Specially challenged helps people of his ilk

Hyderabad: A physically challenged mimicry artist Raju from the city has made the best of his special condition, and overcame many odds to use his special abilities to bring much cheer in the lives of people like him.

"Being disabled, surviving in this world is difficult. Not every handicapped will have guts to fight life. I believed in myself first so as to stand against world and bring about change in handicapped lives. But it was difficult to do it with my meagre monthly earnings,

He quit his job as a teacher in Khammam and joined as a supervisor in a hotel at KPHB to earn little more. Yet the monthly payments were not sufficient to help the needy in whatever way possible. "In the year 2017, on December 14, I registered 'True Way Life Foundation' in Jagdgirigutta and started helping 13 disabled innocentsby raising funds to better their lives," says Raju.

Funds from good Samaritans and various organisations are what keep him going now. His foundation supports not only physically handicapped but also orphans, old age groups and widows. "At present at their orphanage with six rooms, we are providing shelter for 5 adolescent girls, 4 orphan kids and others.Along with the shelter we also provide education, food and safety for the people whom we consider as a part of our foundation," he says.

The foundation helped Ramesh who lost left leg to stand on his own financially by helping him establish a tea stall. A grateful Rameshnow donatesabout 50% of profits from his earnings to the foundation so it can carry on its task of providing succour to people like him.

Rakesh, Malleshwari, Errammaare among so many people benefited by the True way Foundation and settled in their life from a stage of beggar on road side. "I am more than happy to have found away to serve people in need, I try to be just a call away," informed Raju with all his humility.

Till date, Raju hasnot asked for any kind of charges or reward for his service. Despite increasing responsibilities after marriage, he says he is more determined than before to continue the selfless services for specially-abled in every possible way.

Raju says the foundation has bigger plans. "We want to establish a centre for 'community living,' where disabled children and their families can live together. At this centre, even if a parent passes away, other parents will take care of the disabled child," he adds.