INTERNATIONAL OCEAN INSTITUTE (INDIA)
IIT Madras
(in association with ANAWIM TRUST)

Status Report on
Asha Projects
(general, Asha-Boston, Asha-Seattle & Asha-WAH)

ASHA JUNIOR CENTERS IN DALIT VILLAGES OF TAMILNADU

May 2001
Introduction


This report reviews the three Asha projects being implemented by IOI India & Anawim Trust & presents plans & budgets for 2001- 2003.

For us, the projects have been a continuous learning experience. Soon after the projects in Melathonippalam & Kuranganthattu started, it became clear that the evening Center for children met a real need. The Center was heartily welcomed by the village women& the children began doing better in school. The diverse activities of the Center also attracted the children.

However, we realized soon that sustainability was a key element. It would not be fair to expect Asha to fund a Center perpetually. At the same time, it would be very hard on the children if a Center were to close down. Thus was born the idea of linking the running of the Center with micro-credit for the women, building an element of sustainability into the Project. In mid-2000, such a proposal was made (and was approved) under the Asha-WAH Program.

The Asha-WAH Project at Valasubramaniam expects that the women’s group in the village would take over the Center completely from the beginning of the fourth year. Since this was a new idea, we took time to choose the right village& to work out the modalities. The Center started functioning in April 2001, but the micro-credit Program will begin in June. (See Annex A)

Out of all these experiences & exercises came a generic proposal for a sustainable project in any village (See Annex B). In brief, this proposal promises a sustainable children’s Center for an Asha funding of US$10000 spread over three years.

This report also presents budgets for the three current Projects until December 2003. The aim is to make each of the Centers self-sustainable from January 2004. The budgets will be clear only if they are read in conjunction with the generic proposal (Annex B).

IOI India & Anawim Trust would like to thank the Asha chapters for their support. In particular, we would like to thank DP, Anu Raghavan, Ranjeet, Vivek, Narendran& many other Asha volunteers who have been taking special efforts for these projects.

R. Rajagopalan
IOI (India)
May 2001

Background: IOI India Eco-Villages Project
The three Asha Projects are being implemented as a part of the on-going IOI India Eco-Villages Project: Asha Projects: Overview of the Asha Projects:

Asha Chapter Village Center opened in Girls Boys Pre-school Total
Boston Melathonippalam Jan. 2000 14 11 3 28
Seattle Kuranganthattu July 2000 35 21 15 71
WAH Valasubramaniam April 2001 27 24 10 61

Common Features of the Projects
Asha-Boston Project in Melathonippalam


Special features of the village: Impact of Eco-villages Project & Asha Junior Center: in other development activities Key Person behind this change: Ms. D. Neelavathi, Asha Organizer

Plans for next phase Account Statement as on March 31, 2001: (All figures in US$)

AMOUNT RECEIVED SO FAR: US$ 2500
Sl. No. ITEMS BUDGET
(2 years)		 ACTUAL
EXPENDITURE
(15 months)

Fixed Costs
1 Construction cost of shed 578 1,471
2 Educational Aids, Books 232 148
3 Recreation & Sports Materials, Bicycles 347 134

Recurring Costs
4 Full-time community organizer's Salary 1,110 799
5 Providing Nutritional Supplement 1,618 580
6 Providing Vocational Skills (including computer training) 1,618 22
7 Training, Field visits & Competitions, local travel, etc 463 260
8 Miscellaneous items 70 29
9 Monitoring & Evaluation 70
Total 6,102 3,443

Explanatory Notes:
Item 1: We had grossly underestimated the cost of construction. We found it very difficult to transfer the Laurie Baker technology to the village level far away from Kerala where the techniques were developed.
Item 6: Vocational training will be given during this year. Computer training was started in May 2001.

Budget for the period April 2001 to December 2003:

Note: This budget is for the next 2 years & 9 months & is based on the generic proposal (Annex B). Essentially, the idea is to make the Center self-sustainable. From January 2004, the Center will be run entirely by the women’s group.

Sl. No. ITEMS BUDGET
US$

Fixed Costs
1 Capital for micro-credit 2000
2 Educational Aids, Books 200
3 Recreation & Sports Materials 100

Recurring Costs
4 Full-time community organizer's Salary 1400
5 Providing Nutritional Supplement 1000
6 Providing Vocational Skills (including computer training) 1200
7 Training, Field visits, travel, etc. 1000
8 Miscellaneous items 100
Sub-Total 7000
Contribution to Central Fund 1000
Asha Contribution US$ 8000

Notes:
  1. See the generic proposal (Annex B) for an explanation of the Central Fund.
  2. The Asha funding could be spread over 2001-2003 as follows:
2001 US$ 3000
2002 US$ 3000
2003 US$ 2000

Asha-Seattle Project in Kuranganthattu

Special features of the village: Impact of Asha Junior Center Key Person behind this change: Mr. Sudalai, Asha Organizer

