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Princeton NGO archive of Karnataka
http://www.differentindia.org/tcfwc.html">
The Concerned for Working Children
About Us
Concerned for Working Children is committed to the eradication ofchild
labour. It also works at different levels to empowerchildren who have no
choice but to work; for example, it attemptsto help them claim their
entitlements.CWC is presently engaged in the following activities:
fieldprojects in Bangalore and Basrur district, Karnataka; advocacyand
lobbying in national and international fora; research,documentation and
communication through its Centre for AppliedResearch and Documentation
(CARD); networking within the city andstate, as well as nationally and
internationally; fund-raising inpursuit of its goal of financial
self-sufficiency. The primary objective of its projects is the healthy
growth anddevelopment of children. Its programmes are designed to go
beyondliteracy and vocational training to equip children withinformation
and life-skills for empowerment.Namma Mane (Our House), a shelter for
street and workingchildren, built by the Association for Promoting Social
Actionand run by CWC, houses 100 boys and 50 girls, and is meant toprovide
a happy and secure home for children to return to afterwork everyday.CWC
plans its projects to serve as models for possiblereplication on a wider
scale. A major component of its work isadvocacy. Drawing on the experience
and understanding gainedthrough field-work, its members attempt to
influence governmentpolicy and legislation in favour of working children
and theirrights. To further its primary goal of empowering the
child-worker, CWCinitiated the formation of Bhima Sangha, an
independentassociation of working children. Its membership is open to
allchild labourers. The children's collective decides its ownpriorities,
formulates its own plans, organises its ownprogrammes and initiates its
own activities, with CWC providinginputs or assistance on request. Members
of communities among which CWC has been active haveformed their own
occupation-based organisations in order to worktogether to revive their
trades, crafts or cottage industries.Through mutual support, these
people's organisations strive to befinancially self-sufficient. They hope
this will ultimately freetheir children from the need to work. Among its
most important projects are the Makkala PanchayatToofan, a project which
helped panchayats to adopt achild-centred approach for the development of
villages; theproject was instrumental in drafting the Child Labour
(Regulationand Prohibition) Act 1985.CWC is a node for Child Rights
Information Network (CRIN) inIndia. It would like to network with regard
to sharinginformation on children's rights and for promoting
workingchildren's unions.CWC is presently engaged in a major fund-raising
drive in pursuitof its goal of financial self-sufficiency. Contributions
areeligible for tax deduction under Section 80G of the Indian IncomeTax
Act. Donors who contribute Rs 10,000 and above will receivethe annual
report of the organisation. Donors are also welcome toget involved in the
workings of the organisation.
Contact
Nandana Reddy; Damodara Achraya
303/2 Lal Bahadur Shastri Nagar,
Annasandrapalya, VeemanapuramPost
Bangalore
560017
Karnataka
Tel:91-80-5234611
Fax:91-80-5234258
E-mail:cwc@pobox.com
http://www.differentindia.org/s-i-a.html">
Seva - In - Action
Main Aim
Main interests:
1. Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) for disabled
2. Building the CBR network
About Us
Seva-in-Action aims at rehabilitating people with disabilities -- mental
or physical -- through its Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programme.
This programme is unique in that it utilises the community's resources and
the resources of the family of the disabled person. Over 15,000 disabled
people have been helped with access to education, health and employment.
Home-based support to families is extended by way of early identification
and early stimulation programmes to prepare children with disabilities for
integration into schools/pre-schools. Self-help groups or multipurpose
disability centres are a nodal point for all disabled children in a
village/town. The organisation also runs rural-based vocational training
programmes and Integrated Education for children with Disabilities (IED)
programmes where trained and committed resource teachers help children
integrate into regular schools. The government of Karnataka has accepted
community-based rehabilitation as a model to reach the disabled in rural
areas. SIA has made a pioneering effort in distance education in
braille.SIA gives technical support to voluntary organisations and to the
governments of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and
Rajasthan.You can extend financial assistance to sponsor a child or a
community-based rehabilitation programme in a village. Professional
support in community-based rehabilitation is also required. And
sponsorship of aids/appliances for the disabled is welcome.SIA would like
to network with other organisations and form partnerships between the
government and NGOs to incorporate community-based rehabilitation
programmes in existing rural development programmes.
Contact
Ananda Rao; Ruma Banergee
#36, I Main, S.T. BED, 4th Block, Koramangala
Bangalore
560034
Karnataka
91-80-5520347
http://www.differentindia.org/pcc.html">
Prajna Counselling Centre
About Us
Prajna provides treatment and rehabilitation to substance abusersin
Mangalore. Those who are addicted are counselled, as are theirfamilies. It
runs a 40-bed de-addiction centre. So far it hastreated 2,706 addicts,
including 88 women. It runs awarenessprogrammes on substance abuse in
3,556 institutions. It keeps inregular touch with ex-addicts through
letters and visits andfollow-up action if required.Besides, Prajna is also
giving education and training under itsstreet children and child labour
rehabilitation programmes. Itprovides de-institutionalised service to
foster children.Recently, it started a school for child labourers. Fifty
childrenhave been enrolled.It has published Battle of the Bottle and
Alcoholism and theFamily.
Contact
Hilda Rayappan, Celine Pereira
Falnir Road, Kankanady
Mangalore
575 002
Karnataka
Tel:0824-429682
Fax:0824-436727
http://www.differentindia.org/mfaaya.html">
Movement For Alternatives and Youth Awareness (MAYA)
About Us
The objective of MAYA is to provide non-institutional andintegrated
support to child labourers so that children arereleased from their
workplaces and enrolled in schools orvocational training programmes. It
tries to make parents takeresponsibility for their children and ensure
that their rightsare protected. Maya supports institutions that serve
children andensures that parents hold these institutions accountable
forproviding quality service. It campaigns against employers whoseek child
labour.Its child labour programme covering pockets of Bangalore
providesnon-formal education, nutrition and health programmes, culturaland
sports activities, school re-enrolment and follow-up toapproximately 430
children. Maya's programmes are initiated incollaboration with the
community, the aim being to evoke parentaland community responsibility
towards children. The primary aim ofits non-formal schools is to create a
desire for learning inchildren. Maya recently launched its women's
programme, designed to addressissues such as illiteracy, insufficiency of
savings and lack ofskills. The objective is to support women in exploring
theoptions available to them. That helps them raise their standardsof
living and take better care of their children.
Contact
MAYA
438, 1st Floor, 19th Cross, Opp Swimming pool, I & III BlockEast
Jayanagar
560 011
Bangalore
Tel:91-80-6632615
Tel/Fax:91-80-6639857
http://www.differentindia.org/mfaaya.html
http://www.differentindia.org/krvp.html">
Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat
About Us
The Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat (KRVP) has as its goals
thepopularisation of science in rural areas, creation of popularscience
literature in Kannada and, last but not least, building ascientific temper
among the rural people. By doing this, the KRVPhopes to rid society of
superstition and inculcate a spirit ofrationalism among people. It does
this by way of publishingscience literature in Kannada, audio-visual aids,
films, sciencekits and toys, holding seminars and workshops,training
teachers,holding health and hygiene camps, organising the Science
Congressfor children at the state level and the national level. The KRVP
has established science centres, eco clubs, environmentstudy groups all
over the state. Nearly 450 KRVP units arepresently active with the same
mission.It has so far published 85books on popular science, and the
National Award for SciencePopularisation to three of its members is
another one of itsachievements.Besides involving teachers and students,the
KRVP also keepsthe general public updated on the developments in
variousscientific fields and also acts as a platform for
like-mindedindividuals to network and exchange ideas.KRVP invites
like-minded people to participate in thepopularisation of science and the
building of the scientifictemper to free people from the hold of dogma and
superstition.KRVP also welcomes resource persons to deliver talks and
sharetheir views.
Contact
Dr S.J. Nagalotimant, Prof M.R. Nagaraju,
president, hon.secy,
Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat, Indian Institute ofScience campus
Bangalore
560 012
Karnataka
Tel: (080) 3340509,
Fax: (080)3348840
E-mail:KSCST@Vigyan.iisc.ernet.in
http://www.differentindia.org/ids.html">
India Development Service
About Us
India Development Service (IDS) works towards improving theeconomic and
social status of women and other weaker sections. Itis also concerned with
the protection and regeneration of naturalresources. The main activity of
IDS is community organisation. It trains villagers, in various ways, to
stand on their own feet: it helpsin watershed development and wasteland
development; conductsprogrammes for human and animal health care;
createsenvironmental awareness; imparts sustainable agriculturaltechniques
and supports rural industry and artisans.It has established more than 350
small sanghas of 10-15 peopleeach which look after their own development,
including 250 self-help groups in villages. As a result, the shepherding
community of Ranebennur has growninto a federation of sanghas that can
influence decisions of thestate wool board. It has given more than 4,800
medleri charkhasfor wool spinning and established 10 dairy cooperatives
run bywomen.Poor rural women have been released from the clutches
ofmoneylenders as sangha members can avail of credit from their ownsangha
funds; shepherds have been able to increase their flock byvaccinating
their animals, deworming and systematic grazing;female members of the
Dairy Cooperative have become economicallyself-sufficient; the medleri
charkhas are producing betterresults in the spinning of wool and silk. The
local VillageForest Committees collaborate with the forest department
inprotecting and managing the forest cover in the Western Ghats.IDS is
only the catalyst: in each of its projects the people arefully
involved.IDS is part of the Federation for Voluntary Organisation forRural
Development in Dharwad and Karnataka, and the NationalResearch Network on
Joint Forest Management. It is interested infurther networking.
Contact
Somappa Megari; P J Kulkarni
Near German hospital, Sadhankeri Road
Dharwad
580008
Karnataka
Tel:0836-347207
Fax: 0836-748401
http://www.differentindia.org/asfid.html">
Action Society for Integral Development
About Us
Bagepalli taluka in Karnataka is a hilly, drought-prone area. Forthe last
seven years, the Asian Society for Integral Developmenthas been working in
the region. It mainly targets women byproviding them with economic
opportunities, a safe workingenvironment and encouraging them to
participate in politics. Ithas trained about 150 women in various cottage
industries. Itprovides training to the rural poor in such activities
ascarpentry, radio and TV servicing. On the agenda of the society is the
formation of self-helpgroups. These groups will be active in 20 villages.
They willmeet every month to discuss the schemes floated by thegovernment,
such as pensions for widows, the handicapped and theelderly. Also in the
pipeline is the construction of low-costhouses for the benefit of the
poor.
Contact
Zubair Ahmed Khan
Kumbarpet
Bagepalli
561 207
Karnataka
Tel: 08150-2246
http://www.mahiti.org/"> MAHITI
Contact Details
Sunil Abraham
Team Leader - MAHITI
Info-tech for the Voluntary Sector
268, Ist Main, Defence Colony,
HAL IInd Stage, Bangalore - 560 038
Karnataka, INDIA
Pager: 9624 - 279519
Ph/Fax: +91 80 5282314 E-mail: sunil@mahiti.org
Web: http://www.mahiti.org
MAHITI is a voluntary sector organisation that aims to provide
appropriate and affordable tools, skills and services to the Indian
voluntary sector, towards achieving greater knowledge democracy by using
the Internet. We are primarily interested in exploiting the potential of
the Internet in 4 voluntary sector areas - networking, advocacy,
fundraising and knowledge sharing. We aim to provide our services for
at least 1/2 or 1/3 the market price.
MAHITI was born out of the information technology learnings of SAMUHA,
an 11 year old VSO working in northern Karnataka. Over the last one and
a half years MAHITI has provided one free web page to 25 VSO and free
e-mail connections to around 40 VSO in and around Bangalore. In addition
we have built 12 web sites, 5 web applications [including 2 shopping
carts], 4 customized software applications. MAHITI is currently
supporting 5 VSOs with a monthly web consultancy programme. We are also
on the verge of launching the first of our 3 portals for VSOs in
Bangalore called 'Bangalore Cares'. We have held 12 trainings and made
several presentations for various voluntary sector networks. We have
close relationships with other specialist resource groups like MCAS[1]
,CONSORT[2] and INDEV[3].
Our objectives and activities in brief:
1. Enable the voluntary sector to access the Internet
· Computer Dhan: Convince the moneyed IT sector in Bangalore to
donate computer equipment to the voluntary sector. This activity has not
been launched.
· E-mail connectivity: Provide free e-mail accounts to anyone or
any organisation linked to the voluntary sector.
· Free page offer: Provide one web page for free to any non-profit
organisation.
· Awareness activities: Promote the Internet amongst NGOs through
diverse forms of outreach.
· Book: 'How to use the Internet for voluntary sector
organisations'. Has reached the outline stage
2. Enable voluntary sector organisations to establish effective
online presence
· New Products: Develop new appropriate and affordable web
products. The first product is under development, 'MAHITI virtual office
ver. 1.0' will allow non-technical users to manage state of the art web
sites by updating a database.
· Customized Products: Develop customized web, Intranet or
multimedia applications for voluntary sector organisations.
· Consultancy: Provide strategic support for voluntary sector web
campaign. '12 months with MAHITI' is a programme for site promotion,
updating and review activities.
· Training: Specifically for client requirements, generic
trainings for the sector, and specialist training in partnership with
resource groups such as MCAS.
3. To consolidate voluntary sector presence on the Internet by
setting up and manage 4 portal web sites.
· www.actionindia.org: Portal web site for the Indian voluntary
sector. Which aims at strengthening initiatives in India, sharing the
Indian experience with the world and bringing the world experience to
India. Planetasia.com is helping us identify donor support.
· www.karinet.org: Multilevel and multi-media networking,
fundraising, advocacy, and knowledge management for Karnataka in Kannada
and English. A web site, 30 free Internet kiosks, CDROMs and a print
newsletter. Proposal Stage.
· www.bangalorecares.org: A web site and a print directory that
will profile the short term and long term dreams of 600 voluntary sector
organisation in Bangalore to increase general visibility and to build
relations between the corporate and voluntary sector. To be launched
shortly.
[1] Murray Culshaw Advisory Service - a local fundraising support group.
[2] Consortium of Service Organisations in Tamilnadu - a networking
support agency.
[3] www.indev.org the joint venture of British Council and One World
Online.
Mysore Amateur Naturalists
Introduction:
Dinesh and Ravi are doing 'Natural Farming' on an 18 acre plot
(nmaed 'Hulikadu') in a village near Mysore, based on Masanobu Fukuoka's
book
'One Straw Revolution'. Dinesh and Ravi got some experience working
with the afforestation efforts in Timbaktu Collective (AP) before they
moved to
Kaduvaddargudi, a small village 35 km from Mysore. They bought the
land in 1996 with the help of friends and have been growing different
kinds of
plants to regenerate the land (regain its biomass) and prepare for
natural farming. Its like any other scientific experiment and requires
time, effort and
patience.
The project aims at establishing a Sustainable Agricultural
Farm - which is being designed as an Agroforest habitat capable of
meeting most needs of
the community. Main focus is around the development of agricultural
practices which include soil and water conservation, collection and
growing of
traditional varieties of seeds, complete recycling of organic
residues for enriching soil fertility, mixed cropping etc.,. Towards
this they are integrating the
techniques of Permaculture, Natural farming, in addition to the
traditional practices of this region, which will require minimum of
external inputs
AID-Pitsburgh has funded $2300 for the digging of a well and
installation of a solar pump.
Contact Shravan if you need more information or would like to get
in touch with the group.
Mysore Amateur Naturalists (MAN):
571, 9th cross Anikethana Road,
Kuvempu Nagar, Mysore - 570023. Ph. 0821-541744
Objectives of the group:
1. Sustainable development through promotion of Appropriate and
eco-friendly technologies.
2. Creation of environmental awareness and to build a younger
generation with concern for environment.
3. Protection of Environment - Flora and Fauna.
4. Conservation and development of basic Natural resources like
Soil, Water, and Plant genetic diversity.
Address of the project site and directions to get there:
Dinesh/Ravi, Hulikadu, Kaduvaddaragudi village,
Karimuddana halli post, Mysore - 570005
Nearest city is Mysore, Hulikadu is about 40 kms from Mysore. From
Mysore suburban bus stand platform no.5 catch buses to a place called
Gaddige, which is 35 kms from Mysore. From Gaddige it is an hour
walk to Kaduvaddara gudi village. It is better to contact Guruprasad.P
at the
Mysore address, 571, 9th cross, Anikethana Road, Kuvempu nagar,
Mysore - 570023. call up 541744.
Natural Farming:
Its a sustainable way of farming with no tilling, no weeding,
no chemical fertilizers. It was developed by Masanobu Fukuoka and he has
written a
book 'One Straw Revolution' that gives the philosophical,
biographical and technical perspective of his work. Fukuoka was a
scientist in Japan before
he moved to farming and developed this method after 30 years of
experimenting. It is quite different from 'organic farming' or
'traditional farming'. It
removes much of the redundant work from the other kinds of farming.
Fukuoka calls it 'do nothing' farming. No tilling is done so that the
land retains its
biomass (organic matter and microorganisms) and the fertility of
the soil is maintained. The plants can grow along with the weeds as they
are healthy
and disease resistant. He came up with some tricks to get around
other problems and yield is comparable to other farming methods.
Project Decription :
1) Background
2) Work in Hulikadu
3) Hulikadu and its Past
4) Work Done So Far on Land
5) Future Work Plan
6) Past Work at Timbaktu Collective
7) References on Present Agricultural Scenario
1) Background :
The rapid industrialization and increased mechanization in the
post independence period has brought in enormous changes in urban and
rural setups.
The developmental processes aimed at bringing in change by using
modern technology has led to rampant urbanization, totally dependent on
precious
non-renewable resources.
On the other hand, these technological changes in various fields
have made serious impact on the rural setup. The agricultural systems
and traditional
arts and crafts, which have developed over hundreds of years
depending on the local situations and resources, have been grossly
affected. These had
ensured that local communities have a decentralized and largely
self-sufficient functioning. The traditional institutional structures
too have been broken
down. Villages nowadays are increasingly dependent on urban areas.
Agriculture has been the worst hit sector. With the sole
intention of increasing productivity, green revolution introduced
chemicals, improved seeds and
a variety of other packages. In addition to this shift from
subsistence farming to cash cropping to earn more and more cash, has
destroyed sustainable
practices resulting in increased dependence on external inputs.
In the past two to three decades, green revolution and cash
cropping have played havoc. Initial increased yield has come down
drastically. The excess
use of chemical fertilizers has ruined the soil fertility. Untold
number of pests and diseases have manifested pesticides meant to control
pests have
destroyed useful predators upsetting the sensitive ecological
balance. Dependence on improved seeds has resulted in the disappearance
of local seeds,
which have been painstakingly developed and preserved by farmers
over a long period. This genetic erosion coupled with dependence on
market
economy has made agriculture highly vulnerable.
The recent trend of globalization and liberalization has worsened
the situation. Agriculture today is at a crossroads. In the past forty
years since the
introduction of chemical inputs, instead of being a self-sufficient
system, farming has got caught up in the clutches of external agencies
and multinational
corporations. The business-minded, profit-seeking modern
agriculture has become totally unnatural severing the intimate relation
between farmers and
the soil.
Farming which is the mainstay of the majority of our population,
is no longer considered feasible. Farmers are beginning to realize the
damage done by
modern agriculture. With the vital links in the traditional
agriculture severed badly, it has become increasingly difficult for the
attempts to shift to organic
methods.
In the search for sustainable alternatives, a small group of
youngsters from Mysore, with engineering backgrounds, who have been
actively involved in
environmental conservation and educational activities, have moved
to a rural setting. The group is working on a piece of 18 acres land,
named
"Hulikadu", since the last two seasons. The long-term aim is to
make this place a space for those who want to try out alternatives and
learn from the
trials and experiments carried out.
2) Work in Hulikadu
At Hulikadu, the group is working towards building up of a
community, which will maintain a harmonious relation with the
surrounding environment and
the local communities.
Community building is centered around development of this land into
an Agroforest habitat which will be capable of meeting the basic needs
of the
community.
The effort is to search for/adopt sustainable eco-friendly
alternatives relating to food, energy, shelter, health, clothing, etc.
and establishing a system
which in the long run aims at greater self-reliance an
self-sufficiency with the emphasis on utilization of locally available
resources.
Right now, the work on land is focussed around the development of
agricultural practices which include soil and water conservation,
complete
recycling of organic residues for enriching of soil fertility,
mixed cropping, etc.
Efforts involve integration of techniques of Perma-culture, Natural
Farming in addition to the traditional practices of the region. We are
working
towards building up of sustainable agricultural practices, which
would require the least amount of inputs from the market.
Minor millets, which are hardy and less demanding on soil and
more nutritious were commonly grown by farmers earlier. We are
concentrating on
production and consumption of minor millets, seasonal vegetables
and fruits.
Towards the building up of the soil fertility, the attempt is on to
develop green manuring and composting techniques. In order to achieve
this, it is being
planned to establish trees suited for this within the land.
Nursery raising is being taken up to grow the saplings needed for
planting in the area.
Apart from this, attempts are being made to collect the seeds of
traditional crop varieties. We plan to preserve and promote them in the
long run.
In the process of developing the farming techniques mentioned
above, it is also planned to explore ways to build awareness among local
people about
the importance of soil fertility and ecologically sound farming
practices.
Promotion of composting, green manuring and non-chemical pest
control methods to enable shift to organic methods by reducing the
dependence on
chemical inputs.
We are also trying out building and construction work with mud and
other locally available materials.
3) Hulikadu and its Past
The area where we are now, was a dense dry deciduous forest about
50 to 60 years back. The forest was known for its wildlife, timber and
minor
forest produce and home for many tribals. This was also the hunting
ground for Maharaja of Mysore. The locals used to call this area as
"Hulikadu". In
the early 50's, the people came from outside, and cleared the
forest and went on to cultivate. Nearly 1000 sq. km of forest (1 lakh
hectare) had been
cleared for making agricultural fields. At that time even the
Government had allowed people to clear the forest. Many people in early
fifties have earned
their income by making charcoal from forest trees to supply for
Bangalore and Mysore.
The newly cleared virgin fertile soils of the forest floor, whose
fertility built over thousands of years, produced very good crop. The
elders here have
told us that they used to get yields of Ragi, other millets and
pulses, with hardly any input, more than what they are producing with
all the chemical
fertilizers and pesticides. There was no trace of any disease or
pest attack.
In less than 50 years, the soil has been plundered and in lace of
fertile soil of the forest floor, we have eroded, parched soil devoid of
its micro and
macro fauna, an essential part of any living soil.
The land on which we are working, the present "Hulikadu", was
owned by an absentee landlord from the city and he used to lease out
the land to
other farmers or work on share cropping basis. The sharecroppers
were more interested in growing as much as they can and leave once
their
time/term is over. What we have noticed is that, farmers used
chemical fertilizers on share cropped area and, whatever little manure
they had was
reserved for their own fields. Over the years, the soil has become
highly depleted and chemicals have succeeded in destroying earthworms
and other
microbes. This was evident with the poor/absence of modulation in
the legume crops tried and wild legumes around.
Apart from the treatment meted out by the sharecroppers, this
area was also used by the neighbouring villagers for grazing. It was so
much grazed that
there was hardly any biomass to be seen.
When we started, we had two major tasks in front of us:-
1. To control grazing.
2. To build up the fertility of the soil.
Controlling grazing had been a tough task, we had to literally
keep a constant watch on the land and at times there had been heated
exchanges with
many who used to carelessly let in their cattle despite requests.
Though we did not want to be on bad terms with our neighbours, it was
difficult to
make the farmers understand why we wanted to stop grazing
completely while we had not started cultivating. Within ourselves we
were determined
that if anything has to happen in the long run, then we have to
stop grazing and protect the land. It is just not possible to establish
the live fence in a
short time. In the last two seasons with persistent efforts, we
have managed to control grazing to a great extent.
Soil fertility building:-
The protection offered has resulted in growth of large number of
plants, legumes and non-legumes. Gradually there has been greater
diversity and
increased quantity of biomass cover. This is showing changes in
soil quality. There is a considerable increase in the rodent and
termite activity bringing
out lots of soil from within and build up in the soil porousity,
the earthworms are yet to be noticed. We can feel the soil has become
softer than earlier.
In addition to this, the legumes that are growing wild have been
the centre of our attention, some of them have shown presence of root
modules even
under adverse conditions. We have tried to identify these plants
and collect their seeds for further multiplication and growing along
with other crops so
that microbial activity is enhanced and thus, help in building up
fertility level.
Background for naming the place:-
Hulikadu - the Kannada name for Tiger Forest, is one of the
climax and most stable ecosystems evolved on this earth.From time
unknown, these
forest systems have supported innumerable varieties of flora,
fauna, and are the best examples for sustainable systems.
To serve the purpose of retaining the original name of the area
and, the intention of developing the land into an Agroforest habitat,
incorporating the
features of stability and sustainability of these climax systems,
has lead us to name it Hulikadu.
4) Work Done So Far on Land
Cultivation efforts:-
We have taken up part of the area for cultivation where we have
done minimum tillage to initially weaken the grass. We tried growing
minor millets
like Same, Jowar, Bajra and Ragi. We faced severe bird problems
with Same, Jowar and Bajra. The birds ate up most of the seeds even
before they
had matured. Ragi was tried in a small area by transplanting. The
yield was less as the transplanting was delayed. We are planning to try
broadcast
sowing and line sowing, and with Ragi there are no bird problems.
In addition to this, Toor (pigeon pea), Horse gram, Cowpea and
Lablab were tried out under direct broadcasting with tillage and
dibbling in plough
lines. Amongst these, Horse gram is the most promising. It has done
well under all conditions. It has grown well by direct broadcasting with
tillage and
in no till under grass cover. Cowpea has done better than Toor and
Lablab in the initial season.
In Pigeon pea, the pest attack on pod affected the yield badly.
Whatever had remained intact was collected for sowing in the second
season. Many
of the first season plants were allowed to grow and more pigeon pea
was sown in plough time. The growth was better and there were many
plants with
less pest attack. A total of about 25-30 Kgs of Pigeon pea was
collected and we selected about 2 Kg seeds directly from plants, which
need to be
sown again. We noticed in the surrounding farmers^Ò field that
the root rot disease had affected nearly 1/3 of the plants. But its
incidence was very low
in our field.
Lablab, apparently one of the hardiest and most easy to grow, is
having severe pod borer infestation. This crop has turned out to be
difficult to grow
due to pest problem. A crop which was never sprayed on has now lots
of pesticide sprayed regularly and many farmers have stopped growing
this.
Though this has very good nitrogen fixing capacity, we have not
been able to find much nodulation. Cowpea has shown highest level of
nodulation so
far. We hope as the microbial population builds up, this situation
will improve.
One of the major problems is non-availability of the right kind
of seeds. Having resorted to improved seeds from companies, farmers are
not giving
importance to selecting their seeds of local varieties. Most of
them hardly keep their seeds. With whatever we get locally and from the
market, we have
to steadily develop our own seeds.
We have also multiplied the seeds of Velvet bean and Jack bean
which are good ground covers. When sown densely they cover up the land
in a
short time and, produce a lot of biomass through leaf fall in
addition to nitrogen fixation. We had very little seed to start off
with, about half a kilogram.
Now we have about 30 Kgs. We are planning to sow this again during
the monsoon. Jack bean, Sword bean, Winged bean, Double beans and many
other edible ones were also grown and used in the food. Some wild
relatives of Sunhemp and Indigo had shown better nodulation and their
seeds
have been collected and we plan to sow them along with Toor, Lablab
and other crops.
We are planning to focus on the trials with cultivating pulses
like Horse gram, Pigeon pea, Cow pea and Lablab under minimum/no tillage
conditions.
With regard to Ragi and other millets, we have to try out various
ways. There is a plan to grow ground nut, Til and Niger in small areas.
Planting Works:-
We have planted horticultural plants like Guava, Sapota,
Pomegranate, Mango, Lemon, Coconut, Sitaphal, Jack fruit, Gooseberry,
Wood apple,
Jamun, Tamarind and Soapnut (Rita) in two patches and in selected
spots. Over all 100 plants were planted. Except for Mango grafts that
suffered in
the recent intense heat wave, others are doing well.
Apart from these, a total of 3000 saplings belonging to more
than 20 species of green manure, fodder, fuel, oil bearing, timber, etc.
trees were
planted in bunds and in the 30 feet wide shelter belt all along the
boundary. Of these about 50 percent of the saplings have survived. To
cover the area,
more saplings need to be planted and the planting has to continue
in the following seasons.
The fruit plants need to worked on more intensely by forming
basins, mulching, infiltration trenches close by, legume cover crop and
wind break
formation.
Soil Working:-
The soil is red, red gravelly and red sandy by nature, with the
top soil varying from 4 to 18 inches depth. Only 1/3 of the area is
fairly flat while the
rest of the area with thin top soil and moderate slope is very
poor, and prone to erosion when tilled and exposed.
As part of soil and moisture conservation efforts in areas with
more slope, contours have been marked at suitable intervals and contour
bund
formation has been initiated. About 500 mts of contour bund has
been made so far. Fodder grass planting has been carried out in half
the length.
Pigeon pea seeds also have been dibbled on the bund. We are
thinking of forming small swales and trenches in selected spots to
collect excess runoff
water and store temporarily.
Seed Collection:-
We are collecting seeds of different varieties of crops grown at
Hulikadu and by other farmers around us. So far, some millet and pulses
seeds have
been collected. Different types of vegetable seeds are also being
collected for cultivation. Also, we are collecting seeds of trees like
Gliricidia,
Pongam, Neem, Rosewood, Kino, Babul, Rita, Siris, Erythrina, etc.
