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The smile that inspired a new hope.


Artwork by Rio

Rio and Ashlea Griffith. 

He is Rio. He is 21. She is Ashlea Griffith,27, a SEN teacher used to teach him music at St Johns RC, a non-maintained special school offering day provision for pupils aged 5 to 19 with a wide range of needs including moderate to severe learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and those with associated speech, language and communication difficulties  in the borough of Redbridge. After Ashlea left the school 2 years ago, Rio was very upset and could not settle down until Ashlea was invited by his parents to meet him. Now, Rio and Ashley meets every Saturday and have their quality time together doing various outdoor activity." He is hilarious," said Ashlea, "He reminds me to be in the moment."

I first met Ashlea and Rio at Barkingside Arts Clubs' art stall during Summer Outdoor Arts at Ken Aston Square, Barkingside in July this year.

Since then, I knew there is a special story bound between the bond of a student and the teacher -that is similar of a mother and a son. 


Just few weeks ago, Rio successfully learnt how to smile. "We have been practicing smiling. He doesn't know how to smile. He is non-verbal. So, I was teaching him how to smile". Ashlea said.
Rio's smile work. Photo by Ashlea Griffith. All this photos are used with the permission from Rio's family 
After few attempts of unfailing practice that started with a groan and a grin, Rio finally smiled.
Rio is the catalyst and motivation for this young teacher to spread her service to a small Himalayan town called Palampur in northern India. She has launched a fund-raising campaign to raise £5000 to finish the roof and other pending building work of special educational needs (SEN) school, called Naye Asha, which means 'new hope' in Hindi.
The new flagship will be part of New Horizon School, which was build and run by Dr Padam Dev, known as "Bobby" since 2008 in that tea plantation village. Dr Padam's vision is to provide free education and bridge the educational gap between the rich and the poor- hence the name New Horizon, where sky meets the earth without any boundaries.

Dr Padam Dev. Photo by Ashlea Griffith
Ashlea met Dr Padam 5 years ago when she was on her working trip to India.  Since then, the music teacher who now works for the National Autistic Society, alongside her studies for a Postdoctoral degree, Phd about the impact of autism on low-income families in the United Kingdom, UK, wanted to do something for the underprivileged family. Her passion and dream for a special school materialised during her last visit in summer this year. Ashlea was moved by the dedication and awareness of the teachers at New Horizon who wants to do their part for the children with additional needs.

Ashlea's vision is to establish a SEN unit at New Horizon which will employ and train teachers and staffs to UK standards. She is currently working on a curriculum that will provide an open, safe and engaging environment for children with special needs. Besides, the £5000 for building, Ashlea also needs £300 monthly to employ 2 teachers and 2 teaching assistants. She has planned a series of fundraising activities besides crowdfunding. This includes a Cake Sale on the 9th of November at Fullwell Cross Library, Barkingside, Ilford.

With much enthusiasm, optimism and love, Ashlea hopes to see and create a difference within the system and the wider community regarding special educational needs.

Her mission has it's own hurdles, mainly to breakthrough the stigma and taboo regarding autism and create fundamental awareness and support in that rural village. Despite many struggles, she is confident and determined that her effort with the support from Dr Padam, local teachers and volunteers will set a new future for all the children with special educational needs and their poor families. Naye Asha is only the beginning.

Naye Asha SEN school: building under progress.  Ashlea is raising £5000 to complete the roof of this school. She plans to start trainng local teachers  and volunteers early next year. Photo by Ashlea Griggith


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Comments

Puspa said…
Good work. All the best for Naye Asha.
2:10 pm
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