Educational Programs

The balwadi centres run by the Samiti in Hiradharpur, Ramdaspur, Parsani, Sauna, Uchauri and Darhwal functioned smoothly. Also, the educational centers at the brick-kilns worked well from January to June. This time the children who had come from other states with their parents( working in the kilns) also joined the Chhapra-Bhataula center. We gave these children special attention, be it abount hunting (small animals), about work, about their future or about the giving the information on saving. These labourers have a lot of problems with making ends meet. They are extremely poor from childhood until they die. They are out of employment four to five months in a year. They have to starve because of unemployment.

Fifteen labourers from the Hiradharpur brick-kiln formed the Gram Swaraj Samiti (Village Independence Council). They opened an account. Amarjit Vanvasi has opened a small shop in his hut to help him get towards self-sustenance. This shop is doing reasonably well. This shop is feeding his family.

On January 26, we had a sports for children from all villages and distributed sweets.

A meeting of social organizations from SAARC countries was held at Varanasi. We participated in it. We had serious discussions on child labour, education and food, and Bhumandalikaran.

We have created a time-table for teaching at the centres we are operating:

We are trying to bring about psychological change in the children through Yoga. The children living at the brick-kilns have too much work load. We are trying to reduce the mental strain through Yoga. Also, for entertainment we have games everyday.

This year, with funds from Asha, we enrolled four children in government school.

Environmental Awareness Campaign

We go around the villages asking people to plant more and more tries. So that we can have environmental balance. We give a free Teak plant to every new couple. So that are mindful of the environment.

Working towards Self-sustenance

The Samiti is continuing to try to move towards self-sustenance. Screen printing work is going on well. The Samiti made Rs 2000 from this.

We continuing to sell trees. Beekeeping is also going on well.

Activities

• On Seventh and Eighth May 2005, we organized a programme on education, food and information rights at Ramdaspur and Darhwal where we presented the matter to the people through plays and music.
• On 28th May, we organized a child summit at Math Uchauri. 125 children participated in this. The main purpose of organizing this summit was to get the children to see each other.
• On 18th June, we organized a two-day workshop on food and information rights at Math Uchauri.
• On 8th May, Ajay Jethi from Dubai came and observed all the activities of the Samiti.
• On 18 October, we organized a meeting with villagers on food and information rights at Parsini, where the ration shopkeeper and the Gram Pradhan (village chief) also participated.
• On 25 October, workshop on food and information rights was organized in Sauna Musahar Basti (village).
• On 14 November, we organised Children's Day celebrations at Parsini Musahar Basti.
• On November 4, we organized a women's meeting at Hiradharpur Musahar Basti to make the women aware about women's rights.
• On 25 November, organized a life remedy workshop at Kaithi, Benares, in which 30 children between 10 to 14 years and the Samiti teachers from Parsini, Sauna, Hiradharpur, Uchauri, Ramdaspur, Darhwal centres participated. There Anupam from Janjagaran Samiti (People's awakening council), Vallabh from Asha, and Retired serviceman K Pandey taught about Human rights.
• On 26 and 27 November, Vanvasi Seva Ashram participated in Gandhiji's Village Independence Workshop.
• On 18, 19 and 20 November, we participated in the National Summit on food and information rights at Kolkata.
• On 15 December, the Samiti had it's annual meeting at Hiradharpur Musahar Basti. We reviewed the 2005 programmes, and discussed the 2006 programmes.
• On 20 December, we participated in the Right to Food at Gorakhpur and presentered the starvation deaths at Ghazipur.
• We have a meeting of the Samiti teachers on the 30th of every month. The teachers present their months work at the meeting. We discuss about the operation of the centres and the problems coming up during work.
• On 23 March, we participated in the walk for peace between India and Pakistan that started from Delhi.

Centre-wise number of children and teachers

Note Sushila Devi, the sewing trainer at the Hiradharpur Sewing Center, is carrying on her job very well. The girls of the village have a lot of problems, such as taking food for their fathers to their workplace. That is usually about 4 to 5 kms away. They also have to cook for everyone. Sushila Devi informs the girls about education and sanitation apart from sewing. The women of this class do not give attention to sanitation.