HUMBLE ORIGINS

In the early sixties leprosy was one of the most dreaded diseases bringing in its wake trauma and social ostracism besides physical disabilities. The afflicted were branded unproductive and unemployable, even if trained. Traditionally rehabilitation of persons affected by leprosy (PAL’s) had always been associated with weaving, recaning of chairs and other such craft oriented activities. Into this pall of gloom the Swedish Red Cross brought a ray of hope by starting a rehabilitation centre for the leprosy cured which boldly broke away from tradition and established a light engineering workshop with machines suitable for disabled persons, imported from Sweden and Switzerland.

Founded in 1963 at Katpadi, just off the Madras - Bangalore highway in southern India this was the first engineering reahabilitation centre in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu employing PAL’s and other physically handicapped persons. When the workshop became ECONOMICALLY VIABLE, they withdrew and the Swedish Red Cross rehabilitation industries came into being. In 1976 the name was changed to WORTH trust with the assets of the Swedish Red Cross passing on to this trust.

STABILITY AND STRENGTH

From this modest beginning the trust has grown in size and stature over the years and now boasts of ten centres spread across Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, providing ORTHOTIC SERVICES, SCHOOLING, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT to over 600 persons with disabilities. The production units of the trust MANUFACTURE INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS IN METAL AND PLASTIC, FABRICATE TRACTOR TRAILERS, STEEL FURNITURE etc. and PRODUCE MOBILITY AIDS FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS.

In this process the trust has achieved the technical and commercial capability to turn out quality products that compete favourably with those manufactured by regular industry employing able bodied persons. The lasting pride arises from the fact that the production units are not only self sufficient but also meet all the revenue expenses and training and development costs of the trust.

As the production centres began to grow the need to segregate the training and production centres was felt and the first Technical Training Centre (TTC) was established in 1973. The objective of a separate training centre was to impart intensive training without interference from production schedules and to facilitate placement of successful candidates in regular industrial vacancies. At present the trust runs # TTC’s which are recognised by the Indian National Council for Vocational Training. (NCVT) and one TTC for non formal training.

WORTH TRUST a multidimensional, multi location entity, the following pages should give you a good idea about our activities.

WE INVITE YOUR PARTICIPATION AND ASSOCIATION TO HELP US SERVE THE HANDICAPPED BETTER

……….SUSTAINABILITY

The unique and most heartening feature of the WORTH TRSUT is its own complete self sufficiency. If provision of responsive vocational rehabilitation and employment is the goal of the trust, it has been more than amply achieved.

The production centres are registered with the Government as small scale industries and compete favourably with the most modern of industries employing skilled labour. In 1993-1994 the combined turnover of the trust reached a impressive Rs. 37.5 Million (US $ 1.2 M). the earnings are ploughed back into the various rehabilitation activities - the training centres, the schools and the out reach programme - thus enabling the trust to reach out to more people with disabilities.

………SOCIAL INTEGRATION

Welfare of children, trainees and workers with disabilities is also the concern of the trust. Detailed records of treatments and tests are maintained and followed up. Workers are discouraged from segregating themselves and are assisted in finding accommodation in regular residential areas. This helps in emphasising their independence and adjustment in society and also serves to educate the public on the troubles and tribulations of the disabled.

……….REHABILITATION TRAINING RESOURCE CENTRE

Worth trust also provides training facilities to personnel of rehabilitation units run by other agencies, giving technical advise on projects and assisting in the execution of occupational rehabilitation services. The Rehabilitation Training Resource Centre (RETREC) imparts specific training in planning and managing rehabilitation services to those who provide such services to people with disabilities.

……….THE FUTURE ON THE ANVIL

One of the major future plans of the trust is to concentrate on areas other than light engineering and electronics. Training in self employment and small enterprise development for disabled persons are avenues which are being seriously considered.

……….COLLABORATORS AND DONORS

All the achievements of the trust would not have been possible without the unstinting support of well wishers, both from within the country and abroad. Assistance from the Government of India has also been a source of encouragement. The SWEDISH RED CROSS still takes a paternal interest in the endeavours of the trust and supports many ventures with generous donations. MISEREOR of GERMANY and the CHRISTOFFEL BLINDEN MISSION have also financially supported most of the activities. The DELFT UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, NETHERLANDS has collaborated in projects for developing and improving mobility aids and other programmes. The INDUSTRIAL DEVLOPMENT BANK OF INDIA has been generous in their grants and the STATE BANK OF INDIA has made loans available when required.

……….AT BECOMING ONE WITH THE WORLD

Rehabilitation of the handicapped is a social responsibility. They are to be recognised as potential workers and valuable contributors to the economy. Many precision components are shaped to perfection by the misshapen limbs of disabled persons. They acquire their skills through systematic training, sheer perseverance and a single minded aim to be at one with the world.

Worth Trust’s conviction of this capability has not been in the least misplaced. Rather their products have won acclaim from their buyers for precision, quality and timely delivery. Industrial clients have demonstrated their faith by placing repeat orders. All the production centres have proved themselves to be successful business ventures.

In the final analysis Worth Trust has brought relief and solace to hundreds of disabled people and their families. It has proved that disabled persons are not dependent on charity, but are hard working wage earners who are skilled workmen contributing their mite to the economy of the nation.

Worth Trust has been on the rehabilitation scene for sufficiently long, to see children who were assisted in correcting deformities return as adults seeking vocational training. Some having received vocational training now occupy positions as productive employees or are successfully self employed. It is a matter of pride that they and hundreds of other disabled persons employed or assisted by the trust are heads of families, well integrated into their communities.

Backed by such glorious traditions and convinced of the capabilities of persons with disabilities Worth Trust is moving with determination to further enlarge its activities in order to serve a greater number of people with disabilities.

YOU CAN HELP TOO IN WHATEVER WAY YOU CAN. EMPLOY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, REACH OUT TO THEM WITH SUPPORT SO THAT THEY FEEL A PART OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH YOU LIVE IN, BUY GOODS MADE BY THEM, ENCOURAGE THEM…… WE AT WORTH TRUST WOULD WELCOME YOU TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT TO HELP US TO REACH OUT TO MORE PEOPLE.