Final report of Giridhar Ghodkar, speech therapist for REWA in summer 2011

Sojourn Of A Speech & Language Pathologist in Ladakh

My excitement knew no bounds when Karola wrote back and invited me to Leh to volunteer as a speech-language pathologist at Rewa society.
fThe flight from New Delhi to Leh would always be a memorable one. The picturesque scene of the blue sky pervaded with beautiful clouds against the backdrop of brilliant sunshine and shimmering snowcapped mountain tops beneath makes one marvel over the magnificent works of the creator of the world. The moment the plane touched the run way I knew I am at a rapturous part of the world, Welcome to Leh - The roof of the world, the land of gompas and the land of breathtaking landscapes! As I landed I felt little nip in the air, there were enthusiastic tourists, smiling men from military on vigil, people with happy faces greeting one another with 'julay', the devout some clad in reddish brown robes constantly repeating the sacred chants using rosaries, the fluttering flags, the prayer wheels, the gompas, the hills, the running brooks all settles and quietens one's fickle mind and spurs one to experience the glory of beauty named inner peace amidst the original beauty of nature.

It was really nice to meet Karola and Mr.David over the breakfast they appraised me about the work of Rewa society working under the aegis of Ladakh Hilfe e.v. and it's objectives in reaching out to the children with special needs in the hilly and remote terrains of Ladakh region. He is the 'first Indian volunteer at Rewa' Mr. David said when introducing me to a co volunteer. I am honored.The work of the team comprising the volunteer professionals is simply superb. The entire team is well qualified & professionals come with lots of experience. The binding factor for the team I see is the love & warmth exuding from the patrons-Karola & Mr.David--- anyone would love to associate with them, seeing their soft and kind nature and most essentially it is love for the children with special needs to reach out there in Ladakh which keeps motivating everyone.

The resource centre (Rewa society, Leh) is expanding it's infrastructure & amenities and is adopting a structured and well planned approach of treatment process.The clientele mainly consists of children with motor deficits (Cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis, paralysis, gait problem etc), cognitive deficits and
children with communication deficits. There are also community visits & follow up programs which are carried out at homes involving parents & other family members alongside the children. I got an opportunity to participate in the program in facilitating the circle time, counseling the parents & elucidating the para professionals about the communication therapy program. One can also help in preparing home training program for parents, follow up reports and the related documentation work.

The children are spirited and very much appreciate the visits of volunteers and other guests. Nikita is an adorable girl, the team is baffled that the little girl is not interested to converse in social contexts (e.g. when she is at school, or when with playmates etc), social communication intervention facilitated by turn taking games, positive reinforcement etc helps her to initiate and engage in conversation. It was amazing and happy moment to hear her say 'bye uncle' spontaneously in fervor at the end of the work time!

Two weeks over in Leh, I was deputed to Kargil to volunteer at Rewa na Kasco also working under the aegis of Ladakh Hilfe e.v. The drive to Kargil via Zangskar is an awesome experience. The exceptional highways co built and maintained by the military and border roads organisation (BRO) are wondrous and are simply to be applauded. The ravishing landscape elevates
one's spirits completely. Kargil and the surrounding places also simply captivate our imagination.

The team led by Mr.Gulzar Kingi at Rewa na Kasco, are affable lot. The therapy programs in Kargil are mostly by home visits as the resource centre there is nearing its construction. I could get an opportunity to screen and follow through the communication therapy schedule for children who are mainly in attendance in the schools in the town. The client load is mainly of children with cognitive deficits, behavior disorders, articulation deficits, multiple impairment etc. The demonstration therapy sessions are well received and are appreciated by the teachers as well as the parents. They are briefed with oro motor & articulation therapy (speech sound production) activities to be put in practice. The importance of speech & language stimulation & positive reinforcement for communication attempts was also of focus; the necessary referrals were also made. There was also an opportunity to survey and screen the surrounding schools to identify children with any communication issues and some could be identified and also received intervention . I was happy to see Abbass a boy with Down's syndrome attending the main stream school, participating quite well in the auditory discrimination task for the target speech sounds, he picks up and uses the target sound given few model sessions. Great !

There was rich and colorful display of artistic talent portraying bright and vivid colors of India's culture by the school children and youth on India's national day on 15th of August. It was simply a spectacular event! The work with Rewa in Ladakh is simply a rewarding experience. I could savor the sense of happiness in bringing the message of love and hope in remote lands. I would thank my friends at Leh and Kargil for their support - Othzer, Norbu, his cute child Menthok, Kunzang (my younger sister, who taught me little functional Ladakhi!) & her little daughter Rinchin Angmo, Mr.Ejaz Munshi, Ms.Benazir, Jennifer, Kathy and also all other friends.
As I am pulling my luggage under star lit night to catch a bus to Srinagar en route towards home, my mind simply just ponders about the great time I had in this part of India. I wish to come again. Good work all! Cheers and Hare Krsna !

Giridhar Ghodkar 'Giri'
Speech & language pathologist
India
Volunteer : Rewa Society (Ladakh Hilfe e.v.)
Leh/Kargil (Jammu and Kashmir State)
July -August 2011