Attendees: Anuj, Keerthi, Giri, Ravi (and his two cousins), Yamini, Madhava Rao, Prasad, Prashanth, Santosh, Sohani, etc. (I apologize for forgetting the other names.. 15 in total)

Proceedings:

1. Serving food to the kids
2. Discussion with the teacher about the quality of food and the menu.
3. Volunteer Lunch
4. Discussions about how to improve the program
5. Distribution of sweets to students
6. Mr.Madhava Rao took a math class to the 7th grade students

Outcomes:

1. The initial consideration was about improving the vegitable content in the food but the teachers suggested that they are very satisfied with the current menu, except for replacing Upma which is served on Wednesday with rice and curry. We were suggested that these children come from homes that make do with what ever they get to eat and adding more items to the menu may lead to students skipping dinner at their homes which may not be as delicious as the lunch. Seemed to be a valid point.

2. The teachers are happy with the doctor who visits every Monday of the week to check the kids and hence an additional health camp is not necessary. It is understood that the current doctor is willing to work with us in regularly assessing the health of the kids. So, what might be needed is to prepare a format for the doctor to maintain a record of medical treatment given to the students.

3. Two teachers have quit the school and so there is a shortage in terms of teching staff. The school is in need of a qualified teacher (B.Sc/B.Ed). The salary estimate is about Rs.4K/mo.

4. The school has other sponsors who already provided uniforms. Every student is given 1 uniform per year. The school plans to provide 2 pairs per student from next year onwards.

5. Note books have been donated earlier by a Asha volunteer and the school also has other means for the same.

6. The teachers have also organized may programs such as a
   • Savings account for kids who work in the evenings
   • Gifts to students toping in class work as well as in various competitions that they organize from time to time

7. Another issues that needs attention is that a few students will be finishing 7th grade this year and will have to leave school. We may have to look for sponsors or identify other means so that the interested students can continue their education.

8. After looking at the current lunch menu at the school and understanding the background from here these children come, the though was to encourage people celebrating their birthdays at the school to bring fruits (like banana) instead of sweets.

9. The future course of participation from Asha should be in the form of motivating children to learn well, because ultimately, our goal is to provide better education to children who might otherwise not have access to it. Visiting the school more often and spending time to teach, organize events may be the way to go forward.

Immediate Action Items:

1. Look for sponsors for additional teaching staff.
2. Talk to the person preparing the lunch to alter the menu slightly, at the same level of cost.
3. Name a volunteer as in-charge for the school to plan events and meetings at the school.
4. Identify a sponsor for a child studying 10th class at a private school who currently works as a newspaper boy in the mornings to partially fund his school fee.