We can work it out

Who knew that a visit to a café would land Jabir Shaikh, who has Down syndrome, a job? Twenty-five students from Mann: Center for Individuals with Special Needs, were exposed to the workings of Café Zoe in Lower Parel during one of their educational outings and even prepared coffee for customers. The owners were impressed enough to offer Shaikh a job. “Jabir’s always smiling and his happiness is contagious. He brings out the best in our staff. There’s no competition, the staff ensure he’s alright, train and help him grow,” says Jérémie Horowitz, one of Café Zoe's three owners. Apart from Shaikh, three others from Mann have secured jobs. Sachin Raksheskar assists with the preparatory work (chopping and roasting dried fruit) and makes granola bars at The Orange Bowl; Arif Molu, employed since two years at V&A Marketing Communications Pvt Ltd, prints designs onto mobile covers, packs and labels them; and Craig Vaz (name changed), who enjoys working at Atma Education in Bandra says, “I take two buses, one to go and the other to return”.

Dedicated to the education and growth of adults with special needs, including autism, Down syndrome, multiple disabilities and ADHD, Mann is the brainchild of Dilshad Mehershahi, Beverly Louis and Geetanjali Gaur. The trio set up Mann, with help from Gautam Lalwani's entrepreneurial background, to expand the limited options available to differently abled adolescents and adults from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Students joining Mann start off at the wellness centre, where an individualised four-point programme – functional, social, vocational and physical – is chalked out. Once they achieve 80 per cent of the plan, which takes between one to three years, they graduate to the employment cell. The employment process is no easy task. Most adults start with a four-hour shift, an hour is gradually added after two months and eventually skills are added too. “The employer trains us and we train the students, while the staff learn how to deal with them by observing us,” shares Mehershahi, head of education and training. Training usually lasts a month, post which the three pop in for surprise checks.

‘Practice what you preach’ is what they say and that’s what Mann did, when it employed its students (as student helpers) once they graduated. “They help the students ­– to eat, or during yoga class,” says Louis. Individuals are paid according to the labour law for unskilled labour. The salary motivates them and improves their self esteem. “The attitude of the family also changes,” adds Louis.

Gaur, who heads administration, explains that Mann’s vocational programme ensures that all students are involved in the making of the ‘Mann-made’ range of products. “Income generated from the sale of these handicraft products is given to them as a stipend,” she says. Students at the wellness centre receive Rs 200 as they contribute lesser than those at the employment cell, who get Rs 500 per month.