GRSV Sevakendra West Bengal

Nirveek De

Raj Chowdhury

Project Description Location: Gohaldanga, West Medinipur, West Bengal Area (urban/rural): Rural Primary Focus: children of dalits/tribals Project Type: A. After School ProgramB. Academic Excellence Program Amount Requested (US$): Rs. 4,90,500 ( $12, 600); (at $1 = Rs. 39) Purpose of Funding Request: Operating expenses (teacher salaries, food, books,); extra-

curricular programs # of Beneficiaries: 180 students: After School Program 175-200: Academic Excellence

Project Goals Current Condition of Beneficiaries Landless laborers. Live in small thatched roofed mud houses on the land of land owners. Stigma and inferiority complex among the parents towards their kids’ education. 50% drops out before 4th grade and 95% drops out before 10th grade. 70 to 80% of the families from the hamlets are below the poverty level.

Short-Term Objectives1. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: Reduce dropout rate among Dalit and Tribal children in

primary schools (up to 4th grade). 2. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM: Tutoring 5th to 10th graders to be competitive

by efficient tutors hired from cities 5-Year Vision

Longer term vision is to build a progressive village society that will not deprive its children of good education, and the people the necessary health care, and will make the economy positive to live a life of happy human being.

Community Involvement Parental involvement (mother’s club)

Project Background/Impact Background, that is, how did the request reach us? Funding request through Asha website Sources of Information Site visit Documents submitted by requestor Conference calls, emails communications Successes/Impact Thus Far Dispelling parents apathy toward children education Reduction of drop out rates (before 4th grade) Challenges Segregation due to caste system Attitude towards education Financial condition of parents

Organization Description Name of Organization Gohaldanga Ramkrishna Sarada Vivekananda Sevakendra ( or GRSV

Sevakendra or Sevakendra) Background of Directors Dr. Bibek Ray: Ph. D (Univ. Minnesota, USA), Former Professor, University of

WY Mrs. Purnima Ray: M.S (Univ. Minnesota, USA), employee, University of WY

Other Activities of Organization Work study program (Refer Q4 in project proposal) Special talent program Adult training program

Any red flags? Religious or Political Affiliations None FCRA status Approved

Existing Infrastructure/Facilities Staff (per unit, total of 6 units) Teacher: 1 Supervisor: 1 Mother helper: 1 Infrastructure House porches used as classroom Blackboards, teaching aids. Some old Computers Raising a new school building Food/Medical Services Food provided to students One Clinic, examines students Plans to expand reach in primary care

Curriculum/Pedagogy Curriculum Currently Used Emphasis on helping the students to develop personality, intelligence,

self confidence. Academic program, education through fun. Teaching Methodology The "After School Program" and "Academic Excellence Program"

include both Academic and Non-Academic materials, designed for teaching through Innovative ( alternative) methods to make education interesting, and include: Books, Projects, Objective Materials, audio-visual materials, Individual and in group activities, Extra work beside curriculum, short travel to important places, Performance, health and environment awareness , (computers for Acad. Excl. Program.) etc. . (Please see Attachments 1 and 2 for more information).

Teacher/Student Ratio 1:30

Expected Outcomes/What After? What happens to beneficiaries after this program? Most students graduate from 4th grade and move to higher

grades. Talented students gets competitive edge through tutoring under

academic excellence program Measures of Success Drop out rates reduction Subjective measures: Change in Attitude towards education, community involvement, Primary care, Economic development,

Heath care improvement, Ethical and spiritual development. Evaluation Methods Academic performance (test results) Health care records Drop out rates

Budget for Requested Funding

A. After School Program in 5 Units Rs. 1,49,500 ($ 3,800)

B. Academic Excellence Program Rs. 3,41,000 ($ 8,800)

Total for Both the Programs in 2008: Rs. 4,90,500 ( $12, 600); (at $1 = Rs. 39)

Detailed Budget breakup

Other Funding Sources Previous/Other Funding Sources 1. ASTI ( American Service To India: www.ASTI1.org and

americanservicetoindia.org; Costa Mesa, CA) 2. CTI (Compatible Technology International; Minnesota, MN;

www.CompatibleTechnology.org) 3. Dr. Steve Kupetz has started funding from 2006 to initiate

production of Organic Fertilizers and Bio-insecticides 4. Vibha has provided necessary funds ( from 2007 April) for one year,

to run 5 Units of After School Program in Dalit and Tribal Hamlets. No idea on future funding now by Vibha.

If funding has been discontinued ? None known Plans for self-sufficiency Mothers trained to be teachers Physician trains villagers for basic primary care Villagers trained to run small scale businesses

Site Visit Report

Pictures of site visit Description

SWOT Analysis

Strengths/Opportunities Holistic development of

the village Self-sustenance

through small scale local business

Community involvement

Both academic and non-academic growth of children

Weaknesses/Risks Project coordinator

stays 6-8 months at site location.

Political instability of the region

Steward Recommendation

Recommends funding project Site visit verified legitimacy of project

Project Discussion/Decision

Discussion (10 minutes)

Questions/Thoughts Arguments for funding Arguments against funding

Decision (5 minutes)

Round I: Need more information/Can decide today? If ready to decide: Round II: Fund/Do not fund

If decided to fund: Round III: Fund full amount/Fund part amount

Notes: 1. Please vote only if you are familiar with the project details and our

overall funding philosophy 2. Decision to be made by 2/3rd majority. Quorum of 5. 3. All projects must be resolved by the 2nd meeting