Plans for next phase: Account Statement as on March 31, 2001: (US$)

AMOUNT RECEIVED US$ 2500

EXPENDITURE AS ON MARCH 31,2001
Sl. No. ITEMS BUDGET
(2 years)		 ACTUAL
EXPENDITURE
(15 months)

Fixed Costs
1 Construction cost of shed 578 2,002
2 Educational Aids, Books 232 39
3 Recreation & Sports Materials, Bicycles 347 140

Recurring Costs
4 Full-time community organizer's Salary 1,110 416
5 Providing Nutritional Supplement 1,618 480
6 Providing Vocational Skills (including computer training) 1,618
7 Training, Field visits, local travel 463 63
8 Magazines & Newspapers 70 23
9 Monitoring & Evaluation 70 17
Total 6,102 3,180

Explanatory Notes:
Item 1: As in the case of the first village, we had grossly underestimated the cost of construction. However, the Center was constructed very quickly, since we had learnt from the previous experience.
Item 6: Vocational training will be given during this year. Computer training was started in May 2001.

Budget for April 2001 to December 2003:

Note: This budget is for the next 2 years & 9 months & is based on the generic proposal (Annex B). Essentially, the idea is to make the Center self-sustainable. From January 2004, the Center will be run entirely by the women’s group.

Sl. No. ITEMS BUDGET
US$

Fixed Costs
1 Capital for micro-credit 2000
2 Educational Aids, Books 350
3 Recreation & Sports Materials, Bicycles 450

Recurring Costs
4 Full-time community organizer's Salary 1400
5 Providing Nutritional Supplement 1000
6 Providing Vocational Skills (including computer training) 1200
7 Training, Field visits, travel 1000
8 Misc. items 100
Sub-Total 7500
Contribution to Central Fund 1000
Asha Contribution US$ 8500

Notes:
  1. See the generic proposal (Annex B) for an explanation of the Central Fund.
  2. The Asha funding could be spread over 2001-2003 as follows:
2001 US$ 3500
2002 US$ 3000
2003 US$ 2000

Asha – WAH Project in Valasubramaniam

Special features of the village: The Project in brief: Key person: Mr. D. Arokiaraj. Asha Organizer

(See Annex A for a detailed report)
Asha Projects:
Lessons Learnt& Issues to Resolve

Sustainability is a question Education is the key for dalit children How can we help them get what is due to them? Migration from villages is a problem Linking with other activities is important Social oppression continues

Annex A

Asha-WAH Project in Valasubramaniam
Detailed Status Report

PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
To link micro-credit for women with sustained running of an Asha Junior Center in a dalit village in Turicorin district of Tamil Nadu.

PROJECT STATUS:
As the two earlier Asha projects (funded by Asha–MIT & Asha-Seattle), progressed, the major concern was the sustainability of the activity after external funding ceased. It appeared that it will be very difficult for the village to maintain the same level of activity.

Arising out of this experience, the Asha–WAH Project attempted to ensure sustainability by linking micro-credit with the Junior Center. Ever since the project was approved in September 2000, background work for the project has been going on in the field. After detailed discussions& review of past experience, we decided on the following parameters for the WAH Project: Over the last few months several villages were considered with these parameters in mind & discussions were held among the field staff as well as with the women’s groups. There was a strong feeling that we should take enough time& effort to choose the village. Since this would be a model project ensuring sustainability, it is important that the project does not fail.

The Project is being implemented in the village of Valasubramanian. There are over 60 families in the village & about 110 children are likely to use the Center ultimately. The village is relatively isolated & is surrounded by agricultural fields belonging to rich landlords. There is no bus service to the village.

Almost all the houses, built under a government scheme about 20 years ago, have developed large holes on the roofs. All attempts to get the roofs repaired by the government have failed. Most of the villagers are agricultural workers. Other employment opportunities are rare. Many older residents have the skill of working with palm & coconut leaves, but self-employment is difficult without capital & marketing arrangements. There is a general sense of apathy & hopelessness.

On the positive side, the women’s group initiated by us has been functioning well for the past eight months. One or two leaders have emerged. For the first time the women are getting together to discuss their problems. There is also a youth association that is reasonably active.

In February 2001, we had a meeting with the women & some of the young men. We found enthusiasm for the idea of setting up a Children’s Center.  Since then, discussions continued with the women’s group & the Center was started on April 6, 2001 in a temporary accommodation given by the village. We were fortunate in locating Mr. D. Arokiaraj for running the Center. He is a dedicated young person from the area & is very keen on making this Project a success. There has been an enthusiastic reception to the Center from the children.

 Work has also begun on the design & construction of a small building to house the Center.  The village leaders have allotted space for the building. The finer details of the micro-credit scheme are being worked out & we expect to give out the loans in early June 2001.