Asha for Education

Project Brief: "BODHI VIKAS"- Unfolding one's own potential. (Vocational training for dropout children)
Project Type: Alternative Education (description)
Primary Focus: dropouts (description)

Secondary Focus: vocational training

Area: Rural
Supporting Chapter Contact: Boston

Status: completed - things went wrong
Project Steward: Nilanjan Adhya
Project Partner(s):
Other Contacts:
Project Address: , c/o Voice Of People,Nutan Diyarah, P.O. Nayabad P.S.,Sonarpur,
WEST BENGAL  743 369
Tel: Tel- (9133) 462-0914, 462-0686
Stewarding Chapter: Boston

The project aims at 'giving scope to drop-out children, who are deprived of the benefit of education', and to make them ready to ' undertake vocational and tradebased training for their self- employment' and 'to respond to the child- labour issue and to help for their up-bringing in a better environment" so that they are later able to participate in
'entrepreneurial development"

At presnt VOP runs and maintains "Bodhi Vikas" an experimental school started in June 1995 for children ranging from 3- 10 years of age, and meant especially for street children, child labourers and children of prostitutes. They aim to provide shelter, literacy and develop skills and awareness that will enable them to become self-reliant. They currently appear to be training them till class IV stage and wish to exend this till the Class X stage" along with entrepreneurship training
to enable them to choose their way'. Short term plans include education therough cultural activities such as dramas. songs and rallys; 6 such events are palnned at 2- month intervals over the coming year. Non- formal classes will also be conducted which involve " making the children expressive about their feelings" through cultural and psychological actions such as handling of various natural objects. Long- term goals (over next 5- 10 years) include not only "learning through books, pressure of tasks etc" but to teach thoruogh "psychological and physical games, dramas" etc. Classes wil be arranged during school hours and continued each year according to the potential of each child. Vocational training will be introduced after the child has attained a certain stage according to each one's aptitude. Meanwhile the children will be given a regular 'work- education' class to prepare them for "entrepreneurship development". At present the school consists of a makeshift structure on the VOP SPANDAN premises made of bamboo mat walls and flooring with a tin roof. The school has Blackboard, table(s?) chair, books, chalk, pencils. Staffed by 5 teachers and one non- teaching associate along with one honorary overall coordinator. The school is being funded through donations and the teachers at present are getting no salary but occasional pocket and/or travelling allowances. (NB- Rs. 2.15 lakhs or 11% of their 1995-1996 budget of Rs.19.3 lakhs is listed as spent on "Educational Program" in their summary financial statement; although unclear, this may possibly refer to their adult education efforts rather than Bodhi Vikas)

Jul 2001 MIT Meeting MInutes/Discussion
Jul 2001 Boston Meeting Minutes/Discussion
Feb 2001 Nilanjans Visit III
Jan 2000 Nilanjan Visit 1
Dec 1999 Nilanjan's Visit II
Oct 1997 Abhijit's Site Visit
Dec 1996 Project Summary