MITHRA

The Madras Institute to Habilitate Retarded Afflicted (MITHRA), was inaugurated on the 19^th of March 1977, by Sister Mary Theodore, an Australian Missionary.  MITHRA, which also means 'friend' in Sanskrit, is an institution which serves the physically and mentally handicapped.

Sister Mary who came to Chennai 48 years ago, saw the plight of the poor in Chennai especially those families whose members were afflicted by some mental or physical disablity. Their lack of financial ability, to get the right treatment was the drive to start such an institution.  No one is ever turned away from Mithra, even if he or she is considered as unhelpable.

The message given to families having disabled members is, 'Accept them for what they are, and try to focus on their abilities rather than on their disabilities'.

MITHRA is a non-profit organisation, its activities include:

• A School housing children between the ages of 5 to 16 years, who are assembled into small groups so that individual assessment and attention is given. Instruction depends on the ability and absorption level of each child.
• A Hospital which provides Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy, Psychiatry, dental and X-ray Units for multi-disability purposes.
• Pre-vocational section, where some training like colouring, cutting and pasting etc., is given to children who have reached their maximum academic ability. Vocational Sections, where vocational training like envelope making, candle making, embroidery, carpentry etc, is conducted for older students. This helps generate a level of confidence and also equip them for a livelihood.
• The Maintenance Department here consists of the inmates of Mithra, who help in the maintenance of the institution as well as run an in-house manufacturing facility for the production of crutches, caliphers and other tailor-made frames.

Dormitory facility is provided for both, the mentally and physically disabled inmates MITHRA if required. The institution also conducts a 1½-year course called, 'The Multi Purpose Rehabilitation Worker's Course', which grants a certificate recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India, Government of India. The aspirations of the social workers and teachers at MITHRA is to set up a sheltered workshop in 'Light Engineering Work' for the men and a 'Canteen Service' for the women.

MITHRA is a member of the Special Olympics Team - India, with Sister Theodore as the coordinator for Tamil Nadu.  Every year in the month of October, the institution conducts its own Special Olympics, which is also open to the public eye.

The problems faced by this institution are lack of Speech Therapists, fees not being paid by students for many months at a stretch and most of all an acute shortage of finance, as they have no regular donors. Most donations come from friends and family, which hardly enables Mithra to tide over expenses.

The fee structure for admission per student ranges from Rs.150/- to Rs.200/- per month. For those who are economically weaker, concessions may be availed of.

Donations can be made to the following address:

Address : Mithra, No D-171, R. V. Nagar, AnnaNagar, Chennai-600 102.
 Phone : 663 3708.

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