These are basically for raising a nursery and local distribution. We
also plan to
collect seeds of various weeds both leguminous and non-leguminous
like Cassias, Indigofera, Crotalaria, Wild tulsi, Amaranthus, etc. which
are
important to maintain/enhance the diversity of the farmland.
Nursery Raising:-
A small nursery has been started to grow diverse types of
saplings for our need to carry out planting activity. It is also
intended to be given to other
interested farmers. Now we have about 3000 saplings of Gliricidia,
Pongam, Bahunia, Acacia Mellifera, Erythrina, Sesbania sp, Cassia
siamea,
Mulberry, Silk cotton, Bamboo, etc. Nursery raising needs to be a
sustained activity to raise the different types of plants for Hulikadu
and others.
Composting:-
Initial attempts at composting and vermi-composting have been
constrained due to restricted water availability and difficulty in
getting enough
biomass. We were able to prepare compost in small amounts for use
in the nursery and for some fruit plants. But, it is highly
insufficient for fields. Soil
enrichment and biomass cover are interlinked and are dependent on
the inherent fertility status of the soil. With protection, the natural
process of soil
building has been initiated. To supplement this, we are developing
composting work. Right now, weeds growing along roadsides and dry canal
beds
are the source of biomass, involving a lot of work and
transportation. Gradually the development of biomass cover in the land
should ease up our
composting work.
Housing:-
Construction activity on the farm has been one of the major tasks
we have been involved in. We have tried Rammed earth method for
building walls.
Also, made our own bricks and mud tiles for using in flooring. The
attempt has been partly successful though, they need to be further
improved.
Trials with Bamboo to make different structures was also tried. On
the whole, the attempt is to use as much local resources as possible
and make
appropriate use of cement and other high energy products.
Protection and Natural Regeneration:-
The total protection offered to the area is showing its effects
in the second season. Two wild patches that were left to regenerate are
slowly
developing into mini-mixed forest pockets. Many plants that were
less than shoulder height have shot up and are becoming trees. In other
areas, the old
root stocks that had remained stunted for long, have got the chance
to regenerate. We have noticed over 40 species belonging to the old
forest trees
growing back from these stumps.
In addition to the recovering stumps, a large number of saplings
of Neem, Siris, Albizza odorattisima, Acacia leucophloea, Acacia
feruginea, Melia
dubia and a few others are naturally regenerating from seeds. Apart
from this, a variety of bushes, shrubs, herbs have found a secure home
to thrive.
We are attempting to make a comprehensive list of all the plants
present in this place.
Along with the flora, there is considerable improvement in the
fauna, particularly in the bird activity in the area. Many new species
of birds are being
sighted and, quite a few birds have been seen breeding here. Black
naped hares have increased and so have many types of snakes. We are sure
that
in another 2-3 years the green cover will become more noticeable
and the diversity of the area will be improved considerably forming a
better and
productive Agro forest habitat.
Relationship with other farmers:-
In the past two seasons, we have been able to make ourselves
placed better in the rural setup. The villagers who used to treat us as
crazy outsiders,
have started to observe what we are doing. Though they do not
concur fully with our attempts, there is change in the way they are
treating us. The
grazing problem has come down.
We have joined a local farmers group organized by an NGO, and
most people in the neighbouring villages are aware of our presence.
One or two
farmers have shown interest in Vermi-composting. People use the
path through Hulikadu and this serves as a means of regular
interaction with
villagers. They keep noticing all our activities.
We do share some materials, tools and our cart when in need. We
also provide medical assistance in cases of minor ailments using
Homeopathy.
Occasionally, we do some interacting with a few farmers about
organic methods. These interactions will be more effective once our
farming practices
are strengthened and established into a routine.
5) Future Work Plan:-
(1) Strengthening and continuation of live fence.
(2) Establishment of 30 feet wide shelter belt along the boundary
with diverse multi-purpose trees.
(3) Building contour bunds and swales in slopy areas.
(4) Formation of alleys with green manure plants like Gliricidia,
Pongam, Sesbania, etc.
(5) Improving composting work.
(6) Establishment of cover crops in horticultural plots.
(7) Developing a vegetable garden patch.
(8) Carrying on with construction work.
(9) Setting up storage facility for seeds and grains.
(10) Nursery raising.
6) Past Work at Timbaktu Collective
Timbaktu Collective is an initiative in one of the most degraded
and denuded districts of India - Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, where
systematic
efforts have been made towards regeneration of land through Natural
means. The Collective is spread over 32 acres of undulating terrain
surrounded
by hills on three sides that was once a verdant forest. I have been
part of the efforts of the Collective in Land Regeneration.
Anantapur district is the second worst drought affected area in
the country. Known for very few rainy days and long dry spells.
Retaining the rain that
falls within the area is crucial to regenerate the land. From the
beginning, planning and execution of soil and water conservation work
using techniques of
Permaculture was initiated.
My involvement with the Collective has been quite comprehensive
and varied. Work on land included seed collection of local and
indigenous varieties
(60-70 species), protection of forests, prevention of forest fires,
oil and moisture conservation work and nursery raising. Providing
technical support
and planning for natural regeneration by peoples groups throughout
Anantapur district through the network of local voluntary organizations
- APPS
(Anantapur Paryavarana Parirakshana Samiti) - was also part of the
overall work. Apart from this, I have also been associated with
construction of
houses using local resources.
The forest protection efforts in the hills around the
Collective^Òs land were very encouraging in a span of 2-3 years. The
area showed dense growth of
trees all regenerated from old stumps. Now, after 6 years, the
growth has been remarkable. All the stumps have transformed into
full-fledged trees
reaching a height of over 10-15 feet.
Based on the work at Timbaktu, large-scale regeneration trials in
about 4000 acres land was initiated involving the village level
committees that have
come forward to nurture barren patches of their common lands. These
areas are now growing into good natural forests.
Nursery raising was one of the important activities. In a period
of a year and a half, over 60,000 saplings of various local,
multi-purpose trees were
raised. These plants were used by many people from various parts of
the region including the Forest Department.
The protection of degraded forest areas has resulted in many
benefits to the people. The major one being the increased supply of
fodder. These hills
have served as fodder banks helping the local villagers during the
periods of acute drought. Availability of minor timber for agriculture,
thatch grass for
housing, increased water retention are some of the many outcomes of
the work.
Now, these efforts of the Collective have influenced many people to
take up important work of Land Regeneration.
7) References on Present Agricultural Scenario
The modern agricultural practices promoted under Green Revolution
in the past 40 years have resulted in: -
* spending enormous amounts of money to develop centralized
irrigation facilities on a large scale.
* use of chemical inputs to boost the crop yields.
* mechanization and mono-cropping in large areas.
* promotion of high-yielding, hybrid varieties of crops.
While these have helped to increase the agricultural productivity
in the country, there have been numerous adverse effects: -
- The boost in yield has been temporary. It is coming down
gradually.
- Use of chemical fertilizers have destroyed the soil
fertility; pesticides directed against crop pests have
eliminated the predators too. In addition, the emergence of
pesticide resistant strains of insects has resulted in a dangerous turn
in Pest Management.
Crop destruction due to pest infestation is so devastating that in
many areas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the farmers cultivating
Pigeon pea and
cotton have resorted to suicide measures consuming the same
pesticides. They could not bear the financial burden due to crop loss.
Pesticide residues in crops have become a severe threat to the
health of the people.
- Mechanization has resulted in dependence on fossil fuels,
while mono-cropping systems are highly vulnerable to market
fluctuations.
- Thousands of local varieties of crops have been lost due to
use of few high-yielding, hybrid varieties. This has led to loss of wide
genetic diversity
on which rested our traditional agriculture.
On the whole, the modern agriculture has turned out to be
destructive and unsustainable in the long run.
Personalities like Masanoku Fukuoka (author of One Straw
Revolution) and Sir Albert Howard (who is considered as the father of
Organic
Movement) are the pioneers who have worked to develop self-reliant
andsustainable farming systems.
Our work is based on the broad guidelines drawn from their work.
http://www.myrada.org/"> MYRADA
MYRADA is a non-governmental organization assisting in the
promotion of sustainable development and
micro-credit initiatives in Southern India.
"MYRADA's goal is:
to foster a process of on-going change in favour of the rural poor
in a way in
which this process can be sustained by them through their efforts;
to build and manage appropriate and innovative local level
institutions
rooted in values of justice, equity and mutual support, which can
ensure their
sustainable livelihoods;
to recreate a self-sustaining habitat based on a balanced
perspective of the
relationship between natural resources and the legitimate needs of
people;
to influence public policies in favour of the poor and to build
supportive
institutional linkages between official institutions and peoples
organisations;
to support small NGOs and foster the emergence of new NGOs working
in
rural areas; and
to promote networking among peoples' institutions and among NGOs."
Contact Address: MYRADA
2, Service Road,
Domlur Layout,
Bangalore - 560 071, India
Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency (MYRADA)
Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency (MYRADA) is an
NGO that has had extensive experience in incubating,
developing and managing savings and credit programmes in
Southern India. Realizing the shortcomings and inadequacy of the
existing system of delivery of formal credit the poor,
Myrada experimented with many local institutional arrangements in
providing
credit delivery systems to the very poor. These included
local cooperatives, rural bank branches, Voluntary Development
Agencies etc. One common feature that ran through most of
these earlier approaches/models was that the target community
formed a group, from 15-20 each to the entire community.
As experience mounted, ideal characteristics of a workable
group formation
strategy emerged: small size, voluntary participation, high
initial intervention
by NGO, economic and social homogeneity, effective,
decentralized and
democratic participation, basic knowledge in literacy and
numeracy, etc. This
was later concretized by forming of Credit Management
Groups (CMGs)
Such groups helped not only in the usual 'backward and
forward' linkages,
but in sideways linkages as well - that is, support from a
group to a family to
become economically viable and self-reliant. Asset
management was also
better administered by groups rather than the individual
family or household.
Savings from the group was a critical starting point for
all activity, creating
self-confidence among other things, among the members. More
than 4,000
such homogeneous small groups have been formed by MYRADA in
South
Asia.
These autonomous and voluntary groups fostered the
emergence of
innovative, appropriate and replicable ideas on a
continuing basis by
providing the people opportunities to come together and to
share and learn
from each other's experience. Latent values of group
support, traditional to
most societies, came to the fore with such groups.
A key feature of the savings and credit programmes of
MYRADA is the
Group's Common Fund (CF). Membership fees, regular savings,
fines
imposed for not having satisfied limits in savings or loan
repayment, interest
payments and other sources are used to build up the fund.
The CF also demonstrates the Group's seriousness in credit
management. This is used to convince Banks, and other
financial institutions to lend to the group who will then onlend, in
small
amounts, to its members. Loan disbursal/recovery, terms and
conditions etc. are decided by the group itself, with advice in
training, suggestions from NGOs and Banks etc. Figure 5.3
explains the growth and utilization of the CF within a group.
The significance of MYRADA's programmes can be seen in the
involvement of all three primary actors of the Triangle for group
loans, deposit mobilization, formation of small groups (in
three stages: 'formation', 'stabilization', and 'empowerment'),
sensitization
and training of bankers etc. Roles are also provided for
the international NGO and research and training institutions for
monitoring
and evaluation, grants and loans, information sharing etc.
Some of the defining characteristics that ensured
successful management of the group included:
Participation: Effective participation in meetings,
credit management etc was possible if the groups are small, with 20-30
members.
Regular savings, size of loans, schedules of payments
and recoveries, interest on loans etc. were decided by the group
itself.
Sanctions/fines was found to be an effective measure
to avoid 'deviant behaviour'. Most were monetary fines, but serious
cases were expelled from the group. All fines were
credited to the group's common fund.
Economic status of members - Loans and savings were
offered only to the very poor. Well-off farmers or those who had
progressed as a result of the group's assistance, were
allowed to be part of the group in an advisory capacity, but were not
eligible for loans.
Office bearers were usually elected for one year only,
to avoid consolidation of power. They were elected well in advance
so that training could be provided to them by MYRADA
staff.
Meetings were critical and attention was paid to its
frequency, schedule and attendence (weekly meetings, fixed day and
time, attendence register etc.)
Rules governing conduct, behaviour, management of
finance and activities etc were framed by the group itself.
Common funds that revolved briskly was an indicator of
a "good" group - thus it was not the amount saved in a fund, but its
circulation that was a good indicator.
Records maintained by the group indicate the degree of
transparency adopted by its members: attendence register, meeting
minutes register, savings ledger, members pass book,
receipt and payment vouchers, cash book, loan ledgers etc. were
some of the records kept by the group.
Source:
Aloysius Fernandez (1994). The Myrada Experience:
"Alternate Management Systems for Savings and Credit of the Rural
Poor." Bangalore: Mysore Resettlement and Development
Agency (MYRADA).
Joint Women's Programme. Director: Jyotsna Chatterji.
Contact 73 Miller's Road, Benson Town, P.O. Box 4600,
Bangalore 560046. Phone:080-333335
(also has branches in Delhi, Calcutta, Madras)
ABHAYASHRAMA
ASSOCIATION FOR SOCIAL HEALTH IN INDIA
4th Cross, Wilson Garden, Bangalore 560 027
INDIA
Telephone : 011-91-80-2220834
In an era of rapid growth in technology and free enterprise which
has spawned a burgeoning and prosperous
middle class in India, poverty still casts a dark shadow on the
promise of a bright future. The poor in India have
not benefited from the booming private sector. On the contrary, the
gap between them and the middle class is
widening as the newfound prosperity of the middle class causes
prices of necessities to escalate.
The brunt of this dehumanizing economic depression is tragically
borne by the women and young girls, who are
victimized and exploited by a male-dominated and largely illiterate
social stratum. Lack of economic
independence traps these women into lifetimes of abuse, bonded
labour, rape, prostitution and general
subjugation. This is not a new problem, but its urgency has, if
anything, increased in the past few years.
History of the organization
Social organizations dedicated to the improvement of the plight of
destitute women have existed in India since
before independence, but they are few in number and are usually
severely under-staffed and under-funded. One
such organization, the Association for Social Health in India , was
started by Dr. Ratnamma Isaac in
Basvangudi, Bangalore in 1929 . Beginning with the rehabilitation of
7 prostitutes, the initial goal was to
protect social values in sexual relations, to establish equal rights
for men and women, to prevent the sale of girls
into prostitution and also to eradicate prostitution by lawfully
improving social hygiene. In 1948, the Maharaja
of Mysore (old Karnataka state) generously donated a huge plot of
land which enabled the institution to own a
building. The name Abhayashram; (abhaya = without fear, ashram =
haven ) was appropriately chosen as a
number of destitute, battered women and their children have found
refuge here. More than 5000 women and
girls have found hope for a better life after stepping into the
Ashram . There are now branches in other parts of
Karnataka - in Chickmangalur, Mysore (city), Mangalore and Tumkur.
Services offered by the Abhayashram
The services now offered for women at the Abhayashram are :
A shelter for destitute women.
A home for destitute girls during their school years from
nursery to tenth grade, sometimes even to
college if sponsors are found.
Job training when necessary and job placement.
Family counseling and legal advice for women who are being
abused.
A service towards facilitating reconciliation or divorce.
Medical care for pregnant women who have no means of support for
one month after delivery.
Family planning advice.
Adult literacy project.
Occasionally acting as an adoption agency when the mothers
request it.
Furthermore, a primary school (from nursery to fourth grade) was
started for slum children in 1955. The
teachers' salaries are funded by the Government. A day-care center
was started for the infants of women who
are day laborers (1984) and a family counseling center was created
(1986) to help mend broken homes. A lawyer,
a psychiatrist, a pediatrician, a gynecologist, a general physician
and other social workers joined the organization
to provide more services and give better direction to several
projects. We house 50 young girls of age 3 - 18 and
also provide shelter to 50 women who need help. There are 30
children from ages 2 to 3 in the baby creche, and
300 children in the primary school from neighboring slums. Free
lunch is provided for all in the school and baby
creche. The Ashram also permanently houses a few old women who are
homeless.
The volunteer office-bearers in the Ashram are aided in their task
by several other volunteers including some
social workers. They help with fund-raising, job-hunting for the
women, and finding sponsors for educating the
girls. They also assist the children with their studies and act as
friends and mentors.
Programs for which funds are needed
1996 was the Diamond Jubilee Year of the Abhayashram. The success of
the projects depends mainly on the
generosity of the donors who come forward with an open mind to help
the needy children. A shining example is
the MICO Factory in Bangalore, which for the last twenty years has
been providing dinner for the Ashram
residents without fail. The Ashram thrives on the team spirit and
the generous contributions of all who have
come in contact with it, and especially on the exceptional spirit of
the destitute who want to pull themselves out
of their precarious existence into a more settled life with dignity.
Our annual expenses total up to about 7,00,000 rupees, of which 45%
is funded by government grants. The rest
of the money has to be raised by the Ashram . Funds are needed for:
Fifty girls from the Ashram going to school need sponsors.
Twenty five of them are in the primary school.
The yearly expenses for sponsoring one child currently come to
US $60.
A compound wall around the vacant land behind the old building
so that there is security for the women
and children living at the Ashram .
Salaries of wardens and tutors for the children.
Extra-curricular activities : Salary for a teacher, material for
craft classes (drawing and painting and other
handicrafts) and funds for music lessons and field trips.
Although a couple of doctors provide voluntary services, money
is scarce for hospitalization and
medicines.
The Ashram has plenty of land that is under-utilized currently.
Building a wall to clearly demarcate and secure
the property will enable utilization of the land for the following :
Dormitory for the resident children in the ashram. There is only
one room where they eat, sleep, hold
meetings etc.
A proper library facility with bookshelves, books, tables and
chairs, both for the school and the resident
children.
Dining hall for school children for the mid day meal.
A good playground.
We are in great need of funds for the above mentioned projects and
also sponsors and mentors for the children.
Any donations would be greatly appreciated. If you are sponsoring a
child, we will make every effort to send
you reports of her progress - if you so desire, we will help
initiate and maintain a dialogue between you and the
child you are sponsoring. We welcome you to come and visit our
Ashram whenever you are in Bangalore, India.
Cheques may be made out to ``The Association for Social Health in
India'' (Karnataka State Branch) and mailed
to this address :
ABHAYASHRAMA
4th Cross, Wilson Garden
Bangalore 560 027
INDIA
If you would like more information, please email
anitak@casa.colorado.edu
Sri Jagadguru Yoganandeswara Saraswathi Math, K. R.
Nagar:
This is a Shankara Math headed by pontiff Sri Sri Sri Shankara Bharati
Swamiji. The Swamiji is well versed in Shastras and English education. He
has revived the Vedapathashala. The Math plans to set up a modern
residential school with emphasis on the study of Sanskrit and Vedas. There
are also plans to provide medical support to the poor and needy irrespective
of caste or religion in the surrounding rural areas of Krishnarajanagar.
Contributions are sought for these educational/ charitable activities, social
revival and social consolidation. Address:
Sri Jagadguru Yoganandeswara Saraswathi Math
Chandramouli Road,
Krishnarajanagar 571 602
Mysore Dist., Karnataka
Tel.: 08223-62471
http://www.bio.umb.edu/Bawa/atree-overview.html">ATREE
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment
A charitable trust formed to respond to environmental and economic challenges
around the globe.
Our planet is witnessing unprecedented changes in the quality of its
environment. Forests are being lost at an unparalleled pace. Soil losses due
to erosion are assuming massive proportions. The use of unsustainable and
inappropriate technologies is polluting the air we breathe and the water we
drink. Emissions of greenhouse gases are changing the climate at a rapid rate.
These changes have grave consequences for the health of the earth as well as for
the physical and economic well-being of human societies. The changes are
occurring at such a rapid rate that public and private institutions have not
responded adequately to the environmental and economic crisis that we are
encountering today. This is particularly true in developing countries.
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment has been formed to respond
to these challenges. The organization combines a vigorous scientific and
research approach and the publicÕs concern about the environment to resolve
environmental problems. Apart from carrying on its scientific program, ATREE,
with its sister organization in Bangalore, is involved in a range of activities
to promote conservation and sustainable rural development in India.
The program in India focuses on the tropical forests of the Western Ghats and
the Eastern Himalayas, two regions characterized by high levels of biodiversity
and extraordinarily high rates of deforestation. The program encourages
conservation efforts that seek to monitor environmental change as well as losses
in biodiversity, bring about changes in policies, and emphasize the development
of infrastructure and human resources of government and non-government
organizations. Another important component of the program involves local
communities in conservation efforts by developing small scale enterprises based
on sustainable extraction of forest products and by demonstrating the linkage
between conservation and sustained use of resources. The ultimate aim of this
component is to alleviate poverty among indigenous tribal groups and to prevent
environmental degradation.
Resources for ATREE are being sought from private foundations and bilateral and
multilateral aid agencies. The Conservation, Food and Health Foundation in
Boston, MA has provided start up funds. Initial support has also been provided
by the International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI), Rome, and the
Wildlife Conservation Society, New York. Proposals are pending with the
MacArthur Foundation, Chicago, and the Centre for International Forestry
Research, Bogor.
ATREE is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization separately registered in Belmont,
Massachusetts and Bangalore, India.
42 Bacon Rd.
Belmont, MA 02178
U.S.A
Phone: (617) 489-3481
Fax: (617) 287-6650
No. 11, 4th Main
1st Stage, M.S.H. Layout
Bangalore, 560 024, INDIA
Phone: 011-91-80-353 0070
Fax: 011-91-80-353 0069
42 Bacon Rd., Belmont, MA 02178
E-mail:bawa@umbsky.cc.umb.edu
ESG: Environment Support Group
http://www.cfar.umd.edu./~venu/NAPM/index.html
http://www.altindia.net/esg/index.htm
A Profile of the Environment Support Group
Environment Support Group (ESG) is a not-for-profit voluntary organisation, registered as a Public Charitable Trust.
ESG believes in promoting a pattern of development that is socially just, economically viable, ecologically sustainable,
politically participative and culturally vibrant.
In fulfillment of this task, we facilitate local communities and civil society groups in their effort to resist socially and
environmentally destructive developments for which we provide a variety of support functions including research,
documentation, training, advocacy and legal support. In this task ESG is supported by an in-house staff consisting of
technically qualified researchers, and draws upon the expertise of various faculties on a case to case basis.
The broad focus of our work is in the following areas:
1.Evolving a rigorous industrial and urban development policy that works within the environmental limits of the
local area, especially in ecologically sensitive areas
2.Streamlining all initiatives in such areas towards evolving a mechanism of participatory and environmentally
sensitive decision making processes at the regional level
We are also oriented towards:
evolving a sustained plan for the collection and analysis of critical data in urban and regional development
priorities,
in pushing the odds against violators of environmental and developmental norms, and
lobbying for benchmark processes for environmentally sensitive decision making, such as "carrying capacity"
studies.
The main functions of ESG are in the following areas:
1.Research functions would include a range of activities from broad- based research initiatives such as monitoring
and identifying major policy decisions and their impacts, to conducting specific research into individual projects
to understand their socio-economic and environmental impacts. All along the focus will be to continuously
provide and update such information and feed-forward to a variety of decision making levels both within and
outside of the Government.
2.Documentation would include sourcing of a variety of literature (newspaper and magazines, scientific journals,
company profiles, government orders, policy statements, etc.) and making it available for a variety of
environmental initiatives and activities such as campaigns, training, media advocacy, lobbying, public interest
litigation's, publications, etc.
3.Training would involve development of training modules and conducting of workshops on a range of topics such
as environmental science, legislations and policies, perspectives of development, alternatives, campaign
strategies, etc. for a variety of focus groups at the village, taluk, district and regional levels.
4.Advocacy with a variety of sectors including the media, administration, legislature, judiciary, business
community, etc. on environment and development issues.
5.Legal Support including documentation for the purpose of Public Interest Litigation, networking, etc. In order to
support a regional lobbying process in evolving a rationale for people-centred planning and sustainable
development practices in the areas of urban and industrial development projects, a variety of networked
campaigns are envisaged at the local, regional, national and international levels.
Some other prime areas of focus for ESG's activities are:
To effectively utilise the working of urban and rural local bodies (Nagarpalikas, Panchayat Raj institutions,
Village Forest Committees, etc.) so as to convey the concerns and expectations of local communities in the
appropriate levels of decision making.
To utilise and strengthen the processes of consultative decision making in Nagarpalikas, Panchayat Raj
institutions and regulatory bodies and identify mechanisms for effectively engaging local communities in
planning and development of local areas within the constraints of their environment.
Illustrative Activities of ESG in the past two years of its existence:
ESG has recently completed a year-long research exercise for the United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific on "Integrating Environmental Considerations in Economic Policy
Decision Making - A Case Study of Dakshina Kannada".
ESG is collaborating with the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) led Centre for Environment
Education, Research and Advocacy (CEERA) project in the implementation of their 5 year programme on
Environment Management Capacity Building. ESG is parallely collaborating with an NLSIU-NOVIB project
on "Evaluating the Implementation of the Right to Environment" in Karnataka.
ESG participates in a variety of environmental campaigns and networks, and regularly collaborates with the
National Alliance of People's Movement in this effort.
Legal and campaign support to Janajagriti Samithi (Public Awareness Committee) of Nandikur, in Dakshina
Kannada, a committee of project affected communities, in sustaining their decade long resistance to the location
of Thermal Power Plants in the environmentally sensitive and coastal Dakshina Kannada region, particularly the
Cogentrix and Nagarjuna led power plants. This involved complete involvement and support in the Public
Interest Litigation against the US MNC Cogentrix Inc. led Mangalore Power Company, both in the High Court
of Karnataka and Supreme Court of India. The petitions were filed by Janajagriti Samithi and Ms. Maneka
Gandhi on grounds of violations of environmental and planning norms, and by Mr. Arun Kumar Agarwal on
grounds that corrupt practices were involved in the deal.
Legal and campaign support to Vimana Nildhana Vistharana Virodhi Samithi (Committee to resist expansion of
Airport), a committee of project affected communities who have been resisting the expansion of Bajpe airport
near Mangalore for more than a decade now. Recently ESG supported the Convenor of the committee, Mr.
Arthur Pereira, in filing a Public Interest Litigation in the High Court of Karnataka. Co-litigants involve a wide
range of people's organisations including the Dalit Sangarsh Samithi, the local school, church, mosque and
temple.
Legal and campaign support to Shambavi River Protection Committee, a committee of project affected
communities, who are resisting the illegal location of a pigment and dye manufacturing factory. The produce
from this factory is exported for use in US mints by the US company Engelhard-Highland Pvt. Ltd. which has
completed construction of the factory without clearances near Kadandale in Dakshina Kannada, on the banks of
the Shambhavi river.
Legal and Campaign support to environmental groups and local communities in the Chickamagalur district who
are resisting the extension of mining operations of Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. into the Kudremukh
National Park.
Legal and campaign support to the fisherfolk of Dakshina Kannada in their fight against pollution of the sea by
the Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd., and BASF of Germany which manufacture tannery
dispersion dyes in its Mangalore factory. ESG also supports a variety of local fishing communities in their
resistance against three barge mounted power plants that are being located on the Dakshina Kannada coast in
collaboration with MNC's one each from the US, UK and Germany.
Until early 1997, ESG was completely involved in the Save Dakshina Kannada Campaign initiated by the
Dakshina Kannada Parisarasakta Okkoota (Dakshina Kannada Environmentalists Federation), from which it was
forced to dissociate on grounds of principle.
Environment Support Group,
36, Reservoir Road, Basavanagudi,
Bangalore 560 004 INDIA
Telefax: 91-80-6657995/6722563
Fax: 91-80-2274699
Email: admin@leo.ilban.ernet.in
---
Dakshina Kannada's Quest for Just Development
We thank the National Alliance of People's Movements for this opportunity to share our experiences. Before we
proceed to share our experiences on issues of grave socio-economic and environmental concern in the Dakshina
Kannada region of Karnataka, we take a few moments to introduce ourselves.
Environment Support Group is a group of activists, researchers, lawyers and academicians based in Bangalore, who
work directly with civil society groups and local village communities in their struggles for justice, development and a
safe environment by extending research, advocacy and legal support in the region of Karnataka. We do not claim to
represent any particular community's cause here, for we believe it is only those who suffer the impacts that can express
fully their concerns and in their very own language. However, it would be appropriate for us to say that we have been
with every one of the communities whose experiences we are sharing now, in all times.
We have chosen for this occasion to focus on significant issues of concern in the district of Dakshina Kannada
straddling across the highly sensitive ecosystems ranging from the coast to the high reaches of the Western Ghats.
Distinctly characterised in its bio-geographic and cultural uniqueness, this is a region that has witnessed a very high
degree of public reaction to issues of environmental concern in the recent past.
Dakshina Kannada
Over 22 major rivers, and hundreds of tributaries and streams crisscross the tiny Dakshina Kannada with an area of
about 8,500 sq. kms. The estuaries formed are considered the last few left on the west coast of India which remain
unpolluted, and an ironical indicator of this fact is that most of the fishery produce are exported to sensitive markets in
Europe and Asia where public health considerations are rated very high. Dakshina Kannada, along with its contiguous
districts to the north and the east, comprise a region that is probably the last stretch where there is some good forest
left in the Western Ghats.
Karnataka's Industrial Capital?
