Shakil’s journey to the welfare of disabled
Shakil Azad Monon, co-founder of the Organization for Disabled Improvement and Rights, Bangladesh, who works with people with disabilitiesand cherishes the dream of improving the quality of life of people with disabilities. ODIR Disability School named ‘ODIR Protibondhi Biddyaloy’ is run under the organization. Shakil Azad Monon is currently the founding secretary general of the organization. He is also working as the principal of ODIR Disability School. In happiness and sorrows who always encourage him from the side is his wife Kohinoor Azad Molly. She is also the founding president of the organization. An interview conducted by Md. Mekail Ahmed, Assistant Teacher, ODIR Disability School.
How did ODIR start its school journey with disabled?
Shakil Azad Monon said, ‘The youngest daughter of their two daughters was born on April 28, 2003. For six months after birth, she was growing like a normal baby, but at the age of 6 months, she contracted measles, tuberculosis and meningitis, and survived for almost 12 years with multidimensional disability. She breathed her last on my lap at PG Hospital on April 26, 2015 at 8:30 pm. He further said, “On July 7, the couple took a joint initiative to provide medical treatment, education, various therapy services and exercise their rights to improve the quality of life of some children with disabilities in the society. An organization was established in 2012. We started the survey activities by finding the disabled children in the area. We are conducting various activities by enrolling them in our school for the purpose of providing special education and various services to them completely free of cost. At present the school has 215 students and 47 teachers, professionals and staff. The school is being run in accordance with the “Integrated Special Education Policy on NDD” of the Ministry of Social Welfare.
What motivated you to work for the development of people with disabilities?
He said that his daughter Nishat Mubashshira Gungun was suffering from a multidimensional disability and after realising her helplessness and disease-stricken life for almost 12 years, he became passionate about other special children and was motivated to build this organization.
Who helps you the most in this work?
He said ODIR was most assisted in running the school by his wife and the founding president of the organization, Kohinoor Azad Molly, as well as the school’s teachers, staff, parents, some online and onsite volunteers.
How is ODIR disabled school expenses are being executed?
In response to this question, he said that the activities of the school are being carried out through collection of membership dues, grants of eminent persons, and acceptance of grants from various government and non-government donor agencies. At present, the school for the disabled is being funded by collecting low tuition fees from some students. He also said that he has not received any grant from a foreign donor or agency so far.
How is running the school during the Corona virus transition period?
Shakil Azad Monon, the head of the organization, said that during the pandemic, with the help of various donor agencies, especially “Dhaka Deputy Commissioner”, NDD Protection Trust, Social Services, National Disability Foundation, Women MP NahidEzhar Khan and many others have come forward which resulted in about 200 students, teachers, officials and employees have received year-round food aid and financial assistance. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the concerned donor agencies and individuals for this help. He further said that due to the financial crisis, it has not been possible to meet the expenditure on all aspects of school infrastructure development. As a result, the organization ‘ODIR’ and the school are facing losses. So he sought the cooperation of the rich people of the society.
If you have any dreams about ODIR Bangladesh …
Shakil Azad Monon said, “Like a normal educational institution, ODIR School for the Handicapped will one day be established and supported and will play a pivotal role in bringing education and various trainings to improve the living standards of children and individuals with different needs of the society and country.” He believes that with the sincerity of the government and proper implementation of the policies, improving the quality of life of the disabled is not impossible.
Where do you want to see ODIR Bangladesh after next 10 years?
In response to such a question, he said, “In the next 10 years, ODIR will become a special educational institution with MPO to conduct various developmental activities and plan for children with disabilities, such as housing, running rehabilitation programs, establishing special teacher training colleges and training centers for special education. Establishment of a well-equipped health care center to provide health services and various therapy services, including employment arrangements, in the hope of making them self-reliant in the future, including preparation of various handicraft items and vocational training.
Do you have any complaints about ODIR’s school for the disabled?
He lamented the indifference and social responsibility of various aristocrats in the society and the lack of assistance or grants from various donor agencies.
If anyone want to help ODIR school for the disabled …
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