Odanadi Seva Samsthe An Update on Events
11/23/03
- By Ramesh Dodamani

See recent photos uploaded at:
http://www.ashanet.org/projects-new/documents/129/photos_odanadi_aug_sept.html

In August 2003, three of Odanadi's children were honoured by a local organization for securing high marks in their last examination. They were presented with a plaque, a certificate and an award of Rs. 500.

The resident teachers as well as myself visited the high school which some of the children attend, and talked to the teachers about the progress and any issues with the children.

Additional coaching for high school students: The 10th std students have special classes in their school in the morning and evening, by the school teachers. In addition a retired professor teaches them English and Maths at Odanadi on the weekends.

One of the resident teachers also helps all the high-school children with their subjects and homework. I too take English and Maths classes now and then. I have also provided them additional books to help with their studies and do better in their exams.

Prizes in competitions: Some of the children participated in Taluk and district level competitions and won many prizes.

Vocational Training: The rescued girls and some of the older children underwent various trainings during the past three months. These are Jari and Embroidery work, making Soap(bar and liquid) and Candles, detergent powder and dishwashing powder. Investment support is needed to produce these items so that they can be marketed and generate revenue.

Computers: 2 used computers(a P3-733 and a Celeron-566) have been provided for the children to learn. The children are all very excited about working with them. Atleast two more are needed.

Trip: The children and staff went on a trip to Sravanabelagola, Belur and Halebeedu in September. They all enjoyed the trip very much, as they hadn't been outside for a long time.

Children's Day was celebrated on Nov 14th. The children presented talents in various programs. Prizes were distributed to all winners of various competitions held during that week.

New Clothes: The wife of union minister Srinivas Prasad visited Odanadi and distributed new clothes to all the children.

The new building is coming up fast and some of the rooms will be ready for the Asha conference in December. See photo at:
http://www.ashanet.org/projects-new/documents/129/photos_odanadi_building1028.html

A sum of Rs. 22,07,690($48,500) was received by Odanadi from Work-An-Hour 2003 on October 23, 2003. Odanadi thanks all Asha volunteers for their support.

AID-Pittsburg has approved funding for the salaries of some of the staff of Odanadi, who do not have funds from any other source. This will be a great help for the staff and they express their thanks.

The second half of the funding from the Govt. of India under the Swadhar scheme is caught up in red tape. Various officials from the govt. have visited and inspected the accounts and the ongoing work, but since apparently no bribe was given, the funds are not getting released. Some money for the building and salaries of newly hired staff were being paid from this grant.

Other Events at Odanadi:

Ms. Laura Livingston, who is First Secretary and Director, Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Embassy of USA , visited Odanadi on Aug 24th and spent almost the whole day with the children and staff. She has a good grasp of the issues and had many suggestions for the Odanadi team. It seems she has been visiting a number of such organizations lately. Ms. Anjana Chatterjee from the U.S. Consulate at Chennai had accompanied Ms Laura.

A Swedish student Louisa , has come to Mysore to spend a year with Odanadi. She has studied in the US, and an NGO in Sweden has trained and sent her here. She will be staying at Odanadi and helping them.

The 'asha-santuary' team will be conducting a conference on the issues related to the children of the prostituted and sexual exploitation of children. This will be held on Odanadi premises on December 14,15,16. Various Indian NGOs working on the same issues as well as many Asha volunteers will be participating. The Asha volunteers will thus get an opportunity to see the progress of the new building as well as get to know the children and the staff.

In the third week of August 2003, an awareness program about child trafficking was conducted for the judges and lawyers of Mysore city.

Another one-day seminar was conducted for the lawyers and law students at the J.S.S. Law college.

A half-day awareness and sensitization program was conducted for the staff and students of the police training school at Channapatna and another one for the staff of the Police Training Academy at Mysore.

Another day-long awareness and sensitization program was conducted for the police officers of Mysore district. This was attended by the D.C. of Mysore, the police superintentent, and serving police officers of Mysore district. This program appeared to be very effective in sensitizing the officers about the issue of child trafficking and exploitation, based on their feedback.

Among other cases, there was one in which a City Crime Branch Inspector had kidnapped a girl child and using her as a maid-servant. She was rescued and handed over to her parents.

The Mysore-Kuvempunagar rescue case, described in an earlier report, was profiled in one of the episodes of "Crime Diary ", a program of a Kannada TV channel.

The story of the "Vijayan Case"(in which a child trafficking gang was busted) was profiled on 2 consecutive episodes of "Star TV " of Chennai. In the program, former film actress Laxmi interviewed Stanly & Parashu. Reports indicate that the program was received very well in Tamil Nadu.

MSW(Master of Social Work) students from local womens colleges visited Odanadi for an orientation of issues related to child trafficking and exploitation.

Asha volunteer Srikanth from Bangalore visited Odanadi and spent time with the children and staff. He also discussed about the arrangements for the upcoming Asha-Odanadi conference.

Dr. Dilip Veeraraghavan from IIT-Chennai visited Odanadi and spent time with the children and the staff in October.