Vision Society ForInteractive Operational

Needs

History

• Started in 2002• Based around Varanasi, UP

– Mostly weaver families. Majority muslims• Very poor; further hit by slump in sari market• Lack of medical facilities; increasing TB cases

• Targeting girls in the 3-19 years of age– Social restrictions limit the access to

education (purdah system)

• Supported by Asha-UC (2003 – 04)

Organizers

• From the community; used to work with other NGOs in the past

• Alok Kumar Singh• Jagriti Rahi – coordinator

Objectives – I

• Raising literacy levels among girls• Functional Literacy

– Taught the importance and functioning of banks, railways, hospitals, post-offices and governments through field trips

– Increase awareness about health and hygiene issues

• Connecting to post-literacy and continuing education programs.

Objectives – II

• Vocational training for girls– Taught stitching, knitting, painting– Personal financial management

• Counseling parents to send their children to school

• Other activities – Republic Day, Independence Day celebrations– Cleaning of surroundings

• Increase motivation – students/parents will eventually pay for their education

Operational Model

• Classes in the afternoons or evenings– Timings to suit children – early mornings,

evenings– Students also work – stitching, weaving

• Space provided by community residents/teachers

• Discussions with older students on Saturdays– Cover topics like healthcare, family

planning

Curriculum

• Texts prescribed by Jamia Millia Islamia– Books cover all subjects (Hindi, Maths,

Basic Science, History, …)– Practical training

• Examinations conducted by the National Open School system

Centers

• Before 2002: One center at Badi Bazaar/Bunkar Colony; was being run by a volunteer

• 2002 – 2003: New centre at Vyaspur; not continued after most students enrolled in government schools

• 2003 – 2004: Added centre at Nakkhighat

• 2004 - 2005: Plans to start a new centre at Samera

Vyaspur

• Population of 1200– Muslims, Harijans, Patels

• Teacher: Savitri (B.A.)• 23 children were taught in 2002-2003

– 20 of them enrolled in formal schools

• The centre was not continued

Nakkighat

• Population of 5000– 60% Muslim weavers

• Flood prone area• Has a government primary school

– Only two rooms and four teachers; Located at the outskirts – parents wary to send children far

– 4-5% literacy rate; Worse for women

• Teacher: Mumtaz• 23 students taught in two locations

Nakkighat – achievements

• Important Achievements– 6 girls cleared class IV equivalent

• Future plans– Increased enrolment– Older women want to start an evening

school– Demand for starting vocational training

Bunkar Colony

• Current status– 20 students– 9 girls cleared Class V exams– Girls given vocational training

• Future Plans– Will become self sufficient in next 3-4

months: most girls earn and hence can pay for their studies

– Might still need support for teachers’ salary

• Teacher: Farida (B.A., B.Ed.)

Plans for 2004 – 2005

• New center at Samera– Saree weavers and daily laborers– Proposal to start a new center

• List of 24 interested students already available

• Regular Health Camps– Health checkup by doctors

• Focus: Women's health, TB in children

– Distribution of medicines– Increasing awareness

Impact on teachers & students• Teachers have shown a more

progressive attitude– Proactive in their learning– Self-managing

• Centers are outlets for expression• Students read a newspaper in class;

have become more aware

Budget for 2004-05

Expense Head Amount Requested

Explanation 2003-04

Honorarium for teachers

Rs. 36,000 Rs. 1,000 p.m. per teacher; 1 teacher per centre

Rs. 19,200

Honorarium for coordinator

Rs. 30,000 Rs. 2,500 p.m. Rs. 30,000

Study materials

Rs. 9,000 Rs. 3,000/centre Rs. 7,978

Transportation

Rs. 4,000 Field trips Rs. 3,000

Health care Rs. 6,000 Rs. 2,000/centre 0

Miscellaneous Rs. 3,000 Rs. 3,172

TOTAL Rs. 88,000 Rs. 63,500

Comments

• Accounts submitted to Vallabh from Asha-India on a quarterly basis; funds disbursed by Asha-India each quarter– No FCRA clearance; funds routed via Asha-

India

• Focus on functional literacy• Support from the community• Good interaction with kids; Alok

Kumar knew the kids by name• No formal financial records

Other requests

• Children, if provided with raw materials can make greeting cards, toys– Can be sold via Asha merchandise

• Would like to construct a room for the Bunkar Colony centre