Baseline Survey 

1. Introduction

Inside Me launched the Holistic Healing Project (HHP) to empower blind students through skill-based training in Reflexology. The project aimed to provide not just vocational knowledge but also psychological confidence, self-reliance, and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. This baseline survey outlines the students' socio-economic backgrounds, pre-training conditions, and the challenges they faced before the intervention.

2. Beneficiary Background

The initial batches comprised students from rural, economically challenged families across Jharkhand and Bihar. All students enrolled were 100% blind, studying at the Institution for the Blind, Amar Colony, New Delhi.

• Shravan Kumar : Son of a farmer, deeply motivated to heal his village community and relieve his mother’s knee pain.

• Pardesi Kujur : Lost his father, lives with a daily-wage-earning mother. Initially faced physical pain while learning but showed remarkable resilience.

• Ritik Kumar : Son of a driver, slow learner but highly dedicated. His first performance experience transformed his confidence.

• Gulshan Kumar : Youngest participant, son of a farmer. Felt empowered by earning through his skill for the first time, even donating part of his earnings to the school.

3. Pre-Project Challenges

- Lack of Exposure : Students had no prior experience of professional skill training or public interaction.
- Low Self-Confidence : Most lacked belief in their ability to contribute economically or socially.
- Dependency Culture : Many students were conditioned to rely on donations, with little motivation to break that cycle.
- Absence of Practical Learning Tools : No tactile aids or structured vocational curriculum tailored to their needs.
- Limited Family Support : Due to financial hardships, most parents could not support extra training or career planning.
- Physical Barriers : Finger fatigue and lack of motor control posed initial hurdles in Reflexology practice.

4. Purpose of the Baseline

This baseline survey helps assess the starting point of each participant before the project intervention. It provides a benchmark for measuring future growth in skill levels, confidence, economic participation, and social integration—critical indicators for evaluating project impact over time.