There’s something “special” about this tiny school in Vaderahalli, situated in the outskirts of Bangalore. Out of the 95 enrolled students, 45 of them are special.  Uma K, the primary school teacher at the Government Lower Primary School Vaderahalli, says, “These 40 children are HIV+ve and/or AIDS affected children. We call them special because we don’t want the children to be discriminated as it may have a negative psychological impact.”

At a time when the country is struggling to address the critical challenge of social stigma associated with AIDS, Vaderahalli village and this tiny school can be seen as a successful model. These children call the ‘Calvary Charitable Trust’ their home. The residents of Vaderahalli who are well aware of the persisting health condition of these children help the Trust in their own small ways. Fr. Gunashekaran, Director, Calvary Charitable Trust says, “The villagers help by selling us vegetables at a subsidized price. Even if they reduce a rupee per kilogram, the impact is huge.”

 Many of the villagers’ children also go to the government school that these special children go to. A visit to the Vaderahalli School testifies how integration of these special children is possible. Children study, play and interact in an atmosphere that has no trace of discrimination. The teachers say, “It is our duty as teachers to implement what we teach.” Today the teachers ensure that these children grow in an atmosphere that is conducive for a healthy growth. The smiling, the echoing laughter and bubbling energy of the tiny tots tell this happy story.

At noon, when it is lunch time, the children along with the teachers sit together and enjoy the mid day meal. The meal is served by The Akshaya Patra Foundation. The children love the ‘sihi pongal’ that is given once a week and yogurt that is given twice a week as desserts.

According to a UNICEF report, one in every three malnourished children in the world lives in India. While adequate nutrition is a concern for millions of children in India, for “special” children like these, it is much more vital. The nutritional needs of people and especially children with HIV/AIDS are greater due to the fact that their immune system is constantly fighting opportunistic infections that do not normally cause disease in people with healthy immune systems. Medication along with proper nutrition is a major factor that helps to maintain good health and quality of life for the affected people.

Fr. Gunashekaran adds, “The children love the mid day meal provided by the Akshaya Patra Foundation. One major reason why the children love the food is because it is always hot. The mid day meal menu which varies every day of the week is rich in vegetables and thus provides these children sufficient nutrition.”

Few of these special children have finished schooling and are pursuing their higher studies. The officials at the Calvary home ensure that the teachers of the schools and colleges that these children attend are sensitised about their needs. It is not often that the disease alone poses a threat to these children but it is the social stigma associated with it. Emotional care and support is as imperative as timely medication and nutrition especially when it comes to battling a medical condition like AIDS.

Today the Calvary home, the government schools and the villagers have shown how misconceptions can be shed, support shared and a way paved for a better future. The Akshaya Patra Foundation salutes their effort! The reality of the story states that together we can make a difference.