Vision Society For Interactive Operational Needs
Dec 31, 2015
Vision Society ForInteractive Operational
Needs
History
• Started in 2002• Based around Varanasi, UP
– Mostly weaver families. Majority muslims• Very poor; further hit by slump in sari market• Lack of medical facilities; increasing TB cases
• Targeting girls in the 3-19 years of age– Social restrictions limit the access to
education (purdah system)
• Supported by Asha-UC (2003 – 04)
Organizers
• From the community; used to work with other NGOs in the past
• Alok Kumar Singh• Jagriti Rahi – coordinator
Objectives – I
• Raising literacy levels among girls• Functional Literacy
– Taught the importance and functioning of banks, railways, hospitals, post-offices and governments through field trips
– Increase awareness about health and hygiene issues
• Connecting to post-literacy and continuing education programs.
Objectives – II
• Vocational training for girls– Taught stitching, knitting, painting– Personal financial management
• Counseling parents to send their children to school
• Other activities – Republic Day, Independence Day celebrations– Cleaning of surroundings
• Increase motivation – students/parents will eventually pay for their education
Operational Model
• Classes in the afternoons or evenings– Timings to suit children – early mornings,
evenings– Students also work – stitching, weaving
• Space provided by community residents/teachers
• Discussions with older students on Saturdays– Cover topics like healthcare, family
planning
Curriculum
• Texts prescribed by Jamia Millia Islamia– Books cover all subjects (Hindi, Maths,
Basic Science, History, …)– Practical training
• Examinations conducted by the National Open School system
Centers
• Before 2002: One center at Badi Bazaar/Bunkar Colony; was being run by a volunteer
• 2002 – 2003: New centre at Vyaspur; not continued after most students enrolled in government schools
• 2003 – 2004: Added centre at Nakkhighat
• 2004 - 2005: Plans to start a new centre at Samera
Vyaspur
• Population of 1200– Muslims, Harijans, Patels
• Teacher: Savitri (B.A.)• 23 children were taught in 2002-2003
– 20 of them enrolled in formal schools
• The centre was not continued
Nakkighat
• Population of 5000– 60% Muslim weavers
• Flood prone area• Has a government primary school
– Only two rooms and four teachers; Located at the outskirts – parents wary to send children far
– 4-5% literacy rate; Worse for women
• Teacher: Mumtaz• 23 students taught in two locations
Nakkighat – achievements
• Important Achievements– 6 girls cleared class IV equivalent
• Future plans– Increased enrolment– Older women want to start an evening
school– Demand for starting vocational training
Bunkar Colony
• Current status– 20 students– 9 girls cleared Class V exams– Girls given vocational training
• Future Plans– Will become self sufficient in next 3-4
months: most girls earn and hence can pay for their studies
– Might still need support for teachers’ salary
• Teacher: Farida (B.A., B.Ed.)
Plans for 2004 – 2005
• New center at Samera– Saree weavers and daily laborers– Proposal to start a new center
• List of 24 interested students already available
• Regular Health Camps– Health checkup by doctors
• Focus: Women's health, TB in children
– Distribution of medicines– Increasing awareness
Impact on teachers & students• Teachers have shown a more
progressive attitude– Proactive in their learning– Self-managing
• Centers are outlets for expression• Students read a newspaper in class;
have become more aware
Budget for 2004-05
Expense Head Amount Requested
Explanation 2003-04
Honorarium for teachers
Rs. 36,000 Rs. 1,000 p.m. per teacher; 1 teacher per centre
Rs. 19,200
Honorarium for coordinator
Rs. 30,000 Rs. 2,500 p.m. Rs. 30,000
Study materials
Rs. 9,000 Rs. 3,000/centre Rs. 7,978
Transportation
Rs. 4,000 Field trips Rs. 3,000
Health care Rs. 6,000 Rs. 2,000/centre 0
Miscellaneous Rs. 3,000 Rs. 3,172
TOTAL Rs. 88,000 Rs. 63,500
Comments
• Accounts submitted to Vallabh from Asha-India on a quarterly basis; funds disbursed by Asha-India each quarter– No FCRA clearance; funds routed via Asha-
India
• Focus on functional literacy• Support from the community• Good interaction with kids; Alok
Kumar knew the kids by name• No formal financial records
Other requests
• Children, if provided with raw materials can make greeting cards, toys– Can be sold via Asha merchandise
• Would like to construct a room for the Bunkar Colony centre