Katkari

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Project Meeting Discussion

Nov. 23^rd, 2003

Harish: Background on Katkari, based on information available on the project website. Site visit reports positive. No FCRA clearance, trying. Lots of involvement from Asha-Pune.

New proposal: Total Rs. 1,69,190

Melli: Further background on the nature of the problems involved when teaching people from tribal cultures.

Harish: 2 schools closed because children couldn't come, since their parents were travelling/migrant labourers.

Harish: Mahendra is not in favour of bringing the children into the mainstream system, because he does not think mainstream works. However, he still has the option open.

Chetan: What about sustainability?

Harish: They have some land which can be another source of income and/or food. Land does not belong to them, its outside the village, no one knows whose it

is.

Harish: 2 schools are running, they want to start a third one.

Melli: We should put them in touch with Dr. Balu, Jahermuni, Sandeep, who can all provide inputs to Mahendra in terms of striking a balance between tribal culture and mainstream.

Harish: Mahendra does a bunch of other stuff, social activism related rather than dealing with the school. The proposal may contain components which go towards funding other activities of LSS.

Dr. Balsari: No clarity seems to be there in what is being done to empower the child. No plan around how this education will help. Issues with teacher's salary. You provide alternative education when you have a plan for alternate employment. There doesn't seem to be alternatives.

Discussion on what exactly and how exactly this is helping the children.

Melli: Asha realizes this is shaky ground. Not sure what Mahendra thinks.

Badhri: How long has the project been active?

Harish: Education since 2001. Organization since 1998.

Badhri: Does the Katkari community look up to Mahendra?

Melli: Yes, interaction is there, easy communication.

Harish: Spoke with Anurag (steward). Anurag uncomfortable with mixing the activism component with the education component. Also discussed alternate school versus government school.

Ravi: How did they get by this year?

Melli: Loans, no salary, giving groceries instead of pay.

Ravi: See no problems. It doesn't take them backward in any way.

Badhri: Issues with respect to geography.

Harish: Too late to think about geography issues. We've already committed.

Nilanjan: What do Harish and Anurag think?

Harish: "Anurag: Issues with social activism and education being clubbed. Not too comfortable with alternate schools. No definite take on go or no-go. Lets get questions and iterate with them. Comfortable enough, not comfortable enough to vote."

Deepta: Fine with it. Mahendra needs to focus on the education aspect more.

Murali: Shouldn't stop funding suddenly if Asha has already committed to some extent.

Chetan: Cannot leave them high and dry. Having said that, we are not comfortable with direction and end goal. Need to engage Asha-Pune more in this endeavor.

Gowri: What kind of progress did they show?

Harish: They showed that the children are able to use basic education skills.

Harish: Mahendra will not be so involved with education, more with activism.

Melli: We can't place strict distinction between education and non-education components.

Harish: We can't vote for more funding without iterating with them.

DECISION:

1. Talk to Mahendra and co.

2. Talk to AID.

3. Further questions, especially about the financial

aspect, to Harish/Anurag/Melli via email.

4. Has to be decided within a month.

Kathkari (Vijay)
9^th June 2002

Asha MIT sent $1250 in Jan which is half the money we agreed to send. Accounts received from the coordinator (Mahendra) show that expenses are different from what was proposed.

Mahendra's explanation : Asha under funded the project, requiring rearrangement of budget. Some old loans had to be repaid. Time and resources spent on emergencies. Asha-Pune aware of this.

Uma from AID-PennState made site visit recently and strongly recommends that we fund the project.

Comments:
Nilanjan - We need to make our expectations clear and the proposed aim of the project met.
Ranjini - We are required to have receipts for what is proposed.

Melli, Anurag - Maybe he's doing too much.

Vijay to make site visit and convey concerns.

Vote was taken 'Should we send the rest of the money promised?'

Abstains : 5
Yes : 8

Result : Asha to send rest of the money ($1250). Vijay to communicate with Mahendra about expectations. Dilip and Vijay to figure out issues about receipts.