The woman who started it

Ms. Kamalamma grew up in rural Karnataka. Her strong background in social service gave her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities.

She was elected to her Gram Panchayat and served five years as president, becoming a trusted point of contact for government rural-development initiatives and helping her community access essential resources.

As a mother, she recognised the absence of support for children with special needs in rural areas. Observing that Nelamangala — a locality of over 100,000 people — had no facilities at all, she established Ashraya Special School in 2018.

Ashraya was founded to support not only the children but their parents and caregivers, offering peace of mind and a reliable support system. Ms. Kamalamma continues to be an advocate for inclusivity, ensuring that every child receives the care they deserve.