About us

Humble Beginnings

Arulchandru Special School is located in Ulaganathapuram, Paramakudi, within the Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu.

In 2005, a group of compassionate individuals formed a charitable trust named ‘Nessakarangal’ to address the dire need for a special school for children with mental disabilities in the region. Despite their noble intentions, the trust struggled to find a suitable location to establish the school. Recognizing their plight, Arulchandru Nilayam, a human resource development centre of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Paramakudi, offered temporary accommodation for the school. It began operations with just seven children.

As time progressed, the number of enrolees grew significantly, and the premises could no longer accommodate the school due to regular programs conducted by Arulchandru Nilayam. To better understand the scope of the need, a detailed survey was conducted, revealing that over 100 children in the area had various forms of mental disabilities.

Inclusive Education and Holistic Care

Arulchandru Special School is committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where children with intellectual and developmental disabilities can thrive. We firmly believe in extending our care and support to all children, irrespective of caste or creed, upholding the principles of equality and dignity.

Breaking Barriers of Stigma

In many families, children with intellectual disabilities are often misunderstood, stigmatized, and marginalized. Some parents, burdened by societal prejudice, view these children as a curse and exclude them from normal educational opportunities. Instead of receiving the love, care, and education they deserve, such children are confined to their homes and subjected to neglect and menial treatment.

Arulchandru Special School was established to challenge this narrative and to create a space where these children are cherished, valued, and empowered. We are dedicated to integrating them into society as capable individuals who contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.

The high prevalence of these conditions in the region can be attributed to several factors:

1. Consanguineous Marriages: Marriages among close blood relations are common

in the area, driven by cultural practices aimed at retaining ancestral property within

the family. This significantly increases the risk of genetic disorders.

2. Unsupervised Home Deliveries: The reliance on untrained local midwives (Bhais)

for home deliveries leads to complications due to lack of medical expertise.

3. Aseptic Labour Practices: Poor hygiene, use of unsterilized instruments, and lack of

skilled handling during childbirth result in:

Unmanaged neonatal brain injuries, such as babies not crying immediately after birth.

Improper handling of the umbilical cord and placenta, leading to severe blood loss, maternal mortality, or neonatal morbidity.

Relocation to Perumal Koil

In 2008, the school found a new home at Perumal Koil, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Pandi, whose daughter, diagnosed with Down Syndrome, inspired him to donate a piece of land and a small building. The school began operating in a donated shed and enrolled 14 children from nearby villages, including Perumal Koil, Nedunkulam, Vadakkur, Pethananthal, Villathur, and Mela Ayakudi.

Simultaneously, another branch of the school, supported by the Angelo Province society, operated in a rented house in Paramakudi under the Nessakarangal banner, catering to 11 children. Angelo Province provided partial financial support for staff salaries and rent for this school.

Challenges and Consolidation

By 2012, operational and logistical challenges necessitated the consolidation of the two schools into a single entity at Paramakudi. Several factors drove this decision:

1. Space Constraints: The 23-cent land at Perumal Koil was insufficient for expansion

or creating facilities required to meet government recognition standards.

2. Recognition Norms: The school needed to comply with government regulations,

which required infrastructure that was unfeasible at the Perumal Koil site.

3. Cost Efficiency: Combining the two schools significantly reduced recurring costs

4. Accessibility: The new location at Arulchandru Nilayam premises in Paramakudi

provided ample space, better accessibility, and opportunities to mobilize local

resources.

Thanks to the generous support of donors, a new school building with four classrooms was constructed in Arulchandru Nilayam premises at Ulaganathapuram, Paramakudi. By 2012, the school was fully operational in its new premises and had successfully obtained recognition from the Government of Tamil Nadu