Umeed organises cultural programme for special children

The welfare arm of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA) today organised a cultural programme for special children who showcased their talent at dancing and singing.
The event was organised by Umeed, the name of a venture that was conceptualized and started by Vandana Tyagi under the aegis of the Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA).
The main aim of Umeed is supporting the special children of air warriors as well as civilians of the IAF, by way of providing them special education and vocational training so that they are able to get absorbed in various jobs and earn a decent living for themselves, an IAF statement said.

Some of these children are presently working with big names like Lemon Tree Hotel and GMR. Besides providing them venues for working outside, Umeed also provides them jobs at IAF establishments like AF Canteen, AFWWA shops, regimental shops among others.
AFWWA has also supported these children to take part in Special Olympics and one of them, Khsitiz Chandra, represented India at Australia and won the Bronze medal in Short Put, 2013.
Umeed works with its team of professionals like physiotherapists, psychologists, special educators, occupational therapists, speech therapists and doctors to focus on the special abilities of various children with a view to honing their skills.