MinutesFeb-10-2008

Sorry for the delay!
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Meeting minutes
Feb 10, 2008

Sapan, Madhurima, Amit, Anil, Barnali, Lakshmi, Milla, Bala, Ann, Sangita, Puneet, Jayanth, Pankaj, Ikhlaq, Jyoti, Digvijay, Hari

Agenda
I. Review of last year's financials and fund raising events
II. Parijat academy update
III. Asha fund raising event
IV. Guria proposal follow up

I. Financial Summary

• Current Balance Available is ~$60k for this year (Jyoti/Bala)
• We discussed planned disbursal for 2008.
• Rough estimate of all the budget proposals reviewed (AHEAD, ASEEMA, Gyandeep, Sahyog, Sahyog, Sevalaya, Sshristi, Vijaya,WAYASS, CRC, Gyanshakti)
• It seems we have enough funds to cover aforementioned disbursals.
• Spring Social (Anil)
• ASUC money to cover the admin cost
• ~$200 profit
• Spring Fest (Sangita)
• Booth Cost- $75
• Net Profit- $300
• WAH (Jayanth)
• Raised ~ $9000
• getting back ~$7000

II. Parijat Academy update (Digvijay)
Digvijay answered some of Qs we has last time-

• Vocational will start for the senior students of Parijat Academy not for kids in future.
• Mother tongue is Assamese.
• Budget is for Jan 2008-Dec 2008
• Hostel: 7 tribal children.
• Distance: 35 Kms, Provide food, lodging at Parijat Academy in a small separate room
• About desks and benches: in one set desk& bench 3 student can sit( 6 foot length).
• 2008: 50 sets desks and benches for 150 children (projected) ( Cost: Rs 1200/set)
• Transport: Avg. distance – 4 km, Mode – Walk or ride on bicycle, No bus service unavailable.
• Books: second hand ones from others school or from individuals for books, and teachers honorarium.
• Parijat Academy has applied FCRA prior permission to Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, New Delhi to receive the fund.
• In Assam the academic session starts from January- December.
• Site visit to Parijat Academy
• Mr Satyajit Nath (Asha Seattle) -January, 2008 first week.
• Mr Ankur Bora (Asha Austin) – Jan 2008
• Need: Rs. 115,200 = ~$2880
• 3 items: Salary of cook, Books & teaching Material, Benches and desks.
• Other chapters have supported Parijat Academy in past –
• four classroom construction - Seattle
• Middle School teacher salary - DC
• Pre Primary and Primary teacher salary - Atlanta
• Mid day meal and morning meal - Seattle

Action Required

• Talk to other volunteers who have visited this project
• Take their help, if possible, to have a phone conversation since emailing is difficult to get all answers.

III. Peddling Hope (Sid)

• Biking from Berkeley to La Jolla in 7 days
• Starting on May 29 2008 - June 4 2008
• Target is to raise $20k
• Sid is involved with Berkeley Film Dept to get a viral video (45-60sec long video)
• Will be posted on the Youtube
• needs to have Youtube link on Asha website
• Additionally, space on webpage to put 500 words description
• Link for donations

IV. Guria Project Proposal (Ann)

• Proposal is for building a new balwadi and non-formal education (NFE) center in the red light area, Mau district (UP).
• Mau is 90 km outside of Varanasi.
• 70 children living in and around the red light area who are not receiving education.
• Out of 146 women working in the red light area hardly 20 of them can make their own signature
• Issues effecting kids in red light area
• Lack of schooling
• Lack of healthcare
• Exposure to violence
• Disease, including HIV and Hepatitis
• Drugs
• Exploitation (sexual and otherwise)
• Forced migration and separation from family
• Sexual abuse
• Lack of alternatives to options outside red light
• Low self-esteem
• Guria helps with awareness, rehab etc. Project coordinator porivided lot more details on the success of Guria in that area.
• DC, NJ, Arizona funded them earlier

Total Budget

At the moment, they want to secure land for Balwadi. This money will help to lift the spirits of the community.
Vote was taken, and it was decided to fund the project for buying the land ($ 5000)

Action Required

Q (Digvijay) – Can we get an estimate of scale of this project? E.g. how many kids may be benefited from this Balwadi.
Q – What is their plan for construction? Securing land will not be enough. They should try to get funding for building this Balwadi.