Braving the cold weather, about 150 students, parents and well wishers of the Rashmika Centre for Learning and Counselling for children with learning differences had gathered at CSI School on Race Course, to participate in the dyslexia awareness walkathon. The youngest participant was 12 years while the oldest was 55 years old. A few participants carried placard with messages like “Embrace dyslexia, empower dyslexia and elevate dyslexia.”

“This walkathon is to spread awareness about dyslexia and it is also a curtain raiser to our dyslexia week celebrations next week. We have organized several competitions for children with learning differences. This is the first time that Rashmika Centre is celebrating dyslexia week,” Suresh Abraham, Correspondent of Rashmika Centre for Learning and Counselling, said.

This centre was founded in 1997 by Suresh Abraham and his wife Elizabeth S. “Rashmika is a centre for children with learning differences, dyslexia, slow learning, and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). Rashmika’s aim is to impart learning skills to these children to enable them to be mainstreamed, or prepare them to write the Class X Board of Exam either through the state board syllabus or the NIOS,” Elizabeth says.

The centre caters to the needs of children with learning differences. Currently 90 children visit the centre on weekdays between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm for training. Five students come after school hours. 18 full-time teachers and four occupational therapists train the children. This centre has specifically designed vocational training and occupational therapy programmes for the students.