For many years, Divya Sadan, in Socorro, Porvorim, has been serving as a community home to adults with an intellectual disability. They have been encouraging differently-abled adults to discover their talents and become independent. In a similar pursuit, to showcase their talents and earn a living from the same, Divya Sadan, a Caritas Goa initiative, is hosting an ‘open house art exhibition cum jumble sale’ from April 29, 2022 to May 1, 2022 at Divya Sadan, Socorro.
At the event, there will be exhibition and sale of artwork, created by the members of the programme. There will also be a sale of gardening items and a jumble sale of pre-loved items.
About the exhibition
Explaining the idea behind this initiative, Programme Coordinator, Ashita Abraham, says, “This is a project by Caritas Goa to work with adults, who have an intellectual disability. There are two aspects to the programme, one is ‘Sheltered Work Programme’ for adults with intellectual disability. For this programme, we engage in work like gardening, craft making and art.”
During the pandemic, there wasn’t much interaction happening, but as a community these adults and their assistants were engaged in art. All the artwork, done by them has been collected, and will be displayed in collaboration with Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts, Panjim. This is done in order to build awareness and raise funds.
The other aspect of Divya Sadan is to function as a community home facility. It is a model of a long term living solution for adults. Ashita says, “Very often, there are schools which cater to such children, but as parents age, there is no one to look after these children (as adults). We provide them with a workspace, where they can find friendship and companionship. They can also get an opportunity to earn a livelihood and stay at our long term residential home.”
The other items that will be on sale are gardening items, candles, doormats and an assortment of other things made by the adults. Many people have come forward to donate pre-loved items, which will be put up in a jumble sale. People can purchase these, and the proceeds from the exhibition will be given as a stipend to the respective members for their work.
Ashita says that a chance to earn a livelihood helps and motivates these adults. “There are many homes, where parents age and no one looks after their specially-abled children. We first invite them to be part of our day programmes. The decision to join the community as a resident is a process and a collective decision, whether to be a part of it or not. It is a big decision, and has to be their choice,” she adds.
The exhibition-cum-sale is also part of Caritas Goa’s diamond jubilee celebration and is open to all.
Details:
WHEN: April 29, 2022 to May 1, 2022
WHERE: Divya Sadan Community Home, Socorro, Porvorim
TIMINGS: 11am to 5pm
ENTRY FEE: Nil
TIMINGS: 11am to 5pm
CONTACT: 8805027950