Our work
Creating opportunities through sport, support and inclusion.
S4UA Foundation works with special schools across Maharashtra to create opportunities for children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Our work runs through five programmes. For each one, this page shows the need, what we do, where, its current status, a real example and how you can help.
At a glance
What is running now, and what we are building.
Three programmes operate in schools today. Two are being developed step by step with local partners. We label each one clearly so you always know where it stands.
Running now
Operating in schools today
Being developed
Planned or in early stages
Our programmes
Five programmes, with sport at the centre.
Every school has different needs, so not every programme runs in every school or district. Each section below follows the same six points, so the programmes are easy to compare.
Ongoing Running in schools now Developing Being built step by step with local partners
Sports & Athlete Development
Regular, adapted sport for children and young adults in special schools.
Supported by Sun Petro and TTEC (training and equipment), Inner Wheel and ARC Chemicals (sports events).
Full programme detailsMany special schools have no regular sports programme, trained coach or suitable equipment, so children miss out on structured physical activity and the chance to compete.
- Weekly adapted sports and movement sessions
- Strength and conditioning
- Sport-specific skills and school teams
- Preparation for sporting events
Partner special schools in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Pune and Dhule, across urban, rural and tribal communities.
Sessions run regularly in partner schools through the school year, with 2,000+ children reached so far.
Inter-school sports meet, Mumbai. With support from Inner Wheel and ARC Chemicals, S4UA brought together children from 12 partner special schools to compete in athletics and team events, with every participant recognised.
- Sponsor a term of coaching for a school
- Fund sports equipment
- Support an inter-school event
Coach Training & District Support
Training the coaches and teachers who keep sport going in schools.
Coaches and teacher-coaches are what make sport last. We train them, and we place district-level support close to the schools so sessions continue after a workshop ends.
Supported by Ajmera (Dhule district programme) and SBM (Palghar district programme).
Full programme detailsSpecial schools often rely on one or two teachers to run sport, with little training in adapting activities. Without local coaches, sessions stop when outside support ends.
- Practical workshops for coaches and teacher-coaches
- Advanced training for coach leads
- A district coach in-charge who follows up with schools
- Equipment and planning support
District programmes in Dhule and Palghar, with coach workshops for schools across Maharashtra.
Running in Dhule and Palghar, with 60+ coaches and teacher-coaches trained. Our aim is to extend the coach network to every tribal area of Maharashtra.
Dhule district programme. District coach in-charge Bhushan Ramesh Marathe, a physiotherapist, coordinates sports training with local schools and coaches, with support from Ajmera.
- Fund a coach training workshop
- Support a district coach for a year
- Share your expertise as a trainer
Sensory & Therapy Rooms
Equipped school spaces for guided sensory activities and therapy.
We help special schools plan, equip and set up rooms where trained staff and qualified professionals can run guided sensory and therapy sessions.
Supported by Rotary Seacoast and Muthoot.
Full programme details
Many children with intellectual and developmental disabilities benefit from guided sensory activities and therapy, but most special schools do not have a suitable, equipped room.
- Assess each school's needs
- Plan the room with professionals
- Provide equipment and help set it up
- Follow up on how the room is used
Special schools in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane district.
Four school projects supported so far: three completed and one in progress, with more schools identified.
MBA Foundation, Airoli. A sensory room planned and equipped with Rotary Seacoast's support, now used for guided sessions with the school's therapists. All four projects are listed below.
- Fund equipment for a sensory room
- Sponsor a complete room for one school
- Connect us with a school in need
Sensory room projects
School, location, status, support provided and supporter.
-
Completed
Manilal Special School
Mumbai- Support provided
- Sensory room equipment and setup
- Supported by
- Muthoot
-
Completed
Umang Special School
Ghatkopar, Mumbai- Support provided
- Sensory and therapy room equipment
- Supported by
- Muthoot
-
Completed
MBA Foundation
Airoli, Navi Mumbai- Support provided
- Room planning, equipment and setup
- Supported by
- Rotary Seacoast
-
In progress
Vikasmatiman School
Ulhasnagar, Thane- Support provided
- Room planning and equipment
- Supported by
- Rotary Seacoast
School Infrastructure
Safe, suitable spaces and equipment so sport can happen.
Part of this work is happening now: equipment and small improvements to school spaces. Larger sports and residential facilities are still at the planning stage.
Full programme detailsWithout safe spaces and basic equipment, schools cannot run regular sport, however willing their staff. Rural and tribal areas have the fewest facilities.
- Now: assess school spaces and provide equipment
- Now: small improvements so sessions run safely
- Planned: larger sports and residential facilities
Partner schools in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar. Sites for larger facilities are being explored in rural and tribal districts.
Equipment and school-space support is under way. Larger facilities depend on sites, partners, permissions and resources, and none is complete yet.
Sports equipment for partner schools. 30+ special schools have received sports equipment, helping them run regular, safe sessions without waiting for outside events.
- Fund equipment for a school
- Support a school space upgrade
- Partner with us on a larger facility
Livelihoods & Independence
Practical skills and work opportunities for young adults.
This is our newest area of work. It is being shaped step by step with local partners and families, beginning in Dhule.
Full programme details
When young adults with disabilities leave school, there are few chances to keep learning practical skills or find meaningful work close to home.
- Identify practical skills young adults want to learn
- Work with local partners on training
- Explore vocational and work opportunities
Starting in Dhule district, where our district programme already works with local schools.
In early planning with local partners. Not yet running as a full programme.
Skills pilot, Dhule. Working with local partners, including Kapdane Khadi aur Gramodyog Sanstha, to plan a first skills programme for a small group of young adults.
- Offer training or work placements
- Share vocational expertise
- Fund the first skills pilot
Where the work happens
Working alongside schools, where support is needed.
Each school has its own circumstances, so the work starts with understanding what a school actually needs. Not every programme runs in every location.
- Mumbai City
- Mumbai Suburban
- Thane
- Palghar
- Raigad
- Pune
- Solapur
- Dhule
Across urban, rural and tribal communities, reaching 45+ special schools and 2,000+ children.
Built together
Every programme depends on people who make participation possible.
No single organisation can create these opportunities alone. Our programmes rely on collaboration between many people and organisations.
Special schools and educators
Who know each child and help activities become part of school life.
Coaches and teacher-coaches
Who lead sessions and build skills over time.
Families and school communities
Who encourage participation and celebrate progress.
Corporate supporters and foundations
Who help provide resources, equipment and longer-term support.
Local organisations and service clubs
Who connect the work with schools and communities.
Volunteers, trainers and professionals
Who contribute time and skills, with appropriate guidance.
Our programmes are supported by Rotary Seacoast, Muthoot, Sun Petro, TTEC, Inner Wheel, ARC Chemicals, SBM and Ajmera, among others.
Meet Our Partners
Practical support
Prefer to support one specific need?
Our campaigns focus on clear, practical needs linked to these programmes:
- Meals for children in Dhule
- Sports equipment for schools
- Sensory room support
The Campaigns page shows each active campaign, what it needs, where, who it helps and how to support it.
Be part of the work
Help create more opportunities to participate, learn and grow.
Support a programme, partner with us in a district, or contribute your time and skills.
