Parents are a child’s first teachers, but becoming a teacher for a child with disabilities is not easy. To address this challenge, a special training program is being conducted in Kolkata for mothers of children who are hearing impaired.
This initiative is led by the organization ‘Anwesha Kolkata’ since 2013. The program offers a two-year course divided into four semesters, with training sessions held once a week (on Tuesdays or Thursdays). Notably, this entire course is provided free of cost.
Emotional Support for Struggling Mothers
Snigdha, one of the trainers, explains when a mother first comes here with her child, she is often emotionally broken and feels alone. Many mothers experience guilt due to societal taunts. She said;
“Our first step is to provide them with emotional support. Next, we help them accept their child’s condition. After this, we conduct a language development course where they learn both verbal and written sign language.”
Training Makes Childcare Easier
Aashtami Mandal from Gosaba, a remote village in Sundarbans, is one of the participants. Her son was born with a hearing impairment. Similarly, Kiran Pramanik from Kolkata, whose son is also hearing impaired, shares her experience:
“I have been attending this training for three and a half years. Along with my son, I also undergo training. The special schooling here has made it much easier to care for and communicate with my child.”
About Anwesha
Anwesha Kolkata, an organization dedicated to supporting parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing children, has been making a significant impact since its inception in 2004. With a strong focus on empowerment and social inclusion, Anwesha has been providing free training programs for mothers of hearing-impaired children since 2013. This initiative includes a two-year structured course designed to help mothers develop communication skills and emotional resilience.
How It Started: Anwesha Kolkata began in 2004 when a group of five parents came together with a shared vision. While raising their children with hearing impairments, they realized the challenges of navigating a world that often lacks awareness and support for the deaf community. Understanding the power of collective effort, they established Anwesha as a platform to support other families facing similar struggles. What started as a small initiative has now grown into a well-structured organization, transforming the lives of countless families.
Trainers at Anwesha emphasize emotional support as the first step, helping mothers overcome societal stigma and accept their child’s condition. The program also includes language development courses, enabling parents to learn both verbal and written sign language.
Anwesha Kolkata also organizes awareness events such as World Hearing Day and the International Week of Deaf People, advocating for the inclusion and rights of individuals with hearing impairments. By building a strong parent support network and collaborating with other organizations, Anwesha continues to pave the way for a more inclusive society.