Such a region has now been targetted for a massive programme of industrialisation and infrastructure development,
and the Government's clear intention is to make it the "industrial capital" of Karnataka. Political dreams include
creating a Bombay type situation out of the Mangalore-Udupi region hugging the coast along the National Highway
17. To realise this dream, the State Government is engaged in intense lobbying with multilateral funding agencies,
including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, for a massive aid package to develop the sea-port, airport,
railway, road and urban infrastructure in order to entice massive investment of private capital, particularly from the
primary industry sector.
In a sense it would not be far from the truth to state that the Dakshina Kannada region is a "test tube" case where the
adverse impacts of the WB-IMF influenced New Economic Policy (NEP) initiated by
the Congress earlier in the decade are already being felt. This is so, particularly given the distinct socio-economic,
ecological and cultural character of the region.
If the State-Corporate-multilateral agency consortia succeed in their grand scheme, the district will no longer be
known for its verdant agriculture that sustains most of the nearly 30 lakh population of the district, fisheries that
provide base to the over 3 lakh Mogaveera community, the diverse forest ecosystems that sustain a variety of endemic
flora and fauna and the unique and ancient culture represented best by the Tuluvas. What will replace them will be a
jungle of steel and concrete, so massive, that it would not be wrong to describe the prospective situation as one of
creating a 60 kms long industrial-urban corridor, which would compare well with the chaos and pollution of the
Bombay-Thane corridor.
Present investment plans include the setting up of a 1,000 MW coal based thermal power station by the Cogentrix and
China Light and Power Company joint venture Mangalore Power Company at Nandikur on the banks of the Mulki
estuary, and another 1,000 MW coal-based thermal power plant adjacent to it by the Nagarjuna Power Company. On
the coast there would be three barge mounted power plants, with investing companies emerging one each from the US,
Britain and Germany, with a total installed capacity nearing 500 MW. Nagarjuna has also advanced in its plans to
invest in a 2 million tonnes per annum production export oriented steel plant in collaboration with Klockner of
Germany.
Initial experience with mega-industries
A 9 million tonne per annum refinery has already been established by the Birla-led Mangalore Refineries and
Petrochemicals Ltd. which in keeping with the Birla tradition has rendered large stretches of paddies useless for
agriculture by "irrigating" them on the sly with oil sludge, and as a side-benefit rendering ground water un-potable
for some generations at least in several villages surrounding the facility.
Competing, or perhaps surpassing in it polluting potency, is MRPL's neighbour, BASF of Germany, which has started
massive production of tannery dispersions dyes, several of which, by the admission of a German Parliamentarian, are
not allowed for production in the home country.
Together, MRPL and BASF have common conduit to the sea, discharging their rich cocktail of heavily metallised
effluents in sufficient enough quantities, that would soon not only rob the local fisherfolk of the prestige of exporting
their produce to gourmet restaurants in Europe and Japan, but might even put the slippery beasts of the sea, beyond the
palate of us sub-ordinate Indians given our even more sub- ordinated concerns for public health.
On the eve of Independence Day in 1995, the fisherfolk led by the Mogaveera Mahajana Sangha initiated Dakshina
Kannada Meenugarara Parisara Samrakshana Samithi, rose to the occasion and rallied in thousands, resolving that they
will never tolerate the pollution of the sea and their bowl of rice. Despite braving police bullets, State repression and
politico-corporate brainwashing of the public at large for over a year, political deceit has put paid to their
determination of not ever allowing MRPL and BASF of polluting the sea. The pipes flow full into the sea with
untreated effluents today, and on occassions into neighbouring paddies too, even as the Government's commitment to
conduct "carrying capacity" studies of the region prior to clearing any more mega industries, is evident only in the text
of the speeches delivered on some august occassions by His Excellency the Governor.
The balance sheets of MRPL and BASF are healthy. But not the health of hundreds of families displaced or those
living in the surroundings of these facilities. Most families were unnecessarily dispossessed of their life and
character-sustaining lands by State sponsored instruments in order to satiate the real estate lucre of these companies,
who under various pretences acquired prime agricultural land far in excess of actual requirements. Reduced to poverty
and despair, indebted with no reliable sustenance, indignified without avocation, the tragedy of the situation is such
that some amongst the younger generation has chosen death to life.
Greater would have been the tragedy of the region had the Birlas also succeeded in pushing their Indo-Gulf Copper
Smelting project adjacent to the refinery. Thankfully, timely citizen action and the progressive response of a few
conscientious Government officials forced this rogue company to abandon plans to invest in the project, in what can be
described as the first Environmental Public Hearing in the State, held during 1994. The Birlas, however, had the last
laugh, relocating this most hazardous of industrial processes in the traditional dumping ground of India - Gujarat.
For those threatened with displacement, the respite has been momentary though, as those same lands from which the
Smelter fled, comprising 1,500 acres of verdant paddies, floodplains and mangroves, are now allocated to Nagarjuna,
to put up their steel plant, energised by the Supreme Court dismissal of a petition against the project. The unrelenting
Birlas still see the prospect of gaining access to 500 acres of equally pristine land, in the same area, for a textiles
project now by Grasim.
Energy Capital of Cogentrix!
A greater calamity awaits the district presently, as the new BJP led Government at the Centre confirms its resolve to
push all "fast-track" power projects into the construction stage by the year end - the caveat, of course, being - no legal
hassles please.
Leading the 5 thermal power projects to be located within 15 kms of each other in the district is the
extremely-slowed-down Cogentrix power project. From the time they decided to invest in 1992, this insignificantly
small US company whose total installed capacity from 9 projects does not exceed 900 MW, is yet to realise that
resorting to political short-cuts by whatever means can only gain them short- term futures. The question that begs
attention is whether our Government has learnt any lessons from the fact that Cogentrix was kicked out of deals
because of corrupt practices in Puerto-Rico and Tennessee Valley, where aware Governments preferred to secure
economically viable and environmentally safe projects for their citizens, never mind the short-term problems of
power cuts.
The urgency with which various clearances have been accorded to the project raises serious questions about why our
Governments pursues the project still with aggressive intent, backed as it is by constant monitoring of high officials of
the US Government. For whatever considerations, two US Commerce Secretaries during the past three years have
found time in their otherwise busy schedules to make way to Bangalore and hold "discussions" with their counterparts
on the progress achieved on this project. Our Chief Ministers from every political shade over the past five years, one of
whom even rose to the mighty Prime Ministerial office, have time and again reminded the public that they will ensure
this project gets implemented, come what may!
Why Cogentrix?
Why such resolve to defend Cogentrix one may ask, despite :
An all-party unanimous resolution of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat rejecting the location of the project
on environmental grounds.
The Supreme Court appointed NEERI commission endorsing completely the fears of the local communities that
the project is incompatible with endogenous development choices befitting the region, that the project is not
environmentally viable whatever be the safeguards, and that there were fundamental violations in the
environmental clearances accorded to the project.
The Karnataka Department of Environment and Forests and DANIDA collaborated "Environment Master Plan
Study" conducted over four years at a cost exceeding Rs. 20 crores clearly prescribing a development paradigm
for the district more suited with its natural resource base, and taking extraordinary precautions in ensuring
appropriate land use development.
The Sagardhara Report into the Rapid EIA of Cogentrix, probably the only fast element of the project, exposing
how the Tata Consultancy fudged air pollution models to project pollution levels much lower than reality
amongst a whole range of other lies.
Satellite imagery studies conducted by the Centre for Ecological Sciences of the Indian Institute of Science
proving beyond doubt that the project was being located in an extremely fertile agricultural region characterised
by bubbling streams, productive estuaries and thick vegetation. In contrast the State Government doctored
Chockalingam report found the area totally degraded and fit for location of a thermal power station.
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board swearing on oath in the High Court of Karnataka that they never
held the mandatory "Public Hearing" as claimed earlier in their NOC, even as the Ministry of Environment and
Forests continued with the bluff in their environmental clearance that the Hearing had been held indeed. The
Court, not surprisingly, preferred the latter statement!
A letter of Ron Somers to the Pollution Control Board being provided as evidence in Court that the project
developers had no intention of conducting an EIA for the project, two years after the conditional NOC was
granted by the Board and a year after the conditional environmental clearance was provided by MoEF, both of
which stated in no uncertain terms that non-compliance of conditions would lead to revocation of clearances
granted.
A comprehensive Independent Review of the Power Purchase Agreement of the project commissioned by the
Karnataka Government at a cost of US $ 100,000 and conducted by the world reknowned Science Applications
International Centre of the US confirming public suspicions that the project cost was overrated, by upto 40%,
and most of the project risks were shared by the Karnataka Electricity Board, who in turn would pass the burden
onto the consumer. Shocked by the findings, the Government preferred to keep this report under wraps, until
exposed by us in the Court of law.
No action being initiated in a case made out by the petitioners in a Memorandum to the Chief Justice of India
that a copy of the judgement in Janajagriti Samithi vs. State of Karnataka, may have been available to Ron
Somers, MD of Cogentrix, prior to the delivery of the same on 29 August 1997. For he was seen holding an
impromptu Press Conference with an all-ready Press Release within the Court Hall even as the operative part of
the judgement was being read out. And that Justice Rajendra Babu in whose Court such events took place, and
who had initially asked the petitioners to file a memo, later summoned our advocate Krishna Bhat to his
chambers and in the presence of the Cogentrix advocate Raghavan, who was already present, suggested to Bhat,
with sufficient camraderie suited for the occasion, to make-do with an apology! In the true spirit of Public
Interest Litigants, the memorandum was preferred and the matter made public through the press.
The appeal of Janajagriti Samithi, against the High Court judgement of Justice Rajendra Babu and Justice Sreenivas
Rao, was not admitted by a Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice Punchi, despite a fighting argument by Sr.
Advocate Indira Jaising that the environmental clearances granted be set aside till such time, in the very least, the
conditions stipulated in the clearances are complied with.
Enquiry into Cogentrix's Corruption stayed
This project has been favoured at all levels, raising great suspicions over what benefits accrued to those extending such
favours. Justice seemed to have been rendered when, finally, the High Court Division Bench comprising Chief Justice
R. P. Sethi and Justice Gopalagowda, ordered an high level CBI enquiry into the Cogentrix deal based on the Public
Interest Petition filed by Arun Kumar Agarwal.
The landmark judgement rigorously went into every detail of the charges made and evidences provided by the
petitioner, and held that such grave consequences were involved for the public interest were not a thorough enquiry
held over allegations that large bribes had been paid in securing various clearances by Cogentrix. To establish the truth,
therefore, the Court ordered the State Government to initiate the enquiry by filing an FIR. Against all public
expectations, the State has preferred an appeal against the judgement in the Supreme Court. On the basis of which the
Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice Punchi and comprising of Justice Kirpal and Justice Rajendra Babu has
ordered a stay on the operation of the High Court judgement.
And now Nagarjuna power plant
The resolve to fight remains, and gets strengthened by the day, even as the State and Union Governments in their
rhetoric continue to push the Cogentrix project. In anticipation that all legal hurdles will soon be cleared, and despite
cases against the project still pending in Court, the Union Government has accorded final environmental clearance to
the Nagarjuna Power project. And the State Government has approved a Rs. 800 crore transmission corridor from
Nandikur to Bangalore, over a distance of over 600 kms., the first such infrastructure project to be set up in the country
in the private sector, and that by National Grid of the UK.
All this:
Without conducting a Public Hearing.
Without considering technical objections from within the Ministry of Environment that the EIA submitted by
Nagarjuna for their thermal plant provided air-pollution modelling data of Bombay, a 1,000 kms north of the
proposed location at Nandikur!
Without considering all the concerns raised in the DANIDA, NEERI and Sagardhara reports, as directed by the
High Court in the Cogentrix case.
Without considering that the coal to be imported from South Africa, Indonesia and Australia for the Cogentrix
and Nagarjuna projects combined, simply cannot be unloaded during the monsoon months due to rough seas near
Nandikur. This fact denied all the while when awaiting clearances by Cogentrix, has been admitted as being true
by Ron Somers, in his "confidential letter" to the Member Secretary of the Karnataka Pollution Control Board,
who in turn has decided to remain tight lipped for whatever reasons or considerations
Allowing Nagarjuna to draw water from the Mulki river, a benefit withdrawn earlier to the Cogentrix project,
after it was proved beyond doubt that there was absolutely not enough quantum to sustain one 1,000 MW
thermal power plant, let alone two.
Without considering any of the objections raised by Janajagriti Samithi that the region was simply not suited for
locating coal-based thermal power stations given the high potential for contamination of the shallow ground
water aquifers and the threat to sensitive estuarine, marine and forest ecosystems.
Does endogenous choice matter?
The interests of Indian private capital and of multinational concerns are paramount for the Government, who believe
more in defending the Corporate sector, than the Constitutional 73rd or 74th Amendments. Deliberately avoiding the
constitution of District Planning Committees, so that no further hurdles are created by the aware citizenry to such pet
projects, the State Government has centralised powers to such an extent that no more does it make sense to suggest ours
is a decentralised democracy. Rather, it would be facing the truth to admit that the dictates of the Bretton Woods
institutions are more acutely listened to.
For when the Corporators of Mangalore City Corporation agitate and write letters to all concerned that mega
industries should not be located in the district for the simple reason that there is no water for the industries and
Mangalore city combined from the Nethravathi river, they are a nuisance. Yet when fly-by-night consultants of
multilateral agencies arrive at the same conclusion, it becomes an extraordinary finding for our IAS babus and Mantris
alike. And high-technology solutions, from desalination plants to more dams, are happily proposed and accepted, so
long as they entail lucrative and entertaining foreign jaunts and hefty dollar loans.
What now?
The prognosis of the future is bleak for local communities threatened by evacuation any time now in the villages of
Nandikur, Padubidri, Nadsal, Hejamadi, Yellur, etc. For over a decade now, by systematic campaigning and litigation
they have successfully resisted the location of two power plants in the region, including a 2,400 MW project proposed
by NTPC in technical and financial support from the erstwhile USSR. Their appeal for just development has been
denied this time around against the Cogentrix project.
Yet they continue to cultivate their lands and go out to fish in the sea, unrelenting in their belief that, in the end, justice
will be served, if not through Courts, through the intervention of their spirituality. In their worship of hundreds of
Nagabanas and Bootha Sthanas, temples, mosques and churches the project affected communities continue to celebrate
life. Their full use of all the social infrastructure created over time including schools, colleges, hospitals, anganavadis,
demonstrate their resolve to stay resident on lands that are notified for acquisition. Their only request of you -
solidarity in action, from wherever that might be.
Prepared by Leo F. Saldanha, with research support from Neetha Shetty, D. G. Poornima and K. R. Mallesha.
Address for correspondence:
Environment Support Group
36, Reservoir Road
Basavanagudi,
Bangalore 560 004 INDIA
Telefax: 91-80-6657995/6722563
Fax: 91-80-2274699
Email: admin@leo.ilban.ernet.in
Leo F. Saldanha
Coordinator
Environment Support Group
36, Reservoir Road
Basavanagudi
Bangalore 560 004 INDIA
Telefax: 91-80-6657995/6676289
Email: admin@leo.ilban.ernet.in
Fax: 91-80-2274699 (Attn. Leo Saldanha)
Press Release Service from:
Bangalore Support Group
153, 5th Main, 4th Block
Banashankari 3rd Stage, 2nd Phase
Bangalore 560 085
(Contact nos. as above)
----
Fly Ash over India
An environmental video documentary
Directed by Siobhan Wall
London Guildhall University
in association with Environment Support Group, Bangalore
The Documentary:
Fly Ash Over India assesses the socio-economic and environmental impacts of the ongoing massive industrialisation
and infrastructure development in the environmentally sensitive Dakshina Kannada District. Developing its theme
based on interviews with a cross section of people representing a range of opinion, including those actively involved in
proposing or opposing, the documentary focusses on the environmental catastrophe awaiting the district, should the
proposed Cogentrix thermal power plant go through. Such concerns are raised in the context of the existing
experiences from the district due to location of the mega MRPL refinery, which has caused serious environmental
impacts within a year of its commissioning. This is the first of a series of planned video productions that will highlight
the threats facing the coastal Karnataka and Western Ghats region given the present proposal to develop Dakshina
Kannada as the "Industrial Capital" of Karnataka. This documentary is of 30 minutes duration.
About the Director:
Ms. Siobhan Wall has been teaching Communication Studies at the London Guildhall University. A graduate of the
Central St. Martin's College of Art and Design in 1991, she has previously worked at Oxford Film and Video Makers
in adult education and on campaign videos. Until recently her main interest has been in producing films informed by
critical fine art discourse. She has directed Listening to the body which projects 8 films composed of illustrations from
old medical text books onto a clothed woman's body and it was screened at the Southampton Film Festival. She has
also shot, edited and directed the video documentary Nagano Story which evaluates the impacts of the Winter
Olympics held recently in Nagano Japan from the view point of project affected communities. Almost all her
productions have been self-financed or subsidised by local voluntary support, in keeping with her avowed principle of
participatoriness in video productions.
Please contact ESG to request group discussion/video viewing or for obtaining a copy of the video.
Environment Support Group ,
36, Reservoir Road, Basavanagudi,
Bangalore 560 004 INDIA.
Telefax: 91-80-6657995/6722563
Fax: 91-80-2274699
Email: admin@leo.ilban.ernet.in
esg@bgl.vsnl.net.in
Prabodhini Gurukula, Hariharapura:
This exceptionally model free residential school for boys was conceived and
is guided the reknown social worker Shri N. Krishnappa. Students are taken
in after their formal IVth grade education. They are selected from all over
Karnataka primarily from the neglected section of the society. Currently
there are43 students from grade V and VI who are guided by four teachers.
As new class room is needed until grade X is reached, a section of the
building is added. Major funding is sought mainly to complete the school
infrastructure (buildings). Running expense is Rs. 1000/child per month. One
student can be sponsored with a donation of Rs. 1 lakh. Students get a
well-rounded education and practical training. The school activities must be
seen first hand to fully grasp its scope.
The Gurukula is run by Prabodhini Trust. The trust also runs yoga and Veda
shibirs, shishu mandirs and Bala Gokuls. Gurukula students receive five
pronged (agriculture, yoga, Sanskrit, Veda, herbal medicine) instruction as
well as formal education including Sciences and Mathematics. Address:
Prabodhini Vishwasta Mandali
Chitrakoota Hariharapura,
Koppa Taluk 577 120
Chickamagalur Dist.,
Karnataka Tel.: 08264-74106
Shubhamkaroti Gurukula in Ramohalli near Bangalore is a similar school
teaching both boys and girls.
Shri Rama Vidya Kendra, Kalladka:
Sri Rama Vidya Kendra
Hanuman Nagar
Kalladka - 574 222 D.K.,
Karnataka
Dr. Prabhakar Bhat, tel.: 08255-75216
This is a I-through-X grade school located in the rural Kalladka 30 km away
from Mangalore. Shri Prabhakar Bhat, a life-long social worker and a
practicing physician, is the brain behind this activity. There were over 850
students, roughly equally divided between the primary and secondary
classes. Annual school expense is about Rs. 5 lakhs. About Rs. 2 lakhs
come as grants. Rest needs raised from the public. Sanskrit is taught from
Vth grade onwards. However, conversational Sanskrit is practiced beginning
from lower grades. I was pleasantly surprised to be welcomed in Sanskrit by
one of the students as I entered the third grade class room. There is Shri
Krishna Shastrys direct influence. Shri Prabhakar Bhat told me that there
are students from Hindu, Muslim and Christian faiths attending this school.
Puttur Education Society, Puttur, D.K.:
This So ciety is the work of some social workers in the Puttur region; it runs
3 colleges (law, arts & science, polytechnic), 4 high schools, 6 primary
schools and some KG schools. A new building is being constructed for
expanding one of the high schools and this needs extra funding. Kalladkas
Sri Rama Vidya Kendra is set up under this Society.
Swami Vivekanand Seva Pratisthan, Belgum
Address:
2032, Kore Galli,
Shahaput, Belgum-3
Karnatak, India
Contact:
Prakash Kamath
Phone:
27019, 26995
Vanvasi Kalyan, Sirsi
Address:
Sanghe Dham, Banvasi Road
P.O. Sirsi
District Uttar Kannada
Karnataka - 581 401
Contact:
Prakash Kamath
Seva-in-Action, Bangalore
Address:
2487, 25th Cross, 17th Main
Banashankari II Stage
Bangalore - 560 070
Karnataka
Contact:
Indumathi Rao, Proj. Director
Phone:
80 625862
Bharateeya Shikshana Prasar Samiti (Dharwad,
Karnataka): Manages a Model Girls^Ò High School,
situated amidst slums, to impart quality education and
vocational training, blended with Indian culture.
International Federation of Highrise Structures
Address : No: 20, IV Cross
Shankarapuram
Bangalore 560 004, India
Telephone : 91 80 604-325
Facsimile : 91 80 660-0440
Contact : Prof. Ing. H.R. Viswanath
Membership : International
Relevance : Researches, assembles and disseminates
information on high rise structures. Holds conferences and
workshops on highrise structures problems to generate interest
and present innovative ideas and methods.
Habitat for Humanity India
Address : 12/1 Hosur Road
Richmond Town, Bungalore, India
Telephone : 91 80-224-0507
Facsimile : 91 91-80-225 1458 +843
Contact : Mr. P. Augustine
Membership : National
Relevance : Work in cooperation with communities
to build low-cost housing using appropriate construction and
technology .
http://www.hibiscus.net/gerizim/"> GERIZIM
Gerizim Rehabilitation Trust
MISSION:
Gerizim Rehabilitation Trust works for the poorest of the poor Children, the Deaf, Blind, Mentally
Challenged, Cerebral Palsy, Polio, Multiple Handicapped, Deserted Women, Unwed Mothers and
Widows by providing them with Medical, Physical, Vocational and Placement Services. Bible study,
Prayer Fellowship and Leadership Training are an integral part of the Gerizim Family with a mission
to extend the kingdom of God.
GOALS:
To run a day school for Mentally Challenged Children from the Poorest of the poor families.
To Encourage Integrated Education for handicapped Children in the regular school and in the
community wherever possible.
To rehabilitate children affected with Polio, Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities.
To provide education and training to children from broken families, orphans, destitutes, street
children,
rag pickers and children in distress of any sort.
To have integrated Sunday school for handicapped children.
Organise youth Fellowships to train and mould their character and morale to be productive citizens of
India.
To rehabilitate the destitute women, deserted women, women in distress, young widows from the
poorest of the poor families and the aged.
To rehabilitate Un-wed mothers and Prostitutes.
To conduct women's Fellowship in the communities to liberate them from bondage and suffering.
To organise Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) services for the handicapped Children and
adults and to provide Christian nurture and pastoral care.
To provide Education and Training for the parents of the Handicapped.
To organise Adult Literacy programmes in villages and slums.
To reach out to the neighboring 30 villages and slums and to bring awareness on the various services
available such as training and rehabilitation services available for the handicapped.
To provide vocational Training and placement services.
To provide Leadership training to the children, Youth, women and men to bring peace and Harmony
in their lives, and to make the family and community to be productive.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Bro. J. Sam Jebadurai, M.A., "Antantulla Appam" Chief Patron & Trustee.
Mr. G. J. Yesudian, M.A. B.Ed., D.S.S.D.H., C.R.P.H., Chairman & Director.
Mrs. Geetha Bai S. Secretary & Parent Counsellor.
Mrs. J. Indira, B.A., M.Ed., D.S.E., Treasurer & Special Education Counsultant.
Dr. James Duthie, M.D., Trustee & Medical Advisor.
Mr. G. M. Vijayasingh, M. A., D.H.A., Trustee & Administrative Consultant.
Dr.J. Suresh Kumar, M.D., Trustee & Medical Consultant.
Mr. Joseph Machnaim, Trustee & Engineering Consultant.
PRESENT NEEDS & FUTURE PLANS.
1. Mini Diesel Van for Community Services and to bring the Mentally Retarded Children from their
communities as day scholars and to buy provisions vegetables, placement services, community health
and medical services.
2. Purchase and construct building at Siddapura Slum for Day Care Centre, Deepika Integrated
Special School and the Siddapura Health Centre.
3. Construct DPF - Delbert Keenan Vocational Training Centre for Adult Mentally Retarded girls
and boys, deserted women and dormitories for them and a Chapel in Doddakanelli Village and to
reach out to the 30 villages around this village.
4. To raise Rs.38,000.00 towards Children's Christmas dress during Dec.1997.
5. To raise Rs.20,000/- towards children's excursion in Gerizim Integrated Home and School for the
Handicapped in Ejipura and Deepika Integrated Special School at Siddapura Slum.
6. To raise Rs.15,000/- towards children's indoor and outdoor play material and Musical Instruments.
7. To raise foster parents to support 56 children at Deepika Integrated Special School and 10
children
in Gerizim Integrated Home and School for the Handicapped.
8. To provide cots, mattresses and pillows for all children. Each 3-tier cot would cost Rs.6000/-, of
which we need 20 numbers.
9. One computer with printer for office use, correspondence and data Maintenance.
10. New building white washing, painting and minor repairs, which will cost Rs.1,50,000/-.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
We are very much grateful and thankful to all our friends, well wishers, volunteers and foster
parents
for their continued prayer support and contributions to carry out the various services among the
handicapped. May the good Lord bless all of you whom graciously and generously support us. We
thank Bro.Sam Jebadurai, our Chief Patron for all his help, guidance and prayer support. Finally we
thank "The people of Japan" and all our friends in Japan Church World Service and the Broad of
Members of JCWS for their gracious donation of the new building PUNERJEEVANA to carry on
our services among the handicapped in Ejipura. We are immensely grateful to them. We are also
thankful to Maike and Ulrich and their small Prayer Fellowship Group in Germany, for their regular
Prayer support.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can be a Prayer Partner in our various Ministries.
You can become a Foster Parent for one or more of the children. It would cost Rs.1000.00 per
month (US $ 40) to support a Handicapped Child and Rs.500.00 per month (US $ 20) to support a
normal Child.
You can participate by giving donations for any one of the above mentioned "Present Needs", either
wholly or in part or support permanently for the different services of the trust as per your
interest.
Write to us for a free Brochure on how you can change the life of a child.
Our Address:
G.J.Yesudian, Chairman and Director, Gerizim Rehabilitation Trust, "REHOBOTH", Davidson Street,
Ejipura, Viveknagar P.O., Bangalore 560 047. Karnataka State, INDIA. Office Telephone/Fax:
+91-80-5712015; Residence Telephone: +91-22-5713201; Email: gerizim@bgl.vsnl.net.in
Note: All Donations in the name of "GERIZIM REHABILITATION TRUST" Bank Account
Number: 011 0000 5611 State Bank Of India, St.Marks Road, Bangalore 560 001, INDIA.
Institute of Speech and Hearing
Dr. S.R. Chandrasekhar
Director
Institute of Speech and Hearing
Hennur Road
Bangalore - 560084
Webpage: http://www.mahesh.com/speech_and_hearing/"> Institute of Speech and Hearing
The objectives in
setting up the
Institution were six
fold:
1.Evaluation,
Diagnosis And
Rehabilitation Of
the Speech And
Hearing Impaired
2.Early
Identification To
Ensure More
Effective
Management.
3.Create Public
Awareness Of
Various Aspects
Of Speech And
Hearing
Disorders.
4.Screen School
Children For
Speech And
Hearing Defects.
5.Promote
Research In The
Field Of Speech
And Hearing.
6.Promote
Education Of The
Hearing
Impaired.
When the Institute of Speech and Hearing was founded in 1977, the
objective seemed bold, even radical; in a scenario that offered little or
no hope to those with speech and hearing disorders, here was a
voluntary organisation aiming to set up and offer diagnositc and
rehabilitative services of a high professional order.
It all began when the Institute's founder and a practicing ENT
surgeon for several decades, Dr. S.R. Chandrasekhar, came
across patient after patient with speech and hearing problems. Over
2-3% of the population were affected. The plight of children doomed
to a world of perpetual silence stirred him deeply. Even basic
facilities for evaluation were lacking - why not start an institution for
diagnostic and therapeutic care here in Bangalore ?
Dr. S.R. Chandrasekhar
Founder A man who has worked
relentlessly for several decades to
improve the quality oflife for the
hearing impaired. In the year
1983 he received the Karnataka
Rajyotsava Award for his
exemplary service.
The opportunity showed itself at a camp the Lions club organised in
Bangalore. Crowds of speech and hearing impaired thonged the
camp. The need for such a camp was not merely a need - it was a
crying urgent necessity.
Dame Luck intervened at the right time in the form of the donation of
land on Hennur Road by a chritable trust. Individual, Institutional and
Government assistance began to trickle in. As funds permitted the
building arose and the Institute became functional in 1977. Over the
years - in 1982 - another floor was added and a second one came up
in 1993 to house the newly started degree course.
Donors have been generous and the Institute remembers them with
gratitude. Each donor has a plaque with his/her name displayed
outside each room.
Managing an Institution, particularly a voluntary one, is an uphill task,
most times it is tightrope walking, balancing the needs of a growing
organisation with a budget that is anything but elastic. With the
generosity and goodwill of the Institute's well wishers, the unstinted
and whole hearted support of the trustees and the services of its
experienced staff, the task of running a major institution seemed less
formidable than it actually was.
There were often moments of deep anguish, funds were
perenially low, yet hope remained...
In 1977, the question asked was : Would the idea of a voluntary
organisation offering total diagnostic and therapeutic facilities
for the speech and hearing impaired, take off? Over the years, it
would seem that it has.
