Cheshire Homes India Coorg (CHIC) is located in Pollibetta, S. Kodagu, Karnataka. Established in the year 2000, it is an autonomous charitable organization with all its statutory compliances in place. CHIC started as a day care center for six children with intellectual and physical disabilities. 

Inspired with a vision “to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and to extend services as a Resource Agency in the District”, CHIC is dedicated to its motto of “Creating Opportunities with Disabled People”. 

The driving force of this organization is a pro-active Management Committee of 14 members who envisage, manage and oversee the various projects which are implemented, with an experienced team of 17 staff. 30 volunteers, are the strength & backbone of CHIC. In spite of the distance they support the various projects in whatever way they can. 

At present the Center runs an academic programme and a Vocational Centre for about 68 students with Intellectual Disability, ranging from the ages of 5 to 45 years.

Services are provided free of charge as the Centre receives a Grant from the State Government and through the generous donors, who support our numerous activities. This institution has grown from strength to strength and our main support have been our donors, volunteers and well-wishers who have always contributed so whole heartedly. 

Medical rehabilitation is provided through regular visits, dental, medical camps, medication Special seating, assistive devices and social securities. A Psychiatrist, Physician and a Neuro Physician visit the Centre. Yoga & Physiotherapy are provided daily. 

Their nutrition, health and hygiene is closely monitored. Wholesome food is provided daily, after the morning assembly and yoga. Cleanliness is inculcated in these students and their organizational skills are slowly developed through repetitive practice. Art, Craft, Drama, Sport are also taught. 5 Vans are hired to bring the students from all over the Taluk so that they can avail the services offered, although it works out expensive, due to the distance.

Through its 2 Community Based Programmes by JOAC –UK, from 2003 – 2006 and by the Big Lottery Fund -UK – from April 2006 to 2011, CHIC worked in 38 villages with over 950 Persons with Disability, their caregivers and various stake holders. The focus was on 1. Inclusive Education 2. Economic Empowerment 3. Health & Rehabilitation 4. Advocacy & Campaigning. The project worked with 425 children in Government schools.

This programme was recognized by United Nations as “Best Practices for including persons with Disabilities in all aspects of development efforts” –publication- April 2011 in ASIA – (Bangladesh, India and Pakistan) on “Awareness- raising and sensitization among all stakeholders on the rights of children with disabilities, with a focus on the right to education “– by Dr Rachele Tardi Forgacs – United Nations- The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat.

In recognition of the Institution’s progress and commitment to help these people with disability, join the mainstream with dignity, CHIC has won 2 State awards for excellence for the Institution, in 2013 & 2018. The Chair Person-Mrs. Gita Chengappa, has won the “SKOCH Award for Social Inclusion “in 2019 from SKOCH Foundation– Delhi & 2 individual State awards for Social work in 2018 & 2020. 

Our students too have achieved a number of awards over the years including “ Well-disciplined team” , “Overall Runners up – Team Championship“ trophy, “Fastest girl , & Fastest boy” and have made everyone proud of their achievements. The Head Master has been honoured at the District level and locally by the Lions Club of Pollibetta.

A Performance Audit was held by a Senior Audit Officer, from Office of the Principal Accountant General (Audit I), Karnataka, Bengaluru. They conducted a Performance Audit on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Working of Child Centric Schools in Kodagu. They were very impressed with the functioning of our Centre, maintenance of our records and after the interaction with parents and children of our Centre. They were so happy that the whole Centre was so accessible and commented that this would rate amongst one of the top 3 schools in the State that they had visited. This was very encouraging to hear and we will definitely strive harder to keep improving our facilities for our children.

It feels good when the Centre is recognized for its work and this, not only increases the credibility of the Organization but is an incentive for all those involved, as it boosts our morale and gives us energy, to work harder and with more determination.

CHIC has been running its Centre, providing Special Education with Functional Academics, Pre Vocational and Vocational training. CHIC runs a Vocational Training Unit, providing “Training and Empowerment” of persons With Disabilities for their livelihood support in Virajpet taluk.

Vocational Training in various activities like cookery, tailoring, knitting, crochet, embroidery, handmade paper, weaving, screen printing, disinfectant, liquid soap manufacture are provided. The products are marketed to various institutions and outlets.

With a need for change, CHIC has been trying to identify activities that not only generate income for the students but also try to conserve or protect our natural resources. Careless use of plastics, cloth, paper and other waste causes litter, blockage of drains and choking of rivers and land. By collecting and recycling paper & plastic, we would be helping in the conservation of natural resources and ensuring that our local area is clean.

With Prime Minister Modi’s campaign for “ Swach Bharat”, “ Atma Nirbhar Bharat” & “Vocal for Local”, CHIC has taken up these campaigns to contribute to the Society in its own unique way, by recycling plastic, paper & cloth to convert them into various products. Clothes collected, are also tailored into bags.

Paper & cloth collected are converted into handmade paper. Plastic bottles are collected and reused for manufacturing Phenyl and disinfectant. Single use plastic is woven into mats and bags.

The process followed are: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Segregate.

Linking with the National Skill Development Corporation -Delhi, 2 Skilling projects on recycling paper and plastic were implemented in our 2 fully fledged recycling units with our students and local ladies who helped to provide quality to the finished products. With these projects the students and women are being empowered.

The designs chosen are of the produce of the District eg Coffee Blossom, pepper, oranges etc