Javed Ahmad Tak (52) still remembers the day his life changed forever. It was in 1997.
Javed, who was in his final year of his bachelor of science degree in college, fell victim to an armed conflict in Bijbehara, Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir, where he lives. He recalls, “I was hit by a bullet and taken to the nearest hospital, where the doctors had to operate and remove my kidney and spleen. They told me that the bullet had also hit my spinal cord.” Javed was paralysed from the waist down.
But during the months of pain that followed, he says he began seeing the world in a different light, empathising with the victims of conflict in the valley.
In 2003, Javed decided to turn his pain into potential. Today, his Humanity Welfare Organisation provides disabled children with education and rehabilitation. The organisation has helped 6,000 children in the last 23 years of its operations. And this Ramadan, he wants to build a bigger shelter home that can reach out to many more disabled children who have big dreams, but lack resources.
You can help Javed continue this work by donating here.
‘I just want to see them study’
Zakiya Manzoor (24) wants to become a professor. She has just completed her postgraduate studies and is proud of it. There was a time, Zakiya, who is visually impaired, never thought she could have professional dreams.
Recalling her childhood days, she says, “Everyone my age went to school. But I used to be at home because I was different.”
Humanity Welfare Organisation provides the children with free assistive and supportive devices like wheelchairs, hearing aids and crutches.
Then one day, her uncle got her admission into the Zaiba Aapa Institute of Inclusive Education, which is run under the Humanity Welfare Organisation.
There, Zakiya found friends and also the confidence to believe in her aspirations. “There were children with all kinds of disabilities,” she recalls, sharing that when she moved to another school for Class 9 — because at the time Zaiba Aapa Institute of Inclusive Education only taught until Class 8 — she felt isolated and alone.
“I remember feeling very discouraged about my disability, but every time I would feel that way, I would speak to Javed sir, and he would tell me about someone with a visual impairment who had achieved something great. Then I would think, ‘If they could, I can, too’.”
This makes Javed proud.
Through the organisation, Javed wanted to reach out to children in the valley who were affected by militant attacks.
Retelling the story of how he started the school, he says it was born out of his desire to reach out to disabled children. “After the doctor’s visits, I was at home for years. Accessing rehabilitation was tough. Initially, friends would come and visit, but eventually, it was just my family around me. They felt sad seeing my condition, so I decided I needed to do something that would divert my mind.”
Javed started teaching children who were victims of militant attacks.
“I have seen disability closely, and so I understand the challenges these children face,” he shares. His own experience with disability had taught him that what gets affected the most is one’s internal strength, and so he wanted to extend help in a way that let children continue to dream.
“I rented out a room where I could teach the children,” he shares, adding that he funded the project using the ex gratia amount of Rs 75,000 he received from the government. (An ex gratia amount is a one-time compensation payment given by the government as relief after an injury, loss, or tragedy.)
Support the next chapter of this school
At the Zaiba Aapa Institute of Inclusive Education, children are taught English, science, mathematics, social sciences, and Urdu by teachers. Children with visual and hearing impairments are taught by teachers who are trained in Braille and sign language. Children with intellectual disabilities learn through music therapy and art. There are also extracurricular activities like sports and crafts.
Presently, over 300 students with different disabilities are enrolled at the school. Meanwhile, the larger organisation provides children with free assistive and supportive devices like wheelchairs, hearing aids, and crutches.
In addition, free medical camps are organised with different doctors, hospitals, and organisations, including ophthalmic and dental check-ups for children with disabilities. The organisation’s association with hospitals and medical centres has also helped many children and adults get corrective surgery and medical aid.
Javed started the Humanity Welfare Organisation for children who are disabled.
In addition to this, there’s also physiotherapy for children who have different orthopaedic impairments and need physiotherapy interventions to maintain muscular strength and a full range of motion in their joints, preventing further deterioration. “Regular sessions of exercise therapy are provided to the children with cerebral palsy, orthopaedic disabilities, and children with multiple disabilities. Speech therapy is also provided to the children who need it,” Javed adds.
But while the centre is doing everything it can, Javed says there is still a long way to go. And he’s now focused on building another centre through which he says over 200 children will benefit.
You can help him in this endeavour.
Donate here.
All pictures courtesy Javed
