confidence she had. The children were confident and comfortable in their lives. they didn’t want any special attention or sympathy in their lives. The placement has proved to be very significant for me, I have acquired some skills of my expectations, if not every. I wish to practice these skills in the practical and professional field, whenever ill get a chance too.