By any measure, the goals the Institute set for itself have been
achieved. A lot has been done - a lot more needs to be done.
With commitment, endeavor and the tolerance to face and overcome
hurdles comes the confidence that is required to face the future.
The Institute of Speech and Hearing has weathered many a storm
and come through stronger into calmer, clearer waters. It has grown
and keeps growing..one man's dream that meant hope for
thousands...
Today it is a well established center providing much needed clinical
services not only for the speech and hearing impaired in Karnataka
but also to those outside the state.
Outreach Programmes
CAMPS
Quite often people in the rural and
semi-rural areas do not know where to
seek help for speech and hearing problems.
The Institute organises speech and hearing
camps in various places with the
collaboration of other voluntary agencies.
On an aveage 5 camps are held every year
and approximately 150 tested at each
camp.
CORRESPONDENCE PROGRAMME
The only one of its kind in the country the
correspondence therapy programme aims at
helping parents of handicapped children who do
not have access to speech therapy. Contact
programmes are help during which parents
receive intensive training. This is supplemented
by regular lessons sent through the post.
PUBLIC AWARENESS
PROGRAMMES
As mentioned earlier over 2-3% of the
population suffer from speech and hearing
disorders and the numbers are rising
steadily. In general, there is a lack of
awareness of the problem and the
measures that can be taken to tackle it.
The fact is that speech and hearing
disorders can be relieved by early diagnosis
and intervention.
In a step towards correcting this
anomaly, the Institute brings out
booklets on speech and hearing
disorders and displays posters and
information about it at various public
for such as consumer exhibitions,
etc.
"Catch 'em young" - a video film on
the Institute emphasises the
importance of early intervention for
treating hearing disorders.
A film on early identification of
hearing and speech disorders is in
the making.
The Institute air programmes on
AIR and Doordarshan from time to
time.
HEARING CONSERVATION
PROGRAMMES
It is proven fact that prolonged exposure to loud
noise leads to irreversible hearing loss and
adverse effects on the patient's health. Industrial
workers in particular are vulenerable to noise
induced hearing loss.
As a preventive measure, the Institute
undertakes hearing conservative programmes
for industries. The programme involves
measuring noise levels in various departments,
suggestions for reducing it, use of ear protectors
and periodically monitoring the worker's hearing.
SCREENING SCHOOL CHILDREN
taff from the Institute screen school kids
for speech and hearing problems on
request.
Teaching Programmes
Since the requirements of teaching the hearing impaired differ from conventional teaching, a special
one year diploma course in education for the hearing impaired was started by the Institute.
This course is conducted in technical collaboration with Ali Yavar Jung National Insitute for the
Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai. This is the first of its kind in Karnataka and a much needed
course at that.
A specialised degree course - Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing (B.Sc. S&H) was
commenced in 1993. A degree course with a syllabus that includes
Audiology
Speech Pathology and Speech Sciences
Psychology
Linguistics
Electronics
ENT
Pediatrics
Neurology
Statistics
Research Methodolgy
B.Sc (S&H) is affiliated to Bangalore University and is recognised by the Rehabilitation
Council of India. In 1994, a second floor was added to house the degree course.
Sunaad - A Very Special School
Hearing and Speech impaired children are really no different from normal children. They are as
intelligent, as mischievous or shy or outgoing as any other child. However, since their handicap can
make their progress seem slow in a regular school, a special school - Sunaad - was started by the
Institute.
Sunaad opened in 1988 with teh 16 children and 2 teachers ina rented house. Catering mainly to
children from the lower socio economic groups, Kannada is the medium of instruction.
Here again our donors have been generous. The Lions Club and others helping to raise the school
building and ACTION AID meeting the recurring expenses of the school for five years. Today
Sunaad is a bright, airy, happy place with over 100 children on the rolls.
If human beings have a sixth sense, then the aura of something unexplainable, invisible and extremely
creative can be felt at Sunaad - the one-to-one teaching imparted to the children makes it a special
form of education that gives it its special ambience.
Literacy classes for parents who are illiterate was started as it was felt that even functional
literacy
would help them participate more effectively in their children's education. This has helped instill in
parents a sense of confidence and participation.
How To Sponsor A Child's Education
Since hearing impairment is not a visible handicap, it seems to have escaped the notice of the
general public. Sounds which normal people take for granted - voices, converstaion, music - these
are all closed to those who live in a silent world.
Most children at Sunaad come from low income families. As these children do not benefit from the
hearing aids supplied free under government assistance because of their profound degree of hearing
impairment, it is important to utilise their residual hearing to the maximum extent by giving them
good
quality hearing aids.
A good quality hearing aid costs around Rs, 3,000. Besides, there is the maintenance to look after.
Batteries, for instance have to be replaced every 8-10 days.. A good hearing aid means better
listening skills and better speech and language development.
If you wish to contribute something towards the cause of speech and hearing impaired you can
sponsor a hearing impaired child's education and/or donate good quality Behind The Ear
hearing aids..
Looking Ahead
As the Institute grows, so does its requirements. Being prepared to face tomorrow's challenges is
vital to the progress of any organisation. The blue print for the Institute's future is crystal clear
-
more sophisticated equipment for diagnosis and treatment
funds for research
expansion of the library
a hostel for the B.Sc students
expansion of Sunaad
Last but not the least is the ever present need for getting the message across to the genearl public :
that speech and hearing disorders can be detected earlyand treated accordingly. More public
awareness programmes are on the anvil.
Big plans, limited resources..Over the years, donors have been more than generous with their help
and support. The Institute acknowledge their contribution and appeals to many more to come
forward.
Wanted - A Shift in Attitudes
More than sympathy the speech and hearing impaired need support and understanding. Their's is a
handicap that is not immediately visible to the outside world. But it is one that the sufferer is
actutely
conscious of nevertheless.
For those with normal hearing this is the plea to make an effort to understand this need, so that the
hearing impaired can also be integrated in society. In short, treating the speech and hearing impaired
as healthy intelligent human beings, will go a long way towards their total rehabilitation.
On the part of the government, a plea to take a good hard relook at priorities. The numbers of speech
and hearing affected citizens is increasing rapidly, yet resources allocated are meagre. It is not
too late to fight the damaging effect of noise pollution by enacting suitable legislation.
Improving the technology of hearing aids would lower it's present exorbitant price, thus making it
affordable to the lowest income groups.
And lastly, to the speech and hearing impaired themselves, a plea not to let their handicap take over
their lives. Through education and the right treatment most disorders can be checked in time and
treated. What is paramount is the right attitude - a shift of focus away from the plight of the
sufferer.
Every human being is unique. By developing other interests, one's latent talents can and must be
nurtured so that life is made richer and more fulfilling.
Please Donate
Dear Friend,
I am trying to raise funds for The Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore, India which is
actively involved in therapy/cure and rehabilitation of the deaf and dumb. There is a very good
institute for these children in Bangalore, India. Dr. S.R. Chandrashekhar, is the founder and
Director of this institute.
This institute is funded by the State and the Central Governments. These funds, however do not
cover the entire operating expenses of the Institute. The institute also depends on private donations
and voluntary work. Many individuals, like civil contractors and electric contractors, have either
worked free or at cost price rates for this project. The institute has a school from nursery to Grade
5
and more rooms are being built for Grade 6-Grade 10.
Dr. Chandrashekhar has won various awards for his dedication and contribution to this institute. Most
children come from very poor families whose lives have changed after coming to this institute.
Patients get free hearing aids. They are able to talk to their parents and loved ones which is a great
joy to them.
Dr. Chandrashekhar has got a clearance from the government of India to get funds from foreign
countries for this institute. I have been collecting funds from July 1, 1992 and I am glad to inform
you
that many individuals [most of them students] have sent me their contribution. It is very nice to know
that they still care for Indians back home. I request you to contribute for this noble cause. ANY
amount is acceptable. Please contribute your mite to
Dr. S.R. Chandrasekhar
Director
Institute of Speech and Hearing
Hennur Road
Bangalore - 560084
I N D I A
The draft/check should be in favour of "Bangalore, Speech and Hearing Trust". If you need any
assistance in sending the money please feel free to contact me. If you have a contact address in India
please include your address in India so that they can mail the receipt. [to save some postage
expenses]
The institute is working on a project on noise pollution which requires Rs 7.5 lakhs. The
Tata Group has given Rs 3 lakhs and the institute is trying to raise Rs 4.5 lakhs
We need good quality Behind The Ear hearing aids. A good hearing aid means better listening skills
and better speech and language development.
Note for Doctors and others.......
We need many instruments which are made here in U.S.A. for this institute. The institute will be very
grateful if any of you or a group of Doctors can donate these to the Institute.
Thanks for your time.
B.G. Mahesh
Email: mahesh@mahesh.com
I N D I A
Streelekha
Summary
India's first women's bookshop and meeting place. Stocks books
pamphlets and periodicals on women's issues. Set up and run by women.
Address
67, 2nd floor, Blumoon Complex, M.G. Road,
Bangalore 560 001
Karnataka.
Indian Social Institute, Bangalore
Summary
Organise women related projects, seminars, discussions, training programs,
publication of the newsletter, Women's Link.
Address
24 Bension Rd,
Bangalore 560 046.
Farmers Development Agency
Summary
Form rural development groups and organise seminars on a state level.
Provide interest free loans to women and women's bakeries. Educate
convicts.
Address
240 First Class,
Nagarthpet,
Chickballapur , Karnataka 562101
Phone
(91.81) 56 3108
(91.81) 56 3101
Bangalore Medical Services Trust - (Rotary Project Bangalore)
Summary
Voluntary blood donations; supply free VD treatment; HIV testing and run
AIDS awareness programs.
Address
c/- Mahaveer Jain Hospital,
17 Millers Rd,
Bangalore 560025
Phone
(91.80) 226 0944
Janamitra, People's Learning Centre
180/58, Near Church, Konana Kunte
Bangalore 560 062
INDIA
Fax:
Contact: Mandavyapuram Kamal
Membership: National
Relevance: The Centre extends support in capacity building and
networking to South Indian NGOs. All member NGOs are involved in
grassroot social development activities around poverty eradication,
employment generation and social integration.
Centre for Adult/Continuing Education and Extension (CACEE)
Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi
Bangalore 560 056, Karnataka
INDIA
Fax: 91 80 335 5295
Contact: M. G. Krishnan
Membership: National
Relevance: The Centre is an organ of Bangalore University. Its
activities cover adult education, literacy, health and population
education programs as well as environmental awareness.
Natural Farming
Dinesh and Ravi are doing 'Natural Farming' on an 18 acre plot in a village near Mysore, based
on Masanobu
Fukuoka's book 'One Straw Revolution'. Its a sustainable way of farming with no tilling, no weeding,
no chemical
fertilizers. Fukuoka was a scientist in Japan before he moved to farming and developed this method
after 30 years
of experimenting. It is quite different from 'organic farming' or 'traditional farming'. It removes
much of the
redundant work from the other kinds of farming. Fukuoka calls it 'do nothing' farming. Reading the
book would
give a good idea what they are attempting.No tilling is done so that the land retains its biomass
(organic matter and
microorganisms) and the fertility of the soil is maintained. The plants can grow along with the weeds
as they are
healthy and disease resistant. He came up with some tricks to get around other problems and yield is
comparable
to other farming methods.
Dinesh and Ravi got some experience working with the afforestation efforts in Timbaktu Collective
(AP)
before they moved to hulikadu, a small village 35 km from Mysore. They bought the land in 1996 with
the help of
friends and have been growing different kinds of plants to regenerate the land (regain its biomass)
and prepare for
natural farming. Its like any other scientific experiment and requires time, effort and patience.
They still haven't
started farming, waiting for the land to regenerate.
They are also working on use of local resources for construction, energy conservation and other
purposes.
They have a bio-gas plant and a nursery. They need funds to dig a borewell, install a solar pump and
the nursery.
They both graduated in Engg. from Mysore university and were involved with Mysore Amateaur
Naturalist and
Timbaktu Collective (A.P.).
Funds requested : $3000.
Contact Address :
Dinesh/Ravi,
Hulikadu, Kaduvaddargudi Village,
Karimuddanahalli post, Mysore, PIN - 570 005
CWC
GROUP: The Concerned for Working Children 303/2, L.B. Shastri Nagar,
Vimanapura Post, Bangalore -560017
Objective:
CWC is working towards total eradication of child
labour in all sectors; CWC is working at local,
national and international levels through action,
policy research, lobbying and advocacy roles. CWC is
also working to arrest migration from rural to urban
areas by rejuvenating traditional occupations and
enhancing better options for people in villages. CWC
is a Private Development Organisation (PDO) regd. under
Karnataka Societies Act. CWC strongly believes in
empowering children based on partnership values so that
they can gain control over their lives and be self
reliant.
Target population:
kids forced to work in unoragnized and
organized hazardous situations due to poverty, kids
from unfit/broken homes, neglected/forgotten children,
orphans etc.
Services offered:
Repairing emotional etc. scars; educational
opportunities in screen printing, tailoring, farming,
carpentary, weaving, motor vehicle repair & pottery
alongwith basic 3 R's.
Current projects:
1) Gramashrama - micro rural development project,
working to regenerate traditional occupation
and practices in rural areas to arrest
migration to cities. Kundapura taluk, South
canara District, Karnataka.
2) Ankur - Urban based project to deal with issues of
working children in organised sector of work
in Bangalore city.
3) CARD - Support system (research, publication,
consultancy, lobbying etc.) to enhance work
of Gramashrama & Ankur
Future projects:
1) Hotel Toofan Project:
Child labor in hotel industry
in Bangalore.
2) Panchayat Toofan Project - to stop migration.
3) Lobby policy changes.
PROJECT:
Residential Training Program - Gramashrama Project.
Objective -
The Residential Training Program (1 year) trains
children in both traditional and vocational programs.
The education in the residential training centers
consists of general education (on par with 5th
standard) including literature, mathematics, history,
geography, science, social sciences, gardening,
cooking, first aid, sex educ. etc. as well as
vocational training which includes access to raw
materials, marketing, financial management and other
skills like weaving, carpentary, leather and cane work
etc.
Evaluation - conducted by a team of professionals in a
particular field.
Follow-up - Children are assisted in obtaining creditfacilities
& other information needed to start and run a business
and are encouraged to attend village mtgs.
LOCATION:
The specific project that we are funding is a Residential
Training Program in Bangalore City itself. We are funding
6 girls.
CONTACT:
Nandana Reddy
Executive Director
The Concerned for Working Children
303/2, L.B. Shastri Nagar
Vimanapura Post, Annasandra Palya
Bangalore - 560 017
Tel 91-80-527-2111
Fax 91-80-558-0357
FUNDING:
Funding for Residential Vocational Training:
$175/year/child
For 6 children.
DATES:
Jan 96 to Dec 96
DESCRIPTION:
Formally registered in 1985, CWC has 80 centers around
Bangalore and 80 villages around South Kanara
Objectives-
1. Basic education, mainly for children 10-14 years of age
2. Skill Development & Vocational Training in areas
of agriculture, weaving, construction, carpentry,
handicrafts, leather works, tailoring, auto
mechanics, electrical etc.
3. Provide requisite skills to convert 'child labor'
situations which disable children into 'child
work' situations that enable them
SUMMARY:
6 children at $175/child/year for residential training program
COMMENTS:
Evaluation (Aug 95) - The project seems good but large.
We have to ask some specific questions about scale of
project, history, follow-up, percentage of funding
used directly for kids etc.
After visit (Feb 96) -- We felt that the project is big.
The money put in by Asha is likely to go into
a large pool instead of being directed to specific
causes.
SOURCE:
We got the info from Shanker Srinivas (Asha-NYC/NJ) --- who got
info from Nandana Reddy, Exec. Direc., CWC, dtd. 17 Jan 95.
HISTORY:
Seema (Asha-MIT)'s letter to CWC asking questions- 7 Aug 95
(questions about scale of project, history, follow-up,
percentage of funding used directly for kids)
Evaluated (Seema, Abhijit - 18 Aug 95)
Approved for funding - Dec 95
First allocation - $ 1050 , Jan 96
Visit - Radha, Aparna - Jan 96
Visit - Aparna - Dec 96
Update - Premi - 12 Jan 97
Review - expected Jan 97
STATUS:
FUNDED, $ 1050 (Jan 96 to Dec 96)
----
Visit to: Concerned for Working Children, Karnataka
Visit by: Radha Nayak, Aparna Lashmiratan (Asha-MIT)
Visit date: Jan 96
1) We are funding a specific project for the 'education of working children' at
CWC. We are funding 6 children at the Residential Training Center
based program for 1 year. The amount we gave CWC was $1050/year for
6 children since they requested $175/yr/child. This is a part of the
Gramashrama program that strengthens the traditional programs with
vocational training.
2) Aparna: "I have visited CWC's center in Bangalore and spoke to the some of
the resident doctors, teachers and children there. The center is well
organized and well kept and the children were happy and excited with
what they were doing. They have created a dorm like atmosphere with
plenty of interaction between the children of all ages. The children
have medical and psychiatric help readily available (since some of
them have been badly abused physically and otherwise when they are
initially brought to the center. Overall, I thought CWc was doing
a good job in encouraging, educating and empowering these children
and helping them build a better future."
Visit to: Concerned for Working Children, Karnataka
Visited by: Aparna Lakshmiratan
Visit date: 17 Dec 96
Contact at CWC - Mr. Lakshapathy
phone 5297370
CWC phone - 5272111
SUMMARY:
I met Mr. Lakshapathy who is the one following up on the funds we gave CWC
last year. Spoke to him about the project and progress and gave him the
review form with my contact address. He will send it by the first week of
Jan 1997.
General Report.
1. Banashankari projects:
CWC has started 7 training centers in the slums in Banashankari (a suburb of
Bangalore). Banashankari has a large muslim population in the slums. One of
the main features of this community is that the girls dont go to school and do
not work either due to ojections raised by the community. These girls sit at
home all day and take care of domestic chores.
In the past few years, the agarbathi factories in the area have been employing
this women/girls in the slums by giving them agarbathis to roll on a unit price
basis. This way the girls get to work at home and the factory gains by not
giving them factory benefits that regular employees get. The girls are also
underpaid and many of them (especially the younger ones under 12 yrs) end up
with TB, bronchitis etc.
CWC has started training centers in this area to help convince the community
that the girls can get an education in a safe environment which will be more
beneficial in the long run than having the young girls roll agarbathis at home.
The training centers have
1. Montessory style education
2. Nutritional snack - egg, fruit, pulses etc once a day
3. uniforms
as an incentive for parents to send the children here. Parents are also
informed on the dangerous consequences of having the young girls work with
the agarbathis which will prevent them from being useful when they reach
their earning potential at 16-18. Uniforms make parents think it is a serious
educational institute which differs from the existing corporation schools that
they believe to be of no use to the children. The parents are also willing to
send girls to training centers rather than local schools for safetly reasons.
The centers also have vocational training opportunities for girls > 15 yrs.
The vocational training programs are with insititutes in the area for
tailoring, typing etc.
Comments: the program has been well received so far.
The 7 centers have 300 children enrolled so far.
Part of our money has been used for these centers+fees etc for some of the
vocational training insitutes. Detailed accounts will be provided in the
review.
2. South kanara project
South Kanara region in Karnataka has a number of villages with craftsmen like
potters, weavers etc who are out of jobs. CWC is trying to revive these jobs
by forming task forces and encouraging cooperative work. Many kids from
families of these out of work craftsmen come to Bangalore to work in the
hotel industry with the dream of becoming a hotel owner some day. These kids
are 10-12 when they leave home.
CWC is encouraging the villagers and the kids to work with the panchayat in
order to improve conditions and facilitate education in schools and also make
kids aware of the terrible working conditions in teh hotel industry and the
dangers of leaving home at that age.
CWC is facilitating education by
1. making schools more accessible (building bridges etc)
2. Anganwadis for young children so that the older kids who generally
take care of their younger siblings can go to school.
3. Training teachers to help educate kids more effectively with group
work and creative projects using the exisiting syllabus and
infrastructure provided by the govt.
4. Kids > 17 come to centers for information on jobs and to learn
vocational skills of their choice regardless of the particlar
craft community they come from (eg weavers or potters etc)
Goal is to provide basic education for 7-15 yr kids, inform the kids of their
options and give them vocational training at 16-17 if they want and help them
get started.
Effects so far:
1. Dropout rate has decreased
2. More kids want to go to school
3. Govt wants to start more centers
4. Kids parents participate in panchayat meetings and this leads to
effective chnages being introduced in the village.
DIRECTIONS to CWC:
phone - 5272111
Airport Rd
after airport take a left at the HAL P.O (on the left)
you will see signs for CWC and Saroj Fern Valley apts as you turn left
Follow signs for Saroj Fern Valley Apts
Go straight down that road across dead railway crossing
Road veers right
take dirt road and enter L.B. Shastrynagar (will see a bakery, tailor shop etc)
Go straight until you see the Saroj Fern Valley sign
take a right and go straight till the deadend-CWC building is at the end.
Group: Abilities
Meeting Details:
When - 1830-2000, June 15, 1997 (can't use colons!)
Where - 66-148, MIT
Video - Eight minute presentation on abilities
Present:
From ASHA-MIT - Anant, Aparna, Vinay Kumar, Shayan, Srikrishna
(took notes)
From Abilities - Mr. Rangaraj, Mr. Ranjit,
Mr. Kishore Ramachandran (faculty at Georgia Tech)
Address:
Abilities
Resource Centre for Disabled Persons
3439, 4th Cross, II Stage
Indiranagar
Bangalore - 560 038
Tel 5252480, 5250437
Summary:
Abilities was founded in 1988 by Mr. Rangaraj, who is himself
visually
impared, to provide assistance of various forms for people with
disabilities.
Abilities has grown in size to serve 1000 people over 136 villages
surrounding
Bangalore, 400 of whom are children. Their annual budget is roughly
equivalent
to $60,000 per year. They recieve 60% of their expenses from
Actiob-AID (UK)
and Action on Disability and Development (UK), whereas the
remainder of their
support comes from private donations.
Description:
Abilities' was named because "however disabled a person is,
we have to
strengthen that person and make them as reliable as possible."
Abilities
carries out several activities including,
(1) training for disabled people
(2) educational support
(3) computer training
(4) health care/rehabilitation/physiotherapy
(5) group activities
The employment training aims to provide skills that will allow
disabled
people to work in the public and private sectors. In the
government, for example
they find jobs as telephone operators and stenographers. However in
the private
sector there still remains a lot of resistance/hesitation to hiring
handicapped
people.
All paid employees of Abilities are disabled. The others work on
a volunteer
basis, providing services such as dictation/recording of books on
audio
cassettes, legal services, and medical attention. There are five
trustees on
the Abilities board
Abilities runs eight Community Rehabilitation Centers which carry
out the
above functions. These centers also include dispensaries which
serve
non-disabled people as well. These centers have one coordinator and
three staff
members in addition to volunteers. The major expense incurred at
these centers
is for staff salaries, running and maintaing and ambulance, medical
expenses,
surgery, crutches, and calipers.
In Bangalore, Abilities runs support services for the blind,
includes braille
translation/printing of books and computer training/word processing
with a
speech synthesizer. This printing staff consists of blind people
and they
print books which are sent all over India. As an example of their
ability,
they accepted a job of printing HMT Braile watch manuals totalling
42,000 pages
in six months. Overall, they publish 125,000 pages of braille a
year as well
as a braille magazine. Braille books are 10-15x the cost of
ordinary books, so
Abilities gives them to those who need them free of charge.
Comments and Anecdotes:
It seems that government officials approached Mr. Rangaraj in
order to
provide support funds for running Abilities. However these
officials
asked for 10% of the funds as kickbacks, and Mr. Rangaraj
consequently refused
their support.
(Sri) Overall, they seem to be a well organized group of moderate
size. They
are doing really good work for people with disabilities, as well as
empowering
them with useful skills.
(Sri) Anant suggested that ASHA-MIT may accept donations on their
behalf in
and send these donations to them, in order that the donations be
tax-free.
(Sri) Dr. Rangaraj plans to submit a proposal for funding when he
returns
to India in July.
History:
6/14/97 Professor Ramachandran contacted asha-request regarding a
meeting
6/15/97 Sri arranged this meeting, summarized
Status:
Waiting for Proposal from Rangaraj.
GROUP: Lokenath Divine Life Mission
PROJECT: Child Education cum Coaching Center
LOCATION: 6 villages in 24 Parganas (South) District, West Bengal
CONTACT: Somenath Chatterjee
Lokenath Divine LIfe Mission
P-591 Purna Das Road
Calcutta 700 029
FUNDING: Awaiting formal proposal.
$3000 for six centers for 1 year
Learning materials - Rs 50 * 30 Rs 1500
Blackboard - Rs 100 * 2 Rs 200
Teachers - 2 @ Rs200 per month Rs 4800
Mid-day tiffin Rs 11520
Cost per center per year Rs 18020
Cost for 6 centers per year Rs 108,120
DATES: ???
DESC: Awaiting formal proposal.
The goal is to provide pre-school education for 30-60 3-5 year
old
children and supplementary education (coaching) to about 30
6-9 year old children already enrolled in primary schools.
Already running 10 centers in 9 villages - children learn to
read, write, sing, dance, play, recite, draw, meditate.
Includes
"moral teaching".
Seeking funding for 6 additional centers in 6 villages.
Villagers are agricultural laborers or poor artisans.
SUMMARY: Pre-school and supplementary education for about 30 children
in each of 6 village centers over 1 year.
COMMENTS:
Prajnan, 01/12/97
Established organization with experience in social service;
already
running similar centers.
A substantial part of the budget is for providing mid-day
tiffin.
Need to ascertain secular nature of project.
Need information about target population, gender distribution,
etc.
SOURCE: Malay Kundu, Asha-MIT member, mkundu@mit.edu
HISTORY:
08/02/96 : Initial information received from Malay.
10/17/96 : Malay discussed the group at projects group meeting.
Malay to summarize initial information and seek formal
proposal.
Dec96/Jan97 : Malay to visit.
01/12/97 : Preliminary information summarized by Prajnan.
STATUS (Jan/97): PENDING - awaiting formal proposal and site visit by
Malay.
GROUP : SODWAC
Society for Development of Women and Children
271 "Ramleela", MS Road, V. V. Puram, Bangalore 560004,
India
Objectives:
1) Forum for discussion & action on the subject of
development
of women and children (esp. health & social
development).
2) Non-formal education of women and girls (in
particular) and
of boys below 12 years of age.
3) Creation of awareness & improvement of nutritional &
health status of women & children; improvement of
their
sanitary environment and as a result, of the
community in
general.
4) Improving the earning capacity of women by offering
training
in appropriate vocational skills.
5) Exploring other plans for benefit or advancement of
women
as may be decided by the Society
6) Other things necessary...
Affiliations: No religious affiliations. Inspired by Swami
Vivekanada's ideals.
Constituency: anybody irrespective of caste, creed &
religion.
Target population ---
1) women of reproduction age (18-40) - 200
women/yr
2) preschool children -- 1000/yr.
3) School going children & adolescent girls -
10-15/year
Annual budget (94-95): Rs. 1,24,888
Activities: 1) upgrading a creche
2) Nutritional education of women & children
3) Nutritional supplement for preschool
children,
pregnant women at risk & nursing mothers.
4) Antenatal & post natal care for women.
5) Care given to infants & children
6) Prevalence of low birth weight and follow-up
7) Preparation of educational materials, advice
to
women and demonstration of simple,
apppropriate
technology.
PROJECT : Sponsorship of SODWAC activities
LOCATION: Villages in north and south of Bangalore (lists ~ 45
villages)
Bangalore district, Karnataka, India
CONTACT : India address:
SODWAC
Society for Development of Women and Children
271 "Ramleela", MS Road, V. V. Puram, Bangalore 560004,
India
US Contact:
Sreenivasulu Guduguntla
5 Judith Lane, # 12, Waltham, MA 02154, USA
(h) 617-894-2428
(o) 508-952-7425
FUNDING : Requested amounts (for 30 months):
Year 1: 1,13,000 Rs.
Year 2: 1,20,840 Rs.
Year 3: 66,840 Rs. (6 months only)
------------
Total : 3,00,680 Rs.
First year budget:
Supervisors (2) 28,800 Rs.
Field Assistants (2) 19,200 Rs.
Office assistant (1) 12,000 Rs.
Travel 12,000 Rs.
Materials 4,500 Rs.
Stationary 5,000 Rs.
Contingency 4,500 Rs.
Educational support 15,000 Rs.
Demonstrations 12,000 Rs.
----------
1,13,000 Rs.
-------------
DATES : ASAP. 30 months.
DESC : Education of women & girl children
Focus will be on:
* Education of women of reproduction age & making them
aware
of their vulnerability -pregnancy, strain of care of
infants
and children.
Other areas:
* Basic knowledge, rights of women & children under the
constitution, labor laws, their role in panchayat
administration etc.
* Education in related areas of sanitation, environment,
family welfare including family planning, prevention
of
diseases like TB, AIDS etc.
Approaches:
* Animators interacting with rural folk.
* exhibitions, folklore modes.
* small scale demonstrations
* Local facilities are used.
Impacts: Mainly in health and status of women. Girl
children's
school attendence will improve. Women's informal ed.
enrollment
will increase.
SUMMARY : Increasing awareness of rural women & support of education
of
rural girls (mailnly health/nutritional/social ed.)
200 women/year, 1000 preschool kids/year, 10-15 school
kids/yr.
