The moment Zara hears ‘ICLC,’ she’s in motion! Quickly, she grabs her scarf, bag, and shoes, ready for the day ahead. Her parents, Aayesha and Baba Faqrudeen, have come to treasure these daily accomplishments, watching their daughter get ready. It’s a welcome change from a year ago, when they first learned about our Jigani Inclusive Community Learning Center through a community program in their locality. What began as a necessary change has grown into something they all look forward to.
“When Zara was only 11 months old, she had a high fever followed by seizures,” Aayesha explains, her voice steady. “The doctors diagnosed her with an intellectual disability and put her on medication for five years.”
The decision to enroll Zara at the center wasn’t made lightly. “Those first days were challenging for us,” Baba Faqrudeen recalls. “Her seizures would come without warning. We had never left her alone before; we were always worried an episode might start suddenly. For the first four days, we actually stayed at the center until her classes were over, just to be sure she would be alright.”
Like for many children facing new environments, the adjustment period wasn’t easy for Zara either. But the transformation in her comfort level has been remarkable. “These days, when I drop her off at the center, she happily runs to the classroom and doesn’t even look back at me for reassurance,” says Baba Faqrudeen with a smile.
As the months passed, Zara’s communication skills began to improve. “She has started saying ‘Akka,’ ‘Papa,’ and ‘Abba’, advancements we noticed after a few months at the CBM India center,” Aayesha shares with pride. “When she’s hungry, she brings all the utensils from the kitchen counter to the hall, and when she’s thirsty, she holds a glass and says ‘aaa,’ showing that she wants water. She can also point out her nose, mouth, tongue, throat, and even her neck chain without hesitation.”
Their daily life has become more structured, with Zara actively participating. “After meals, she pulls us along to the bedroom and gestures for us to pat her to sleep,” they explain. “She understands the proper routine is to rest after eating.”
Aayesha has also noticed how nowadays her daughter is more eager to help. “I make all my clothes at home. If I need scissors, tape, or any other tool quickly, she’s immediately on her feet looking for it,” she says.
As Zara continues to grow and learn, her parents remain deeply grateful for the support they’ve found.
Just seeing her happy is more than enough because she means the world to us. A heartfelt thank you to everybody involved, the entire CBM India team, for making this change possible.
