Site Visit Report
 

By: S. Sundar Kumar Iyer
Date: 23rd-26th December, 2001

I stayed at the MS3 during the Asha conference held there in December, 2001. During this time, I was able to observed what has been accomplished over the last six months at the centre. I was also able to interact with the volunteers at MS3 and got to know their views better.

The main building in the Asha-Centre. The last session of the Asha conference in progress on 26th Dec. 2001.

There are three aspects to the MS3 project:

1. Teaching the 3Rs and helping migrant labourers' children with primary education at some of the construction sites in Kanpur.

Background: Since the children of migrant labourers moved with their parents in their search for a livelihood, they had little scope to get even basic education. They often grew up with few survival skills other than manual labour for construction work. In order to alleviate this, there were efforts in the past in the Kanpur area to hold classes at the construction site itself for the children. The concept of this Asha Centre grew out of this desire to provide life skills to the children of migrant labourers.

Present status: MS3 has continues to run classes for children of migrant construction workers at Kanpur at the construction site. On the last day of my stay at MS3, after the end of the conference, Deepak Gupta took a group of us to the construction sites where classes were in progress. Manoj was taking classes that day. Asha volunteers talked to the children and their parents. The class at the very least will help the children to learn to read and write and hopefully help them become less susceptible to exploitation in their lives. I also understand that MS3 volunteers counsel the parents (the migrant labourers) to help overcome day to day problems.

Students with Asha volunteers at the construction site class. Manoj of MS3(standing at left) was taking the class on this day.

Comments: I believe that MS3/Asha for Education should continue to support this effort. In my view, the ability to read, write and do basic arithmetic is more critical for survival in the new world-economic-order. So, any effort towards this is always welcome.

2. Training children of migrant / prospective migrant labourers with vocational skills so that they may not have to migrate from their villages.

Background: In order to strike at the root of the vicious cycle of migrant labour and subsequent exploitation - illiteracy - lack of life skills, MS3 has been trying to create a four-year programme for children from families of migrant labourers or prospective migrant labourers. The idea is that the young children will be exposed and learn vocational skills which they can learn in the time they spend at the institute. Once they graduate, they may want to go back to their villages and put their skills to practise. They could also train others interested in these skills and in turn help them sustain themselves. For those students who are interested, opportunities to continue education in the regular stream will be provided after their graduation at MS3.

Present Status: There has been significant progress so far. A syllabus has been created. The focus of the syllabus is life skills along with introduction to 'Jeevan Vidya', which is a philosophy of living that is expected to help achieve material contentment, mental happiness and social cohesion. I have a hardcopy of the syllabus with me. I have requested for a soft copy for posting in the asha_ms3_project eGroups.

Right now 17 students have joined the Sanstha. Most students are from Chattisgarh state (the origin of migrant construction workers in the Kanpur area). All except one is from a family which has migrated in the past. The idea was to have a student-strength of 10 students per year. It was anticipated that not all the 17 students admitted would stay, but so far no one has dropped out.

Comments: As part of the MS3's efforts, I believe, it is important to provide opportunity for children who want to pursue higher studies in the mainstream education system after graduation. The availability of this option should also be explained to them right from the beginning.

The course is originally envisioned for children from migrant labourer families, both in Kanpur and in Chattisgarh. Although in the present batch, their number is few, it is expected that the students who return to the villages can pass these skills to the likely-to-migrate-in-search-of-jobs families.

Questions and concerns were raised that not much opportunity was there for games and sports for the students. I understand from my conversation with Deepak recently that the children have started playing football every day.

Since none of the students have left so far, it means that the acceptance rate among the students is higher than was anticipated. In some ways, this is a sign that the students like being at the centre.

So far all the students who stay at the centre are boys. The issue of accommodating girls was raised during our discussion. In principle, the centre is not against it. This will be practical only after further infrastructure improvement takes place and more women faculty join MS3.

I have not fully comprehended 'Jeevan Vidya' and must confess at not being able to objectively evaluate its fundamental assumptions. But to the first order, I do not find anything objectionable with this philosophy. From what I understand, the philosophy's primary goal is to promote harmony and happiness; the proponents of the philosophy do not force it on people; and the followers of this philosophy whom I have met, in their personal conduct and life are exemplary. Hence, I personally see no objection to this philosophy being the basis of the syllabus - although I would be happy if students are exposed to different philosophies/views to life too at various points of time during their stay at MS3.

During discussions with MS3 volunteers, I felt that they are open to suggestions and are willing to evaluate any issue, including their own points of view.

3. Economic activities within MS3 to make it self sustaining

Background: One of the main goals of this MS3/Asha Centre is that it should become self-sustaining by being involved in economic activities within the Sansthan. Honey production, dairy, ayurvedic medicine production, carpentry, agriculture and software development are some of the activities at the Sansthan in pursuance of this goal. These are also the skills to which students at the Sansthan are being exposed and trained.

Present Status: Bee-keeping / honey extraction activity is most successful. In pure business terms, this activity is bringing in most of the money. They want to increase the number of honey boxes from 26 to 100 boxes.

More ayurvedic medicines are planned. From the current 6 products, 20-25 products are envisioned. Eight more cows have been bought (a total of 10 now). Agriculture is being carried out in lands adjoining the centre. The owner of the land has allowed it to be used by the Sansthan. The computer group has also been developing software. One of the projects is to create children's literature in Hindi (and other Indian languages) to be sold in CDs. DP Prakash will have more updates on that.

Funding is needed for the next year to cover expenses

• Health insurance and emergency treatment of the residents of the centre (Rs. 50,000).
• Travelling expenses to and from Chattisgarh for children and parents (Rs. 50,000).