Approx. 3000$/yr. For 30 months.
COMMENTS: Premi(18 Jan 97)-- We must discuss what kind of education
Asha
should restrict itself or should it restrict itself at
all?
Premi (18 Jan 97)-- They are having funding problems
currently.
Is this sustainable? Should we expect them to tell us
how
they are going to sustain themselves?
SOURCE : We were sent a proposal from Mr. Sreenivasulu Guduguntla
(US contact for the organization)
HISTORY : Proposal arrived in mail in Dec 96-Jan 97, no date on
letter.
(propsal is in Asha-MIT format)
Summary - Premi, 19 Jan 97
STATUS : Pending
DETAILS :
1) Founded 1990
2) Four full time employees
3) Council (I guess board of directors) includes Professors from
IISc & Bangalore univ etc.
4) Past funding from
- Royal Netherlands Embassy, Delhi
- Russel Scientific Institute, Warli, Bombay
- Food & Nutrition Board of India
ASHA_MIT write-up
GROUP: SODWAC
Address:
Society for Development of Women and Children
271 "Ramleela", MS Road, V. V. Puram, Bangalore 560004, India.
Objectives:
1) Forum for discussion & action on the subject of development
of women and children (esp. health & social development).
2) Non-formal education of women and girls (in particular) and
of boys below 12 years of age.
3) Creation of awareness & improvement of nutritional &
health status of women & children; improvement of their
sanitary environment and as a result, of the community in
general.
4) Improving the earning capacity of women by offering training
in appropriate vocational skills.
5) Exploring other plans for benefit or advancement of women
as may be decided by the Society
6) Other things necessary...
Affiliations:
No religious affiliations. Inspired by Swami Vivekanada's ideals.
Constituency:
anybody irrespective of caste, creed & religion.
Target population ---
1) women of reproduction age (18-40) - 200 women/yr
2) preschool children -- 1000/yr.
3) School going children & adolescent girls - 10-15/year
Annual budget (94-95):
Rs. 1,24,888
Activities:
1) upgrading a creche
2) Nutritional education of women & children
3) Nutritional supplement for preschool children,
pregnant women at risk & nursing mothers.
4) Antenatal & post natal care for women.
5) Care given to infants & children
6) Prevalence of low birth weight and follow-up
7) Preparation of educational materials, advice to
women and demonstration of simple, apppropriate
technology.
LOCATION:
Villages in north and south of Bangalore (lists ~ 45 villages)
Bangalore district, Karnataka, India
CONTACT:
India address-
SODWAC
Society for Development of Women and Children
271 "Ramleela", MS Road, V. V. Puram, Bangalore 560004, India
US Contact-
Sreenivasulu Guduguntla
5 Judith Lane, # 12, Waltham, MA 02154, USA
(h) 617-894-2428
(o) 508-952-7425
PROJECT:
Reenforcing school education for girls and informal exposure
to Nutrition, health and family welfare.
(1) The teaching standard in rural areas is not very high
and the drop out rate for girls at class 5 is very high.
Girls who continue on to class 6 and 7 need extra attention
to help them cope with their studies. This project provides
after school help/tutorials to motivate these girls to cope
with their studies and stay in school.
(2) They plan to arrange regular coaching to supplement
school teaching after school hours (3 days each for
classes 6 and 7). The syllabus will remain the same.
(3) Nutritional supplements will be provided since
a lot of these girls are malnourished and suffer from
nutritional deficiences.
(4) Informal education on health care, hygiene and nutrition
will also be imparted through practical suggestions to ensure
that their daily meals are nutritious, exposure to the
issues of family welfare etc.
(5) At present, these tutorials are given for short durations
when the girls request it.
(6) Facilties will be obtained locally (dont know what this
means exactly but I am assuming it is the building)
TARGET:
40-50 girls between 11 and 15 years of age.
LOCATION:
Kunthigrama village, Bangalore District
This area has a high illitaracy rate and a high proportion
of the population is below the poverty line. Attendance
in school is improving for children but very few girls
continue in upper primary school (classes 5,6 and 7)
FUNDING APPROVED:
$1000 for 2 years in two installments of $500 every 6 months.
FUNDING REQUESTED:
Rs. 35, 800 for 24 months. (aprox. $1000 for 24 months)
Breakup Year 1 Year 2 Total
Teacher (1) 9000 9600 18600
Materials 3000 1700 4700
Contingency 1500 1500 3000
Support to
Students 4500 4500 9000
Total 18,000 17,800 35,800
IMPACT:
The areas in which this project will have an impact are
literacy, health, culture, self confidence in these girls,
increased participation in the community and a
positive attitude to life in general. They also see an
indirect impact on employment in the future.
COMMENTS:
5/15/97 (Aparna)
This is a new project that focusses on young girls
and education. Looks like they do good work with
womens welfare (care for pregnant women, education
on health and hygiene etc.). I agree with
their motivation for starting this after-school tutorial
sessions for the girls. I personally think
that this extra effort could go a long way in motivating
these kids and helping them stay in school and even if
they dont go further to college they are more aware of
the importance of education both formal and practical
(health, nutrition etc.) and this could be a positive
influence in the community at large both in the present
and the future.
We have funded these after-hours tutorial sessions
before (SHARE) and I dont think it could hurt to fund
more project attempting a similar project.
The funding requested is very reasonable ($1000 for 2yrs)
although I am not sure what some of the categories mean.
One concern could be that they are targeting only girls
of that age for these extra help sessions. Does this
conflict with our policy??
They have a balance sheet audited by a chartered accountant
but I am having trouble interpreting it. Maybe we
can look at it briefly at the meeting.
I think we need to visit this project. This can be done
easily since it is in the outskirts of Bangalore.
Even though the project hasnt yet officially begun, we
can check out the general impact and validity
of the organization. We have a contact in the US
(sreeni) who has worked with SODWAC and it might help
to have him come to the meeting and answer questions.
The project can be easily monitored since they are going
to start these tutorial sessions with our funding and
we can evaluate how well they are functioning, where the
money is going and the impact on the kids.
Aparna (May 10, 1997) after projects meeting
1. Everyone thought the project was good and that there was a need
for a project like this to motivate young girls to stay in school
and do well academically as well as boost their confidence and
make them aware of health, nutrition and family welfare issues. These
girls could potentially have a positive influence in their homes in the
present and in the future. An all girls environment is probably a good way
to make them express their opinion without inhibitions and build up their
confidence.
2. The point that was brought up was how the organization planned to overcome
the problem of parents not wanting the girls to go to school. If they dont want
girls to go to school, how is this after hours tutorial going to help. Are
there steps that the organization is taking to convince parents and give them
incentive to send the girls to school?? We can clarify this at the visit or ask
the contact Sreeni about it.
3. Amount requested is reasonable and we can easily evaluate the impact
of this project.
Projects Meeting (14 March 1998)
Approved for funding. Will use money donated by Mr. Michael Witt since
he wanted the funds to go toward womens/girls issues. Aparna
will write to sreeni and Dr. Bhavani. First installmennt will be
sent by end of March 1998 ($500). Second installment will be sent
after 6 monthly status report.
HISTORY:
Proposal arrived in mail in Dec 96-Jan 97, no date on letter.
(propsal is in Asha-MIT format)
Summary - Premi, 19 Jan 97
SHELVED in Feb 1997. Aparna asked sreeni for a diff. focussed proposal.
Second focussed proposal received May 1997.
Aparna summarized (May 15, 1997)
Discussed in Projects Meeting, May 20, 1997
Aparna visited in Dec 1997.
Discussed in projects meeting after visit on Match 14 1998. Approved for funding.
STATUS:
Approved funding for $1000 for 2 years.
First installment sent on 4/4/98 by Aparna.
DETAILS:
1) Founded 1990
2) Four full time employees
3) Council (I guess board of directors) includes Professors from
IISc & Bangalore univ etc.
4) Past funding from
- Royal Netherlands Embassy, Delhi
- Russel Scientific Institute, Warli, Bombay
- Food & Nutrition Board of India
*************PREVIOUS PROPOSAL SUMMARY by Premi*****************:
FUNDING-
Requested amounts (for 30 months)
Year 1 1,13,000 Rs.
Year 2 1,20,840 Rs.
Year 3 66,840 Rs. (6 months only)
------------
Total 3,00,680 Rs.
First year budget
Supervisors (2) 28,800 Rs.
Field Assistants (2) 19,200 Rs.
Office assistant (1) 12,000 Rs.
Travel 12,000 Rs.
Materials 4,500 Rs.
Stationary 5,000 Rs.
Contingency 4,500 Rs.
Educational support 15,000 Rs.
Demonstrations 12,000 Rs.
----------
1,13,000 Rs.
-------------
DATES- ASAP. 30 months.
DESC- Education of women & girl children
Focus will be on
* Education of women of reproduction age & making them aware
of their vulnerability -pregnancy, strain of care of infants
and children.
Other areas
* Basic knowledge, rights of women & children under the
constitution, labor laws, their role in panchayat
administration etc.
* Education in related areas of sanitation, environment,
family welfare including family planning, prevention of
diseases like TB, AIDS etc.
Approaches
* Animators interacting with rural folk.
* exhibitions, folklore modes.
* small scale demonstrations
* Local facilities are used.
Impacts
Mainly in health and status of women. Girl children's
school attendence will improve. Women's informal ed. enrollment
will increase.
SUMMARY-
Increasing awareness of rural women & support of education of
rural girls (mailnly health/nutritional/social ed.)
200 women/year, 1000 preschool kids/year, 10-15 school kids/yr.
Approx. 3000$/yr. For 30 months.
COMMENTS-
Premi(18 Jan 97)-- We must discuss what kind of education Asha
should restrict itself or should it restrict itself at all?
Premi (18 Jan 97)-- They are having funding problems currently.
Is this sustainable? Should we expect them to tell us how
they are going to sustain themselves?
We need more detailed info. on what exactly is the nature
of activities with each of the three constituency groups.
How much does each part cost? If Asha is interested in the
pre-school kids part, how much will that cost?
Healthcare --- medicines/doctors/nurses etc......how do they
get those services.....is not shown in budget?
How much is healthcare and how much education?
----------------Broader question for discussion ------------
Should Asha fund projects dealing with health education
and not BASIC (3R's) education?
Amounts are large (3000$/yr.)
Other Asha chapters may be more interested.
SOURCE-
We were sent a proposal from Mr. Sreenivasulu Guduguntla
(US contact for the organization)
STATUS-
Shelved Jan, 1997
Aparna has written to Sreeni (sreeni@casc.com) informing him
that the project proposal is too broad at the moment. We need
a more specific proposal focussing on one of the constituencies
and primarily dealing with basic education preferably.
GROUP : Sumangali Seva Ashrama
Sumangali Seva Ashrama
Cholanayakanahalli
R.T. Nagar
Bangalore - 560 032
India
Phone - 91-(Bangalore City Code?) 3330499
e-mail: sanant@ncbs.tifrbng.res.in
Organization is registered under SRA by Govt. of
Karnataka
Org. is registered under FCRA by Home Ministry, Govt. of
India.
Objectives: "1. To empower needy women for a better
socio-economic life style. 2. Empower needy children with a healthier
childhood,
provide pre-school and other formal education. 3. Other community
development
work."
Activities: "SSA is involved in a number of different
projects:
Sumangali Seva Ashram (SSA) is an non profit voluntary organization
registered
under the Societies Act in the year 1975. It has been consistently
working for
the betterment of the rural community and is especially focussed on
women and
children. Its activities started with a hostel and Creche for destitute
children
in a one room hut. Over the years its activities have expanded
sveral-fold. Presently SSA provides
Formal and Non Formal education to children, free
hostels for
girls and needy women, vocational training for women, awareness
programmes in
nearly 400 villages in Bangalore North, family conselling services,
multi-purpose cooperative societies, small credit for micro enterprises,
and
other community development services."
PROJECT : Pre-School and non-formal education for girls.
2 Requests:
1. One request for fund for funding for a project
encompassing
28 slums in Bangalore, involving 19 creches and 9 Non Formal Centers
(NFCs). They have funding from the Indian Population Project VIII
(IP-VIII). But
this funding does not cover the cost of supervisory staff.
2. One request for a project in the villages in
Bangalore
North. This involves 7 creches and 3 NFS. These projects were being
funded by an
organization out of Switzerland but the funding period ended in December
1996.
LOCATION: Angrahara Layout, Srinivaspura, Subhashnagara, Tarahunse,
Aradeshanahalli, Hesaragatta, Dasenahalli.
CONTACT : S.G Susheelamma, President (see above address)
FUNDING : Request #1.
Coordinator's Salary Rs.48,000 (4000 X 12)
Supervisor's Salary Rs.72,000 (2 X (3000 X 12)
Clerk/Accountant Rs.24,000 (2000 X 12)
Driver Rs.36,000 (3000 X 12)
Medicines Rs.12,000
Vehicle Maintenance Rs.50,000
Stationary/Postage Rs. 5,000
Auditor's Fee Rs. 1,000
Video & Photo Rs. 5,000
Awareness Programme Rs.50,000
-------------------------------
Total Rs.304,000
Request #2.
Teachers' Salaries Rs.120,000 (10 X (1000 X 12)
Helpers' Salaries Rs.60,000 (10 X (500 X 12)
Supervisor's Salary Rs.36,000 (3000 X 12)
Clerk cum Accountant Rs.24,000 (2000 X 12)
Drivers' Salary Rs.36,000 (3000 X 12)
Teaching Aids Rs.10,000 (1000 X 10 Centers)
Play Materials Rs.30,000 (3000 X 10)
Medicines Rs.12,000 (10 X (100 X 12)
Nutrition Rs.150,000 (25 Children X 12 Months X 25 Days
X 10
Centers X Rs.2)
Vehicle Maintenance Rs.50,000
Stationary & Postage Rs. 2,000
Auditor's Fee Rs. 1,000
Video & Photos Rs. 5,000
-------------------------------
Total Rs.530,000
DATES : Starting as soon as possible from what I can see.
DESC : SSA is running these schools in both rural and urban areas
around
Bangalore and has great experience in running these
centers.
COMMENTS: Harsha (2/18/97): This group seems to be well established
and
extremely organized. I think request #2 is more along the lines of
things that
we want to fund. I believe that the identical headings in the budget are
for the
same things. That is, the driver cost is for the same driver. We might
want to
think about funding two or three centers. I want to be sure that there
is a
truly educational purpose here and not just day care. I do think that is
the
case, though. I think we have to decide whether this organization is too
big for
us. They have 15 other sources of funding and have an annual budget of
almost 77
Lakhs! This does seem like a legitimate organization and we can be
pretty sure
that the money goes to the right people. Maybe a visit is necessary?
SOURCE : An email from a woman who worked at this center who now goes
to
Northeastern U.
HISTORY : 31 October Letter sent by Harsha
Email received December 1996
:Letter and funding request received in Jan 1997
STATUS : Pending -- awaiting first discussion.
DETAILS :
*Is registered with Government of Karnataka and is
getting
funding from the Central government as well as funding from the UK,
Germany, the
Netherlands, Norway, and Canada. They also receive funding from various
rotary
clubs, and Levi Strauss is funding their Micro Enterprise project. This
groups
seems to be doing some amazing work. Despite the large size, I feel like
we
might want to give them some money and discuss picking up funding for a
few of
their creches along with other Asha chapters.
*This group seems to be completely secular and also is
involved
in uplifting women. The projects they run are both rural and urban. This
is
great because we can choose which projects we want to fund.
*The project overall employs 450 people and reaches out
to a
very large number of people in the Bangalore area.
Thanks and sorry for the late email.
Harsha G. Marti
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Address:
471 Memorial Drive
Room #406
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 225-7430
hgm@mit.edu
Project Summary: Krishna Trust(R)
-------------------------------
GROUP : Address of the Organisation:
Krishna Trust for the welfare of Mentally Handicapped
756, 5th Block, Rajajinagar, Bangalore - 560 010
Ph. No.: 3356065
Objectives: a) to identify mentally retarded children in this
village
b) to counsel the parents of these children
c) to give special education and rehabilitate
children
over 16yrs by giving them vocational training
PROJECT : Funding is requested for the following:
a) purchasing a computer for special education
b) staff salaries
c) training other staff
d) providing health care for the children
LOCATION: Halebairohally Village, Kengeri Hobli
Bangalore
CONTACT : Dr. J.T. Venkateshaiah
Chairman
FUNDING : The total funding amount requested is Rs.258,600.00
DURATION: not clear from the information available
DESC : The organization has established a school which provides
residentially based education for 20-25 mentally handicapped
children. The school staff (totalling 11) serve as 'house
parents'
for the children. The children are sent home every month for 4
days
to stay with their parents. The organisation wants to expand
the
project and provide nonresidential education to 15-20 mentally
handicapped children from around the village. In the long term,
the
group seeks to establish an vocational training center for
children
above 16, and a training and research center.
SUMMARY : The proposal sent to us asks funding for the 4 parts listed
under
PROJECT. The split up is: a) purchasing computer (60,000.00),
b) staff salaries (153,600.00), c) training (15,000.00), and
d) health care at Rs.100/month/child (30,000.00). The total
comes to
Rs.258,600. This seems to be for one year. 25 children will
benefit
from this proposal.
COMMENTS: Prajnan, who wrote the initial summary, didnt see the need for
the
computer. He pointed out that specific information about the
age
age group of the children or the kind of education they were
receiving was not provided. He noted a discrepancy between the
reported enrollments in the two proposal they sent us.
There appears to be an inordinate increase in their budget
from last
year - salaries went up from Rs.40,500 to Rs. 153,600, and
medical
costs from Rs.880 to Rs.30,000, while the number of students
and
staff remained the same. Finally, he commented that his most
significant concern was about the credibility of the funding
request.
SOURCE : Not sure but Narasimha Acharya seems to have been the first
person
from ASHA-MIT to have contacted them.
HISTORY : This group sent us a proposal requesting funding for building
a tube
well in Nov. 95. The previous request was turned down and
Narasimha
asked them to send a modified proposal dealing with literacy
etc.
The proposal that we have now is the response. This proposal
was
also refused sometime after March,96. (Exact date not
available).
Prajnan was to send them a letter telling them that we are not
ready
to fund the project before someone visits it.
STATUS : Not funded.
DETAILS :
Sakya Tibetan Settlement Relief Project:
----------------------------------------
This project came throughCarol Gignoux , here in MA. Itis sponsored by
the
presiding bishop's fund for World relief, episcopal church in New York.
They have submitted a pretty detailed proposal.
Here's the gist.
This projectiis for the present and growing needs of one of 30 tibetan
relief
seetlements in Southern INdia. It is in Mysore, Southern India. Land is
poor,
water is scarce , problem also of Tuberculosis inthatarea.
Project goals: To improve diet conditions of refugees, sponsorship of
individual refugees, teacher salaries.
They have described a broad range of Project goals requiring about
$84,000. In
their words " We ask that ASHA provide funding to support, in full or
part, a
teacher to provide vocational training and/or the general education
necessary
to help uplift Tibetan refugee children out of the cycle of poverty and
dependence on the road toward self-sufficiency"
Children will learn the highlyspecialised art of carpet-making or
Thangka
painting. Cost of one teacher is $3000 / year.
It does mention "standard classes to continue religious and educational
studies". It is not very clear to me how much of it will go only towards
vocational training and to religious education. In which case, it may be
out
of line with the ASHA cause of imparting not only self-sufficiency
through
vocational training but also to educate them in the academic sense so
that
these children can learn and be able to think beyond everyday
livelihood.
The Spastics Society of Karnataka
"Appropriate Learning"
Spastics Society: The Organisation
Project: Appropriate Learning
Funding Requirements
Contact Information
Site Visit Report
Spastics Society of Karanataka
The Spastics Society of Karnataka was founded in 1982.
Long term objectives:
Integration of children with disabilities into the community.
Creating awareness among people about prevention of disabilities.
Some of their other projects include a Centre for Special Education and Outreach - a community
based rehabilitation
programme. These were funded by public donations and fund raisers, a government grant and a fund
from Action India
(U.K.). The society has programmes running in the city and in 12 villages.
Appropriate Learning
Details: This project is being run by the Spastics society of Karnataka. The project was
conceived with a view to
providing educational and literacy services to
Handicapped children (including Spastics).
Children from poorer sections of normal functioning capability.
Integrating the brighter Spastic children into normal class rooms.
Spread awareness of non-formal literacy into the community.
The project was started in June 1996 with the help of Asha-Seattle and Asha-Berkeley. Three inner
city slums were
chosen to provide services to poor children. Details of each of the subprojects is given below.
Kempapura Agrahara:
Location: 12 kms from the main Spastics society center in Indranagar. Divya Chetana, Kempapura
Agrahara, Spastics
society of Karnataka Outreach Unit.
Timings: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Mon-Fri.
Staff: Smt Jayamma - Community based rehab worker and co-ordinator for this subproject.
Smt Nirmala - Community based rehab worker.
Smt Puttakka - Attendent.
Description: On this unit 17 children with varying degrees of disability attend to receive basic
education. Basic education
may include several programs based on the handicap the student is suffering from. Some children
can barely stand and
basic education for them will involve learning how to move their body parts! Other children
include polio victims, deaf and
dumb students. These children learn how to read and write.
Rural Development center, Whitefield:
Location - 15 kms from the main center in Indranagar, Bangalore.
Timings:- 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday.
Staff:- Ms Lillian Jacob - Community based rehab worker.
2 volunteers also help out here.
Description: This center has 35 children attending school regularly. Non-formal education in the
'Balwadi' style is
provided here. Out of the 35 children, 14 special children need occupational, physio, speech and
special therapy. This
'school' is conducted in the premises of a government school and hopes to someday integrate the
children being educated
here into the main stream school.
Lingarajapuram school:
Location:- 7 kms from the main school.
Timings:- 10 AM - 1PM Mon-Fri.
Staff - Visiting Specialists to help out the children + volunteers who help out for free.
Smt Indira Dave - Family counselling specialist.
Smt Sharmila Murugavel.
Description:- This is a Balwadi center catering to about 45 children, who are provided non-formal
education, in the areas
of reading writing, arithmetic, health & hygiene.
Details of funding required
The funding is for the first 3 years.
The estimated expenses are
All figures are in Indian Rupees ($1 approx = Rs.35)
Sr.No.
Expense Item
Amount
All the 3 sub projects put together
1.
Salaries + Misc: (1950 + 1050 + 5745)*12
1,04,940
2.
Stationary : 2500*12
30,000
3.
Teaching aids and equip.
25,000
Total cost per Annum
1,59,940
ASHA-Seattle is supporting this project jointly with ASHA-Berkeley.
Contact information:
Mrs Rukmini Krishnaswamy
The Spastics Society of Karnataka
31, 5th cross, Off 5th main,
Indiranagar 1st stage,
Bangalore - 560038
Project update from the Appropriate Learning project.
A Spastic child's Profile
Recently we received a detailed progress report from the Spastics project in Bangalore with
details on individual
progress of the children.
The paragraphs below extract the progress reports for 3 of the children.
Chandu who is 5 1/2 years old goes to the Divya Chetana school set up by the Appropriate
Learning project
in Kempapura Agrahara near Bangalore. Chandu was a Spastic child with several behavioral
problems such as
head banging, drooling and the lack of sitting ability. He has now improved a lot with the
regular care he
gets at the project. His head banging behavior has stopped completely. His drooling is under
control
although not completely stopped. His sitting tolerance has improved quite a bit. He can
now hold a crayon
or brush and do free hand coloring and some painting. He is now learning to peel potatoes.
His social skills
have seen a marked improvement and he can now give a big smile and friendly handshakes.
Kishore Kumar who is 7 years old also goes to the Divya Chetana school. He is continuing
with a pre-school
curriculum. He can now identify shapes, match pictures with objects, do some free hand
coloring and painting,
can tear and paste and do some collage work and most importantly speak in Kannada at sentence
level. He can
read and write Kannada letters. He is now learning to read and write English alphabets. He
can now read
alphabets till D. He identifies and names domestic animals, vehicles on the road and common
objects. He
really enjoys picture reading.
Ramesh goes to the Whitefield center. He follows grade 2 curriculum in Kannada medium. He has
come up to the
word level in Kannada. He is learning to read and write his own name, address etc. He can
take word
dictation. He can count and write till 200 and do simple addition and subtraction. He is
learning basic money
transaction. He can now go to a shop and buy things within the value of Rs 5/-. He can also
read the > time.
There is a third center at Lingarajapuram. The children at the ingarajapuram school learn
various aspects of
the following curriculum based on the capability. 1)Personal hygiene 2)Activities for
daily living
3)Language and communication 4)Number skills 5)Environment study 6)Arts and small crafts
7)Music
8)Pre-vocational training.
Project update from the Appropriate Learning project.
The Southern Indian city of Bangalore, Karnataka is a curious blend of oldfashioned charm and
modern industry.
Popularly dubbed as India's SiliconValley, this city also happens to be second fastest growing
city in theworld. Like all
cities that grow too quickly, certain parts of Bangalore arebooming while other portions remain
sadly underdeveloped.
The village ofKempapura Agrahara, just 12 km. from the heart of Bangalore, is one of thesesadly
underdeveloped areas.
The villagers here do not even have basicamenities like sanitary drinking water and even
reasonably cleansurroundings.
Polio seems fairly common amongst the children here.
It is in this village that the Spastics Society of Karnataka, an NGO(Non-Government
Organization), decided to open a
school for disabled childrenin June 1996 with the help of funding from Asha-Seattle &
Asha-Berkeley.This organization
has its headquarters in Indiranagar in Bangalore andseveral branches all over Karnataka State.
They provide education,
therapyand day care to not only spastic children, but also children with other kindsof special
needs or disabilities.
On August 16th 1996, Ashok & Jayashree (both volunteers with Asha-Seattle)visited this school in
Agrahara with Mrs.
Vijaya Prema who is a specialeducator employed by the Spastics Society. The following is from
their sitevisit report.
As we approached the village, we began noticing that there were a lot ofagarbathis (incense
sticks) laid out on the
roadside. We were told that thisis the main occupation in the area and entire families typically
works onmaking
agarbathis. Some families supplement their income by making packagingmaterial for sweets. The
first impression we got
was that this was avery dirty & backward area and it was indeed an irony that it was not veryfar
from a modern
cosmopolitan city. En route, we had been briefed on to howthis school had been started. The
main center at Indiranagar
began to noticethat a high number of families from Agrahara were bringing theirpolio-afflicted
children for therapy.
Therefore, they decided to start amodest school in the village itself and this started out on an
experimentalbasis in the
courtyard of a temple. Recently, they moved from the templepremises to a small rented room.
There are 16 children
enrolled here and allof them have various kinds of disabilities. Some of them are spastic
andsome have polio. Mrs. Vijaya
Prema visits this school once a week.
On the day that we were there, there were only 6 children in attendance. Inaddition to the
children, there was a teacher, a
therapist and an ayah(nurse) present. One of the children, a spastic, was learning how to
stand.That was his education for
the day and perhaps for the month. Anotherchild was learning how to crawl and talk a little.
Danalakshmi, who
hadbecome deaf and dumb and partially paralyzed was learning to write thealphabet. Rathna was
learning to form
sentences and yet another girl wasbeing taught to add numbers. We understood the reason behind
the name forthis
project - "Appropriate Education". Each child was being taught on adifferent schedule based on
what they could be
expected to learn. We had along conversation with the therapist and at the end of the visit, we
wereconvinced that Asha is
making a difference in the lives of thesechildren. They explained at length the progress made by
each child.
We then addressed some of the problems we noticed. We asked about the poorattendance and were
told that since these
were disabled children, they willnot be able to attend school unless somebody brings them to
school andsecondly, they
tend to fall sick more often than normal children. Wesuggested that one possibility is for the
ayah to spend some time every
daytrying to pick up the children from their respective homes. Theyreplied that they were doing
that but it was not possible
for the ayahto go to every child's house. However, since each child was being taught adifferent
syllabus, this problem was
not as major as we initially thought.We were shown the attendance register and we noticed that
there were dayswhen
almost all of the children were in attendance and that was good to see.Another cause for concern
was the size of the
classroom. This was asingle room and lacked even a bathroom and drinking water facilities.
Wespoke to them in detail
about this problem and they explained that itwas very hard for them financially to rent a place.
They were currentlypaying
Rs. 500 per month for this room. We told them to look into thepossibility of renting a larger
room with Asha's help.
Besides the Agrahara school, Asha is also funding two other schools in theBangalore area as part
of the "Appropriate
Learning" project. One of them islocated in Lingarajapura and another in Whitefield. Both of
these aredifferent from the
Agrahara school in one respect - in both of these centers,there are normal children as well as
children with special needs
studyingunder the same roof. Non-formal education is being given in theseschools. A total of 85
normal children and 22
special children arebenefiting from these two centers. Both of the schools were being heldin the
premises of a government
school. We felt this was an excellentidea because the children who were benefiting from the
non-formaleducation could
perhaps one day study in the government school. Theywere given the opportunity to observe regular
school going children
andcould perhaps get influenced by this. Since one of the goals of this projectis to integrate
some of the brighter spastic
children into normalschools, what better way to do it than to have them interact together on
aday-to-day basis. Also,
there was no overhead of renting a placeunlike the Agrahara school.
Overall, we felt that the project had begun successfully. Although therestill is a long way to
go, Asha & The Spastics
Society of Karnataka seemto be making some difference in the lives of the children. Our sitevisit
only convinced us of how
much need there is in India and how luckywe all are to be able to help these deserving children.
