Hello! We're Perfect Strangers. You can call us PS for short. We are a rock band from Bangalore, India and we've been making original music for the last 5 years. We were winners at Hornbill Festival 2018 and have performed at more than 100 venues across India and abroad. Our songs have been drawn from the personal experience of band members, talking about, among other things -- social media obsession, feminism, challenges in the current music scene, mental health issues and support for the queer community.
Recently, we worked with people from deaf community for the music video of our latest single 'Shout'. While working with them, we got to learn of the challenges they face .They shared shocking stories of lack of awareness ,abuse as well as lack of empathy about this disability.
Did you know that:
• As per 2011 Census of Government of India, 27% disabled population never attend any school
• Deaf- and Speech- impaired need special schools with specialised Sign Language teachers
• Though there are 80+ Lakhs deaf people in India, we have only around 300 certified Sign Language Interpreters
• Due to shortage of Sign Language teachers, the Deaf are deprived of early school education in both urban and rural areas
• In Karnataka, there are only 4 schools set up for the Deaf, of which 2 schools provide education till 7th grade and only 2 schools provide education till 10th (matriculation)
• These 4 schools provide education only for boys as they are residential schools, as a consequence, girl children are deprived of basic education
So what happens mostly in the case of girl children?
a) Due to lack of education, they will remain dependent on parent/guardian
b) Rampant sexual abuse, in many cases abuser will be a known person
c) They are deprived of many government schemes due to lack of awareness
d) Can’t fight against injustice due to communication problems
So we decided to explore how we can help.
The final music video will be launched with a crowdfunding campaign to raise 6.5 lakhs for funding education of deaf children (specially girls) across 5 villages of India under GAP program.
What will the GAP program cover?
GAP 30 Days Program Course of study
1. Basic Sign Language -> Helps Deaf and Speech Impaired communicate with the Hearing world
2. Basic English -> Helps them in Reading and Writing
3. Basic Computers and Internet -> Helps in accessibility of information
4.General Knowledge and Communication skills -> Basic structure of Indian State and related info
5.Aptitude and Interview skills -> Basic logical and analytical skills with interview and resume preparation
6.Games -> Physical activities
We will be working with Helping hands, a non-profit organisation, run by two beautiful individuals, Prem and Nandini, to execute this.
Requirements for GAP Program per Taluk (1.3 lakhs per taluk)
•2 Sign Language Teachers (Deaf)
•Residential place for 30days (will be school premise or residence)
•Care taker for the Deaf for 30 days
•Class room
•Computers/Laptops
Books and study materials
GAP program estimate for a month (per village for 30 children) | ||||
Sr.no | Requirements | Numbers/Qty | Amount | |
1 | Hostel Girl | 10,000 | ||
2 | Hostel Boy | 10,000 | ||
3 | Food | Local donor | ||
4 | Sign Language Teachers | 2 | 25,000 | 50,000 |
5 | Care Takers | 2 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
6 | School Infrastructure | 7000 | ||
7 | Books and study Material | 15,000 | ||
8 | Computers | 15,000 | ||
Total | 1,27,000 |
Over the last couple of months, we kept our ears to the ground, watched other people use this method and actually succeed.
We will account to you to show you how every penny is spent. We are set up for Flex Funding, which means if we don't reach our goal, we are still getting the money that is raised. So, if we don't reach our goal, we will have to reevaluate how we are planning to deliver, maybe lesser villages. Regardless, we are ready to deliver this thing , however our campaign plays out.
Remember, anything that is available through the Rewards is exclusive to the campaign. The t shirt, hoodies, badges, are all one time offers. None of them will ever be available again in this way. Please find below design for t shirt that will be same for hoodie. They will be given as rewards/perks against your contribution.
What happens if we achieve 100% target?
Don't stop contributing. If we raise more money , we will extends funds to include GAP program to more villages with the additional money.
We are planning to launch an extensive tour of India to play our music, spreading the word for this campaign and reach as many people as possible.
Fund this cause. Let's contribute to build a better India for everybody.
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15 lives have changed as a result of donors' support.