The Women and Child Welfare Centre (WCWC) in Shreeramnagar, in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh was established in 1978 with a noble mission: to help children with disabilities achieve equitable lives alongside their peers. However, in 2016 the future of the 25 students here suddenly seemed uncertain. Already battling the challenges that accompany physical disabilities, these students now faced the prospect of their safety net being withdrawn from them, as the Centre was on the verge of closure.
When Shreeramnagar Lions Club of District 316A learned about this, they immediately stepped forward to adopt the school. “We couldn’t let these children lose their opportunity for education and growth,” recalls PDG MSS Sarma. “Our club unanimously decided this was exactly the kind of service that defines who we are as Lions.”
Today the school is home to over 105 children who receive quality education, participate in meditation, cultural activities, games, and sports.
Children living in the hostel enjoy nutritious meals that support both their physical and mental development. The school’s comprehensive approach focuses on all-round development, preparing students for independent and fulfilling futures.
The excellent work that the 50 year old Lions Club has been doing at WCWC has not gone unnoticed. In February 2024, PIP Frank Moore visited the centre and witnessed the students’ science exhibition and cultural performances. “These children are second to none,” he exclaimed while he marveled at the talents showcased during his visit. He also inaugurated the first LEO Club specifically for children with disabilities.
In August 2024, International Second Vice President Mark S. Lyon and Lyn Lyon also toured the facility, praising the scientific skills and attitudes they observed among the students.
In December 2024 Vizianagaram District Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal visited WCWC on the International Day for Differently Abled Children. He expressed deep appreciation for the school’s programs and extended his best wishes to the children.
Students of the centre regularly compete in cultural events, games, and sports at district and state levels, bringing home numerous awards. It is already counted among the best school in the state, and the Shreeramnagar Lions Club aims to elevate it to national prominence.
Today, the school that almost shut down shows what local Lions can accomplish through determined action. The members of Shreeramnagar Lions Club didn’t just save a school—they created a place where children with disabilities can truly thrive. Their real success isn’t measured in awards, but in the confidence and joy of students who once faced an uncertain future.
