Susanna Myrtle Lazarus
Express News Service
Last Updated : 04 Oct 2011 09:58:05 AM IST
CHENNAI: Clad in bright yellow T-shirts, and with beaming smiles, the city saw children engaged in an unusual act of giving back to society. Around 20 children from Mathru Mandir, an institution for individuals affected by Down’s syndrome, distributed food packets to beggars and underprivileged persons outside the Shri Balaji Temple in T Nagar.
Their shirts read ‘Joy of Giving Week,’ and one could see that joy on the faces of the children. Supported by the Down’s syndrome association of Tamil Nadu, they extended their support and participation in the Joy of Giving Week. From beggars to auto drivers, every one passing by received food packets given by the children. The food distributed for the Annadhaanam was from the money raised by the students themselves, which had been collected from their family and friends.
Sandhya, Special Educator and Parent at the Down's Syndrome Association of Tamil Nadu said, “We think that these children affected by Down’s syndrome are the ones that need help, but they feel that they need to help others. The children are very happy and enthusiastic about being a part of Joy of Giving Week, to do their bit for society.” Earlier in the week, the children helped the school staff in cleaning — from sweeping to washing the van. Arthi, a 20-year-old student at Mathru Mandir, gave a month’s need of toiletries to Selvi, a girl from the slum.
Last year, around 2,000 Down's syndrome-affected children from all over Tamil Nadu, assembled at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai for a day full of games, fun and entertainment. This year, the Down's Syndrome Association of Tamil Nadu is hosting the same event in five districts. Around 250 to 500 intellectually-disabled persons (12 years and above) will celebrate a fun filled day in Kanyakumari, Coimbatore, Erode, Trichy and Tirunelveli.
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