Our background
On 30th January 2015, GRIRR was founded with just 20 children with disabilities. In 2017, we connected with Kolkata Gives run by Mr. Mudar Patherya, who generously started sending essential physiotherapy equipment — a support that continues to this day, greatly aiding our growth. Understanding the vital role of aids and apparatus in rehabilitation, we expanded to producing artificial limbs.
We are dedicated to helping children achieve self-reliant adulthood by providing high-quality education, therapeutic support, and job placement services. We work directly with children and young adults with special needs, focusing on those from economically disadvantaged and socially marginalized backgrounds.
Our facility
We possess an 800 sq. ft. facility in Garden Reach, Metiaburz, undertaking treatments from 10 am to 7 pm. We possess another physiotherapy centre in Howrah which will be operational from January 2025.
Our
relevance
We are located just where we are most needed in Kolkata. Metiaburz comprises a population of around 350,000 people. Even at a one per cent penetration rate, the incidence of physical disability among children has been estimated around 3500 (apart from adults). There is only one NGO in Metiaburz that addresses the rehabilitation needs of children with disabilities – and that is GRIRR. There is one more reason that makes an NGO like us relevant to that terrain: the demographic profile of the population is low income; any incidence of disability within their families can affect disposable incomes, putting a premium on the need to rehabilitate children with speed and effectiveness. Besides, the neighbourhood mindset s reconciled to the interpretation of disability as a lifelong curse, making it imperative to provide hope.
Our culture
At GRIRR, our culture is one of caring plus competence. We are interested in the individual progress of each child; this is reflected in the customized services that we provide. Our culture also comprises competence: this is reflected in basic training for each GRIRR member [need some material on their certifications]. This has ensured a consistent recall: ‘If you go to GRIRR, you will be looked after well.’
Our ethical fabric
Mission
An inclusive development of society, where children with disabilities and person with disabilities have equal access to education, health, livelihood and good quality of life.
Vision
- Community empowerment and awareness about disabilities.
- Promoting inclusive development
- Facilitating access to services related to habilitation and rehabilitation.
- Capacity building of young persons with disabilities towards independence so that can live with dignity.
Goal
- Help children with disabilities cope with daily/personal chores
- Initiate formal education with the aim to mainstream them towards normal lives
- Enhance awareness on diverse disabilities
- Help create an inclusive society.
Values
Integrity
Professio
nalism
Accountability
Transparency
Team work
Gender
inclusion
Our code of conduct
We are not merely addressing the needs of 4000 children with disabilities in Metiaburz; we are engaged in a historic opportunity to transform the destinies and mindsets of 1.5 million people in the neighbourhood
We are forbidden to refer to the proposed development as ‘project’ or ‘centre’; we must refer to it as the Miracle of Metiaburz and no less (if we don’t see it as a miracle, no one will; each time we refer to it as a miracle, the reference will be self-fulfilling)
We are engaged in creating history that will benefit generations (this is not another chore)
We are engaged in creating an iconic landmark that people will come to see from all across India; this prospect should influence every decision we make
We must plan with a breadth of vision that benefits generations and not restrict our project as per the needs of today
We have a model ready to be showcased to the world; the money will not just come – the money will flow in; we will have more than we need; we may one day need to turn donors away
We are engaged in creating a new model of how disability will be addressed and treated across the marginalized
We are laying the foundation for the NGO to become a case study worthy of a Magsaysay Award
We need to believe every single word of this Code of Conduct, so that when we engage with non-believers, they see the conviction and passion in our eyes
We are engaged in transforming this NGO into an institution and reimagining the way India speaks of disability in the future
Seldom does such an opportunity to disrupt the dreary sands of everyday routine, complacence and ordinariness in our lives
We may be a small band of believers today, but one day we will transform the world
Visionaries of Miracle of Metiaburz
Silai Gully
Gifting stress? We’ve got you covered!
Presenting Silai Gully – A G.R.I.R.R initiative.
We’ve made the cutest, handcrafted gifts to add that extra sparkle to your celebrations.
Gift with love, handcrafted items made by mothers of children with disabilities.
Our
community initiatives
Skill training for youth with disabilities
Most youngsters with disabilities in Garden Reach need to commute long distances for gainful employment. Their biggest hindrance: low competence affects their employability. GRIRR responded with a skilling initiative; it provided basic hotel management training in collaboration with Mitti Cafe. Some 80 participants completed their training; we are happy to state that eight have been employed and are now financially supporting their families.
Aashayien Self-Help Group
Aashayien Self-Help Group (SHG) brings together individuals facing challenges to enhance awareness about disabilities and provide access to government facilities. The individuals are encouraged to save in banks. During the lockdown, they stitched masks for a living, generating which allowed them to support their families.
Trash to Treasure
This initiative by homemakers has helped provide clothes for each child celebrating his or her birthday at GRIRR. A private initiative provides a large birthday cake for all those celebrating their birthday each month.
KHOJ
We conducted this research during Durga Puja 2022 to ascertain the number of children with disabilities in Ward 134 of Kolkata (Garden Reach). Despite challenges, we identified 372 children with disabilities in just one ward. A sample wise approach indicated around 3,500 children with disabilities in the whole of Metiaburz. This estimation has only deepened our resolve to make a difference, considering that we presently service only around 10 per cent of our total addressable terrain.