Asha Austin Meeting minutes 2/25/07

Venue: Santhosh's place

Santhosh, Murali, Pankaj, Ganesh, Bharath, Sharanya, Gaurav, Murali, Arvind R., Sais, Preeti, Bhavishya, Arvind V.

1. Gnanodhaya School - (Santhosh)

2. Asha SIksha Sansthan Site Visit (Gaurav)

1. Gnanodhaya School:

See previous meeting minutes for additional background on Gnanodhaya School, which is a school for the children of leprosy affected families. The project site has housing for about 50 families, school, and some land for agriculture. Initial infrastructure was set up and funded by a German group (DIK), who has also funded the recurring cost over the past couple years. Initially, surrounding community was not accepting of the leprosy affected families. Over time, this has changed and the community children also come to the school. Funding to cover the teachers costs and other recurring costs is required.

Some discussion was had regarding whether the school could be self-sustaining. Past experience indicates that it may not be reasonable to expect these schools to become self-sustaining. Some support is required from external sources. However, we should help them get additional sources of funding. Having some history of Asha funding gives credibility to the organization. Having local support gives more stability to projects.

Proposal received by Gnanodhaya School and reviewed. Request is below:

Recurring costs:

Cost of Food: 6,00,000.00

Lunch for dayscholars: 1,50,000.00

School Uniforms: 35,000.00

Non Uniform: 25,000.00

Electricity Charges: 72,000.00

Stationary etc.: 24,000.00

Teachers & Staff Salaries 6,00,000.00

Sub-Total Recurring: 15,06,000.00

One-Time:

Library Books: 50,000.00

Vehicle – 4 Wheeler: 6,00,000.00

Sub Total One Time 6,50, 000.00

Grand Total ( One Time + Annual ) 21,56,000.00

Questions:

Can we get funding amounts from existing / past donors?

Can we get more detail on food costs?

Details on teachers – ie names, years of experience, what they teach, & salary.

Regarding the vehicle – what do they do now for transportation? Can they find local support for this- ie contact Asok Leyland, or dealers etc.?

Double check electricity costs – last year was only about 30k, this year listed as 72k.

2. Asha Sikshan Sansthan Site Visit (Gaurav)

Located near Ballia, UP – Arvind Rao is steward

Very difficult to travel to, recommend going by train from Varanasi to Ballia

Sanjeev & Anita had visited previous December

School started in 1997, mainly catered to economically backward – no fees charged

About 150 children currently

Supported by SAC program

School is in center of village, surrounded by houses

Not government recognized, but they follow the govt. syllabus

Issues:

· Not an all weather facility – currently in temporary structure

· Teacher absenteeism is a recurring problem, new rules in place regarding max leave

· Some teachers want equal pay for all teachers regardless of experience, pay in general is a big talking point with the teachers.

· Coordinator' s authority is being challenged- perhaps bring in Vijay Bhai

· Very little community involvement

Questions:

Can they scout for land if we can support building a permanent facility?

Who is the land owner?

What other items are needed for the school, ie desks, toilet, etc.

Why is there no 6^th standard?

Can we get info on syllabus – not to evaluate, but for our own learning?