No organisation such as ours, can work without dedicated and sympathetic staff, from trained instructors to house-parents. In this we are well blessed. There are nine paid members of staff, two of whom are themselves totally blind, and many volunteers.
THE FULL TIME STAFF PROFILES.
Martha Kumar, our Administrator, runs the centre Office keeping the records of petty cash, attendance, class time tables, activities and student achievements. She has worked for 25 years in the Christadelphian Office in Bangalore and came to help us as our work expanded.
Shaji, is Head of the Computer Teaching Section. Working in the Gulf, some 11 years ago, Shaji had a stroke, from which he recovered, with the exception of his sight, which was lost completely. After long isolation in his home here in Bangalore, he was ‘rescued’ and rehabilitated by our staff. Eventually Shaji advanced from being a student to being a teacher, using his special ability with computers. He is now a very valuable member of our teaching team.
Mary and Veena are both sighted assistants, trained in Braille and computer, who give greatly needed practical help to the students, and keep the necessary records of attendance, progress, files and petty cash.
Nalini Jo our English teacher, lost her sight after an accident in 1998. While travelling on a bus, a suitcase fell on her head and this caused her loss of sight. She is a very capable young lady, she already had an MA in English Literature and has added Computer skills to her abilities, she is eminently employable for a well-paid job in the IT section. But after a years training she had decided to join us, initially as a volunteer. She is also a born organizer and has been very much involved with all the functions at Bartimaeus during her time with us. She is very dedicated to her work, and does a lot of local fund raising. The students vibe well with her, as she can think on their level. ,
Krupa Aunty joined us this year, we first sent her on the mobility training course, and is learning Braille. She has worked with Martha in the past, and is fitting in very well, and is interested in the work.
Brother Subba Rayudu and Sister Kamala are ‘house-parents’ to the resident students. Since December 2010, she has been more than a cook and feeds them very well. They teach Domestic skills and make sure that the students keep the rules of our little community. Bro Rayudu is a qualified mobility instructor, supervises the computer practice sessions in the evening and does most of the outdoor work.
Last but not least there is Violet, who is more than the cleaner, who keeps the place spick and span, she assists Kamala in food preparation every morning, and makes the coffee for the staff and students.
THE VOLUNTARY STAFF PROFILES.
Mike & Ann Hubbard from the UK. Mike is Chairman in India and Bartimaeus UK and major fund raiser worldwide. He advises and helps to maintain the computers and the network in the class rooms. Ann helps with the editing of newsletters, and any other office work, and Braille.
Brother Bhaskar, was elected as our new General Secretary in September 2011. Three issues that have dragged on for a long time, the registration with Kanataka State for Income Tax refunds for our Donors (on form G80) and the renewal of our Society status, (which has to be done every 2 years), have both been completed by Bhaskar. The third, the application for approval to bring foreign money into the country for a charity (FCRA), has been submitted and we await for Bhaskar to be called for an interview in Delhi for it to be completed.
Sister Joyce Bosco is our President. She brings a lot of experience in office administration and gives very generously of her money and time. (by attending most of our functions.
Brother Pramod is our Director. He is a full time local business man, and we benefit from his expertise and interest and advice.
Brother Patrick is our treasurer and over looks the expenditure of Bartimaeus. He is full time shift worker in a factory, so with some time off in the day he manages to devote a lot to the organisation. His comments and advice is very valuable to us.
Many others come and work when we celebrate special events.
Together we constitute a happy team, dedicated to the personal development of young people with such a severe handicap, who yet have to find responsible independence in a competitive society.