CHAMPA MAHILA SOCIETY – A Journey towards a Brighter Tomorrow Presented By : Swagato Chakraborty Volunteer, Asha Seattle

CMS is an organization in Basanti,Sunderban that works for education,health and awareness for the local people. CMS is supervised by the local people, who have been able to identify the roots of the existing problems in the locality, and have decided to put forth their efforts to eradicate them. CMS works hand in hand with other voluntary organizations (e.g. Asha), in realizing their goals to see a better a tomorrow.

CMS has identified : CMS has decided to : Lack of Education, Lack of awareness ,Poverty forms a vicious cycle in the local society CMS has decided to : Break the cycle through proper education for people at all levels of the society, which would bring in social awareness and financial prosperity

CMS activities are 100% demand-based, and had natural growth How it all started??? CMS activities started in 1984 with Non-Formal Education for the children. Education gave rise to demand for more education .People started understanding their needs for a better life – CMS activities grew. CMS activities are 100% demand-based, and had natural growth

Key Focus Areas : Non Formal Education Orphanage Primary School School for Drop-Out children (SAC) Women’s Group Health Care

Non-Formal Education Most children come for uneducated family Very low infrastructural cost Large number of children can be covered Presently runs 32 non-formal schools Needs increase the number of centers

Orphanage Orphans & semi-orphan boys from a wide age-group Boys study in the local regular school CMS provides them with food,lodging, games facilities, vocational training, books, cultural developments and disciplined life Runs on partial Govt. aid & bulk donation from supporting groups Boys Performing

Women’s Group Micro-credit groups to provide financial assistance for the group members The loan interest, as well as the bank interest is divided among the group members Periodic meeting of the women to discuss their own issues amongst themselves – a unified strength against domestic violence Education, training, social awareness programs for the group members

Health Care Health center, for treatment and medication Equipped for small scale surgeries, and is well-maintained for its purpose Doctor comes from Calcutta two days a week Occasional Health Awareness Programs

Primary School Free Primary Education for children CMS provides teaching staffs in addition to the Govt. funded teacher Regular education + Programs for social and environmental awareness Extension of the school building , funded by Asha Seattle

Support a Child For Drop out School Children (30 children so far) Formal & Nonformal education+vocational & cultural training+games+food+excursion Runs on individual sponsorship basis Girls in Classroom Girls putting up a choreography

Immediate Plans : Pending Proposal: New SAC center at Gosaba Extending existing SAC center at Basanti Bringing NFE s under Support A Villege Bringing Orphanage under Support A Child Pending Proposal: Primary school at Jharkhali Support A Family for boosting local economy Funds to increase health care fecilities

Finally Mr. Amol Nayak, the founder and the director of the organization in my view is a person of excellent ideas and vision. Fortunately he has got a number of very active and dedicated volunteers to run the job. The present status of CMS activities is commendable within its limited resources. I sincerely hope the endeavor of every individual involved with this culminates in a brighter tomorrow. Also as requested by Mr. Nayak and his crews, I extend their cordial thanks to Asha and its patron all over the world.

THANK YOU Sunset in Basanti