Shilpa is one of the golden feathers in Diya’s crown. Shilpa, a shy, timid, girl who came to Diya, has outdone herself in many ways, from being an intern at Thomson Reuters, to being the Assistant Secretary at Diya Foundation.
With support from Diya Foundation, she was able to successfully complete an 18 month long multimedia program, and has been trained in proof-reading. She was also trained on office assistance which includes computer-related tasks like scanning documents, sending documents through email, maintaining databases in excel etc that has helped her land at her current job. During the onboarding, she presents a self advocacy kit which says how to treat her and to support her, and sensitises her co-workers.
The trainings on personal grooming and self care, and assisted living, has made her independent in taking care of her own. Let alone purchasing for and planning her own meals, she can make snacks like avalakki to 60-70 persons. For herself, she cooks chapathi, puri, tea, bournvita and sometimes, the mouth-watering yippie maggie.
Apart from her work, she has explored new avenues for leisurely activities too. She likes to do an hour of yoga everyday. Occasionally, she goes for walks around her colony. An yearly marathon is something Shilpa never skips. Other than TV, puzzles and carroms with her friends are her favourites. She also takes part in events like Quizzabled which helps her with general knowledge and in paper recycling workshops that develops her artistic and creative skills.
Mohan is one of the lead workers at Diya Innovation. A person who didn’t know anything about mechanical tools, even the basic ones like screw drivers and spanners, he now single-handedly assembles and sets up the cutting machine and grinding machine. He knows all the tools required for a particular work and sets up the workplace by the time his co-workers come.
Mohan, who was admitted to Diya as a very shy person was given a lot of exposure by the trainers. He was taken outside of the training centre as part of the training programme and shown how to cross the road, go to restaurants etc. All these upped his confidence. He now communicates well and talks fluently. He also has a good circle of friends.
As a person who struggled with consistency, Mohan has improved a lot. He doesn’t miss a day at work, comes even on Sundays, and is very enthusiastic about what he gets to do.
Just not this, Mohan has improved on his soft skills too. All his trainers are all-praise for his helping and sharing nature.
Mohan can even travel on his own by public transport. All he needs is a paper with the destination name written on it, and he reaches the place by bus, seeking passers-byes help.