Prasanna Jyothi Trust
The Project: Basic Education For Orphaned and Destitute Girls
Report by Aditya (1994)
Report by Maithreyi Lakshmiratan (1995)
Contact Information
Basic Education For Orphaned and Destitute Girls
Prasanna Jyothi Trust had submitted a proposal for a project to support destitue/orphaned girls in
Bangalore in Spring, 1994.
The project benefits about 25 girls, and pays for their boarding and education. The trust plans to
follow progress of girls very
closely. The expenditure ($1700/year) is high because of urban setting.
Report by Aditya
Here is what my parents, M.Ramaswamy and S.Padmini told me about the project in Bangalore when
I talked to
them last night.
They visited the Prasanna Jyothi Project run by the Prasanna Trust in Bangalore on Thursday,
March 10, 1994 in
the late afternoon after all the children had returned from school. The trustees are a
gentleman, reckoned to be
about 56 years old and his wife. Apparently, they are followers of Chinmayananda, and this
encouraged them to
start this project. They also lost their daughter in an accident a few years ago and my father
felt this contributed
to their present efforts.
The project is basically an orphanage, comprised of 23 girls, ranging from the ages of 4-7 to
the oldest who is 13.
A small caveat is that these girls are not technically orphans except for two. Another two are
children of
prostitutes. The rest were allowed by their families to go to the project where they are
clothed, fed and sent to an
English medium school. When asked by my mother why such young children were separated from
their parents,
the answer was that the couple felt that in some cases the boys in the families were being
favored and that many
of the girls were happier at the project. There have been a few cases in the past when the
families have
reclaimed their children and taken them back home.
The couple are having trouble renting a place for any length of time. In order to secure a
permanent place they
are looking for funds to build a place. Although their present place is a bit small, it seemed
adequate. My parents
felt that this was their main aim in asking Asha for funds. They are assisted by two
house-mothers who were
trained professionally in Bangalore and two other women volunteers.
According to my mother, the girls are all very confident and seem self-assured. The couple
planned to give them
vocational training in sewing etc., but my mother suggested that perhaps they could be more
gainfully
apprenticed in a company or industry etc.. The couple were very open to suggestions and seemed
genuinely
interested in the welfare of the girls.
The girls are only allowed to see their parents twice a year, which, my father felt could lead
to some alienation
and a superiority attitude, though none was openly evidenced.
Altogether the project seems credible, although it is not strictly, in the sense of the
phrase, an "education
project".
In case it makes any difference, my mother just retired from working for Unicef for 18 years
where she
evaluated many similar situations, albeit on a larger scale. Both my parents also speak
Kannada and spoke to
some of the girls. I hope her suggestions and questions were not out of line for an Asha field
visit type of thing.
Report by Maithreyi Lakshmiratan (1995)
The project that Asha-Berkeley is running in Bangalore has been funded since February 1994. The
task assigned was to
assess the performance of the project so as to enable Asha-Berkeley's decision to renew the
project. As you probably know
Prasanna Jyothi trust is a social service organization that renders services in education and
social welfare for girl children (why
specifically girl children - hmm. I never really asked). Asha had given this organization a sum of
$1700 and had expressed the
desire for this amount to be utilized predominantly in the area of education.
I got in touch with the people in charge - Mrs. and Mr. Srinivasan and Sundari. On expressing my
desire to meet with the kids,
I was invited over. I went to Banashankari and it was only upon my arrival there that I realized
they had changed their location
to J.P Nagar, specifically in Kothunur Village where they have built a permanent house. The new
address is
Prasanna Jyothi,
Door 103, Puttanahalli
Kothanur Village,
J.P. Nagar, 7th Phase,
Bangalore - 78
After my initial fiasco with the address I actually got the place the following Saturday. My first
encounter was a very positive
one. A whole bunch of highly energetic and enthusiastic kids. The house consists of two floors. It
has a yard in front of it with a
swing for the kids to play. As for the interior, on the first floor, you have a kitchen, a hall
(where they eat and perform their
cultural shows), there is another room with a lot of storage space - which serves as their bedroom
- the mattresses are rolled
up and placed in these storage spaces. There is a bathroom and another little storeroom attached to
the bedroom. Each kid is
given a block of space to keep their personal belongings and their essentials. The second floor is
a replica of the first. The first
thing I checked were the living conditions and the sanitation. I was delighted to find that the
rooms were clean, well swept and
dust free. The bathrooms and toilets were clean and well maintained. The kitchen and the cook were
friendly, clean folks. So
as far as health and sanitation went, there does not seem to be reason for concern.
The kids - There are 24 children from the age of 4-13. Wonderful children to say the least. They
had just got back from school
and were a little shy initially when I was introduced to them. Slowly but surely they lost their
inhibitions and started talking to
me quite happily. I asked to be left alone with them for a while - for I didnt really want the
older folks hovering around them.
Most of them are in English medium schools, and some of them attend Kannada medium schools. They
spoke to me about their
schools and their friends. Upon asking them if they were happy with everything there - the food,
the people, the entire setting,
they didnt seem to flinch, and unanimously agreed that they liked the place. Further, they went on
to tell me what they liked
about the place. Some liked their "mummies" as they called Ratna, Sundari and Kalavathi (the
warden).
Most of them loved school and their friends. They told me about their cultural interests. Some love
dancing, some like painting,
some just like to be. :) The good thing about this was they really consider this their home - there
is a pretty high degree of
security which I think is extremely important for kids that age.
I had so much fun with the kids and kind of had to remind myself that I had to talk with the
"elders". It wasn't half as bad :) -
Kalavathi is currently the warden. She stays there 24 hours a day, and takes care of almost all the
need of the kids. From
seeing that they are packed off to school - to seeing that they get their meals at the proper time,
to seeing that they complete
their homework - she is the one who takes care of the general well-being of the kids. She is a
well-trained professional and
has worked in similar organizations before. A very pleasant person and not the sterotypical
"warden" from hell. She seems
approachable and smiles a lot. Pretty cool. The couple - Mrs. and Mr. Srinivasan seem extremely
dedicated and share a
beautiful relationship with the kids. Some of the kids tell them stories from school and share
jokes and concerns with them. The
"parents" are strict and do reprimand them (or so I'm told). They visit them whenever possible and
usually spend the
weekends there.
Facilities for the kids - many of the kids are talented and/or extremely interested in music,
dance, painting and the like. Given
this scenario, I asked themwhat they were doing about it and whether they provided for classes etc.
Apparently the children
have classes in their respective schools and hence they do not really provide them with classes.
However, I personally feel that
a lot more of them can actually be encouraged to do the things they are good at. Only a couple of
them whoose interests match
resources seem to get this opportunity. For eg. there is no real opportunity for a child to learn
painting. They say they are
planning to start this though. they took great pride in stating that they celebrated all festivals
and that they had cultural shows. I
asked them if they took the kids out for a picnic or an outing and they told me that though these
outings weren't that frequent,
they weren't totally non-existent.
Clothes, books and mattresses are usually second hand used clothes which social service
organizations and certain institutions
give them. I checked them personally and they seem clean and fine. As for school - all of them go
to the same school.
However, some go to English medium schools and a couple go to Kannada medium schools. They have
newly admitted into
this school because the previous one is very far away from the new home. The younger kids go to
school in an autorickshaw
because they have to walk a considerable distance. The range is from U.K.G. to 7th grade. They are
all provided with books of
their own, even if they are in the same class. That is GREAT! They have uniforms, stationary and
all the other accessories
thanks to Asha. They told me that the entire money that Asha provided was spent toward education.
This included school fees,
books, stationary, other expenses, school programs and the works. Mr. Srinivasan promised me a
break up of the expenses
but I haven't received anything yet. Maybe I will bug him when I go to India this time.
Their main source of funding seems to be from
Swami Sukhabodhanandji (founder of Prasanna Jyothi Trust).
Public (Organizations like Asha).
Private contributions.
Future projects - if and when they get adequate funding, thy want to a start a vocational training
center. This is Fabulous! The
center will be in the yard. They plan to construct a hall there. It would probably train these
children in practical vocations, like
tailoring, computer literacy and other such things. Further, these kids are kept here only till
they are 18 years of age after which
the institution will help them find employment and will also try and get them "married off" into a
"good household". They seem
to have contacts in factories and other industrial places and said that this would enable them to
procure jobs for these young
ladies. The question of harrasment, abuse, and other pertinent issues were discussed and though
they insisted that nothing of
that sort would happen to the girls because they were "bold", I personally think they were either
not exposed to it or just not
aware. Anyways, did my best with that.
Kids meeting their parents - Well, I asked them what their policy was and they said that they allow
the parents or some
relative to meet the kid once in 6 months. They said that these kids have come from extremely
broken or non-existent homes.
Some of them have parents most or all of whom are in houses of violence and abuse. Many of them
have been abandoned.
Once the organization takes the kids into their fold they bring them up in a particular manner, and
teach them certain rules to
follow and bring them up with certain values. The kids are loved and cared for like their own.
Given the state of affairs - they
feel frequent visits from parents may result on nullifying a number of the positive effects that
the organization is having and
would constantly keep the child in touch with a pretty cruel past. Further, when parents of one kid
come to visit, the other kids
feel left out and jealousy crops in. Well, that was the argument.
The highlight of my visit was the cultural show put up by the kids. Wow, talented or what? Six of
them performed a dance
show. Two of them are supposed to be "really" good at break dancing. They are attending classes and
attend competitions etc.
Another group performed a dance to the latest Tamil film song. Both these were plain delightful. I
thoroughly enjoyed myself.
After this two kids showed me their art work and gave me cards made by them. Apparently they sell
some of these cards and
raise funds. They are great. I was told that they all study well, especially two of them have been
1st rank holders from the time
they were born kind-of-deal. In fact one of them wants to come to MIT for higher studies. Totally
encouraged her.
Rummaged through photographs and heard pleanty of stories. Consumed a great cup of tea, got a
photograph of the entire
bunch and said adieu to a lovely afternoon.
Contact Information
The contact address is:
Prasanna Jyothi,
Door 103, Puttanahalli
Kothanur Village,
J.P. Nagar, 7th Phase,
Bangalore - 78
Wool-Spinning for Women's
Sustenance & Employment
in Chikkabudnur, India
Feel free to send us any comments or questions at:
idex@igc.apc.org
Chikkabudnur, a small village located in northwestern Karnataka,
is home to a herd
of over 8,000 sheep, which produce more than 8,000 kilograms of
wool yearly.
Chikkabudnur's villagers are very much tied to agriculture, yet
unfavorable seasonal
weather patterns often force the locals to migrate in search of
low-wage jobs in
order to sustain themselves and their families. However, migrant
labor is rigorous,
trying and often unhealthy work, particularly for families with
young children. An
established center for weaving Chikkabudnur's yearly wool yield
gives some of the
villagers a permanent "home-base" from which to work. This
alleviates many of the
difficulties associated with migrant working. Furthermore, since
weaving can offer 2
to 3 times the normal agricultural wages, this will increase the
incomes of those
associated with the weaving enterprise.
In early 1992 RDS (Rural Development Society), the facilitator
for Chikkabudnur's
female community group, contacted IDEX. RDS outlined
Chikkabudnur's need for
weaving looms and presented a proposal for IDEX to help fund 25
Pedal Looms as
well as 5 Reeling Looms and Raw Materials used in weaving.
Chikkabudnur's
female community group, SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Association),
has 32
members who meet daily and discuss problems and even lend money
to
members in need. Consequently, the IDEX grant funded by the Tides
Foundation
and the St. Raphael's School for $4,040, helps provide stable,
sustainable and
profitable employment for the women of Chikkabudnur.
After receiving the grant, the community set up a weaving and
storage center.
Despite a slow start-up which revealed some inadequacies in
training as well as
problems with broken looms, and communication the group expects
to increase
net profits, expand its membership and diversify to other
occupations such as
animal husbandry. Although SEWA has lost five women to marriages
taking them
outside the community, the group plans to increase its membership
by 10 women
yearly. Additionally, it plans to use its profits to buy more
looms for new members.
Thanks to the looms and training in weaving, which was provided
by the Embassy
of the Netherlands, the women now produce useful and high
value-added goods
such as blankets, shawls and rugs. As a result of Chikkabudnur's
new weaving
industry, over 50 families involved in shepherding are
experiencing more demand
for wool. Similarly, at least 5 families involved in marketing
the final goods from the
looms are receiving more business due to the new industry.
After receiving the grant, the community set up a weaving and
storage center.
Despite a slow start-up which revealed some inadequacies in
training as well as
problems with broken looms, and communication the group expects
to increase
net profits, expand its membership and diversify to other
occupations such as
animal husbandry. Although SEWA has lost five women to marriages
taking them
outside the community, the group plans to increase its membership
by 10 women
yearly. Additionally, it plans to use its profits to buy more
looms for new members.
Thanks to the looms and training in weaving, which was provided
by the Embassy
of the Netherlands, the women now produce useful and high
value-added goods
such as blankets, shawls and rugs. As a result of Chikkabudnur's
new weaving
industry, over 50 families involved in shepherding are
experiencing more demand
for wool. Similarly, at least 5 families involved in marketing
the final goods from the
looms are receiving more business due to the new industry.
Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC) is an international study and training
centre, founded on 5th January, 1963
by late Rev. Dr. M. Thomas, who was a priest of the Mar Thoma
Syrian Church of Malabar and a well known
human right activist.
'Unity of human kind' is the motto of the centre.
The centre is conducting training and study on various aspects
of concern and interest, like ecumenical theology,
mission, inter religious dialogue, socio-economic and political
issues, culture, environmental issues, alternative
and sustainable development etc. for different target groups,
from all over the world, through out the year.
Through these types of programmes and activities the centre is
propagating the message of 'wider ecumenism'
to the entire world. The centre is situated in a beautiful
campus of about 30 acres in Whitefield, 20 km west of
Bangalore city in South India. The centre is having facilities
like food, accommodation, meeting places etc.
These facilities are availed for other international groups on
advance reservations, subject to the availability.
Director:
Associate Director:
Dr Mithra G. Augustine
Mr George Cheriyan
Contact Address
Ecumenical Christian Centre
Post Bag No 11
Whitefield, Bangalore -560066
India
Telephone:
Fax:
++(91) 80 8452270 / 8453158
++(91) 80 8452653
CESDI is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in India, registered
under the Societies
Registration Act of Government of Kerala, India and
enlisted with the Central Pollution Control
Board, Delhi.
It was established on 4th April, 1993 for the action,
study, and research on environment and
alternative development, at present concentrating mainly on
awareness programmes among people
at grassroots level in India. CESDI is associating with
many like minded national and international
organisations.
President:
Hon. Secretary & Director:
Fr Cherian Thazamon
Mr George Cheriyan
(Member, UN roster of
Consultants)
Contact Address
C/o ECC
Post Bag No 11
Whitefield, Bangalore
-560066
India
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail:
++(91) 80 8452270 /8453158
++(91) 80 8452653
cesdi@geocities.com
ASHRAYA
Set up in 1982, by a group of Child Welfare Professionals in Bangalore,
Ashraya's aim has been to provide quality services for
underprivileged children. They have been running day-care
centers(creches) on several big construction sites in the city over
the past 13 years. Children in the creches come from migrant families,
who come into Bangalore to work on construction sites,
for daily wages. Usually the whole family works and the small children
are left unattendedin an extremely dangerous
environment. They are rural folk from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh and even Bihar. They move when the work is
over on the site; they move if another contractor offers them more
wages; they return to their villages at harvest time or the
festival season. With all this moving, the children's education is
constantly disrupted. Because of the impermanency of their
lifestyles, the children are never put into regular schools. It is only
a matter of time before they start working on construction
sites and the cycle repeats itself. The family, strangers in a strange
city, never have access to good health care for their
children or themselves. They live, mostly on site, in the most terrible
conditions, without clean water or sanitation. They are
easily exploited and a large proportion of what they have left is spent
on liquor. The nutrition and health of the children suffers
and mortality rates are high, especially for the girl child. Ashraya has
provided a safe haven on many sites. Children are givena
nutritious meal and eduaction and health care and immunization. For the
first time in their lives there are toys to play with and
they can be children, like other children, learning songs and rhymes,
coloring and painting, learning the basics of reading and
writing. They talk to the familiesand get them to think about issues
such as health and nutrition, family planning, alcoholism and
AIDS. But, unfortunaltely, the intervention has been stop-gap. The
families move on and the children are back to playing in the
dirt, open once again to disease and high mortality rates.
The Neelbagh Residential School
To solve these problems, Ashraya has started a residential school for
the children of migrant labor. The residential school will
provide the children a good environment to grow in and good education,
good food, medicare and a caring staff to nurture
them. Like any residential school, the children could go home on
holidays and their parents could visit them during the term.
The school will start with 50 resident children, initially from the age
of 6 upwards. Most of the families have been enthusiastic
about the proposal and are ready to let their children join. They all
wanted something better in life for their children, than what
they had. They saw education as a means of progress; of earning better
wages; of progressing from unskilled to skilled labor.
They felt that if they were educated, they can fight exploitation and
they could communicate without an intermediary. They
would be happy if their children were in a good residential school and
were educated.
OUR ROLE IN ASHRAYA
ASHA Cornell and ASHA Chicago have decided to collaborate on raising
money for the Neelbagh school. So far an amount of
$445 has been donated by the Chicago group.
Annual Costs
Clothes/Linen- $17/per child X 50 = $850
School Books- $17/per child X 50 = $850
Medicare- $10/per child X 50 = $500
Buliding maintenance- $322
Total $2522
GROUP : Rashtrotthana Parishat, Bangalore.
Project : Seva Bharathi - Bangalore
Location : Ullal Upanagar Village (12 kms from Bangalore)
Contact : Sri Srikant Betageri
Coordinator,
1114/37, 3rd Cross,
Srirampuram,
Bangalore - 560 021
REVIEWERS : Sandhya Balakrishnan and Deepak Srinivas
INFO/DESCRIPTION :
*This project is under the Rashtrotthana Parishat (an NGO) established
in 1965.
*The broad goals of this organization is mass education, mass awareness
and social service.
*This group is associated with a number of projects including
schools in 3 areas (from nursery to 4th standard),
tailoring classes in 13 slums for women,
free tuition classes in 6 places (from 5th standard to Degree),
- 65 teachers involved and 800 students have benefited from this,
free medical centers in 4 places,
financial assistance to poor students to continue education,
health checkup and eye camps
and tree plantation schemes.
*As a reference they have listed the Lions Club of Bangalore,
Gandhinagar.
PROJECT :
*The project location is a village called Ullal Upanagar about 12 kms
from bangalore city and 2.5 kms from bangalore university.
*In its first phase the project is limited to one village of population
5000.
*There is a govt school (upto 7th standard) and one private school at a
distance of about 1 km.
*Mini water scheme, electricity and primary health facility are
available.
*Population incomes - Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000 per year and mostly
consists of masonry workers, carpenters, weavers,
coolies, garment factory laborers.
*They have already admitted 128 students in various levels from KG to
4th standard and aim at 100 % literacy in the village.
They have an immediate goal of admitting another 60 children between the
age of 3 & 10 into the school.
*A literacy program for the adults is also planned for 1997-98.
*Free tuition classes for the other school going children along with
socio-cultural activities and health awareness programs are
planned for the days to come as a regular activity.
*They currently have one coordinator and 4 teachers and need to recruit
another 4 teachers for the next academic year.
FUNDS REQUESTED :
*Rs. 1,01,800 for the first year....indicate that it is an on going
project and need funding there after, too.
*Spilt up of funding requirements -
Teachers Honorarium
(8 * Rs. 800 * 12 months)________Rs. 76,800
Teaching aids and Equipment_____Rs. 25,000
---------------------------------------------------
___________TOTAL___________Rs.1,01,800.
---------------------------------------------------
*All construction work is funded by the Lions Club of Bangalore,
Gandhinagar.
Looks like the Rashtrotthana Parishat is quite a well established
organization in bangalore and is involved in a number of social
welfare and educational activities.
The project is literacy oriented and is a safe bet. Looks like they need
the funds to carry out all the tasks that they have set for
themselves and they seems to be pretty clear about their goals and
objectives.
They are under a well established organization that in itself has been
carrying out a number of projects in mass awareness and
social service. The project is set in an urban village and gives a
general impression of being a somewhat 'comfortable' project.
As regards accessibility - there place is very accessible for anybody
going to Bangalore.
In my opinion, I am generally happy with this project. Given the
background of the group, this project is like a safe bet for us. The
project has already started and our funding this project will only
supplement their efforts in continuing the education schemes.
Our funding them will mean that our funds are being used for literacy.
In other words, there should be no element of risk involved
in funding this project.
Seva Bharati Project
This review is done from the project proposal which we got from LFG, Iowa State. The proposal was
actually the answers to
LFG project form.
History: Started in 1993 under Rashtrotthana Parishat, a registered society in Bangalore.
Location: Ullal Upanagar Village (12 Kms from Bangalore)
5000 population
800 houses
Avg. Income: 12,000/year
Contact/Coordinator: Srikant Betageri
1114/37, 3rd Cross Srirampuram Bangalore, 560 021
Objective: Mass Education, Mass Awareness & Social Services
Activities:
* Nursery to 4th standard schools in 3 areas
* Tailoring Classes for women
* Free tution classes from 5th to degree
* Free medical Centers
* Health Checkup camp
* Free plantation
Funds Required for education: Rs1,01,800
Teachers Pay: Rs.76,800 (8*800*12)
Teaching Aids & Equipment: Rs.25,000
Short term Goal: (next 2 years) Education up to 4th standard to already admitted 128 students.
Long term goal: (5 or more years) Total literacy in the village.
Good Features:
* Main focus of the project is education. Our funding them will mean that our funds are being used
for literacy.
* Accessibility, this place is very accessible for anybody going to Bangalore.
* Well laid out plan. They seems to be pretty clear about their goals and objectives.
* Part of well established organization that in itself has been carrying out a number of projects
in mass awareness and social
service.
* An ongoing project, our funding this project will only supplement their efforts in continuing
the education schemes.
* 94 people working/volunteering which is a very good number.
* Construction of school buildings is fully sponsored by Lions Club of Bangalore.
Concerns/Questions:
* Does not talk about self reliance etc.
* There is a govt school. Need to find out why children are not going to the govt school.
* Not very clear about the other sources of money.
REPORT ON THE VISIT TO SEVABHARATHI VIDYALAYA IN ULLALU UPANAGAR
VILLAGE
1.0 BACKGROUND
SEVABHARATHI VIDYALAYA is in a village that is situated at about 15 kilometres from Bangalore,
close to the
Bangalore University campus. The school, that is run by the Seva Bharathi project, has been
started with anoble objective
of providing primary education to the children of theresidents in the close neighbourhood. There
are about 3500 persons in
theneighbourhood. Almost all the families that live here belong to poor orlower class. The
occupation of the bread
earners is mainly doing manual labour, or daily wage earning occupations. The number of school
goingchildren in the age
group 3 to 10 years is around 350 in this habitat.
The village is connected by a road, which is motorable. It hasdrinking water facilities. There
is an other school in the
village,which is run by the Government. Like all Government schools, this school is not
efficiently run.
There is a small clinic here which provides some basic facilities.A doctor visits this place
twice a week and attends to the
minor ailments.For major requirements, the people go to Bangalore.
2.0 THE SCHOOL
The school is being run in a building that is constructed withthe help of the donations received
from the Lions Club. It has
spaciousclass rooms, with good ventilation. The construction of the first floor rooms is still
going on, and they will be ready
for occupation in a fewday's time. The school is constructed on the top of an elevated place,and
is situated close to the
residences of the local population. Now the school is running Lower Kindergarten (termed as
Aruna Varga) and
UpperKindergarten (termed as Udaya Varga) classes, as well as the first tofifth standard classes.
The total number of students as per the Admission Register is 134 on the day of my visit. As the
academic year has just
started, theadmissions are expected to grow. The average number of students per class thus falls
short of 20 now. The
children are charged an one time admission fee of Rs. 10, and a monthly fee of Rs. 10. We were
told that many parents are
either unwilling, or incapable of paying even this. But the school is admitting even the
non-paying children. As the
objective of starting the school is to provide education to the underprivileged and poor
children, no insistence is made on
the payment. The authorities are hopeful of persuading the parents and collect the fees at a
later date.
There are seven teachers, including the Head Mistress, each handling a class. Except for one
teacher, who is handling the
fifth standard, no body has a formal Teaching Certificate. Two of them are graduates, one has
done Second year BA, two
have passed PUC, and the remaining two have completed SSLC. The Head Mistress is an SSLC with
more than 10 years
of experience.
The school has an ayah, who looks after the upkeep of the premises, takes care of the small
children, and supply drinking
water. There is no piped water supply to the building. A water tank is under construction in
the premises. It appears that
it will take considerable time to commission it. Until then the children will have to make do
with the current arrangement.
3.0 THE INFRASTRUCTURE
We would like to take up the infrastructural facilities as the currently exist in the following
sections:
3.1 Building. Good.
3.2 Playground: Located at a small distance from the school. It could be far enough for the
lower class children. The
ground in the campus of the school is rocky and uneven, and is unfit for being used as
playground.
3.3 Furniture. Most of the children sit on the floor, and only some of them on mats. There are
about 50 low level tables,
which are placed in the KG classes and in the fifth standard. The school needs at least another
150 tables of different
heights. The school has only one table, which is used by the Headmistress for her official
duties. There is no table for any
teacher.
There is one steel cupboard in the Head Mistress Office, which is used for keeping then cash and
records.
The Black Board is embedded on the wall in the class rooms.
The school is hoping to find donors for providing the required pieces of furniture.
3.4 Uniform: Hardly any student comes in uniform. The management is looking for donors.
3.5 Toys and games, sports equipment's are not available, and if they are available it is in
negligible numbers.
4.0 ACADEMICS
As we have said earlier, there is a serious shortage of qualified/certified teachers. This has
resulted in an ad hoc/informal
mode of teaching. The teachers do not follow any class notes, nor they have a plan to cover the
syllabus. Except for one
here, and one there, no child has text-books. The management is planning to provide the students
note books shortly.
Donors are being searched to provide text-books.
Every class has a time-table.
We did not find any teaching aids, except for a couple of charts on alphabets and numbering
system.
The students are not regular in attendance. It appears that 70% of the students attend the
school on any given day.
Children are admitted to the class on the basis of their age, and not so much on their academic
achievements. I could see
some of them in higher classes unable to recognise the consonants. I understand that this is due
to a Government rule,
which does not like failing the students in
any standard up to the seventh.
With all the above handicaps, the teachers are trying their best to be effective.
5.0 FINANCE
One single point, which causes concern is the financial health of the organisation. Collection
from the students by way of
Entrance and Tuition fees is a pittance, compared to the enormous expenditure incurred on the
maintenance. The only
other source of income is in the form of donations from the patrons. The Seva Bharathi trust
also chips in with some cash
and kind from time to time. The school is running smoothly, although not efficiently. In fact,
during the academic year
1997-98, the number of students admitted is 173, and the total amount collected by way of fees is
only Rs. 6312 only.
Cash donations received from various sources amount to Rs. 27,000. In the current year 134
students are already
admitted. This number is expected to go up to 170.
The teachers are paid very poor salaries. On inquiry we find that the headmistress gets a salary
of Rs. 500 per month. The
senior teachers get Rs. 450, and others get Rs. 400 per month. The ayah gets a salary of Rs. 200
per month. With this low
level of salary, it is next to impossible to attract better teaching personnel, much less the
trained ones. In the neighbouring
Government school, the teachers receive more than 5 times the salary. Unless trained teachers
are appointed, it is not
possible to even think of improving the quality of teaching.
Another area of concern is the non-availability of teaching aids, toys and games, sports
equipments, etc. It is necessary
for the school to find donors who can provide these items immediately. There is hardly any
attraction for the children to
come to the school, coming as they do from families that are reluctant to send their wards to the
school. The parents think
that the children could be gainfully employed in some occupations, rather than on education.
This therefore should be
taken very seriously.
The same considerations apply to providing text and note books and uniform. Many parents cannot
afford these.
Providing these could very well be an attraction.
Some attention needs to be paid for acquiring a minimum level of furniture for the students,
teachers and the Office. To
make the teachers focus on the academic matters, it is necessary to relieve them from the
non-teaching jobs that they are
attending to now. It is a good idea to appoint an administrator to handle the office management,
interacting with the
parents, handling and maintaining accounts, etc. Currently, none
of these functions is given any importance, and so virtually non-existent.
In the light of the above observations it is necessary to make some arrangements for some
investments currently, and also
for a regular source of income. Otherwise, any effort done to realise the objectives of
the institution would go waste.
-H.G. Suryanarayana
Balanandana
Organization
Balanandana Trust
Project
Need a van to convey children to school.
Location
Heggodu, Karnataka
Contact Person
Mrs. Bani Prasanna (one of the trustees)
Balanandana Trust
Heggodu, Karnataka - 577 417
Tel : (08183) 2874
Funding
Requested Rs. 3,34,845 (around $10,000) for a new
van.
Approx. $5000/- will be needed for a second-hand
vehicle.
Period
One time funding.
Description
This trust provides education, health facilities to 60
(28 girls & 32 boys) students from pre-primary to
IV standard at Heggodu, Shimoga Dist. The children
are primarily from the lower castes or economically
poor sections and are scattered over a number of
nearby villages. They need a van to provide
transportation facilities to the students. At present,
they hire an autoriksha for the purpose.
