Minutes of Asha SV Meeting from February 23, 2010 ================================================= [3] Sshrishti Learning Center [Pankaj] http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=703 SShrishti Learning Center aims at providing regular schooling to children in Kishangarh and slums near B-5/6 sectors of Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Classes I to IV are held for the children in th age group of 8-14 years. The students are from families of migrant workers. Their fathers are mostly employed as daily wage labourers in building construction or road building projects. Some of them are working as plumbers or electricians. Most of them are able to write their names and some of them can read. The mothers work as domestic helps and are generally illiterate. Pankaj presented a 1-slide introduction to the project (all in and around Delhi) Ladli (nursery) and Learning Center (KG-4th) are formal educational centers a remedial center and computer centers in nearby villages Started a new school in Jai Hind camp Asha SV has been funding since '09 (Berkeley since '06) Works primarily with migrant worker kids and functions as a bridge school They are registered as an educational NGO and not as a school The 6-monthly update is uploaded online at: http://www.ashanet.org/projects-new/documents/703/SShrishti_Feb2011.ppt Asha SV currently funds the lerarning center (teachers, cook, accountant etc) They've had some success in attracting volunteers from Germany and US and spend time with the kids -- in the process the volunteers have been teaching English and computer classes. They year, they expect a volunteer from England Anshu visited the project and vouches for the children's proficiency in English speaking Children are also receiving mid-day meals and an additional glass of milk. The pen-friend program with German school is going on very well -- the children received letters from German kids and very excited about it and had posted the letters on the walls of the Sshrishti. Sshrishti have been increasing their community outreach, talking to slum dwellers about education, health and hygiene. Sshrishti has done very well with their local fundraising efforts they have successfully used their annual day as a fundraiser they have used the GiveIndia online platform and raised over 1.7 lakh rupees in little over a year a few participants at the Delhi marathon raised funds for Sshrishti -- expecting to grow this over time Celebrated many events (Independence Day, Teacher's Day, Diwali, Annual Day, and a Quiz competition on Republic Day) They are not really looking at owning their own building right now, due to high Delhi costs Discussion on what went right They were doing many things when we started, including vocational training -- and we asked them if they should really continue with that since they did not have enough resources or the right person to run it Seems like that was a good decision in retrospect Expenses are very high in Delhi, and every month they pay nearly Rs19000 per month -- project coordinator salary is also very high (compared to other projects) They have really done very well in finding sources of funding outside of Asha Have roped in various clubs like Rotary clubs etc and very proactive to obtain corporate support, or from grants like Target They have started the annual day celebration as a separate fundraiser -- get some performers which will get a large audience -- raises money and awareness Sshrishti has been very proactive, unlike a lot of our project partners -- Another issue might be a pressure of being in Delhi -- they need to pay the teachers higher amounts Location and being very proactive is why they have done well with fundraisers Some of the Sshrishti folks are also very well networked -- and that has definitely helped in their efforts They have been able to approach diplomats for raising money for Sshrishti We also provided a lot of feedback about what we did not like in their proposals (eg, vocational training) -- and they may also have helped them Now that they have tasted success, they are confident, and so have become better at raising funds There are a few projects which do try -- and from the chapter perspective, stewards do try to push the project Over the years, we have expressed what we will not support , which may have played a role in their fundraising -- the program coord salaries, we capped at 10k first year, removed it the 2nd year, and also removed the computer teacher salary the 3rd year. Another key thing about the project is that this fills the holes in the system by providing a link from migrant worker kids to the regular schools Takeaways: Sshrishti has done very well with being proactive with good support from location and steward involvement We have to urge our other project partners to think about this very proactively From a chapter perspective, stewards are to be more closely involved in setting priorities for the project (at least, Asha's perspective of it) Maybe we can start suggesting individual line items for each project to take over the fundraising which over the years will strengthen the project partner -- need to look at location and chapter involvement before deciding this, and see if such suggestions can come out organically from the budget Opens: Pankaj to start the checklist for 2nd round of funding