STATISTICAL REPORT
SUCCESS STORIES
SCHOOL COUNSELLING
Parihar-Makkala Sahayavani adopted 4 Government Schools in Bengaluru to provide free counselling to children and educate them on issues pertaining to behavioral, academic, psychological and adjustmental issues. During one such visit to Ganganagar Government BBMP School, a class teacher shared her concern about a boy named Chandrashekar aged 13 studying in grade 7. Chandrasekhar was suffering from excruciating headaches which affected his concentration and academic performance. Until a year ago Chandrasekhar was the top performing student of the school, so the sudden fall in marks was a concern for the teacher who identified his health to be the contributing factor to his low performance. The headache was causing difficulty in writing and reading. After his diagnosis the doctors of Baptist Hospital informed his family that he would have to undergo a surgery and that would cost approximately Rs 30,000 to 40,000.
The MSV counsellor who spoke to Chandrasekhar understood that eleven years ago his father met with an accident that occurred at his workplace and is now bedridden and mother died 10 years ago. Currently his aunt takes care of him and his elder sister. But Chandrasekhar’s uncle who earns a meager income of Rs 15,000 was unable to take up this responsibility. The counsellor then reached out to an NGO (Dr.BR Ambedkar Health and Education Foundation) who agreed to sponsor complete medical expenses.
On 25.04.23 Chandrasekhar underwent surgery after joint efforts put forward by the MSV counsellor, donors and the doctors who restored him with good health and this helped him gain confidence in achieving his dreams.
CHILD CUSTODY
Ayesha, aged 23 approached Parihar – Makkala Sahayavani seeking custody of her 2 year old son. Ayesha married Mohammed with whom she often quarreled as the couples were having adjustmental issues. In one such random fight that broke out between them, Mohamed lost his temper and threw her out of the house. He kept the child with him and refused to give her the child.
Ayesha, helpless and heartbroken sort help from MSV to fix the issues and get her child back; the counsellor after restoring faith and confidence in Ayesha reached out to Mohammed. The couple
attended counselling, Mohammed was convinced to return the child to Ayesha, and in the process the efforts put by the counsellor helped the couple reconcile their differences.
DRUG ADDICTION/ BEHAVIORAL ISSUE
Sukanya (name changed) 45 yrs old approached PARIHAR- Makkala Sahayavani, Malleshwaram Police Station, seeking emotional and counselling support as her younger son Raj aged 13, had stopped going to school abruptly 2 years ago whih led them to take a decision, to enroll him in a school with hostel facility. But within a month he discontinued and returned home. He displayed severe behavioral issues including addiction to alcohol, smoking and drugs. Sukanya was finding it very difficult to control Raj and his bad temper.
Sukanya wanted the counselors help in managing her teenage son and convince him to continue his studies. It came to the notice of the counsellor that Raj has adjustment issues with his parents and very few friends, and his friends were a negative influence on him. But after a few counselling sessions, Raj showed improvement in his behavior at home and reduced his contact with friends who were exposing him to drugs and alcohol.
Sukanya also was provided with counselling and support so that she can balance her emotions and regain the trust issues that she had with Raj. As he was in a vulnerable age, the counsellor took the help of a member at Child Welfare Committee and placed him at a boy’s home for additional counselling and rehab, alongside with his academics.
ONLINE GAMBLING -Techie gambles away Rs.70 Lakhs, reunites with family after counselling
Mrs. Kavya (name changed) aged 35 yrs was referred by the K.R.Puram Police to Parihar-Vanitha Sahayavani for counseling. Kavya a software engineer met Mr.Vikas (name changed) aged 40 yrs, who is also a software engineer through a matrimonial site and married soon after, they had a child.
After two years of marriage, she was surprised to know that her husband had lost Rs.70 lakhs from their savings to online gambling. This economic crisis affected their relationship in many ways.
During the counselling sessions, Vikas was very restless and irritated by his wife’s complaint to the police station. Gradually he started to confess about his addiction. He broke down and confessed that gambling was always a weakness for him. Starting with placing bets on local cricket and other games which involved betting in his village as a teen, his gambling turned into an addiction in the course of his college days, while he graduated and become a successful software engineer in the top IT firm.
After several counselling sessions with the couple, they were referred to NIMHANS for de-addiction therapy, the couple reconciled and let go of their differences. Kavya was extremely happy about his improvement over seven months, Vikas has declared himself free of online gambling addiction and also assured that he will take care of his wife and child well in future.
CYBER CRIME
Saniya aged 21 approached Vanitha Sahayavani (Basavanagudi Centre) seeking justice and protection. Saniya was very scared and upset as she was being blackmailed by a person she met online and developed a relationship which lasted a few months. During this period they even met in person and had physical relationship. A month ago Shamir age 26 reached out to her once again requesting her to meet him again in the same place they had previously met. When she denied meeting him, he shared a few videos which to her shock were her private videos with him which he had recorded without her consent or knowledge. She was scared to share this concern to her parents as she hailed from a very conservative family and feared her parents. She was not willing to file an FIR and only wanted the videos and photos deleted.
The counsellor helped Saniya understand the seriousness of the problem and the
consequences of not taking any police action. She was also given support and confidence by the DCP South who assured her that this case will be dealt with utmost confidentiality. After winning her trust, the counselors helped Saniya under the guidance of the DCP South, file a complaint at Kumaraswamy Layout Police Station. Shamir was arrested and during the interrogation it was found that he was not just blackmailing Saniya but he was having many such videos and pictures of 21 women and was doing the same with all of them. This courageous step taken by Saniya helped 21 other women get justice.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/SHELTER
Hema (24) approached VSV seeking support to move out of her home as she faced severe emotional and physical abuse from her brothers and mother. Hema has had a traumatic childhood; her father had deserted them after he found his wife having multiple affairs. Hema who carried bitter memories of her childhood found solace only in education. She completed her graduation and works in a reputed hospital and earns a decent income. She even supports her family with 80% of her salary. But her unfair treatment at home made her realize the importance of living independently. But as she did not have the courage to discuss this with her mother she took the support from the VSV counsellor
Her mother who was very hostile during the counselling was not willing to let go of her daughter to live independently. The counsellor had 3 sessions of counselling to resolve this difference. Hema was made aware that she was an adult and the constitution provides every adult the freedom to choose their path of life alone. Hema felt empowered and supported for the first time in her life, feeling confident to face her fears and live independently. A place was arranged for her to stay and her mother was counselled to not cause any inconvenience.