History
This trust and school has been functioning since
August 1993. Over the years they have expanded
from providing education at the pre-primary level
to IV standard. The balance sheet indicates that most
of their funding comes from education fees (which
they claim to come from those willing to pay) and
autoriksha fees (50% of their annual budget). It also
shows three teachers on the payroll. They have
organised a number of events attended by
well-known personalities in areas relating to
education, child psychology.
Comments
They seem to have been successful in their work as
is evident from the news clippings and visits to the
school by well known social workers and theatre
personalities. Apart from the usual schooling they
also have started an "Adopt a child for education"
project. This could be of interest to us, as we have
limited funds. Political leanings not known.
Source
Garima Bhatia (ASHA St. Louis member)
Status
03/18/97 - Due to insufficient funds, we cannot
sponsor a van for them unless other chapters also
contribute.
01/15/98 - It was decided to fund $750 towards
schooling of students of weaker section. Funding for
van is presently not feasible due to lack of sufficient
funds.
03/xx/98 - Phone conversation with Mr. Prasanna in
which he suggested that they will put the money in a
trust and use the interest to fund deserving and
economically backward children.
Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement(SVYM)
Dr. R. Balasubramaniam,
President
Address: Kenchanahalli
Shanthinagar Post
H.D. Kote Taluk
Mysore Dist. 571 116
Phone: (08228) 2171,
(08228) 2173
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The Viveka Tribal Center for Learning is run by a group of medical
graduates in a tribal village near Mysore. The group runs a medical
clinic along with other community programs including a school.
ASHA-Stanford is helping fund the addition of class five to the
existing school. The class will hold approx 40 students. ASHA has
committed $4000 for the first year of the project.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
GROUP : name of the group
PROJECT : Viveka Tribal Center for Learning
LOCATION: Near Mysore
CONTACT : Dr. R. Balasubramaniam
Swami Vivekanand Youth Movement
N. Begur Post
Haggadadevanakote Taluk
Mysore District - 571 116
India
FUNDING : approx $4000
DATES : 1994-'95
DESC : The group was formed by a bunch of medical graduates. They
run a large medical clinic and other community programs,
including a school, in a tribal village near Mysore. This
proposal seeks to add class five to the existing school.
The target is to have a fully residential high school. The
expenses are expected to be about Rs 4 lakhs in 96-97 and
will flatten out at about Rs 12 lakhs by the year 2000.
SUMMARY : $4000 for adding class five for 40 students to tribal
village school
COMMENTS:
SOURCE : ICA (Raj Mashruwala)
HISTORY : Reviewed by Indira, Krishna
07/19/93 : [Indira] sent letter asking for status
01/??/94 : [Mahaveer] visited the site
04/??/94 : [Krishna] Clarifications with the group
05/??/94 : Visit by one of the doctors who worked in the
center.
06/??/94 : $2000 sent
07/07/94 : Acknowledged
12/09/94 : [Dinesh] sent letter asking for status report
02/16/95 : [Dinesh] sent reminder asking for status report
04/05/95 : Got a status report, which says they only need
$600 of the remaining funds (ie $2000) because
they got some unexpected govt funds. Also sent
a request for funding for the next year.
04/20/95 : $600 sent
11/??/95 : Project visited by Nimish
01/14/96 : $2000 sent
STATUS : FUNDED
$2000 sent, 6/94
$ 600 sent, 4/95
$2000 sent, 1/96
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
A Visit to Viveka Tribal Center for Learning.
Nimish Shah
nimish_shah@MENTORG.COM
Note: Footnotes are marked in square brackets, eg [5 b]: look for [5]
b).
Introduction:
------------
Viveka - Tribal Center for Learning (VTCL) is a school,
currently
upto standard VI, in N. Begur, Karnataka. This school is run by
the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), which also runs a
health center near the school (within 10 kms). N. Begur is very
close to the Karnataka-Kerala border, near the Kabini river
reservoir.
The school is in a rural area where primary education is not
easily available [1 a]. This region is populated by 21 tribal
colonies,
with the prevailing literacy rates being 18% in males and 6.5%
in
females. Besides the lack of availability of educational
facilities,
a reason for these poor literacy rates is that the tribals,
having
led a free life, do not welcome very structured education [1 b].
VTLC has 250 tribal students over the six standards.
ASHA-Stanford
funded class V (40 students) during 1994-95, which was the first
year for that class. The same students, now in class VI, are
being
funded by ASHA for 1995-96. The Government of India supports 110
students who are all boarders and will be lodged in a dormitory
about to be completed. (They are currently lodged in one of the
empty rooms in the school building.) SVYM also gets funds from
other
agencies, and generates some revenue by selling honey [2] and
garments. They also grow ragi and some vegetables they need and
are planning to set up a dairy (the shed construction is
underway).
All students are given a mid-day meal [3]. They have a
well-organised
kitchen and mess. The school has a small library, equipped with
a
TV and VCR. Each class is spacious and has 10 or more desks.
Textbooks and uniforms are provided free to the students.
The health center is manned by three doctors and is a
well-equipped
unit, having 6 beds, a lab and an X-ray machine.
===============================================================================
Miscellaneous:
-------------
The school is run by a project coordinator (Ms Mamatha),
the headmaster and other staff [4]. They determine the
activities
for an academic year and make a budget estimate. This is
presented to
the SVYM committee which oversees the VTCL project. The project
coordinator is a member of both. The SVYM committee then either
approves the budget or suggests some changes depending on
financial
constraints [5]. I liked this disassociation between the
"funding
committee" and the "executive committee."
Volunteers: Volunteers who wish to spend a summer or so at the
VTCL project site are welcome there. They would be given free
accomodation and food, but would be expected to teach English
to the staff and work in the gardens. (No free lunch!)
If the volunteers knew Kannada, it would be an added advantage
since the students don't speak other languages.
Excursions: In 1994-95, the students ASHA funded went on three
excursions (industrial/educational sites, historical places).
The expense per student was Rs 125. Being 80 kms away from
Mysore
(which is where they hire a bus from), they end up paying a lot
on transportation. The excursion is also like a picnic, and the
food expenses go up as they eat out.
Books/Videos: Gifts in the form of books and audio/video
cassettes
are welcome. They already have a good collection: Tom & Jerry,
N'al Geographic, Wild life, Mahabharata, Gandhi, Guiness records
...
I met with Dr. Balasubramaniam who is the president of SVYM.
He showed me around their health center and school. The students
were enjoying themselves in the school playground when I met
them.
"Kannada gothilla" - so Dr. Balasubramaniam played the role of a
translator. I asked them if they liked it there and their smiles
left no need for a reply.
Accounting: We got a mid-year report from SVYM as well as a
final
budget statement. Dr. Balasubramaniam suggested that ASHA should
be more stringent in the accounting process and should ask the
auditor to certify that ASHA money was used for the intended
purpose.
(eg - say, funding organisations O1 and O2 fund a project P. P
is
granted an amount N for task T by O1. Say O2 also grants amount
N
for task T. If the total amount spent on task T is just N, an
unscrupulous organization can claim N from both O1 and O2 by
showing
the same budget statement to both.)
Self-sufficiency: They are working towards it, but are also
growing
at the same time. Agricultural products help generate revenue as
well
as meet some of their own needs. They also have sewing machines
where
garments are made and sold to the local population. Currently,
this
provides employment to the tribals. They plan to teach sewing
skills
to the students as a step towards self-sufficiency.
My impression was that they are going to be dependent on
external
sources for quite some time since their plan to open classes
until
standard X is ambitious and will require more money than can be
generated by their current schemes.
SVYM has successfully impressed upon the local population the
usefulness of the school and has gotten them involved in a cost
cutting measure. (The dormitory, built recently, has been built
at
a cost less than the govt.'s estimate. The work-force consisted
of local people.)
===============================================================================
Footnotes:
---------
[1] a) There is a government school for upper standards (standards
VII-X,
if I remember right) near the health center. However, I was told
that it is closed most of the time due to unavailability of
staff.
b) SVYM has recently obtained 18 acres of land from GoI which they
intend to use for opening classes until standard X. They are
planning
to impart education under a "less structured system." Their
ideas on
these are not finalised yet.
[2] I liked their scheme of reimbursing students who help generate
money.
Instead of passing cash to them, which can be misused (the drug
menace is quite rife), the students are given credits which can
be
used up for buying books or making an excursion or something
similar.
This instills some money management skills in the students.
[3] I had lunch at the health center and an evening snack at the
school.
The food is simple but very good.
[4] They face the common problem of the staff leaving the school for
a better job after having received training from this place. They
have only recently recruited new teachers since old staff left.
[5] The plans for the next year are made between April and June. It
was
their request that in future years, we let them know of our
funding
decision by then.
Report on Trip to Viveka 1997
by Ashvin (during December 1997)
Yesterday I had been to meet Dr.Balu and look at his various
projects. Unfortunately I had planned for only one day and since the
journey was quite long I only got about 4-5hrs with him, but did get to
see all the projects, though I could not interact much with the team
members and local people. Anyway. Overall my impressions were very
positive - he and his group seem very dedicated and capable, and also
have
a very clear vision of what they are doing. They are also consistently
involving the local people in everything they do, so that is good for
sustained development.
Primary School:
I first visited the primary school - I think they are quite
serious about the practical training emphasis, half the school was
outside
helping build a cemented canal to divert water. Also, the agriculture,
sericulture and diary that the students help run seem (to me) like
serious
affairs. They also have typewriters which they have not started using
yet.
The sewing machines were busy, the school uniforms were being stiched
there by some tribal girls. The primary school had pretty good
facilities
- classrooms, decent library, dorms; I also had lunch there the same as
what the children get, and its theek thak.The buildings are quite basic
-
apart form the dorm - tin roofed. Apparently finding good
teachers is a problem; he spends lots of time training them but they
tend
to leave - so he has to reinvest his time etc. I could not evaluate the
teachers (some were out too). DrBalu seems to have a personal
relationship
with many children in the school, and the kids seemed bold and
interactive. I asked him if his vocational training etc., though very
good, were hindering the children in answering state board exams -
apparently they took a public exam for the 7th std children, and all of
them passed, a record of sorts. Also he is planning to relax the
vocational training requirement for the 10thStd kids.
High School:
The hosahalli campus is quite different. Brickwork for the
school
building is in place now (I have some photos-including "our" classrooms)
and since the Govt of India has promised to give him 15lacs, he is now
planning to complete the 2 labs on the first floor too. They have solar
charged lighting outside, and a solar powered pump for water all donated
by dept for unconventional energy. They have a huge area, and he even
talked about building an auditorium at some point in the distant future.
I
tried hinting to why there was such a disparity in the outlooks between
the primary school(very basic facilities but hope to impart quality
education) and the much more elaborate plans for the high school - he
commented about how they should not be given anything less then the best
just because they were tribals. Also (more convincingly) he talked about
his plans of making the high school into a centre for excellence for the
neighbouring area - having certain days on which other school children
could avail the facilities, and also about training govt school
teachers.
We can ask him for details if we are interested in the training project,
and he will write a proposal.
Hospital:
I made a quick tour of the hospital, they seem to have much of
the
required equipment, and there were a large number of patients waiting.
Also, their beds were close to full, and they have plans of extending
the
hospital to accomodate more people, since they can find more doctors.
Also, DrBalu's wife will be returning soom after masters in Obst.&gyn,
and
he is planning on starting an intensive "mother and child health"
scheme.
Other projects he has in mind are TB cure - they have something like 300
people on roll whom they would like to treat, and the net cost perperson
works out to Rs7,000 but would in turn prevent many others from
contracting the disease.
Community Involvement & Sustained Development:
They are making efforts to involve the tribals in everything -
for
example the parents are now much more supportive of the children
attending
his school, the high school construction was used to train some of the
local boys in construction and labour was largely local(though one
contractor was hired) - also, a couple of the tribal boys are
trained in borewell repair and that he says has proved very useful. Also
they are actively promoting social empowerment. One of the girls from
the
school (Sundari- class 8) regularly attends the Sangha meeting and acts
as a secretary. Overall, the tribals do seem to think of the school and
hospital etc. as their own.
In health care, they have already trained 3 tribal girls who now
go to the tribal communities and especialy look after mother and child
health -pregnencies, vaccination schedules etc. Balu hopes that children
graduating from the school and others will slowly start helping to run
the
school - as teachers etc., maybe even return as doctors.
I could not really find out much about the community reaction
through asking people questions - I talked to a few random school kids
from a government school in the area on the bus, they knew all about the
school and were genuinly all praise for it. The team members that I
met,
Dr Shiv Kumar, Dr.Prakash(I think) all seemed dedicated and competent - as
far as I could say.
Prerana, Raichur, Karnataka
Group: Prerana, Raichur, Karnataka
Project : Deodurg schools
Location : 12 villages of Deodurg taluka in Raichur district of
Karnataka.
Contact:
Pramod Kulkarni
House No. 1-4154/7B
"Ashray", S.B.H.Colony,
Raichur, Karnataka - 584 101
Funding requirements : about $4000 for one year. (Approximately
$10.00 per child per
year)
Overview
Goals
Accomplishments
Overview
Prerana, along with a sister group called R-Reach, has come up with an
innovative scheme to
provide impetus to the process of setting up Government schools in
school-less villages. The idea
is to first setup schools there (modeled on Government schools)
supported by outside assistance
as well as by local villagers. The villagers are extremely enthusiastic
about seeing their kids go to
school and hence are willing to partly support the school, as well as
pressure the Government to
setup a school in their village. The scheme envisages that within about
1 1/2 years of first setting
up the school, the Government can be persuaded to take over the running
of the school.
The project will take up 12 villages and will educate 2,000 children in
two batches of 1,000
children, each for 1.5 years. Part of the expenses (25%) will be raised
from parents. The project
also aims to set up Parent Associations Palak Sanghas to make the
schools more effective and
help in their running.
Goals
Increase awareness amongst parents in the SC community about
education.
Bring education discipline to the SC community children
Educate 2000 children in 12 villages.
Increase Government involvement to improve literact in the area.
Persuade the Government to take over the running of these schools.
Accomplishments
8 schools are running focusing on the children of the SC community,
who are not
covered by the government education infrastructure.
5 in Raichur taluka, operated by local NGO R'REACH
3 in Lingasugur taluka, operated by another local NGO Grameena
Sadhana.
2 of the R-REACH schools have been converted into Government
schools.
Approximately 400 children enrolled currently.
Generated enthusiasm in the parents. They are now actively involved
in the school system
and encourage their children to go to school.
Review of the Half-Yearly Report from REACH
-------------------------------------------
ASHA-Stanford funds a project under an organisation called REACH,
which is based in Raichur in Karnataka. The project is responsible for
the funding of 12 schools in 12 "otherwise school-less" villages. ASHA
had given the first installment of Rs. 60,000 for the period of June
1995 to November 1995. We recently received the half-yearly report for
this period.
The schools provide basic education to about 367 students. They are
categorised into 3 groups:
Group A - able to easily read, write and quick grasping power
Group B - able to construct words and simple sentences
Group C - learning the alphabet
The report uses the change in the percentage of students in the
various categories over the review period as an index of performance
of the project.
August 95 October 95
Group A 17% 58%
Group B 25% 37%
Group C 58% 35%
So, these figures provide us with some idea of how well the students
have been progressing over this period. However, it is difficult to
figure out how they categorised students at the beginning of the
project, and whether there were any biases in that. But, despite that,
the progress seems impressive. The attendence during this period was
also fairly high - about 80 to 90 % , although it fell during mid Sept
to mid Oct, due to harvest. But after that harvesting season, the
attendence shot up again, which is in itself a good sign of the
success of the project.
A positive aspect of this project has been its broad interaction
with the community members. The villagers contributed the land and
helped in the construction of the school. The parents of the children
pay "promptly" Rs. 5 per child per month, thereby bearing some of the
expenses of education. The project organises Villagers Meeting at the
end of every month in all ASHA-sponsored schools.
It was heartening to note an awareness for the importance of good
teaching skills. Teachers training is fixed for the fifth of every
month where teachers ask questions to a "resource person" and discuss
their problems. It would be useful to find out whether the teachers
come from the local population.
Another interesting feature of the half-yearly report is the effort
put into providing data on the demography of the 12 villages. They
also provide information on how far the closest government school, the
bus stop and the government hospital are, and the number of students
who go to the government school. The report also includes some pretty
pictures from 6 of the schools. They are going to send a video
cassette of the organisation soon.
On the financial front, the project had used up 78% of the funds in 5
months with another month to go. They have now asked for the second
installment of the funding. Their performance and method are indeed
very striking. It seems appropriate to continue support for a project
of this nature.
Trip Report
-----------
Group: Prerana, Raichur, Karnataka
Volunteer: G. Ramkumar
Date of visit: March 4th, 1995
Raichur district is an extremely backward area in Karnataka near the
A.P. border with a literacy rate of about 17%. A large number of
villages do not have any educational facilities all. While the
Government is constitutionally required to set up schools in these
villages, this has not happened for reasons of lack of funds,
inaccessibility of the villages, and so on.
Prerana, along with a sister group called R-Reach, has come up with an
innovative scheme to provide impetus to the process of setting up
Government schools in school-less villages. The idea is to start out
by setting up schools there (modeled on Government schools) supported
partly by external assistance and partly by local villagers.
Fortunately,
the villagers are extremely enthusiastic about seeing their kids go to
school are usually very willing to join this scheme to support the
school. The next step is to pressure the Government to setup a school
in their village. The scheme envisages that within about 1 1/2 years
of first setting up the school, the Government can be persuaded by
villagers to take over the running of the school.
I visited the project headquarters of Prerana and R-reach in Raichur,
as well as one of the villages where a school is being run in the
above fashion. The project leader Mr. Pramod Kulkarni has impressive
credentials, and seemed very sincere and dedicated. He was very
forthcoming and insightful, and gave me a very positive feeling about
the project. The village I visited was in the interior of the district
(not connected by a pukka road), and R-Reach seemed to have put in
considerable effort in setting up a school there. It seemed to be
running effectively, and the children were very enthusiastic about the
school. More details about this trip appear later on.
Project Summary
---------------
Start schools in 12 villages in Deodurg Taluka in Raichur District.
Current Proposal
----------------
Number of Children: roughly 360-400
Funding required: Rs. 120,000 =~ $4,000 per year for 3 years.
Funding required per kid per year: about Rs. 300 =~ $10 per kid
(I believe this compares very well with our other projects)
Note: Also asked for support from C.A.D.A. (?) Govt Agency.
If approved, funding will be used to run extra villages.
Past Experience
---------------
In 1993-94,
Number of villages covered by R-reach: 6
Number of R-reach schools converted into govt schools: 2
Number of R-reach schools running currently: 4
The project seems to be very well-conceived - and it has an innovative
idea by which the Government is *involved* in the process of improving
literacy in the area. It is involved in the sense that the school that
is started is fairly quickly "converted" into a Government
school.
*** Given that we can provide very limited funding, i believe that's
an excellent model for other projects to follow!!! ***
Details on the trip
-------------------
Raichur is about 5 hrs drive away from Hyderabad where I was for most
of my stay in India. A couple of friends accompanied me on the drive
to Raichur. The drive is quite pretty - passing through some hilly
areas and then some rather dry parts of Andhra Pradesh and
Karnataka. We were into Raichur just after we crossed the Krishna
River which delineates A.P. from Karnataka.
We first visited the Prerana headquarters in Raichur town. The
coordinator of the project is Pramod Kulkarni. He graduated from
IIM Ahmedabad and joined a nation-wide group called Pradan which
strives to provide incentives for qualified people to get involved in
the development-sector in India. His projects for Pradan was based in
Raichur, and it was on irrigating land around the Krishna River.
Recently, he has been putting in effort into helping the
underprivileged children in the Raichur district. He has been running
a project with the goal of sending platform children back to their
families. This project has been quite successful - he has been able to
convince about 200 children to move out of the platforms back to their
abodes.
The project that ASHA is considering funding is proposed to be run
jointly with R-Reach, a sister organization run by Mr. Mohd Saleem, a
colleague of Kulkarni.
We also visited the R-Reach headquarters in Raichur. Saleem had
put in considerable effort in displaying a table of all the villages
that still remained school-less in Deodurg Taluka, the ones where
he has schools running, and the ones in which he plans to setup
schools with assistance.
Kulkarni and Saleem described to us the entire scheme, and
some of the problems in running schools in the area. The main problems
are.. a) finding teachers (in the past this has been somewhat
difficult but manageable) from neighboring villages, and b) dealing
with caste-based discrimination of kids in the schools. The latter
problem is more serious, and they deal with it by making it extremely
clear to the village that discrimination will not be tolerated and
that any sign of segregation of school-kids is dealt with by immediate
closure of the school.
We then traveled to the village in which the school is run. It was a
very interesting experience. The village is approacheable only by a
"cross-country" ride going on sand and rock across a dry and parched
landscape. Kulkarni took me on an adventurous roller-coaster ride on
his motor-cycle lasting 15 minutes and covering about 4kms. The
village, MalaDoddy, is 1.5km from the A.P. Karnataka border, and does
not have a government school. There is a school there run by R-reach
(currently using funds from the govt agency C.A.D.A.). The village is
very backward and the population (about 40-50 families) subsists on
tobacco crops that are grown in the neighborhood.
The moment we entered the village, there was some commotion, and the
children, and a few of the elders gathered together near the Mukhiya's
residence. Kulkarni and Saleem commanded a lot of respect from the
villagers, and the villagers were very keen on finding out from them
about the status of the school in their village. And oh boy, the
children are smart! The moment I take my camera out, they stand in
line and pose, without my having to tell them what to do! :-)
Given the context, it was most opportune for Kulkarni to explain to
the villagers that "this man" (pointing to me) arrived from Hyderabad
representing "a group of students" who want to help the villagers
support their school. Any mention of U.S. and ASHA would have
most likely met with empty stares :-)
We stayed at the village for a few hours and talked with the
villagers. We were served some excellent tea! Fortunately, the Mukhiya
spoke Telugu, (my language) so that I got to speak to him and learn
that the school was running very well and that he was trying to
contact the local MLA to convince the government to set up a school
there. He seemed determined to get the government school set up in the
near future.
We then left from the village, and took leave from Kulkarni and
Saleem. They want us to let us know sometime in April about our
decision on funding the project. My friends and I then went to a local
temple (Mantralayam) before we headed back to Hyderabad.
It was a very nice experience being at this project site and learning
about the inner workings of an ASHA project.
Group: Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra
Location: B R Hills, Mysore District, Karnataka, India
Contact:
In India: Dr. Sudharshan
Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra
BR Hills 571441, Yelandur Taluk, Mysore Dist,
Karnataka
Phone: 08226-84025-80125
In USA: Veena Viswanath
1946, Deerpeak Drive
Hacienda Heights
CA-91745
Phone: 213-730-0023
e-mail: viswanat@molbio.usc.edu
Description:
The project is located in the Biligiri Ranganna Hill range in the Mysore
district in the southern state of Karnataka. The project is managed by
a group called the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra, whose chief
idealogue Dr. Sudarshan is the recipient of numerous national and
international awards; the most recent being the Right Livelihood Award
(also called the alternate Nobel Prize for Social Work).The project is
catered for the Soliga tribals numbering over 50,000.The project started
in 1980 is involved in health, community development, and education.
The chief departments of the project are as follows:
1. Health Care Centre for the tribals - established in 1979 and actively
used for immunisations and health care and education
2. Educational Centre - a school with formal and non-formal education.
3. Vocational Training Centre - deals with training young tribal men and
women for utilization of forest products which is the chief source of
livelihood of the tribals, without harm to the ecosystem. A self
sufficient body whose profits go into the educational system.
4. Forest Biodiversity Centre - to study and maintain the biodiversity
of the forest under management of the Soligas.
Source: Group is well known in Karnataka and elsewhere and has
had articles written about it in national newpapers.
Brought to Asha-L.A.'s attention by Veena Viswanath.
Funding: $ 1500 Per year.Renewd contingent upon performance.
June,1997 $ 1500(through ASHA-5)
November,1997 $ 3236(through fundraising
efforts)
Total $ 4736
ASHA-5: Prof. G.K.Suryaprakash, Prof.Chand Joshi and Asha Joshi,
Jairam Kamath, Prasanna Vaidya and Dr.Shankarnarayanan
and Dr Malathi all contribute $300 every year
Status: Funded $4736 in a year for educating children in the
remote hamlets of BR Hills for whom the local schools
are
too far off.The teachers go and visit the hamlets to
teach
the children.The project is also being helped in its
Vocational training program.
Action plan 98: Assist the school in expanding its vocational training
program.
Help hire teachers for adult education program.
Include new volunteers who are showing interest and
enthusiasm for the project.
Arrange for some Japanese groups who have shown interest
to visit the project for internships.
Setup trust fund through individual and corporate
sponsorships (Nathan, Arathi)
_______________________________________________________________________
Project Proposal for VGKK
-------------------------
1. Information on the Organization
Name : Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra
Address : B.R. Hills, Yelandur Taluk,
Chamarajanagar Dist., 571441, Karnataka
Location: B.R. Hills
Email : vgkk@bg1.vsnl.net.in
Ph. no. : (08226)84025 Grams "VIVEKA"
Contact : Dr. Sudarshan
a) When was the organization started?
b) Philosophy of the organization
VGKK is a nonsectarian humanitarian organization committed to the ideal
of
"service of God in Man". It caters particularly to the needs of the
Tribal
people in the talukas around B R Hills.
c) Objectives
* To make tribal people realise the dream of a self-reliant, united and
progressive tribal community.
* To elicit latent human potentials of tribals through empowerment,
health,
education and training, keeping intact their intrinsic values.
d) Description of the programmes taken up so far
* Primary, Higher Primary and High School - benefitting nearly 500
children
* Pre-University course (Arts)
* Non-Formal Schools in remote forest villages for 200 children
* Hostel for 160 children and 40 youth
* Industrial Training Institute
The programmes taken up are in Health, Education, Vocational Training
and
Community organization. Also traditional medicine, environmental
awareness,
biodiversity inclusive of its entrepreneurship components have been
taken up.
The education programme is further enhanced by some more innovative
programmes in tune with the tribal culture, such as traditional
medicine,
conservational medicinal plants and revitalisation of local health
traditions
Bio-diversity conservation inclusive of sustainable harvesting of minor
forest produce, processing of m.f.p (?) and herbal medicines, and
sustainable
agriculture consisting of organic farming and conservation of
traditional
seeds. Tribal housing, participation in tribal cooperatives are a few
other
programmes which are being persued.
e) How are the present projects funded?
f) Do you have government of India clearance for receiving funds from
organizations abroad?
2. & 3. Information on the project
----------------------------------
a) Beneficiaries
----------------
In Karnataka, Tribal people constitute an important part of the total
population. According to the 1991 census, the tribal population of
Mysore dt.
(before creation of new districts) is 1,02,102 which forms 4.71% of the
total
population. These people live in hilly tracts and forests in various
talukas.
The Tribes in Karnataka are known by different names such as Soliga,
Jenukuruba,
Bettakuruba, Yarava, Koraga, Hakkipikki etc. Many of these tribes are
nomadic or
seminomadic and some have settled down too in forests.
For many decades they have been living a life of uncertainity and
misery. It is
only during the past few years that some efforts have been made to
mitigate
their suffering. Thus amidst poverty, they still lived a life of peace,
but the
onslaught of changing times was soon felt on their isolated existence,
making it
impossible to continue their traditional way of life and left them an
easy prey
for the exploits of the modern world. These people found themselves
strangers in
their own home.
Their misery was compounded by the fact that they were deprived of
education;
neither could they stand up to the competitive world with its
challenging
socio-economic make up. In this back drop, they could not even count
upon the
forest much, except work as labourers.
(From the budget estimates, it looks like the no. of students who will
be taking
the forestry course is 25 and the no. of people benefitting from the
tailoring
training is 10 - Ravi)
b) The goals of the entire project
----------------------------------
Project 1: Forestry course
--------------------------
It is proposed to start a two year forestry course after 10th std., in
the
pattern of 10+2. The medium of instruction is Kannada. A simple two
years
course syllabus, suitable for the 10th passed students has been prepared
in
Kannada. (translation available - contact Ravi - ravi@cdsp.neu.edu)
The following salient features of the place and background make it ideal
for
setting up of the forestry course
* B R Hills has rich bio-diversity and it is located at the confluence
of
Eastern and Western Ghats.
* Tribal people, by intuition have rich forest knowledge and wisdom.
They have a
culture and such intrinsic qualities that closely relate to Nature and
makes it
easy for them to absorb the spirit. Tribal students are extremely
interested to
learn forestry. Ultimately this results in conserving forest.
* VGKK is located in a forest area; practical lessons can be done with
ease.
The institution is well equipped with infra-structure such as building,
lab,
herborium and Ethno Medicinal Forest with an experimental plot of 15
acres.
* In addition to teachers qualified in forestry, the local knowledge and
wisdom
can be used with the help of elders.
* Majority of people do depend upon forestry; about 60% income of many
tribals
depends on collection of NTFP (non-timber forest produce)
How the course would be useful:
------------------------------
* Tribals will shine in their subject of interest and will do better
than any
other group.
* The people being very poor, it would help to get better jobs in forest
work
than serve only as labourers.
* The forestry course will enlighten the tribals about forest policy,
land
regulations, conservation etc.
* The tribal knowledge can be made use of for the humanity.
