"When little Anoop came to us, he was scared, malnourished and unaware of how to do the most basic things. And that’s not surprising considering he was born blind to a poor family, and they’re some of the most vulnerable, neglected children. Today though, he is healthy, learning and smiling. This is what happens when you show compassion to a child."
Eighty years ago, the Poona School and Home for the Blind was founded by the late Dr. S.R. Machave, an ophthalmologist, with just six children. Today, the school not only provides education but most importantly, it also feeds every single child in their care.
Mr. Krishna, currently in-charge, has been with the school for 15 years. Before this, he served in the Indian Air Force for 21 years, participating in the Kargil War. His journey with the school began through a friend, Keshav Rai, who introduced him to this noble cause.
"When I first came here, I could see the children needed a lot of care. A lot of them were small, underweight and frail. When I asked around, I found out it was because they come from very poor backgrounds and food wasn’t always readily available to them," he recalls. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to change this. Now, the school has modern facilities, including computers and special provisions for disabled kids and slow learners.
Mr. Krishna’s dedication is unmatched. He arrives at the school early every morning and hasn’t taken a single day off in the last 15 years. He is deeply involved in every aspect of the school, from selecting teaching staff to ensuring the kids have everything they need.
The school caters to children aged 5 to 18, providing them with education, lodging, boarding, and food—all free of cost. "We are more than just a school. We are a home and a future for these kids," he says. The school is working on expanding its education to include classes 9 and 10, so the children don’t have to seek education outside.
The school operates in one of the poorest regions, where many parents are laborers who can barely afford to feed their children. Due to malnutrition, many children are born blind. Initially, parents are reluctant to send their children, but once they see the positive changes, they are grateful.
The school currently has around 150 boys and 107 girls. They also have a vocational training center for 25 girls, teaching them skills like sewing, making Diwali lamps, yoga mats, phone covers, jute bags, and chocolate making.
The children are involved in various activities like music, orchestra, cricket, and other sports. The school is associated with the Maharashtra State Board and has achieved 100% results, with all boys scoring over 80% in exams. Amol Karche, a student from the school, was selected for the Indian Blind Cricket Team and performed exceptionally well in the Blind Cricket World Cup. For his achievements, he was felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a cash award of Rs. 5 lakh.
"Nobody can survive without food, least of all growing children. We are committed to taking care of all of their needs but with the rising costs of food and our growing numbers, it’s becoming harder to do our best," Mr. Krishna emphasizes. He dreams of eradicating blindness and stresses the importance of food and healthcare. One child at the school underwent treatment and recovered 80% of his eyesight, thanks to the free treatment provided.
"These kids are not the only ones blind. People are blind to their potential and what they can achieve. We want these kids to have a chance to grow up and to chase their dreams," Mr. Krishna concludes.
Your support can help more children like Anoop. Please support the Poona School and Home for the Blind. Together, we can give these children a brighter future.
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