BENGALURU: What thoughts go through your mind when you have a cup of chai?
For most folks, tea is just a part of one’s routine, a way to hang out with friends or to ruminate and fix any growing worry.
But how would it be, if a cup of tea can become an occasion to know about the struggles of a group of parents and children?
Welcome to a unique tea stall initiative, which not just provides fresh tea but also offers awareness about autism, a neuro-developmental disorder.
This venture is taken up by the volunteers of I Support Foundation (ISF), a non-profit organisation started in January 2014 that works with autistic and underprivileged children’s education and development in Bengaluru and Lucknow.
The novel tea stall is located on the footpath at 10th Main, 2nd stage at BTM Layout, Bengaluru. It runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30-8:00 pm. As tea is served along with information on autism, a volunteer plays guitar in the background at the ISF Musical tea stall.
This ‘kulhad’ (earthen pot) tea stall serves masala tea along with snacks like peanut masala and poha (costs `12 for earthen pot tea and `20 for snacks).
The funds collected were used to start a school for autistic kids in Electronics City and to conduct activities and events in Bengaluru and Lucknow.
On an average, nearly `4,000-5,000 is collected every weekend from the sale of tea and snacks.
This initiative was proposed and made possible by Juhi Ramani, who was inspired by her own brother, 20 year-old Shivam Ramani who is autistic.
The group has helped people learn about autism and differentiate between the disorder and Down's Syndrome and slow learning. It has created the first app in the country and provides resources on autism, and organises several events in the city like an Autism Fest, open street events for autistic children, flash mobs, workshops and football sessions to spread awareness about the condition.
Yeah, a lot can happen over a cup of tea!