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Asha-Syracuse in
collaboration with the
World Computer Exchange (WCE) has initiated a project which will
involve sending computers to an NGO (Non Governmental Organization) in
India. WCE is involved in collecting computers in developed countries
and then sending them over to developing countries.
The NGO, Ushagram, is based in the Nadia district of West Bengal,
India. Ushagram works toward the integrated development of villages
which surround its campus. The campus itself is a self sustained unit
- they have their own grain production, a primary school, a crafts
center, a library, a hostel for girls and meditation centers. Children
from nearby villages come to study in the school whereas the adult
villagers take part in all the activities of the NGO - from batik
printing to jute products making. Ushagram was established in 1983
by Mr Gopal Chakraborty, who spent years in jails because of his
participation in the Indian freedom struggle. Ushagram was set up
following the principles of Aurobindo Ghosh and Rabindranath Tagore.
The organization is committed to working toward:
- Community living
- Spiritual growth
- All-round rural upliftment
The Ushagram project (not received yet from the NGO) on which
Asha-Syracuse is going to work, is related to providing computers for
the library at the Ushagram campus along with computerization of the
14 study centers which are affiliated to the library. Each of the 14
study centers is located in a village and is looked after by the local
villagers. The study centers get reading material (books, journals,
magazines) from the library at Ushagram and the material received is
rotated amongst the centers. Ushagram has collaborated with AID-Blacksburg
(Association for India's Development)
in two projects - a
flood relief project and the library project. The library
project, which is currently being handled by AID-Blacksburg, involves
the maintenance of the library by providing funds for books and
journals, paying the salaries of the librarian and his assistants and
supporting the 14 study centers' development. Ushagram plans on making
computers available to the study centers so that children and adults
alike can learn to use computers and eventually be able to access the
internet.
AID-Blacksburg is planning on working with Ushagram on a much
larger scale project related to spreading the reach of the Ushagram
school to the 14 villages which currently do not have regular schools
for children. AID-Blacksburg will collaborate with Asha-Syracuse by
providing contacts who will be able to help Asha-Syracuse in the
project evaluation and execution. AID-Blacksburg volunteers will also
involve themselves in the collection of computers and will participate
actively in the project.
Click here to know about the Ushagram
Rural Study Center Project and about the
Flood Rehabilitation Project.
Details of the project will be included in this page on a later
date. Till then, please contact
Sucharita Saha
for more information.
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