The Happy Home And School For The Blind
Where children with visual/muluple impairment take their first steps to understand their environment and begin to learn that their world is connected to what they hear, feel and touch but cannot see
Those first steps were taken 93 years ago in a restricted, rented space shared by five blind boys.
Today, the Happy Home & School for the Blind is a safe and stimulating environment where 200 cheerful, carefree and confident boys cross barriers of language, religion and creed and discover how to make their unique mark on the outside world
The Happy Home & School for the Blind is a living celebration of the thirteenth-century prayer written by St Francis of Assisi:
"Make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is darkness, let there be light, Where there is sadness, joy"
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।। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।।
From Darkness To Light
Paths Of Purpose
Learning to Live
Academic and curricular goals are important. As is personal bearing, self-discipline and good behaviour. Every child must leam to stand tall and to express themselves, to speak clearly, confidently and politely. There is no space here for self-pity. Children must be taught not to expect pity or charity, but to become contributors to society.
At the Happy Home, we channel each child's innate abilities and natural enthusiasm to develop confidence and independence from a very early age. We provide the support for students to acquire the skills they need to negotiate their own steps towards self-reliance
Music
Blind musicians are among the most celebrated. Think Steve Wonder, Suchit Narang, Andrea Bocelli, Ravindra Jain and Rap Charles, none of whom heieves their blindness has been a disadvantage. On the contrary, recent research suggests that the brains of blind musicans are better wired musically than those of sighted musicians because they have a more sophisticated sensitivity to auditory stimuli.
Whatever, the Happy Home is alive with the sound of music. Many of the children learn to play the flute, violin, cello, piano, drums and percussion instruments. Making music enhances their confidence and boosts their self-esteem and natural joie de vivre.
Fingers that See
The children's creativity is explored and encouraged in many different ways in order to stimulate their imaginations, improve their physical dexterity and build their sense of achievement. The children paint with aromatic paints, make and glaze pottery, spin thread and weave cloth on a handloom. Some of the children become skilled carpenters. The walls of the School are decorated with some of their most exquisite mosaic work
Firm Foundations
From their first days in the Montessori Class, the children are helped to make the most of their sense of touch, smell, taste and hearing in order to make better sense of the world around them. The pre-school years allow for an informal, unstructured curriculum during which skilled teachers can assess each child's individual abilities and set realistic goals. Functional dexterity is developed with the aid of toys and very quickly the children can tie their own shoelaces and button their own shirts. Learning how to have fun in the classroom and on the playground is as important as learning how to climb steps safely and how to operate phones and other helpful gadgets. Slowly but surely, the children gain physical and emotional assurance, acquire self-reliance and begin to embrace their independence with confidence
Journeys Of Change
Impact Stories
Mahesh Deokar
Mahesh is presently Professor and Head of Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Savitribhai Phule University, Pune. He obtained a Masters Degree in Sanskrit, a Masters Degree in Pali and PHD (Pali) University of Pune.
Ketan Kothari
Currently Ketan is a Managing Consultant at the Xavier’s Resource Centre for visually challenged at Xavier’s College Mumbai. Ketan has over the years worked in the field of Advocacy and inclusion for persons with visual impairment.
Kishor Gohil
Kishor’s professional expertise is phenomenal. Kishor has founded and launched several organizations to assist persons with special needs. Kishor organizes and performs shows with professional ensembles and has led outreach social cause programmes for eye donation drives, fund raising events and community support.
Chandra Peraswamy
Chandra belongs to a family of five visually impaired members who were all treated by our Ophthalmologist Dr. Keki Mehta for congenital cataract. Chandra worked as a humble office boy at the age of 18 with a leading Law firm in Mumbai.
Jaydeep Singh
Jaydeep is a dynamic, focused, active, self-motivated, determined individual eager to learn and deliver the best practices to the aspirants of Judo. With a fierce determination and unwavering passion, Jaydeep has been breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes in the world of Judo.
Khandu Bhandare
Khandu has two older siblings who are visually impaired. From humble beginnings in a remote village he has now received a graduate degree, Diploma in Software Programming.
Nitesh Sonawane
Nitesh has been with Happy Home & School for the Blind since he was 5 years old. He was an unfortunate victim of an acid attack during the 1993 riots in Mumbai and sadly lost his vision, despite numerous surgeries and treatment.
Rahul Gajjal
Recently returned from Aston University, Birmingham after completing Master of Science Degree in Human Resource Management, Rahul has numerous credits. He is an HR professional with a strong background in Digital Content Creation and Communication Skills.
Impact Stories
Mark your calendar
- Charity GalaThu, 25 JanSan Francisco, CA, USA
- Volunteer DriveThu, 18 OctSan Francisco, CA, USA
- Fundraising MarathonMon, 10 DecSan Francisco, CA, USA
journeys Of Change
Nitesh Sonawane
Nitesh has been with Happy Home & School for the Blind since the age of five, after losing his vision in an acid attack during the 1993 Mumbai riots. Despite this, he has excelled in music, training in Jazz, Classical, and Indian genres. A gifted musician and mentor, he has nurtured the talents of hundreds of visually impaired students through workshops and training.
Nitesh is a lead performer in multiple bands and has toured internationally, including the USA, UK, UAE, Uganda, and Kenya. He continues to teach at his alma mater, leading choirs that have performed before eminent dignitaries and at prestigious venues across India and abroad.
Lives We Nurture
With over 10,000 students guided and a century of dedicated experience, we have walked beside each child as they step with confidence into the world of work—transforming potential into purpose, and ability into independence.
Riyansh
Sarthak
Advait
Anand
Divya
Sairaj
10,000
Lives Touched
Every Hand Helps Us Grow
500
Volunteers
Uniting Hearts and Actions
250
Projects Completed
Milestones of Hope and Change
Join The Change
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