1. Mahila Vikas year 2007 report Tribal Children’s Education Project in Gajapati district, Orissa (Jan 07 – Jan 08) Primary Steward: Arjun Dutt

2. Orissa, India Gajapati district

3. Project Description  Location: Gajapti District, Orissa  Area (urban/rural): Rural  Primary Focus: Dropout and non-school going children of Saura tribals – inadequate govt schools  Project Type: Class 1-3 primary education  Amount Requested (US$): 10,625  Purpose of Funding Request: Operating Learning Centers  # of Beneficiaries: 300 children/year

4. Project Achievements  Provided education and healthcare to 300 tribal girls and empower female population.  Provided primary education to girl children of ages 5-12 years from class 1 through class 3.  Started 15 bridge course (Sanjukta Vidyalaya) centers in 5 panchayats to enroll dropout and non-school going children in govt schools.  70 girl children re-enrolled in govt. schools.  Utilized prolonged community involvement through – Project started by community, of community and for community.

5. Progress  Learning center kept constant at 15 – relocated to other villages. Community centers used for buildings.  Identify barefoot teachers and eligible students  Procure teaching materials, supplies and other aides.  Train barefoot teachers. 2 day orientation followed by 10 days training in three phases.  Sensitization camps held in each quarter in every panchayat to educate, inform and drive community consiting of VEC, PTA and SHG.  Held Health Checkup camp, art and games, study tour

6. Organization Description  Mahila Vikas – Wealth of experience in tribal development  Founder: Mrs. Pramila Sabar – belongs to tribe  President: Mr. Raj Kishore Panda  Secretary: Mrs. Amita Padhi  Other Activities: Formation of SHGs, Water and Sanitation, Accelerated Female Literacy.  Helped educate about 15K, 15-35 year old tribal women, formed SHGs, built rapport and awareness in community.

7. Existing Infrastructure/Facilities  Mahila Vikas staff is 6 FT and 16 volunteers from the community.  Utilize existing community halls in villages for learning centers – can accommodate 50 students.  Training Barefoot teachers to teach in learning centers.  Training for the community VEC, SHG, CBO

8. Mahila Vikas

9. Requested Funding for 2008 (Projections) LEARNING CENTER Learning and training material, Healthcare, Study Tours and Outings Rs 90,000 ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS Salary of teachers and project coordinator, Travel allowance to villages. Rs 3,06,000 OFFICE MANAGEMENT Stationery, Furniture, Project Review Rs 29,000 TOTALRs. 4,25,000 (US 10,625)

10. Reasons for increasing expenses  Teacher’s salary increased from Rs750 to Rs1000pm due to minimum wage increase. .Salary of project coordinator and supervisor  Reading materials for 100 additional children