Breaking Barriers, Building Bonds: My Internship Journey at WinVinaya Foundation
29 May, 2025 | 5 min
Puja Sarki
By Puja Sarki, M.A. Education Candidate, Azim Premji University
About Me
My name is Puja Sarki, and I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Education at Azim Premji University, Bangalore. As part of our academic journey, we undertake a three-week internship known as Field Practice 2—a chance to step out of the classroom and into the real world of education and social change.
When presented with several internship opportunities, I chose to intern at WinVinaya Foundation—a decision that was guided by curiosity, admiration, and a desire to challenge my own assumptions. I had always been inspired by the Foundation’s work in the disability sector, especially in teaching technical skills to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). But this would be my first time working closely with individuals with disabilities—and I was both eager and a little uncertain. I wanted to learn from them, about them, and with them.
Understanding an Inclusive Organization
The core purpose of the internship was to develop a deeper understanding of how an organization functions—its history, vision, mission, and ongoing projects. At WinVinaya, we were encouraged to observe, engage, and contribute meaningfully, depending on our strengths.
Over the past three weeks, I immersed myself in the heart of the organization. What I witnessed was not just a workplace, but a vibrant learning ecosystem where every individual—regardless of ability—was valued, respected, and empowered.
Education That Empowers: Learning from the Intellectually Disabled
My primary engagement was with individuals with intellectual disabilities who are trained in and work on Document Remediation—a process that makes educational content accessible to people with visual impairments. The idea that people with one form of disability were helping those with another left a profound impact on me. It was inclusive education and inclusive employment at its finest.
Through daily interactions and close observation, I gained insight into how WinVinaya structures its training. The foundation offers comprehensive digital skill-building programs, covering tools like:
- Basic Computer Operations
- Microsoft Office
- Zoho Books for accounting
- Power BI for data visualization
- Canva for creativity
- Visual Studio Code for coding
- And specialized work in document remediation
This isn’t just about learning how to use tools. It’s about learning with purpose—developing skills that make individuals employable, confident, and independent.
What stood out even more was the parallel emphasis on soft skills: communication, collaboration, time management, and workplace etiquette. WinVinaya understands that success isn’t just about technical proficiency—it’s about enabling individuals to thrive in diverse work environments.
A Shift in Perspective
If I’m being honest, before joining WinVinaya, my understanding of disability was narrow and shaped by societal stereotypes. I often viewed persons with disabilities through a lens of sympathy rather than capability. The idea of them thriving in a structured professional environment seemed unfamiliar to me.
But that perception has been completely transformed.
Over these three weeks, I witnessed determination, discipline, and dignity in every individual I worked with. I saw how they collaborated, helped one another, met deadlines, and took pride in their work. It wasn’t just inspiring—it was eye-opening. I began to see them not as people with limitations, but as individuals with extraordinary resilience, untapped potential, and deep humanity.
Reflections That Stay With Me
This internship was not just a field practice—it was a field awakening. It helped me confront my own biases, grow as a learner, and reaffirm why I chose the field of education in the first place.
To the team at WinVinaya Foundation—thank you for welcoming me with open arms, for showing me what inclusive education truly looks like, and for reminding me that real change begins when we choose to see ability before disability.