A skill development centre for neurodivergent individuals in SoBo shows how a little love and compassion can go a long way to bridge the gap between society and the community at large
Ritu Vig (centre) engages students at the South Mumbai venue during an interactive storytelling session. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Welcome to Imaginasium, A Happy Place,” is the first thing anyone standing in front of the place would notice. The door opens, and a lady, introducing herself as Reina Gidwani, ushers us into a spacious room with a bright smile on her face. Our eyes then land on a group of children sitting on the floor, who meet our gaze with shared curiosity.
Children paint rakhis to be sold to parents at the centre
Founded in June this year, Imaginasium is the brainchild of four individuals: Ritu Vig, Ambar Samtani, Reina Gidwani, and Tripti Goenka, members of the core committee of Vig’s Special Hangout, a non-profit organisation for people with special needs who decided to start the centre with their diverse qualifications while bonding over their shared experiences of living with loved ones having intellectual disabilities.
A mother of two, Gidwani’s oldest child, a son aged 30, grew up with learning disabilities, “Initially, my struggles seemed huge, but after I started working with these children, I realised they were minuscule compared to the struggles their mothers were facing,” she said.
A speech and behaviour therapy session in progress at the centre
Drawing on her background in baking and patisserie, Gidwani, who teaches baking to neurotypical students at an international school, helps kids at Imaginasium create simple items, such as sandwiches or corn chaat. “Most kids, aged between 12 and 18, don’t attend school and are sitting idly at home. At Imaginasium, we engage through puzzles to solve or teach them how to fold clothes or eat using a spoon,” adds Gidwani.
Samtani joined Imaginasum as a tribute to his late older sister. A trained chef and Les Roches graduate, he shares, “My sister was a child with special needs. Growing up, I never understood why my parents paid more attention to her. Once I started working here, I realised that the more I worked, the more I realised it is never enough. All these children need is love and care.”
Ambar Samtani helps a child water the potted sprouts
Four children are engaged in an interactive storytelling session by Vig, featuring colourful props, while a speech and behaviour therapy session continues in a room next door. In the following hour, they paint rakhis, water the plants, grate cheese and add colourful vegetable toppings to prepare a scrumptious cheese toast. The centre offers a range of activities, including reading, computer typing and craftwork, among others. “We have a child who has Down syndrome; some have intellectual disabilities, and most are on the autism spectrum. We also have special needs yoga, a physical needs trainer, music therapy, and a dance teacher coming in,” shares Vig.
Reina Gidwani assists a child in making a sandwich
The space offers a flexible plan that allows parents to send their children to Imaginasium as per their convenience. “If a child is not interested in doing a particular activity, we wait for them to do it in their own time. We are thrilled to witness such remarkable growth in the children over the past one and a half months. My takeaway is that unconditional love, compassion, and empathy enables them to do anything,” states Vig.
Reina Gidwani
As the founders work their magic, the parents, earlier on the verge of giving up, now beam with pride, “My 12-year-old daughter has been coming here for a month. Initially, she would do nothing, but with proper engagement, she now actively participates in activities with her friends and can follow instructions. I can see vast improvements in my child,” shares a parent. “My son likes the environment here and shows significant interest in the activities conducted. He looks forward to coming here,” shares another parent.
Ritu Vig and Ambar Samtani
Looking ahead, Vig is keen to make the children independent, “We want to hone their skills so that they can seek employment. We started with seven kids, but we are looking for a bigger space as more enrollments come in. Most importantly, we want Imaginasium to be a place where everyone, regardless of their disabilities, is welcomed,” she signs off.
AT Imaginasium, Churchgate.
Time 9 am to 12.30 pm (Monday to Friday)
call 9757437812
log on to @imaginasium
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