This would justify Forestry as there are already JOC (?) courses in
Engineering,
Agriculture, Horticulture etc. in the state but no forestry course
anywhere in
the country.
Expert guidance
---------------
VGKK has been able to get the expert guidance of senior forest
officials,
experts from education field and also from the Agriculture and other
sciences.
Project 2: Industrial Training Institute at B.R.Hills
-----------------------------------------------------
An academic degree would not be relevant to the tribal youth as they
find it
difficult to get jobs. These youths have the potential abilities to
learn the
skills of Industrial Training Institute.
With the above in view, we have proposed to set up an Industrial
Training
Institute to train the tribals in the art of Tailoring.
4. Budget
---------
Budget estimate for the 2-year residential Forestry course:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Recurring Expenditure:
a) Salaries: Lecturers - @ Rs. 2500 x 2 x 10 Rs. 50,000
b) Hostel expenses - @ Rs. 350 x 25 x 10 Rs. 87,500
c) Books & Stationary - @ Rs. 400 x 25 Rs. 10,000
d) Administrative cost - Rs. 2,500
Total Budget for one year Rs. 1,50,000
For two years - Rs. 3,00,000
The budget estimate for the ITI proposal
----------------------------------------
Recurring expenditure
Salaries
Principal (part time) @ Rs. 300 x 1 x 12 Rs. 3,600
Instructors @ Rs. 1200 x 1 x 12 Rs. 14,400
Maintenance Expenditure
a) Food Charges for 10 candidates @ Rs. 350 x 10 x 10 Rs. 35,000
b) Books and Stationary @ Rs. 100 x 10 Rs. 1,000
c) Raw Materials @ Rs. 400 x 10 Rs. 4,000
d) Administrative Cost Rs. 2,000
Total budget for one year Rs. 60,000
For two years Rs. 1,20,000
5. Other information:
---------------------
Achievements - a bird's eyeview:
--------------------------------
As regards progress, people's health has improved over years as can be
seen by
the statistics (?), while child health also received a big boost by
decrease in
infant mortality and increase in the nutritional status of children.
Education
which was hardly confined to 3% of the children has now reached all
children in
villages covered by the Project. Pre-University College and ITI have
been added
to facilitate higher education.
The work of VGKK has won international acclaim by the Right Livelihood
Award,
also known as alternate Nobel Prize: Dr. Sudarshan is a recipient in
1994. The
"Parisara" award and Award for Primary education have also been given to
the
organization by the Karnataka State Government.
In education, the following achievements have been made:
* Formal education for 450 children at project school and Non-formal
education
for about 300 children at 4 remote hamlets.
* cleanliness of the school, hostel and other works maintained by
students
themselves as a matter of self-help.
* Biodiversity knowledge, environment and ecology awareness, observation
of
plants, animals and birds.
* cultural programmes depicting tribal culture and insight.
* Training in games, promoting indigenous games such as hill climbing,
identification of plants.
* clay work and handicraft work.
* Sky observation, science play room and scientific temper.
* good attendence (95%) children come to school by themselves, earlier
they
needed lot of motivation.
* leadership development.
* Excellence in sports. the project school achieved championship at the
Taluk
level.
* Environment and biodiversity books for children prepared by our school
teachers; also textbook in Soliga dialect and another book on Tribal
culture
prepared under the auspices of District Primary Education Project.
* Awareness to parents given by school children on "Pulse Polio" by
taking
jathas (foot march) and village discussions.
* A record result of 96% success obtained in the 7th std. public exam
(1997);
the girls secured 100% result. Fairly good results obtained in SSLC and
PUC
exams also.
* About 300 children have come upto postmatric level so far; three youth
studying in MSc/MSW and one girl in MA at the district.
Helping the Soligas to create their own destiny
Dr. Hanumappa Reddy Sudarshan creates hope in the hills
Much as India Together will highlight the areas of need in our
country, equally we shall profile the humanitarian successes of
our nation, exemplified in the lives of extraordinary people.
Dr.Hanumappa Reddy Sudarshan stands tall in any collection
of such individuals, and we begin our profiles of cherished lives
with him, and his work among the Soliga tribals of Mysore's
Billigiri Rangana hill tracts.
When Dr.Sudarshan first set out into the hills, he had little
idea of where his choice would take him. At first, he ventured
out offering cures to various illnesses of the forests like
snakebites and attacks by wild animals, as well as the more
usual maladies, like leprosy, water-borne illnesses, and
blindness. As more and more people sought his services, he
quickly shifted to preventive medicine and habits, hoping to
ward off the diseases that struck down people before they had a
chance to set in. With just one assistant, he set about
establishing various programs in the forest that have each
grown to fruition amazingly.
In the 20 years he has worked with the Soligas, Dr.Sudarshan
has achieved remarkable feats, far beyond any that government
efforts could ever have. Consider this: his medical team has
brought incidences of leprosy down from 17 per 1000 people to
less that 0.3, hard water epilepsy has been nearly wiped out by
reeducating the Soligas about hygiene. A housing program
initiated by him has provided homes for over 200 families that
earlier lived in makeshift huts. Low-cost cataract operations,
funded by supportive donors, have ensured that hundreds of
poor now have little fear of going blind prematurely.
Along the way, Dr.Sudarshan has retained many tribal
moorings which give the Soligas their identity. He has
incorporated tribal medicine into his own practice as well as at
nearby hospitals. The school for the Soligas, boasting one of
the lowest drop-out rates in the state, teaches not merely the
skills of the modern world, but much about the resources of the
forest as well. Students from the trappings of tribal poverty
have found their way into the urban world of universities and
professionalism, and true to the spirit of service which got
them there, they have returned to serve the tribals as doctors or
in the Forest Services.
Dr.Sudarshan has also maintained an integrity of purpose in his
service which is exemplary. Drawing no income for his services,
he maintains a modest lifestyle supported by well-wishers and
donors. When the Swedish parliament awarded him the Right
Livelihood Award for 1994, Dr.Sudarshan donated the entire
$86,000 award to the betterment of the Soligas. Drawn deeply
into the lives of the people he serves, the doctor stood his
ground in protest when the Soligas were dispossessed of their
land by the government. Despite being arrested for this, he
refused to yield, and went on an indefinite fast instead, at
which
the government quickly backtracked.
It is an enduring irony of genuine public service in India that
at
a later date, Dr.Sudarshan has been honored by the same
government for his contributions to the Soligas. The
Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra, which he set up in 1981,
has blossomed into a tribal upliftment program with few peers
anywhere in the country. It has the complete support of the
government of Karnataka, and functions with the autonomy
needed to be effective. For his part, from the very founding of
the Kendra, the doctor assigned himself only supportive roles,
leaving much of the decision-making authority to the Soligas
themselves, and later to neighboring tribes as well.
As with so many others who have served the downtrodden,
Dr.Sudarshan has achieved much by trusting the Soligas to be
capable of creating their own destiny, needed only the support of
others and encouragement. As his fame has spread, the doctor
has received support from around the world. ASHA-LA
conducted a fund-raising drive for his efforts, collecting over
$3000 in short time.
Subramaniam Vincent
Dr.Sudharshan's work is supported by the
ASHA chapter at Los Angeles. Asha-LA's
website has more information about this
project as well. Tax-free contributions can also
be made. To support Dr.Sudarshan's work,
contact
Dr. Sudharshan
Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra
BR Hills 571441, Yelandur Taluk, Mysore Dist,
Karnataka
Phone: 08226-84025-80125
or
Veena Viswanath
1946, Deerpeak Drive
Hacienda Heights CA 91745
Phone: 213-730-0023
e-mail: viswanat@molbio.usc.edu
NGOs in and around Bangalore
BANGALORE
Abala Ashraya Sangha
No.4-B, 4th St.
Behind St.Mary's Basilica
Shivajinagar
Bangalore 560 005
Ph: 286 9263
Need: Building or site in Bng to operate
Abhivruddhi
B-8, C-1, I Floor, Unity Bldngs,
J.C. Road, Bangalore 560 002
Ph: 222 6921, 546 9541, Fax: 223 9394
Need: 15-20 seater van, cash
Abilities, Resource Center for Disabled Persons
3439, 4th Cross, II Stage,
Indiranagar, Bangalore 560 038
Ph: 525 2480, 525 0437, Fax: 525 2480
Need: Books, cash, audio tapes
Afcare Organisation
Pushkara, 281, 100 ft Road
BSK III Stage, Bangalore 560 085
Ph: 669 3788
Need: Cash, equipment, land, vehicle, volunteers
'Aid the Ailing' Association
214/1, 13th Cross, 2nd Main
Malleswaram, Bangalore 560 003
Ph: 334 6521
Need: Cash
ASHA, Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism
S-123, Kirloskar Colony, III Stage, IV Block
Basaveswaranagar, Bangalore 560 079
Ph: 349 2633, Fax: 225 8103
Need: Cash, volunteers-craftsmen, teachers, publicity
Asha Niketan
53/7 Bannerghatta Road
Bangalore 560 029
Ph: 547 6878
Need: Cash, materials for new home for mentally handicapped,
marketing of products
Al-Ameen Women's Wing
Al-Ameen Education Complex
Devarajeevanahalli, Bangalore 560 045
Ph: 546 3408, 546 5486
Need: Old furniture, cash, books, building construction equipment,
service minded and specialised medical consultants and
administrators for hospital
Anglo Indian Guild, St. Mary's Orphanage
II Cross, D'Costa Layout
Bangalore 560 084
Ph: 546 5723
Need: Books, cash, clothes, fees, uniforms
Bangalore Hospice Trust
C/o Indian Cancer Society
New Tippasandra Main Road
HAL III Stage, Bangalore 560 075
Ph: 525 4127, 528 4096, Fax: 525 8099
Need: Cash, medical equipment, medicines and dressing materials,
office equipment, volunteers
Bangalore Rural District Development Society
152, 7th Block, I Main Road
Koramangala, Bangalore 560 095
Need: Books-adult literacy, cash, medicines
Bazm-e-Niswan Charitable Trust
No.37, Muniswamy Road
Tasker Town, Bangalore 560 051
Ph: 286 0023
Need: Books, clothes, cash for ambulance or van, medicines, soaps,
spectacles, tonics, umbrellas
The Bethel Foundation
207 Centre Point
56 Residency Road , Bangalore 560 025
Ph: 559 7183/190, Fax: 559 7794
Need: Retired school teachers (preferably couples) to educate
children in remote villages, cash
Cancer Care
L-160, 8th Main, HAL III Stage
Jeevanbhima Nagar, Bangalore 560 075
Ph: President Birdie Prabhu 558 4210
Need: Cash, medicines, space for an office
Cancer Patients Aid Association
1330, I Floor, 13th Cross
Indiranagar II Stage, Bangalore 560 038
Ph: 525 1005, Fax: 553 7251
Cash, equipment, volunteers and skilled artisans
Cathedral Family Helper Project Trust
31/12, Loyola Layout
Victoria Road, Bangalore 560 047
Ph: 551 1299, Fax: 556 3787
Need: Books, cash, clothes, equipment, food
Cheshire Homes India
HAL Road, Bangalore 560 017
Ph: 526 6970
Need: Books, cash, clothes, food, medicines, volunteers
Child Fund Association
No 21, 7th Main Road, 4th Block West
Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 011
Ph: 648 176
Need: Cash for building an orphanage
Christoffel Blindenmission
559, 11th Main
HAL II Stage, Bangalore 560 008
Fax: 529 3880
Need: Committed opthalmologists
Compassion Unlimited Plus Action
257, I Cross, HAL II Stage
Indiranagar, Bangalore 560 038
Ph: 525 8429, 225 8769, 552 1036, Fax: 558 7172
Need: Cash
CRY-Child Relief and You
No.3, Stephens Road Cross
Frazer Town, Bangalore 560 005
Ph: 556 9355, 551 4952, Fax: 554 3458
Need: Cash, office equipment, stationery
Darshini Mahila Mandali
Thattaguppe, Bangalore (South) 560 062
Ph: 333 0335
Need: Books, cash, clothes, food
Dr R Prabhakar
No. 16, Chowdeshwari Krupa
Doddabommasandra, Chamundeshwari Layout
Vidyaranyapura Post, Bangalore 560 097
Ph: 838 2884, Pager: 9612-411532
Need: Medicines
Edna Charitable Society
K.Narayanapura, Bangalore 560 077
Need: Cash for school building
Empacs Charitable Society
15, M.G. Road, Bangalore 560 001
Ph: 558 7531
Need: Cash, sponsor a flower arrangement
Family Fellowship Society for Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services
30, 34th Main, Bank Officers House Building Cooperative Society
Layout
BTM Layout II Stage, Bangalore 560 068
Ph: 668 0670
Need: Books, cash, space for home, sponsorships for needy,
volunteers
Freedom Foundation
180, Hennur Cross, Off Hennur Road
St Thomas Town Post, Bangalore 560 084
Ph: 547 9766, 544 0134/5, Fax: 546 6293, 547 534
Need: Cash, clothes, food, medicines, toiletries
Friends of Camphill India
252, 2nd Cross,
Cambridge Layout, Bangalore 50 008
Ph: 555 4764
Need: Cash, volunteers
Home for the Mentally Retarded
25/3, 2nd Cross, 3rd Main Road, Aiyappa Temple Block
Viveknagar PO, Bangalore 560 047
Ph: 560 158
Need: Cash, food, sponsorships for games
Hope Foundation
2404, 16th A Main
HAL II Stage, Bangalore 560 038
Ph/Fax: 528 8819
Need: Cash, clothes, equipment, medicines, volunteers
The Humanitarian Hands Trust
Ramanashree Arcade
18 M.G. Road, Bangalore 560 001
Ph: 559 9333, 529 8877
Need: Chairs and beds
Jeevodaya
No. 17, 1st Cross, Ramaiah Layout
Kamanahalli, Bangalore 560 084
Ph: 546 1233
Need: Book, cash, uniforms, construction materials
Jerome Home Ozanam Centre
Pettigrew Street, Bangalore
Ph: Ethel Brito, Chairperson, 525 3243
Need: Cash, clothes, food, furniture, medicines, TV, compassionate
volunteers
Jyoti Seva Sangh, NBCLC
Post Bag 8426, Hutchins Road,
II Cross, Bangalore 560 084
Ph: 547 2369, Fax: 546 0194
Need: Books, cash, sponsors for children, volunteers
Karnataka Udaya Mahila Kshemabhivrudhi Sangha
No. 50, Kanteerava Nagar, Bangalore 560 096
Ph: 347 0738
Need: Books, cash, clothes, food, equipment
Karnataka Women's Development Centre
Kenchappa Layout, Chamundi Nagar
R.T. Nagar, Bangalore 560 032
Need: Cash, space to operate
Kids Mission of India
Post Box 9428, Sanjaynagar, Bangalore 560 094
Ph: 431 2340, 341 6258
Need: Cash, clothes, medicine
Living Light, Respite care for the blind
55-B, Bharathiyar Road, 5th Cross,
Ramaswamy Palaya, Bangalore 560 033
Need: Land-outskirts preferred, funds for building, like minded
people in government offices or private sector to help
identify jobs and recommend, reserve funds upto Rs. 20000 for
loans
Madhyam
No.1, 10th Cross, 10th Main,
Vasanthnagar, Bangalore 560 052
Ph: 228 1983, Fax: 225 6985
Need: Jobs for women, loans for school fees, 24-hr line and space
to deal with child sex abuse
Margadarshi, Association for the Handicapped
Flat 101, Block No.7, Shanti Apartments,
9th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 069
Ph: 644 402 (President)
Need: Cash, vehicles
Maria Seva Sangha
Villa Maria, 12, Rest House Road, Bangalore 560 001
Ph: 558 9066, Fax: 227 9617
e-mail: skyline@giasbg01.vsnl.net.in
Internet: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2960/villa.htm
Need: Cash, career guidance, furniture, linen, meals
Mitra Jyothi
M-138, Sector II, 9th A Main, LIC Colony
Jeevan Bhima Nagar, Bangalore 560 073
Ph: 528 8504
Need: Beds, Braille slates, cash, chair, clothes, table, cooking
and home appliances, utensils
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Youth Assn.
4/1, 4th Cross, 12th Main Road
Kempapura Agrahara, Bangalore 560 023
Ph: Chandra Mohan 661 2855 Ext. 436
Need: Books, cash, clothes
NAMS Snehasadan
28, Voderahalli Village,
Vidyaranyapura Post, Bangalore 560 097
Ph: Secretary N.M. Achankunju 839 5831
Need: Amenities, books, cash, construction materials, clothes,
food, sponsors for children
Navachetana
Ragam, No.210, Basavanapura Road,
Krishnarajapuram PO, Bangalore 560 036
Need: Cash
Nightingales Home Health Services
337, 4th Main, Opp. Bank of Baroda
Sadashivnagar, Bangalore 560 080
Ph: 334 0369, 334 3062
Need: Medical equipment, medicines, vehicles, volunteers (medical,
paramedical staff)
Outreach-Volunteers for Rural Development
109, Coles Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore 560 005
Ph: 554 5365, 551 1481, Fax: 554 8577
Need: Clothes, toys, educational toys
Parivartan
#3788, 8th Cross, 12th A Main
HAL II Stage, Bangalore 560 008
Ph: 529 8686
Need: Volunteers for counselling
Powers
3/18, Navashakti Complex, I Floor, Cambridge Road
Ulsoor, Bangalore 560 008
Ph: 566 218, 569 550
Need: Books, cash, clothes, scholarship for children, space to
work, stationery, volunteers
Prasanna Jyothi
141/103, Puttanahalli, Kothanur Village,
J.P. Nagar, 7th Phase, Bangalore 560 078
Ph: 669 4602, 647 4707
Need: Books, cash, clothes, food, volunteers to sponsor and love a
child
Pro Vision India
74, SBM Colony, Anandanagar,
Hebbal, Bangalore 560 024
Ph: 333 8864, Fax: 333 9339
Need: Cash for children's education, old clothes
Rabita
1/3, North Road, Cooke Town, Bangalore 560 084
Ph: 546 228
Need: Cash, construction material
Rays of Peace
Chellikere, Banaswadi Post, Bangalore 560 043
Ph: 544 0038
Need: Books, cash, clothes, food, sponsors for children's
education
Rotaract Club of Amigos
S. Martin Pratap, 68, Robertson Road,
Frazer Town, Bangalore 560 005
Ph: 554 7581
Need: Sponsor for projects, volunteers
Rotary Club of Bangalore South
170, Vasavi Temple Road
Visvesvarapuram, Bangalore 560 004
Ph: 660 5694
Need: Books, cash, volunteers
Round Table High School
Roopana Agrahara Village
Need: Books, cash, educational aids, food (uncooked)
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled
548, 12th Cross, 8th Main, II Phase
J.P. Nagar, Bangalore 560 078
Ph: 665 0389, 529 9333
Need: Books (PU and Degree), cash
Shamala Vidya Vardak Sangh
Nagawara, Arabic College PO, Bangalore 560 045
Ph: 546 2488
Need: Cash, volunteers
Shantinagar Sports and Welfare Association
C/o General Secretary, Ravikumar M.
Bank of Baroda, 66 M.G.Road, Bangalore - 1
Ph: 558 7909, 558 6137, Fax: 558 3202
Need: Books, cash, footwear, schoolbags, pencils, lunch boxes,
sports equipment
Siddha Yoga Dham
Siddha Loka, Bachenahatti Post,
Magadi Taluk, Bangalore rural dist - 562 120
Ph: 08118 45344
Need: Cash, food
Snehalaya
St Mary's Orphanage Complex, Da Costa Layout,
Cooke Town, Bangalore 560 084
Need: Cash, space to operate urgently
Society for Autistics in India
544, 16 A Main, 3rd Block,
Koramangala, Bangalore 560 034
Ph: 553 5281, 554 2734, Fax: 553 9795
Need: Cash, sponsors for newsletter, play equipment, volunteers,
land to develop centres and group homes
Society for Educational Exploration
Gurrappana Palya II Cross, Bannerghatta Road,
D.R. College PO, Bangalore 560 029
Need: Kannada books, paper for craft and writing, visiting
teachers in science, craft, pottery, tailoring
Society for Neglected Children
No. 4, 3rd Cross, Laxmi Devamma Block,
Ganganagar, Bangalore 560 032
Ph: 343 1590
Need: Books, cash, clothes, stationery
SOS Children's Villages of India
49, Hulimavu, SOS PO,
Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore 560 076
Ph: 664 9615, Fax: 663 7556
Need: Books, cash, clothes, food
Special Olympics Karnataka
No 25/3, 2nd Cross, 3rd Main, Aiyappa Temple Block,
Viveknagar, Bangalore 560 047
Ph: 560 158
Need: Sponsorship for equipment, banners, food, accommodation,
travel, stationery, T-shirts
Sports Council of Paraplegics
No. 262, 12th A Main, 6th Block,
Rajajinagar, Bangalore 560 010
Ph: 340 2684
Need: Cash, sponsorships for national sports meet, equipment
Sri Krishna Sevashrama Hospital
523, 10th Main, 45th Cross, 5th Block,
Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 041
Ph: 641 631, 648 898, 667 6870
e-mail: lakshman@giasbg01.vsnl.net.in
Need: Rs. 2500 sponsorship for beds
Srinidhi Charitable Trust
34, 8th Cross, R.K. Layout,
Padmanabhanagar, Bangalore 560 070
Ph: 660 1260, 661 3845, 337 7071
Need: Cash, volunteers, advertisements for voluntary blood donors
directory
Sumanahalli Leprosy Rehabilitation and Training Centre
Magadi Road, Bangalore 560 079
Ph: 348 5317, Fax: 838 2385
Need: Books, cash, clothes, food
The Association of People with Disability
Hennur Road, St Thomas Town PO, Bangalore 560 084
Ph: 547 5165, 547 0390, Fax: 547 0390
e-mail: ablehand@giasbg01.vsnl.net.in
Need: Cash, clothes, food, volunteers in education, computers,
communication, horticulture etc.
The Bangalore Friend-in-Need Society
3, Colonel Hill Road, Bangalore 560 051
Ph: 286 5519
Need: Appliances, cash, clothes, food, furniture, career guidance
The Hunger Project
34/58, Lakshmi Nilaya, 1st Floor, 2nd Main Road,
Vyalikaval extn, Malleswaram, Bangalore 560 085
Ph: 331 6363, Net: http://www.thp.org/thp
Need: Cash, volunteers
The Rotary - TTK Blood Bank
New Thippasandra Main Road
HAL III Stage, Bangalore 560 075
Ph: 529 3486, 528 7903
Need: Volunteers
T.V.Sangam
2, Dr.Rajkumar Road,
Prakash Nagar, Bangalore 560 021
Need: Cash, books and clothes for students
Vagdevi Trust, Centre for rehabilitation of speech and hearing
impaired
700/813, 1st C Main, 8th Cross
Girinagar II Phase, Bangalore 560 085
Ph: 622 830
Need: Cash, hearing aids and equipment, toys
Vathsalya Charitable Trust
2C/708, Sally Villa, II Cross, 1st Block, HRBR BDA Layout
Opp. Cosmopolitan Club, Banaswadi, Bangalore 560 043
Ph: 547 7360, 546 2749, Fax: 546 2671
e-mail: Vatsalya/bangalore@dart-mail.dartnet.com
Need: Cash, children's books, clothes, cot for newborns,
volunteers
VIP's Fellowship
589, Chinnamari Layout,
Hebbal, Bangalore 560 024
Ph: 343 7357
Need: Cash, jobs for the blind, volunteers
Vishwas
C/o ALMAK Marketing,
540/1, 9th Cross, 7th Block
Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 082
Ph: 663 4489
Need: Cash, place to operate, volunteers
Vrudhashram
19, Next to Khadi Emporium,
Kumara Park East, Bangalore 560 001
Ph: 334 9479, 287 7114
Need: Food, 200 litres milk/month, TV, solar plant, medicines
Women Innovative Talents Social Welfare Society
632, Ground Floor, III Stage, III Block
Basaweshwara nagar, Bangalore 560 079
Ph: 338 0066, 330 2926, Fax: 338 0066
Need: Greeting card sales
World Vision of India
41, 3rd Cross, Vivekananda nagar, Bangalore 560 033
Ph: 547 6382
Need: Cash, raw materials for tailoring like wool, cloth and
tailoring machines and expertise
Basavakalyan
Social Action for the Rural Development Organisation
Sarvodaya Housing Societies Colony
Near S.S. Khuba College, Basavakalyan 585 327
Need: Cash
BELGAUM
Sri Guru Basav Prasad Trust
Malabad, Athani Taluk, Belgaum Dist.
Ph: B.L. Patil 08289-51043
Need: Cash, food
Vimochana Devadasi Punarvasati Sangha
Athani-591 304 Belgaum Dist.
Ph: B.L. Patil 08289-51043
Need: Sponsors for children and equipment
CHANNAPATNA
Chickballapur
CSI Hospital
Chickballapur 562 101
Ph: 08156-72269
Need: Blankets, clothes, food, ultrasound scanner, volunteer
landscape artist, fruits, sweets on Thursdays for leprosy
patients
Farmers Development Agency
240, 1st Cross, Nagarathpet
Chickballapur 562 101
Ph: 08156-73108
Need: Cash, technical volunteers
DHARWAD
Vivekananda Mitra Mandali
Vivekananda Circle, Dharwad
Need: Wheelchairs
HALIYAL
Navachetana Health Centre
Yard Campus, Hawgi, Haliyal 581 329
Ph: 08383-87466
Need: Hospital, lab equipment, ECG machine, mobile X-ray
HASSAN
Blue Mountain Education Society
1400 Race Course Road, Hassan 573 201
Ph: 68622
Need: Books, blankets, cash, clothes, cots, food, medicine,
building repair material
HUBLI
The Karnataka Cancer Therapy and Research Institute
Navanagar, Hubli 580 025
Ph: 322 664
Need: Cash, food
KARWAR
Bapuji Grameena Vikas Samithi
Karwar 580 381 Ph: 6693
Need: Cash, student sponsorship, hearing aids
Karwar Rural Women and Children Development Society
Makeri-Shejwad PO, Karwar 581 306
Need: Cash
KOLAR
CREED, Siddhartha Clinic
Main Road, Manchenahalli 561 211
Gauribidanur, Kolar
Ph: 08155-8267
Need: Books, cash, uniforms, food
Vincentian Shelter
Orgaum PO, Kolar Gold Fields 563 120
Need: Food
MANDYA
Science Forum
Bandi Gowda Layout, I Cross,
Madhu Nivasa, Mandya 571 401
Need: Books, cash, uniforms
MYSORE
CARD-Centre for All Round Development
No. 602, 8th Main, 12th Cross,
4th Stage, T.K. Layout, Mysore -17
Ph: President 566 756 (Res)
Need: Books on computers, management, electronics & economics,
food, clothes, cash
Christian Women's Fellowship Education Society
Prashanth Shichuvihar, Kannada Primary School,
Rajendranagar II Stage, Kesare, Mysore 570 007
Need: Cash
Deepa
107, Srirampura Village,
Manandavadi Road, Mysore 570 008
Need: Books, cash, clothes, teaching aids, land and building,
volunteers to teach, complete formalities
Mysore Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation
MESCO ITI Building, Link Road,
N.R. Mohalla, Mysore 570 007
Need: Cash
NYVRUT
688, 12th Main Road, 4th Stage,
Thonachikoppal Extn, Kuvempunagar, Mysore 23
Need: Books for engineering, PG students library, coconut
saplings, cash
Smt Putteeramma Vishwastha Ashrama
Residential School for deaf girls,
308, Vidyaranyapuram,
Vishveshwaranagar, Mysore 570 008
Need: Stationery, sports equipment, teaching aids, chairs, tables,
office equipment, uniforms, sheets, towels, pillows
Sri Gokula Shikshana Samsthe Trust
P-2, Adichunchanagiri Road,
Kuvempu Nagar, Mysore 570 023
Ph: 60 328
Need: Classrooms, computers, typewriters, tables, chairs, benches,
stationery, sports equipment
RAICHUR
Prerana
Himgiri Complex, 1-5-138, Opp. Family Planning Assn. of India
Goods shed Road, Raichur
Ph: 251 213
Need: Shelter for runaway children near railway station,
educational aids, sports and games, cooking equipment,
volunteers
Vidyananda Gurukula Education Trust
Kuknoor 583 232, Raichur Dist.
Ph: 08534-88424
Need: Books and magazines, cash, clothes, food, furniture,
construction materials
TUMKUR
Abyudaya
15/1, Beside Employment Exchange,
KEB Road, Tumkur 572 102
Ph: 74676
Need: Cash
Our Lady of Lourdes Charitable Trust
Horapet, Tumkur 572 101
Need: Cash, uniforms, fees for schools
Karnataka Civil Liberties Committee (KCLC)
S. Ramakrishna
Advocate
9 Bathing Ghat Lane
Chickpet
Bangalore - 560 053
Provides legal assistance, investigates human rights abuses, supports
human rights legislation, etc.
Premaanjali Education Trust (Regd)
Gen. Secretary L V Ravi
C/o No 3, 2nd Floor, Main Guard Cross Road
Bangalore 560 001, INDIA
Phone: 91-80-579031, 91-80-573624
Premaanjali
No N-3, LIC Policy Holders' Colony
24th Main, I Phase, J.P.Nagar
Bangalore - 560 078
INDIA
Snehalaya-I/Snehalaya-II
(Address will be furnished later)
Provides long term care and education to orphaned, and destitute
children
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