Aswin Punathambekar
Date: 13-Oct-2002
IHDUA (Intnl Human Development &
Upliftment Agency), Mysore
The
IHDUA was established in 1991 and focuses on rural education,
rural health & hygiene, women's empowerment, and integrated
rural
development programs. They established a school in 1992 in Mullur
village 24 kms from Mysore. 290 children from 5 villages
attend
classes from primary to 8th grade. There are 8 full time teachers
(5M,
3W) and have support of the zilla panchayat. They have ties with schoolnet
from whom they've received a computer. Last year they had the
first
batch take the LISLC(?) - state 7th std exam, and had good results.
Schooling is free for needy students
and free books, uniforms etc. are provided from a
central fund. Currently they have an Adopt a child's education
(ACE) program which supports about 90
children.
Very few donors from US though (Asha can and should
support publicize this effort). They
want to expand till 10th grade and their initial proposal
(last year) was for $15000 for construction etc. However they
found a big donor who funded building one classroom (8th std).
Current proposal is
for
$4000. Aswin thinks we should definitely get involved
in the agency's efforts.
Budget breakup:
Benches
+ Desks (42): Rs1500 each
Classrooms:
Rs 1.25 lakhs
Lab
+ Library: Rs 70600 (lab is Rs 45-50000)
Contingent
upon funds availability, $1000 was approved (unanimously) for just the
benches (most urgent item).
Asha
can publicize the ACE through newsletter and possibly
donor day and other local events. NYC/NJ also support a similar
adopt
a child program.