Swami's story…on being included

Swami is the only son of Koosama of Sagade village in Chamrajnagar. Koosama works in the fields as a daily wage earner and is the only bread winner of the family. Her husband abandoned her and Swami as he was born with visual impairment.
Swami is 13 years old, and till recently had little interaction with the outside world. Koosama left him at home alone, while she laboured all day long. Things have changed since the interventions of the ELO programme. Koosama was enrolled in the Sangha and the members' initiatives in talking to school authorities helped in getting
Swami into school. To manage the transition of being in school and having social interactions, Swami was assisted by a special educator for visual impairment in basic daily living skills.
Swami was irregular to school when he was enrolled. Later he was oriented on mobility, and neighborhood school mates also helped him in commuting to School. He now spends two hours in the Community Education Center after school hours and returns home by the time Koosamma finishes work.
Swami was once a friendless child with very less contact with outside world, but now looks forward to each day with renewed energy in learning braille concepts, abacus and improve his behavioral skills.