Vision Society For Interactive Operational Needs

1
Vision Society ForInteractive Operational Needs
2
History

• Started in 2002
• Based around Varanasi, UP
• Mostly weaver families. Majority muslims
• Very poor further hit by slump in sari market
• Lack of medical facilities increasing TB cases
• Targeting girls in the 3-19 years of age
• Social restrictions limit the access to education
  (purdah system)
• Supported by Asha-UC (2003 04)

3
Organizers

• From the community used to work with other NGOs
  in the past
• Alok Kumar Singh
• Jagriti Rahi coordinator

4
Objectives I

• Raising literacy levels among girls
• Functional Literacy
• Taught the importance and functioning of banks,
  railways, hospitals, post-offices and governments
  through field trips
• Increase awareness about health and hygiene
  issues
• Connecting to post-literacy and continuing
  education programs.

5
Objectives II

• Vocational training for girls
• Taught stitching, knitting, painting
• Personal financial management
• Counseling parents to send their children to
  school
• Other activities
• Republic Day, Independence Day celebrations
• Cleaning of surroundings
• Increase motivation students/parents will
  eventually pay for their education

6
Operational Model

• Classes in the afternoons or evenings
• Timings to suit children early mornings,
  evenings
• Students also work stitching, weaving
• Space provided by community residents/teachers
• Discussions with older students on Saturdays
• Cover topics like healthcare, family planning

7
Curriculum

• Texts prescribed by Jamia Millia Islamia
• Books cover all subjects (Hindi, Maths, Basic
  Science, History, )
• Practical training
• Examinations conducted by the National Open
  School system

8
Centers

• Before 2002 One center at Badi Bazaar/Bunkar
  Colony was being run by a volunteer
• 2002 2003 New centre at Vyaspur not continued
  after most students enrolled in government
  schools
• 2003 2004 Added centre at Nakkhighat
• 2004 - 2005 Plans to start a new centre at
  Samera

9
Vyaspur

• Population of 1200
• Muslims, Harijans, Patels
• Teacher Savitri (B.A.)
• 23 children were taught in 2002-2003
• 20 of them enrolled in formal schools
• The centre was not continued

10
Nakkighat

• Population of 5000
• 60 Muslim weavers
• Flood prone area
• Has a government primary school
• Only two rooms and four teachers Located at the
  outskirts parents wary to send children far
• 4-5 literacy rate Worse for women
• Teacher Mumtaz
• 23 students taught in two locations

11
Nakkighat achievements

• Important Achievements
• 6 girls cleared class IV equivalent
• Future plans
• Increased enrolment
• Older women want to start an evening school
• Demand for starting vocational training

12
Bunkar Colony

• Current status
• 20 students
• 9 girls cleared Class V exams
• Girls given vocational training
• Future Plans
• Will become self sufficient in next 3-4 months
  most girls earn and hence can pay for their
  studies
• Might still need support for teachers salary
• Teacher Farida (B.A., B.Ed.)

13
Plans for 2004 2005

• New center at Samera
• Saree weavers and daily laborers
• Proposal to start a new center
• List of 24 interested students already available
• Regular Health Camps
• Health checkup by doctors
• Focus Women's health, TB in children
• Distribution of medicines
• Increasing awareness

14
Impact on teachers students

• Teachers have shown a more progressive attitude
• Proactive in their learning
• Self-managing
• Centers are outlets for expression
• Students read a newspaper in class have become
  more aware

15
Budget for 2004-05
Expense Head Amount Requested Explanation 2003-04
Honorarium for teachers Rs. 36,000 Rs. 1,000 p.m. per teacher 1 teacher per centre Rs. 19,200
Honorarium for coordinator Rs. 30,000 Rs. 2,500 p.m. Rs. 30,000
Study materials Rs. 9,000 Rs. 3,000/centre Rs. 7,978
Transportation Rs. 4,000 Field trips Rs. 3,000
Health care Rs. 6,000 Rs. 2,000/centre 0
Miscellaneous Rs. 3,000 Rs. 3,172
TOTAL Rs. 88,000 Rs. 63,500
16
Comments

• Accounts submitted to Vallabh from Asha-India on
  a quarterly basis funds disbursed by Asha-India
  each quarter
• No FCRA clearance funds routed via Asha-India
• Focus on functional literacy
• Support from the community
• Good interaction with kids Alok Kumar knew the
  kids by name
• No formal financial records

17
Other requests

• Children, if provided with raw materials can make
  greeting cards, toys
• Can be sold via Asha merchandise
• Would like to construct a room for the Bunkar
  Colony centre