Uhuru
Uhuru’s curriculum design is geared towards enabling individuals with neurodiverse needs to acquire the tools needed to navigate the daily practicalities of life while also preparing to deal with some of the larger questions that life asks every child and adult.
Introduction
The Uhuru programme forms the foundation of our Direct Beneficiary programme, hosted at our serene Nelamangala Campus. Here, learning comes to life for neurodiverse individuals and their families through a diverse array of experiences facilitated by a dedicated team, including facilitators, ABT and API practitioners, external faculty, visiting artists, peers, interns, and volunteers.
In addition to achieving key learning outcomes, our campus serves as a holistic service delivery model, prioritizing the mental health and well-being not only of the participants but also their families, caregivers, and the surrounding communities, including neighboring villages and schools.
Uhuru – Snehadhara’s 26-Day Residential Training Programme on Assisted Living: “What After Me?”
At Snehadhara Foundation, we have long been at the forefront of addressing the critical question: “What happens after me?” This question weighs heavily on families and caregivers who worry about how their loved ones with diverse needs will lead independent and fulfilling lives once they can no longer provide support.
According to the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), over 70% of families in India lack a sustainable plan for the future of their children and adults with diverse needs, underscoring the urgent need for programs that do more than just provide care. These programs must equip individuals with the essential skills needed to live lives of dignity, engage with their communities, and foster independence.
Program Design and Approach
A Typical Day at Uhuru
Our kitchen and support staff start before dawn, ensuring participants wake up to a clean space and a hot meal. In the morning, participants may help prepare for the day, contributing to the community.
Circle Time follows breakfast at 8:30 am with updates, announcements, singing, and a morning chant. Morning sessions focus on community work like cooking, cleaning, and laundry, while afternoons are dedicated to arts-based experiences and one-on-one sessions aligned with therapeutic goals.
The day blends art forms such as dance, music, cooking, and visual arts, fostering creativity and holistic growth.
Evenings include a walk around the serene campus, followed by quiet time for stillness. After dinner at 6:45 pm, activities may include storytime, music, or relaxation before participants retire at 8:00 pm.
Facilitators then review the next day’s plans, ending the day before “lights out” and starting anew the next morning.
Why Snehadhara?
With over a decade of experience, Snehadhara Foundation has developed a diverse range of programs—from overnighters since 2012 to residential stays, community engagement, and tailored learning experiences. Our programs have impacted over 70,000 individuals with diverse needs, and we’ve trained more than 150 Arts Practices for Inclusion (API) practitioners who now work in various communities.
At Uhuru, we believe that the journey to independence is a shared one. Families, organizations, and communities all play a pivotal role in the success of each individual. Our approach strengthens existing family structures, offering new options and preparing all stakeholders for a future filled with dignity, choice, and opportunity.
Our small student-to-adult ratio allows for personalized care, with a dedicated team providing 24/7 assistance in shifts. This nurturing environment helps participants develop life skills, social connections, and confidence in their ability to live semi-independently. Uhuru is led by a team of experienced facilitators who specialize in inclusion, life skills training, and therapeutic arts. Our team includes Residential Care Specialists, Program Coordinators, trained volunteers, and healthcare professionals who ensure that each participant’s journey is supported every step of the way.
Families who have participated in our programs consistently provide positive feedback, emphasizing the transparency of our approach and the long-lasting impact on their loved ones.
4 Week Programme Overview
Who Is This Program For?
Admission Process
- We invite the parent and the child together for a stay on campus for one night to know what the programme is all about and what an Uhuru day would look like.
- Then, we invite the participant to stay with us for 4 days for us to get to know them better.
- After that, the parents have the option to choose any single or multiple cohorts for their child to be a part of.
Allied Programme Offerings
While the 26-day residential programme remains the heart of the Uhuru programme, we understand that each family’s needs and readiness for independent living are unique. To ensure greater accessibility and meaningful participation, we offer a range of flexible engagement options that complement the core programme. These offerings provide individuals and their families the opportunity to experience the essence of Uhuru in ways that align with their comfort and goals, fostering confidence, community, and independence at their own pace.
*For more information and admissions related enquiries about these allied programme offerings, write to us here.
Singular Overnighters
This one-day, one-night stay provides an exploratory introduction to residential living. Participants and their parents can immerse themselves in the experience, interact with the cohort, and engage in programme activities. Parents also gain confidence in observing how their loved ones adapt to the environment.
Day Boarding
Day Boarding allows participants to engage in the Uhuru programme on a day-to-day basis, with the flexibility of a pick-up and drop-off arrangement by the parent or caretaker. This option offers participants the chance to engage in immersive learning, community interactions, and arts-based experiences, while returning home each day.
Weeklong Stays
This unique offering brings participants from across the city together, providing an introduction to community living alongside the Uhuru cohort. Siblings are invited to join for these four days, strengthening family bonds and creating shared memories. This experience offers a glimpse into the spirit of Uhuru while fostering relationships and social inclusion within a broader community.
Home Visits
To further strengthen social connections, each cohort has the opportunity to visit a participant’s home for a shared meal. These home visits bridge the gap between structured learning and real-life social settings, allowing participants to integrate their experiences into a familiar yet communal space. Families witness how their child navigates social interactions, and participants have the opportunity to extend their learning beyond the campus and into everyday life.
Outdoor Camps
Each Uhuru cohort embarks on a 2-day outdoor camp, providing an exciting opportunity to practice real-world life skills, such as navigating new spaces, taking responsibility for personal routines, and embracing nature’s unpredictability. Supported by caregivers and peers, participants gain valuable experience in independence, resilience, and confidence.
Skill Building Week
Each Uhuru cohort includes a dedicated skill-building week, during which participants engage deeply with a specific art form or craft, such as clay work, weaving, dance, or drumming. This focused week enhances motor skills, patience, and creative confidence through hands-on learning. External experts will guide participants in these activities, and the week is also open to individuals outside the cohort.
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