1. Jeeva Jyothi “Forming the Wings of Escape” Jeeva Jyothi Director: Susai Raj Project Champion: Anuj Chakrapani ASHA-AZ Project Meeting March 19, 2006 Presentation by: Nirmal Govind FCRA Registration No: 075900620 URL: http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=439

2. Background Target Group: Bonded and Child Laborers and Women in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu. Target Group: Bonded and Child Laborers and Women in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu. District is dependent on seasonal rain for agriculture. Past decade has seen drought. There are 1500 rice mills in the district. District is dependent on seasonal rain for agriculture. Past decade has seen drought. There are 1500 rice mills in the district. Thiruvallar

3. Health Conditions Meager wages of bonded laborers prevent nutrition for the family. 0-2 year old children are not immunised. 0-2 year old children are not immunised. 3-5 year old children play in unhygienic conditions while their parents toil in the sun drying paddy. 3-5 year old children play in unhygienic conditions while their parents toil in the sun drying paddy. No family planning awareness - results in large families and unwanted burden to the already heavy debt-ridden families. No family planning awareness - results in large families and unwanted burden to the already heavy debt-ridden families.

4. Project Objectives Project involves running a creche center / balwadi. Project involves running a creche center / balwadi. Seeks to prevent nutritional deficiency in mothers and children Seeks to prevent nutritional deficiency in mothers and children Lactating mothers will receive nutritional meals. Lactating mothers will receive nutritional meals. Provide primary development of children with secure places of learning. Provide primary development of children with secure places of learning. Create awareness of healthcare systems. Create awareness of healthcare systems.

5. Project Team The Jeeva Jyothi project team comprises of: Community Organizer (one) Community Organizer (one) Part-time Doctor (one) Part-time Doctor (one) Balwadi or Preschool Teacher (two) and Balwadi or Preschool Teacher (two) and Balwadi Helpers (two). Balwadi Helpers (two).

6. Target Group Every year, this project will target: 3-5 years children (50) and their mothers (50) = Total 100 3-5 years children (50) and their mothers (50) = Total 100 0-2 years children (50) and their lactating mothers (50) – Total 100 0-2 years children (50) and their lactating mothers (50) – Total 100 Pregnant Mothers – 50 Pregnant Mothers – 50 Currently there are about 44 children in the age limit of 0-2 years and 60 children belong to the age group of 3-5 years. Indirectly the project reaches out to the entire community (523 or 144 families), which it serves.

7. Funding Request (April 05 – March 06) Recurring – Total $6,876 The proposal for 06-07 has not been furnished yet.

8. Budget Proposal Recurring (05-06)$6,876 ---------- Grant requested$ 6,876 The proposal for 06-07 has not been furnished yet.

9. Feedback from Anuj Anuj made a site visit in December 2005 Anuj made a site visit in December 2005 Fair improvement in the condition of balwadis Fair improvement in the condition of balwadis Better teaching methods used (courtesy a workshop organized by Asha-Chennai) Better teaching methods used (courtesy a workshop organized by Asha-Chennai) Children were wearing uniforms and seemed to be more enthusiastic Children were wearing uniforms and seemed to be more enthusiastic Exclusive medical camp organized for the children of the Balwadis Exclusive medical camp organized for the children of the Balwadis Reasonable expense report Reasonable expense report Overall Impression: Progress is being made

10. Thoughts from Anuj Two balwadis not housed in the same compound. JJ claim that a single building will solve a lot of their problems. To this end, they have identified a single piece of land, which belongs to the local tribals. Two balwadis not housed in the same compound. JJ claim that a single building will solve a lot of their problems. To this end, they have identified a single piece of land, which belongs to the local tribals. Mr. Susai Raj has an agreement with the tribals that land can be used by the balwadi and after 10 years, the ownership of the land will be decided Mr. Susai Raj has an agreement with the tribals that land can be used by the balwadi and after 10 years, the ownership of the land will be decided Since Asha cannot fund construction costs, Anuj plans to raise funds thro’ friends and contacts for the construction costs, so Asha’s funds can be utilized for the recurring expenses alone and JJ can slowly become self-sufficient Since Asha cannot fund construction costs, Anuj plans to raise funds thro’ friends and contacts for the construction costs, so Asha’s funds can be utilized for the recurring expenses alone and JJ can slowly become self-sufficient

11. Appeal from Anuj Anuj would like Asha-AZ members to personally contribute towards the construction costs. Mr Susai Raj is a dedicated social worker and the funds generated towards this will definitely go a long way in making the organization self- sufficient Anuj would like Asha-AZ members to personally contribute towards the construction costs. Mr Susai Raj is a dedicated social worker and the funds generated towards this will definitely go a long way in making the organization self- sufficient Anuj will send a detailed email appealing for the same Anuj will send a detailed email appealing for the same

12. Project Champion Wealth of information available at the projects site Wealth of information available at the projects site Anuj Chakrapani can be contacted at anuj.chakrapani@gmail.com Anuj Chakrapani can be contacted at anuj.chakrapani@gmail.com anuj.chakrapani@gmail.com Anuj has been championing this project for the last 2 years. Anuj has been championing this project for the last 2 years.