1. Van Bandhu Seva Sansthan Udaipur, Rajasthan Project Summary Vikas Kawadia Mar 7, 2004

2. Regional statistics Organization is active in the Jhadol, Kotra and Gogunda tehsils of Udaipur District Approx 90% tribal population Literacy rate below 20% 70% of the population below poverty level Region part of the Aravali range –Barren land, not very amenable to agriculture –Drinking water a big problem –Difficult to reach, remote areas

3. Van Bandhu Seva Sansthan, Udaipur, Rajasthan A very dedicated group of retired government officers –20 founder members Primary contacts: –N. K Chourasia (0294)-2431325 –K. K. Baheti (0294)- 2441188 Informally working since May 99, formally registered 28 th Feb, 2000 Big goal is to improve the socio-economic condition of tribal and bring them to the mainstream

4. Main Activities 18 evening/morning schools for informal education (‘Sanskar Kendras’) –Target age group 5-14 years 12 weekly centers for youths 3 Anicuts (small water dams) constructed 10 wells deepened 12 devras (small temples) renovated Medical and cattle camps organized Covers about 30 villages in all

5. Budget Annual budget has varied from 1.5 to 7 lacs over the years But the organization also acts as a catalytic agent –Contacts organization and individuals to sponsor individual projects and sees them through to completion –All that activity is not directly accounted in the budget –Detailed account in the proposal

6. People Core working committee of 20 retired govt. officers –Contribute their own resources and effort –No monetary compensation of any kind 18 part time teachers, one per Sanskar kendra 12 part time conveners, one per Youth kendra 2 full time supervisors to look after all the kendras 32 paid and 20 honorary members in all

7. Proposal Request ASHA help to support at least two of the informal ‘Sanskar Kendras’, and convert them to proper schools Start more Sanskar Kendras

8. Site visit report Conducted by Shri H.S. Bordia on Feb 29, 2004 –Family friend –Govt. officer –Has donated money for deepening of wells and fodder for cattle several times –Very dedicated and trustworthy Contact –7, Hiran Mangri, Sector 3, Udaipur, Raj. –Ph: (0294)-2460542 –Email: bordiahs2001@yahoo.com

9. Visited the vilages of `Footi Talai’ and ‘Saldari’ Footi Talai: –35 km from Udaipur, 7km of kachna road but jeep able –Only one bus a day from Udaipur –Approx 130 families –No govt. school in the village Saldari: – 42 km, 0.5 km kachha road –Approx 150 families –A primary govt. school in the village, but not free and also mismanaged –Only about 10 students attend the govt. school

10. Van Bandhu centres Footi Talai: 36 students, 8AM to 11 AM Saldari: 34 students, 4 to 6 PM Children between 4-12 years –Go for cattle grazing during the day time Both places have one room each currently Mode of education: non-formal Plans to convert to formal primary school One teacher per school, from the village –Trained in Udaipur once every month –Active interaction and feedback –Currently paid 500 Rs per month for 2.5 hours daily

11. Response Shri Bordia’s response was very positive –People involved are very committed –Discussed various issues at length –Response of villages is positive –Have plans for overall development –Deepening wells, planting trees, vocational training –Sewing and Carpet making for women Rajasthani folk art is very famous and there appears to be a good market here Longer term self sustenance possible

12. Proposal For each of the 2 villages –2 full time teachers @ Rs 1500 pm –14,000 for books, dresses, study materials and misc. expenses –Total 50,000 for each village Additional proposal: Rs 65,00 per village –Construction of an extra room: Rs 50,000 –Furniture Rs 15,000 Very flexible on the proposal, as they can try to complement it with local donations and resources They can start more ‘Sanskar Kendras’ in more villages at just Rs 1000 per month per center

13. Conclusions An experienced, selfless and dedicated core group retd. Govt. officers Have already made a great difference to the lives of thousands of people The project focuses on overall development Help from ASHA, both monetary as well as in terms of ideas, could be very useful

14. Additional documents Following documents are also uploaded on the site Project proposal Site visit report