Sumangali
Aug. 20th,
2003
Email
Update
Srinidhi
Sumangali:
Project is no longer active. We've funded them for 2 years,
supported
about 10 children. Sumangali was involved in a political
controversy
about a minister in the state govt adopting a girl without the
guardians'
permission. We've had two site visits since (Melli and Ravi
from
AID) and they have been satisfactory. We haven't continued to fund
them
because we do realize they are a big organization with a budget of
over
Rs. one crore (Rs. 100,00,000.00) and are able to raise funding
through
other sources.
-----------------------------------
Sumangali
--
Nov.19,
2000
Melli
A.
Melli
discussed her recent site visit to Sumangali Seva Asharama in Bangalore.
and
Melli's write up at http://www.cs.purdue.edu/homes/man/sodwacsumangali.html
We are
considering a renewal request by them for $2000 (Rs. 88,000).
Asha-Boston
has given $2000 for the year 1999 to support 12 orphans out of 62. These funds
are used for clothing, food and other expenses. The 50 children we don't
support are given gov't funding of Rs. 125 per month; and the 12 children we
support are given Rs. 550 per month.
Melli
pointed out that Sumangali is quite adept at getting funding from the gov't and
from other sources. They do a lot of state-funded projects with an annual
budget of Rs. 1 Crore.
Srinidhi
once again summarized the controversial subject of adoptions, in particular the
situation with media covered "adoption" of one girl, Sumitra, by a
minister in Karnataka gov't. See Joydeep's minutes of the July 30, 2000 meeting
sent to asha-boston@egroups and also see Ravi's write-up on this issue at
http://www.ashanet.org/mit/Public/www/Projects/sumangali/visits/ravi.html
Melli
emphasized that she believes that after this controversy, all adoptions have
been stopped at least for the next couple of years. So, previous adoption
policies are irrelevant for now. Although, Anu was not happy with this. She
probed Melli on why she believes this, given that Gayathri (an Asha-Bangalore
volunteer) was not too thrilled with Sumangali.
Also,
the question of whether Sumangali needs our money now, given that they have
other resources, was discussed. Joydeep maintained that we should fund only
"grass-roots" organizations and Sumangali is no longer grass-roots
since they are not in a remote area or dealing with highly marginalized people,
and they have alternative resources.
Ananth
then argued that we should not penalize the 12 children we are supporting, just
because the organization is good. We are giving money specifically for these
kids and not to Sumangali. Also, any extra money they have after they spend on
these kids, that money can be used for the other 50 kids, who are getting lower
support level (Rs. 125 as supposed to Rs.550) from the gov't.
Melli
also pointed out that we had almost decided to renew their request pending the
adoption policies at the last meeting on Sumangali and she is quite satisfied
with the work they do currently.
Finally,
it was decided to renew funding for the 12 children. We will give them $1000
and maintain a close contact and checkup using Asha-Bangalore resources. We
will ask Asha-Bangalore to check on Sumagali at least every 3 months, and also
emphasize to Sumangali the need to hand in receipts and a report for the money
they use before they get the second installment. Melli and Srinidhi will
coordinate this effort.
Sumangali
Minutes
of Oct. 7th, 2001
Melli
gave quick overview of the Sumangali project in Bangalore. Asha Boston in supporting 12 girls
there. On the whole seems to be going
on fine, but we had some concerns due an incident reported last year. An organization 'Concerned for working
children' had staged a dharna against Sumangali for letting a girl be adopted
by a Karnataka minister who allegedly mistreated the girl.
Melli
feels good work is being done by this group though we might not share the same
view point as Susheelamma (the Sumangali coordinator) especially when it
concerns the future of the women in that organization. Asha Boston is very satisfied with the progress
of the 12 girls being supported. Asha
Boston
has been supporting them with $2000 p.a. for the last 3 years with $1000
bi-annual installments. The last
installment of $1000 is due. Melli
visited Sumangali during Oct 2000. They
run an orphanage as well as a govt. aided school.
This
project was discussed before in an earlier meeting and it was decided we will
discontinue funding after 3 years. Now
the last installment is due and a vote is necessary for the final installment
of $1000.
Votes :
For yes, no, abstain:
6 Yes,
0 No, 6 abstain