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School brings new life for Chetan

My story

Born blind, 10-year old Chetan Ram lived a lonely life, without school or friends.

Chetan could not manage the simple tasks most people take for granted. He could not get around or even clean his own teeth.

How we helped

Chetan’s life was transformed with help from our partners Sightsavers International. They sent an itinerant teacher to his home, in hot, arid Surpura in the Jodhpur district of Rahasthan. Soon Chetan conquered those simple tasks – and even learned to read Braille. Gradually Chetan became a part of his society. With help from his special teacher, he was able to go to school.

Working with blind students in homes and in classrooms, itinerant teachers offer vital help and support so the whole family can understand the challenges faced by children such as Chetan.

They help parents and local schools understand the vital need for blind children to go to school. Blind children who go into special institutions often find it hard to join wider society and can become withdrawn.

School life was not easy for Chetan. At first the other children teased him. But with help from his teacher twice a week, he has settled in. Now, he walks to school each day with his sister Pooja, and has a friend, Manish, who helps him out at school.

Chetan loves collecting peacock feathers. He knows the trees that the peacocks sit under and using his feet, he feels out the best feathers and brings them home.

If you would like to help people like Chetan, please donate here.