“Disabled children are often abandoned by their families. What happens after is that many anti-social people break their limbs and force them into begging, snatching away their earnings. The situation of girls with disabilities is worse. Many are neglected and often raped for years. Since they can’t speak, nobody is aware of their condition for years. This is the evil I am trying to fight.” – Anil Joseph, Founder of Ashray, a holistic centre for children with mental and physical disabilities.

In the city of Agra, where the Taj Mahal stands tall as an iconic symbol of love, another beacon of compassion shines brightly. Meet Anil Joseph, a special educator with a mission. In 2005, he took the first step toward creating a haven for mentally and physically disabled children, founding the NGO “Ashray” to provide them with a chance at a fulfilling life.

“People who have no connection with or are not related to children with disabilities do not know what they really go through. They tend to scoff at them saying they have no future and are useless. I urge people like this to come to Ashray and see the colourful life that these children are able to live. They are happy, at peace and most importantly, feel loved.” – Anil Joseph

He spends more than half of his salary on these children.

Anil, born and raised in Ghazipur district near Benares in Uttar Pradesh, draws inspiration from his own life journey. Influenced by a physically handicapped teacher who left an unforgettable mark on him, he embarked on a career in special education, ultimately dedicating his life to the cause. Anil currently works as a special educator in the Education Department of the Uttar Pradesh government, earning a modest income of 20,000 INR per month.

“I invest more than half of my salary into Ashray. I have no family. I have no other passion. I live for these children. Their smiles make my day.” – Anil Joseph.

The journey of Ashray began with a small clinic and Anil’s interactions with parents of special children. The pressing need for a residential facility became evident as parents feared for their children’s future after their own passing. At that time, there was no residential school in the region catering to the specific needs of these children.

“Ashray currently serves 32 children in its residential facility, providing them with shelter, food, education, and medical facilities. Additionally, the day care centre accommodates 60 children, offering essential daily skills based on their mental abilities.”- Anil Joseph

The organisation also provides therapy sessions, including speech therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy, to enhance the children’s overall well-being.

‘These innocent children will become homeless if we do not get urgent help’

Despite limited resources, Anil emphasises treating these children with kindness, referring to them as ‘Specially-Abled’ rather than disabled. The bond between Anil and the children is heartwarming; they affectionately call him ‘Sir’ or ‘Papa’. Anil makes sure to bring treats during his regular visits, creating a familial atmosphere where the children feel loved and cared for.

However, challenges persist. The current facilities, though a labour of love, are constrained by lack of funds.

“The day care centre operates in a rented facility, while the residential facility, even though owned by the Trust, is limited in size. We don’t have enough funds to keep running this shelter. If we don’t get enough funds, the children will be homeless.”- Anil Joseph

Anil envisions a community of love for these children, but he needs your help to make this a reality

Anil’s long-term plans include assigning caretakers to each family unit (consisting an ‘older sibling’ and a ‘younger sibling’) within the facility, creating a supportive environment for the children to thrive. But financial constraints hold him back from this dream.

“I want to take in more children, especially children who are orphaned, or those who have single parents who struggle to take care of them. But I need your help to build more rooms and facilities for this purpose. My salary and local donations do not suffice for this purpose. Please help me and these innocent children.” -Anil Joseph.