A proposal for running the Timbaktu Collective Children’s Resource Centrefor the year 2015-2016 submitted to ASHA, Bangalore.

1. Children’s Resource Centre (CRC):

The Timbaktu Collective has been running the Children’s Resource Centre (CRC) in Chennekothapalli Village from the year 2002. The CRC is a space for children and youth to explore their interests and have fun. The facilities at CRC include a library with over 11,000 books and many children’s magazines, a science lab, facilities for sports and games, facilities for learning drawing, painting, origami, clay work, toys making etc as well as basic computer learning facilities. Besides CRC hosts many events and celebrations for children and youth. CRC is taken up in the context of rural children and youth not having child/youth-centric spaces for creative, experiential, dialogic and interactive learning and expression. They lack platforms for creativity in the forms of arts and crafts, music and dance and do not have access to literature, apart from textbooks. There is a disconnect between education and life-skills and a lack of integration of learning into their social and ecological context. Learning of science is limited to text books and there is very little scope for experiential learning of Science; Children and youth in the area have nil or limit facilities for learning computers. Opportunities for physical expression through organised sports are limited or absent, especially for girls and children with disabilities.

The experience of the Children’s Resource Centre has been that when children are provided a space to express themselves and being heard at the same time, it weaves magic. The project aims to approach the fundamental learning ability of children and assist them in their process of growth. This work is also complemented by the many years of work put in by the Collective in forming and federating ‘bala sanghas’ and youth groups with over 2500 members. The Collective has also attempted to reach out to parents, teachers and village communities in general in its working area to support the children to realize their rights and explore joyful childhood. The CRC also reaches out to Children with disabilities engaging them in creative activities they have not experienced before, thus improving their confidence.

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2. The Purpose of CRC

The purpose of CRC is that children and youth in the area have opportunities for gaining a new worldview and life skills and are able to express themselves. By providing free spaces to creatively express themselves, CRC expects to foster a sense of confidence and enquiry in children and youth. The Chidren and youth concerned include those who frequent daily, those who are reached by Institutional tie-up - local schools, college and hostels. (Zilla Parishad high school, AP Model school, two elementary schools, two private schools, “Prakruthi badi” run by the Collective and those who are reached by mobile CRC. The CRC functions from 9.30 am to 7:00 pm everyday in the week.

3. Activities proposed:

The activities proposed to be continued by during the year 2015-2016 are the

following.

3.1. Library:

The library run by the CRC has been able to create interest and a regular habit of

reading and learning among children and youth. We propose to continue the library

with addition of a few more books besides the regular magazines and newspapers.

3.2. Science lab:

Regular work at the science lab is conducting simple science experiments related to

daily classes of children/youth who frequent CRC. The 6 schools that visit CRC and the

Sri Sai Junior College use the lab for academic experiments. In the past year the science

lab has been used to display simple experiments on types of gases, pressure functions

in air and water, models that display parts of the body, circuit experiment using battery

to generate electricity, experiments with sound, magnetic cycle works, etc. This activity

will be continued and the cost will be Rs 1500 per month for purchase of lab material.

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1.3. Computer learning:

The 5 computers at CRC are used for providing basic computer knowledge for children

and youth. Depending on their interest, they learn MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Telugu

typing etc. With this opportunity the children have become more comfortable with

computer use and explore further learning.

3.4. Arts and Crafts:

Along with library, science lab and computers the

CRC offers children and youth facilities for engaging

in arts and craft activities. CRC provides children and

youth opportunities for activities like fabric painting,

thread painting, painting with natural colours, making

geometrical shapes with paper, paper chains, origami, greeting cards, lampshades,

pencil stands, paper carry bags etc. This is one of the most preferred activity and the

CRC hopes to take it forward.

3.5. Facilities to play:

Children use the space at CRC for outdoor and indoor games. Other than during

institutional visits, about 40 to 50 children on a daily and 60 to 70 children on holidays

make use of the play facilities at CRC. Equipment for 18 types of games including

carom, volley ball, throw ball, chess, uno, ludo, memory, badminton, cricket, skipping,

etc are available at CRC. Some of these need to be replaced in this year.

3.6. Celebration of Special Days:

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The CRC hosts a number of events with

children and youth to encourage their

talents and creativity. Examples are

celebration of Ambedkar Jayanti, World

Environment Day, Independence Day,

Teacher’s Day , Gandhijayanti, Library Day, Republic day, Science Day, Sports Festival

(Attala Panduga) etc. Quiz, competitions in natural painting, singing, dancing,

elocution, essay writing etc are some of the regular activities during these celebrations.

Participats for all these include local children and youth, children and youth from the

local schools and college and Balala Sangha members from across 3 mandals etc.

3.7. Mobile CRC:

The mobile CRC takes its resources - books, arts and crafts,

science experiments, play equipment and materials - to

the children who cannot come to the CRC. Due to shortage

of funds this activity is carried out in a limited manner. In

the current year some visits are planned locally and for a

few really remote villages.

3.8. Provision of fellowships.:

This is to support those who otherwise may not be able to complete their education.

The costs concerned are fees, transport, clothes, stationary etc. It is planned that in

this year two children will be supported under this activity.

4. Monitoring:

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CRC will has two full time workers including one in-charge, and one librarian and one

part time coordinator and one caretaker. The center in-charge is responsible for the

Science Lab, computer lessons, institutional tie ups, celebration of events etc. The

librarian anchors the library and arts and crafts sessions. Both are involved in daily

functioning of the centre, play/sports/games and mobile CRC. The CRC team is part of

the Chiguru working Group of the Collective which is responsible for all activities of the

Collective with children and youth.

5. BUDGET:

The budget for the financial year 2015-2016 is Rs 6,90,000. The budget is attached as

Annexure.

6. TIMBAKTU COLLECTIVE- 1. BASIC PROFILE

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Name of the Society : THE TIMBAKTU COLLECTIVE

Type of work : RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Registered Office : 46, PRIMROSE ROAD, BANGALORE - 560 025

Field Office and Mailing Address : CHENNEKOTHAPALLI, ANANTAPUR DT., A.P., INDIA - 515101

Chief functionary : MR. C.K. GANGULY, SECRETARY

Contact person : MS. MARY VATTAMATTAM, CHAIRPERSON

Bank Details : CANARA BANK, TRINITY CIRCLE BRANCH, BANGALORE DOMESTIC ACCOUNT NO: SB 22808 FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNT NO: SB 22807 IFSC Code : CNRB0000792

Swift Code : CNRBINBBLFD

Society Registration : NO. 546/90-91, BANGALORE – DATED 14TH NOVEMBER ’90

Registration under FCRA : NO. 0 9 4 4 2 0 6 2 1, DATED 3RD JANUARY ‘94

Contact Details : TELEPHONE NUMBER - +91 8559 202335 / 202149, E MAIL – timbaktu.info@gmail.com

PAN Number : AAATT1760G

Website : www.timbaktu.org

Blog : www.tc-ckp.blogspot.in

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