At the Foundation for Action, Motivation and Empowerment, India (FAME India) we work towards the rehabilitation and empowerment of children and young adults with neuro-muscular and intellectual development disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, mental retardation and muscular dystrophy.

We focus on holistic education by way of special education, early intervention, pre-vocational and vocational training; and therapy services such as diagnostic assessments, physical and psychological therapies and behavioural modification. Through our work, we strive to enable our children and young adults to live a life of dignity, and self-reliance.

Our Journey

In March 2001, Mr and Mrs NS Raghavan began the Foundation for Action, Motivation and Empowerment India (FAME India), a non-profit, non-governmental organisation to nurture and empower differently-abled children, especially from less privileged homes. Our organisation focusses on children and young adults with neuro-muscular and developmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, Down's Syndrome and muscular dystrophy.

We began with five children supported by a special educator and one ancilliary staff member. We grew to a school for 48 children between the ages of 5 and 25 for four years out of a rented house in South Bangalore. Now we have moved to our new school building in Jayanagar, Bangalore, and have extended our services to more than a hundred children, with a number of special educators, staff and volunteers. Most of our students have multiple disabilities and come from lower economic groups.

We believe that the opportunities and resources to empower special children are not only available within our community, but that it is also our responsibility as citizens to provide them. We have found that empowering differently-abled children brings about a positive influence in the community. We work towards integrating special children in to so-called mainstream society, harnessing their potential, and encouraging them to be independent.

Our mission

To empower the physically and mentally challenged with skills, enable them to become productive members of society, and live life with dignity and self-reliance.

Our goals

Why disabilities?

About a hundred million people in India are faced with some kind of disability. This number is nearly ten per cent of the population. Life for differently-abled people is difficult enough, but poverty makes it worse. Available services can meet the needs of a mere one per cent of the population, and that too in the urban areas. There are almost no services available for special children in the urban slums, and rural areas.

Our society is by and large unaware of, and maybe even a little indifferent to the rights of the differently abled. This has led to a lack of basic amenities, such as ramp facilities, even in government buildings.

Our society is by and large unaware of, and maybe even a little indifferent to the rights of the differently abled. This has led to a lack of basic amenities, such as ramp facilities, even in government buildings.

Pasha – painting his dream

He loves playing games on the computer, challenging his best friend to a game of chess, and making his friends laugh with his wit! Pasha is no ordinary child. He has battled muscular dystrophy to be able to read, write and follow his passion – painting. This little boy from the slums of Banashankari has had his paintings appreciated by many well-known artists. Pasha's dream is to become a professional artist and use his talent to support his family.

Sandhya – coming into her own

“Baby whirlwind!” That's what we thought of Sandhya when she first came to us. She couldn't sit still, had trouble with her speech and depended on others for her needs. Now she has settled down well and improved greatly. Able to complete tasks given to her, she writes, counts, identifies objects and can comprehend more. Independent and full of life, she even helps friends, teachers and her family with different chores.