Champa Mahila Society
Site Visit: Dec 2003


Our journey started from Calcutta at a sunny noon of December. We were five: Surya, his driver (whose name I have forgotten), Subhra auntie (Swati’s mom), Kunal and me (Arindam). It was a three-hour drive on a southward highway. Though I lived 24 years of my life in Calcutta, I had never really been to that road before. After we left the urban area, it was really nice with fields in both sides of the road. We stopped at the boundary of Sundarban area and took a boat to cross a small river that came in the way. The name “Sundarban” means forest of Sundari trees. However, the places we were going to visit have neither forest nor the Sundari trees. The trees were cut off long ago. We passed on a few jokes about that.

After the boat, it was a long journey on cycle-van. This vehicle is nothing but a cycles’ front part added to one wooden platform. And it has two wheels at the back instead of one. It was an enjoyable journey sitting at the backside of the vehicle and watching some little children running behind us!

Finally we reached Champabati, the place where main CMS establishments are located. We came at the middle of their foundation day celebration. Many kids and there teacher came from several brunches of CMS as well as non-CMS schools. I first felt lost at the middle of the gathering. But, very soon I was introduced to many people and started feeling at home. After eating (which was good) and chilling we talked with Amal-da a bit about the new plans of CMS.

Then we went to explore the area. We visited the new school building and several adjacent properties. Since, it was a very special day we couldn’t see the usual everyday activities of CMS (which was a bad luck for me, because this is for the first time I had any chance of witnessing everyday life in such an organization).

At the evening Surya left with his driver. And I personally explore a lot of area in the neighborhood (and getting lost once or twice in the process).

At night, there were some cultural programs by kids from various schools. It was really good to see the extent of talent developed by them. At the end of the program, they thanked Asha for providing the support to their causes.

After dinner, we sat with Amal-da and he told us his plan on the school for vocational training. We discussed several issues like how a trainer should be recruited and the items produced by the kids should be marketed to generate some profit. We also discussed the budget for the whole program, and I actually ended up wondering how they are going to manage so much with the small amount of budget Amal-da was proposing. They really run in a very cost efficient way.

Next day was rather short. The celebration was still on. We went to student’s gathering. Kunal and Subhra auntie addressed the children. Then, we said last good-bye to Amal-da and other CMS stuffs and we were on our way.

Overall it was really a good experience for me and I really liked whatever I had seen. I like the enthusiasm among the students and the stuffs. I like the way Amal-da said it is run. However, I still regret going on a special day and not seeing the usual activities of that organization.

Photos page

CMS home


 

<< Asha-Seattle Home