Where language is no barrier

Over 30 special children benefit from Freya Brooks’ initiatives – Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

Reaching out: Speech therapist Freya Brooks with hearing impaired children in Rasoolpura.

HYDERABAD: When Freya Brooks, 23, came to Hyderabad last June to volunteer with local NGO Bhumi, little did she know that she would be making the city her second home. Nor did she think that she would be braving the scorching summer of Hyderabad to do what she ‘loves’ to do or donning the salwar kameez with such ease.

A PhD in speech and language therapy, Ms. Brooks reached the city last June to work with the special children in the Rasoolpura slum where Bhumi is engaged in.

“Initially I was involved in assessing babies, speaking to parents and in early intervention. And this was something that I have always wanted to do,” she says.

After a three-week stint in June, she decided to return in October.

“They needed someone to coordinate and hold together this programme and so I moved here,” she explains. In her seven-month stint, she has started a school for children with disabilities and a ‘Breakfast Club.’ Thanks to her initiatives, over 30 special children have access to education and a healthy breakfast.

“We work with them using different education aids such as visual aids, lots of interactive games etc,” she says. Her job also involves going to individual homes of children with severe disabilities and interacting with parents.

Language barrier apart, the notorious ‘Indian Stretch Time’ is something she has had to deal with too.

“Many a times I would fix an appointment at 9 a.m. and would reach the place on time only to find that the others are yet to reach,” she says. “I would get very frustrated but over time I have come to accept this and change accordingly,” she says. She has had her share of disturbing and rewarding experiences, she says. “Many parents simply don’t have time to take care of their physically-challenged or sick children because they have to earn. Last Sunday a child died due to lack of adequate health care and such things make me feel very frustrated,” she says.

But it’s the rewarding experiences that keep her going in an alien city. “There are times when parents tell us see what my child did today or invite us for dinner. And when we see the change that takes place in them (children) after intervention, it is truly rewarding,” she says.

She feels the people need to demand for the health facilities. “Not just the poor, even others should make a fuss and demand for this basic human right to health.”

For now, she hopes to be a change-maker and promises to keep coming back to the country she terms as ‘brilliant’.

Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/04/stories/2010050459660200.htm

Courtesy
The Hindu