Asha Meeting

3/25/07

Attendees: Lalit, Anitha, Yasmeen, Tahsin, Ganesh, Sree, Seetha, Suman, Bharat, Pankaj, Gaurav, Arun, Ashwini, Murali, Ankur, Mohit, Ankur, Mihir

1. Vasundhara - Sree

- Project is currently being supported by Princeton. It is in Maharashtra. Started about 12 years ago. Emphasized the importance of laboratory experience

- It works in the Sindhudurg district

Sree gave an overview about the project and then addressed the questions which were raised in a previous meeting.

(Sree will email communication with the project to the group)

Q. What is the reason for lesser dropouts in the Sindhudurg district?

Q. What is the breakup for the material?

Q. What did they do with their old van?

A. (Vikas) The old van is yet with the project. It cannot be used for long distances. Maybe used for admin purposes now.

Q. What is the breakup of the running costs of vehicle?

A. (Vikas) Maintainance and fuel probably

Q. What are the other programs?

A. They do water-shed development. They fund it on their own. They coach some students for some NTSE.

Q. What is the expected support?

A. 2002-2005 we have supported $10,000. It has changed from 2005. We committed $7000 for this year.

Gram panchayat is not allowing the construction on the land. (Why?) The center they have is not permanent right now. They want to have a permanent center.

Q. What is the difference between teachers?

A. The difference is that some teachers are new and some are old.

Q.  How do the teachers work - in one/multiple shifts?

There are two batches. Vikas visited during the summer vacation so he did not have the exact answer. Srikant’s site-visit might be able to answer the questions.

Q. How many govt. and how many are govt. aided?

A. 90-95% of schools are govt. aided.

Balance sheet has been posted online on the Vasundhara website.

Q. Do the same teachers go to the same school for continuity?

A. (Vikas) Yes

Q. More details on the summer camps

A. Summer camps for schools which show more interest. For the student as well as the teachers. It is conducted in their center.

Q. Are the teachers full time? Even the junior teachers?

A. (Vikas) Yes

- Need pictures, video, curriculum for the two days they visit schools - middle as well as senior schools.

Murali - There is a very similar project in Tamil Nadu, where two hours are kept aside for this activity. This project is supported by AID. They leave behind a science kit which contains 30 odd experiments.

Q. What is the effort put in by the teachers?

Q. Are the experiments easy to make - can the kids make them?

A. (Vikas) Simple experiments using a balloon, strings, etc

Q. How do we make the program more effective?

Murali - Leave an experiment kit with the school

Vikas - They leave behind a booklet, charts, and small experiments.

- Need to follow up with Navnirmiti.

2. Vinod Raina’s visit to Austin - Ganesh, Arvind Rao, Mohit will help in the coordination.

Austin votes to bring in Vinod Raina sometime during May.  Preferred dates - 19,20,18.

Yes - 13, No - 0, Abstain - 1

3. Tribute to Jugal Bhuyan - Ankur

Santhosh and Ankur gave a brief introduction to the project.

- Jugal was a reformed rebel who renounced violence. He was granted amnesty by the government.

- He always had to fight the constant stigma and discrimination based on his background

- It took time for the community to believe in him and his good intentions. He finally did get recognition from the community and the media.

- Prajnalaya has a governing body which has take up jugal’s responsibilities.

o Suresh rajkhowa is part of the governing body.

o There are other 10-12 members from the local community

- Jugal and his wife stayed at the school and took over daily activities too.

o Ankur will find out who will take up his responsibilities in the hostel

o The school activities will be taken up by other teachers.

- Ankur will compose condolence message and all volunteers will sign it.

- We can help Prajnalaya with any immediate concerns.