GAZ - Gujurat Earthquake Relief Proposal

GAZ - Gujurat Earthquake Relief Proposal - Asha-Arizona

PROJECT: Gujarat Earthquake Relief Proposal

LOCATION: Bhuj Area Schools

GOAL: To utilize 50% of the WAH 2001 funds towards rebuilding the infrastructure in the Bhuj area schools and orphanages as a combined effort of Asha-Arizona, Asha-India, Asha-Yale and the Phoenix Indian Community.
HISTORY: On January 26, 2001, an earthquake devastated the state of Gujarat, India. Most hard hit was the villages of Bhuj, Anjar and Bhachau. The death toll rose to at least 20,000 people, with damages have overwhelming the region. While the area received a lot of immediate aid from around the world, it has been obvious that rebuilding this area will take several years and it is imperative that this area receives support and attention in the long term.
In early February 2001, the Phoenix Indian community, consisting of various organizations identified certain areas in and around Bhuj in which to concentrate their efforts in rebuilding infrastructure. At present, nearly $250,000 has already been raised by three organizations, with an established target of USD 1 Million by year-end 2001. At the end of the first quarter, 20% of the funds along with in-kind relief supplies were sent for the rebuilding efforts to the Bhuj area.
In March 2001, two Phoenix volunteers who hail from the area visited the disaster struck areas met with the people from two local high schools and the Anathashram. Through this site visit, they assessed the needs of the disaster-struck area. Additionally, the volunteers spoke with members of local NGOs and other organizations to pinpoint where help is needed most.
Based on this input from the Phoenix community as well as other Asha Chapters, the following six specific projects have been identified for WAH 2001:

1. Kutch Mahila Kalyan Kendra
Proposed by: Phoenix Indian Community
Description: A co-educational orphanage that previously housed 50 girls is now trying to accommodate more than 100 orphaned victims (both boys and girls) of the earthquake. Smt. Chanchal Gor is the primary contact.
Projected Need: Providing supplies and reconstruction of current facilities.

2. Indirabai Girls High School
Proposed by: Phoenix Indian Community and Navsarjan
Description: A government school in need of support to rebuild facilities. Currently, there are more than 2000 students attend the school and 62 teachers teach at the school. At present the school is being run in pre-fab rooms (14) (donated by Jain Sangtana from Pune, Maharashtra, India) and in the “tents”. The plan is to rebuild the school by end of May 2001 with funding most likely provided by government and others. Our contacts are Hemalatha Shah ( vice principal and Pratima Verma ( teacher).

Projected need: Assistance in rebuilding of over 60 classrooms and the science lab, home science lab and computer lab.

3. Bhuj Primary School
Proposed by: Phoenix Indian Community
Description: A primary school located in a slum area demolished by earthquake where nearly 400 underprivileged children attend.
Projected need: Assistance in rebuilding the school facilities.

4. Alfred Boys High School
Proposed by: Phoenix Indian Community
Description: A government school with more than 1200 students in dire need of support to rebuild facilities. This school has been neglected as compared to some others.
Projected Need: Assistance in rebuilding entire facility.

5. Rabari Village School
Proposed by: Asha-India
Description: A village school in the Rabari tribal community to be rebuilt.
Project Need: Details to be filled in by Asha-India

6. SEWA Proposed Reconstruction
Proposed by: Asha-Yale
Description: An area already established by SEWA as an area of need
Project Need: Details to be filled in by Asha-Yale and Richa (Asha –Berkeley) Richa@socrates.berkeley.edu

TEAM: The Gujarat Earthquake Relief project will be a combined effort on behalf of the three Asha Chapters, local NGOs in India, and the Phoenix Indian Community.

Primary Contact: Dr. B. Ramakrishna (Asha-Arizona)

Asha-AZ Project Coordinators:
Caroline Lobo (Asha-India contact)
Radhika Rao (Asha-Yale contact
Chirag Shah (Liaison to Phx Indian Community)
Roopal Patel (Asha-AZ contact)

Asha-India Project Coordinators:
Anil Sharma
Hina Chawda

Asha-Yale Project Coordinators: TBD

Phoenix Community Volunteers: Mahesh Kotwal , Raj Shah
India Association of Phoenix: Rano Singh
Gujarat Cultural Association of Phoenix: Bala Patel (Currently conducting a site visit in Gujarat to assess areas of most need)
Indo-US foundation: Gautam Shah and Mani Subra

Local Indian NGOs:
Navsarjan: Vijay Shah
Madhav Manjul Seva Trust: Madhavji Kotwal
Local NGO Coordinator: Dr. Naveen Thakkur, a Pediatrician who has been approved by WHO to coordinate local NGO efforts
FUNDING:
School Estimated Amount Needed
Kutch Mahila Kalyan Kendra $10,000
Primary School $10,000
Indirabai Girls High school $25,000
Alfred Boys High School $20,000
Rabari Tribal Community $10,000
SEWA $10,000
Total Estimated Amount $90,000

WEBSITE: Phoenix Indian Community: www.azindia.com
Asha-Arizona: www.ashanet.org/arizona
Asha-Yale: www.ashanet.org/yale
Asha-India: www.ashanet.org/india
SEWA:
Navsarjan:
FINANCIALS:
PHOTOS: PHOTOGRAPHS TO FOLLOW
FCRA STATUS:
Background on local NGO’s
NAVSARJAN: NAVSARJAN is a local NGO whose main focus is to help in the education of needy and the less fortunate children- a vision that is shared by Asha for Education. NAVSARJAN is currently focusing their efforts towards earthquake relief in the Bhuj area. The advantage of working with NAVSARJAN is that there is no administrative cost, well respected Trustees, volunteer work by trustee. Additionally, NAVSARJAN provides Asha with a local contact who can travel to the schools and interact with local businesses, the Gujarat Chambers of Commerce and other government agencies. This would help us get the funds to the schools in need as quickly as possible. Raj Shah of Phoenix and part of our team of volunteers for this project will be our liaison with Navsarjan.
Madhav Manjul Seva Trust: Madhavji Kotwal is a community leader who is dedicated to serving the needy. The trust he has founded is doing yeoman service to the community whenever it was needed. His son, Dr. Mahesh Kotwal, a Phoenix resident is part of our team of volunteers and has made a special visit to Gujarat to gain first hand knowledge of the needs. He will be our liaison for the primary school, Alfred school and the anathashram.