In 1995, Late Sri BK Subiah, Smt. Meena Cariappa and a few like-minded visionaries saw the need for supporting differently-abled children in the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. There was no facility for special children in the district. Their vision led to the founding of ‘OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL’ for the differently-abled in 1996, at Madikeri, in the premises of Kodagu Vidyalaya. The Opportunity School is a charitable organisation to help children with various challenges – both Physical and Mental. It has since made its best effort to help the children reach their maximum potential and also to spread awareness on disability in the district.
Initially, the school functioned with donations from various individuals and organisations. Eventually the state government recognised the eligibility for financial support and some grant has been sanctioned. However the grant meets only a portion of the regular needs. Also the funds allotted do not always reach the school in full scale.
The children are educated and trained completely free of cost.
The school caters mainly to children from the economically weaker sections. It needs financial assistance to provide the students with best opportunities to join the mainstream of life. The accounts are well audited and donations receive benefits under section 80G of the Income Tax Act, Govt. of India.