RHEDT Site Visit

RHEDT Site Visit 1998

Project site Visit Report :
Done by: Chandra Elango(Asha Seattle Volunteer)

Visited the office on 26.8.98. The project office is functioning at the residence of Mr. Ansar Basha,project co-ordinator. It is very near Karamadai level crossing on the Mettupallayam Coimbatore Highway. Mr.Basha commands lot of respect locally. His project has been recognised by Govt. He is invited by other social service organisation for participation. Volunteers from other countries often visit/stay at the project sites.
9 th September '98 :
Visited the three villages. All the projects are functioning in remote inaccessible areas. There are no public convienience to them. Mr.David Harding , a volunteer from England was working at Ukkianur for 2 weeks. He was deputed by "FUTURE IN OUR HANDS". He was studying whether a community irrigation project can be set up. He was also working on a trekking route to be handled by tribals.

KALIYUR :
About 20 children are studying. The school functions in a room -part of a group house constructed by Govt. The people are convienced about the need for educating their children. Transport facilities may improve in another 2 years.

UKKAIANUR
:
About 20 children were present. The school functions in a group house. Children of different age groups were found. Very difficult to reach even by jeep. Inaccessible during rainy season.

MARUTHANGARAI - KILUR:
The school functioning originally at Poochimaradur has been shifted here because of some local problem. There were 40 children (total 50). The room was little cramped but classes can be conducted outside when there is no rain. In all the places mid-day meal was provided. But for these schools the children will have no access to education. The teacher who stays in the village teaches upto 3rd std. Organisers also help in teaching etc. The organisers move from village to village visiting each village once in a fortnight. Their extension work has resulted in tribals senging their children to school. Govt. cannot establish schools there since no teacher in Govt. service will work under such trying circumstances. The present scheme of teaching upto 3rd std. and putting the children subsequently in the tribal schools (residenial) run by Govt. appears to be okay. The main focus is to make the parents mand children understand that education is important. In the absence of absolutely no scope for primary education, the projects run by ASHA,SEATTLE has achieved its object to a great extent and they have funded a noble cause.

NEED FOR PURCHASE OF SITE:
At present the office functioning at Mr.Bashas's residence serves the purpose. He is assisted by 2 people in the office and by the teachers and the organisers. Mr.Basha meets them every saturday to review the progress at a rented building at THANNEERPANDAL village. He also meets the tribals on mondays to sort out teir problems. The rent for this field office will be very cheap as it is located in a village.

Mr.Basha feels that he can take the assisstance of other voluntary agencies to construct a building , develop farming once the trust owns a piece of land. The proposed site is on a bus route - an alterrnate route to OOTY from COIMBATORE via KUNDAH,very near the present office. Since RHEDT is a trust they can buy it . Problems may arise if there is dissension among trustees. Now everything is okay. Asthe rentals are low buying land for contruction of office alonemay not be neccessary. But if it is for a bigger project the details of such project need to be examined in detail.

However continuance of the existing project is essential and it appears to be serving a noble cause. Thanks for the oppurtunity given and it was nice to see some less fortunate children born at remote places have access to primary education with food. It was indeed a very moving experience for me. Should you have any doubt please feel free to contact me . My best wishes and sincere thanks for all those behind this noble project.

With regards,
ELANGO
 


[RHEDT Project Main Page]

Asha-Seattle Home