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 Program B.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 : 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 Objectives 1. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: Reduce dropout rate among Dalit and Tribal children in primary schools (up to 4 th 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, s communications  Successes/Impact Thus Far Dispelling parents apathy toward children education Reduction of drop out rates (before 4 th 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 WYDr. Bibek Ray 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 4 th 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 Detailed Budget breakup

Other Funding Sources  Previous/Other Funding Sources 1. ASTI ( American Service To India: and americanservicetoindia.org; Costa Mesa, CA) 2. CTI (Compatible Technology International; Minnesota, MN; 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 2/3 rd majority. Quorum of 5. 3.All projects must be resolved by the 2 nd meeting