Meeting Minutes
Asha Austin
01/07/2007

1. Radhakrishna Iyer presented on Sri Nityanada Swamy Educational Trust.
He just made 1st site visit.
•Sri Nityanandaswamy Education trust is a rural school located in a
village called Jigani ~15 Kms away from Bangalore outskirts.
•Teach classes from 1st-12th and have a strength of ~1200 students all together.
•Asha Austin supports the educational needs of 80 students. Mainly
consisting of books, uniforms and tuition. Many students very poor,
do not have sandals or shoes.
•We have the funds approved for year 2006-07 ready and are waiting for
their FCRA clearance.
•The school had applied for FCRA clearance in Sept. Still in progress.
•All instruction in English & Kannada.
•Company donated TV/DVD.
•They have 10-15 old computers running Win98. Not enough desks, chairs, etc.
•We might be able to donate DVDs, desks, chairs, etc.
•School started in 1960's. Old building is in poor shape. They want
to rebuild.
•New building w/ 18 classrooms constructed 3 years ago. New restrooms
also constructed.
•4 additional classrooms in progress
•They want to build 8 more classrooms.
•There is rift between local marble industries and community. They
typically do not employ locals due to labor relation problems. School
principal placed more responsibility on the local community for this
problem. School tries to place locals with the industry, but it is
difficult. Principal said jobs are generally available in the area.

Sanjeev indicated next visit should gather information on social and
economic conditions in the village to clarify the overall situation.
This is a slightly different project that most that Asha has supported
as it receives govt funding.

One path forward is to find out what is needed by the local industry,
so the gap between industry and locals can be bridged. For example,
if particular skills, certification, or education is required, that
can be made a part of the school curriculum.

2. Santhosh Padmanabhan presented on Banyan

Banyan (Chennai) was founded about 12 years ago and work with mentally
ill and destitute women. Asha is working with respect to occupational
therapy and vocational training.

Santhosh's visit focused on progress with employment and self-sustainability.
He took a video and talked to several people at the site.
During the site visit, the residents had a discussion on mental vs.
physical disabilities. For example, people with physical disabilities
or sickness are not discriminated against as much as people with
mental illness. There is a disproportionate stigma attached to mental
illness.

3. Misc

Sais will take up fund raising, Santhosh will help Gaurav with Projects.

ARC has taken off the harassment policy.