VISA  --

April 22nd, 2001

Past Project Discussion

Harish Chawla

 

 Village Improvement Service Association, Tamil Nadu

 

Mr. S.V. Vinayagamoorthy

 

 Non-formal, literacy-cum-life education for high school dropouts, between 10 & 17 years of age will be targeted by this program.  30 children will be part of the first phase of this program for the first year.  These children are not attending school due to poverty and the need for them to work in order to add to the family income.  Children come from poor families in the villages and will have classes at convenient times for two to three hours.  Books and other necessary material will be provided by the project.  Emphasis on cultural skills like music, drama, dance etc. in addition to necessary reding and writing skills.  The goal is to motivate the children and help them develop their talents and interests.  The children will have an opportunity to follow this up with occupation centered education programs.  Classes will involve a lot of discussion and participation.  Instructor and assistant instructor will be selected from one of the villages.  Month long training for them.  Instructor - Rs.1500 /  month, assistant - Rs. 1000/month.  This is a new project

 

30 children for 1 year (June '96 - June ' 97) in 3 - 6 villages.  

 

Comments

 

§          Project being effective in providing children with basic literacy and other vocational skills. VISA and CDDP (Center for Development of Disadvantaged People) are sister projects, working on Gandhian principles.

 

§          Have been supported by

 

o        A Dutch group for a mushroom growing project.

 

o        CAPART, Govt. of India, for some other projects

 

o        Govt. of India, and state support, for housing projects etc.

 

§          All beneficiaries are poor and predominantly SC/ST.

 

§          Work closely with village panchayat

 

§          No current infrastructure, but plan to use a vacant house / area in a temple.

 

§          Office bearers and village groups will evaluate the project every 6 months.  Future followup project -- advanced learning program with local help.

 

§          Mobile library for children with local resources.

 

§          VISA team is competent and the villagers are enthusiastic about the progress. 

 

Funding:

 

Rs 71,000 for 1 year in 2 installments

 

First installment of $1500 sent in June 1996

 

Second installment of $700 sent after review in May. 1997

 

Funding breakdown - major costs salary for instructor / assistant / part-time instructor, training, uniforms, nutrition

 

Followup :

 

Followup proposal received in early 1998, for continuing funding of the school.  Project discussed in Feb. '98, and funding approved for 3 years.  First installment of $1230. 

 

Children were interested in the school, and were regular.  Can reenter main stream at 8th standard by giving exam.  VISA plans to coach them for it, if somebody shows interest.  Those who decide not to continue further will have achieved basic literacy and arithmetic skills.  School will also have vocational training.  Village organizers and people seemed quite enthusiastic.  VISA team, quite competent. 

 

Reason students drop out of mainstream in the first place - lack of encouragement / motivation and role models.

 

School called ASHA center.

 

Secretary of VISA donated a plot of land in the vicinity of the villages, set up office / training center / ASHA school. Parents / villagers contribution in construction.

 

This seemed to be another good project funded by ASHA Boston in the past.  There is no present contact, and specific details of funding provided in the past.  Current situation of the education programs, and the situation of the organization as a whole are not known.  Anu will get in touch with VISA, and get some info/feedback.