Site Visit Report
Date: December,  2003.

Background and a few details: 

When I was a student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, I was part of the Indian Graduate Students' Association (IGSA). IGSA had organized a charity clothes drive in memory of its former president, Late Shri. Shrikanth Rao. We were on the look out for organizations we can donate the proceeds to. I had heard about "The Banyan" even when in my 10th Std. at school (But, the second time I came across the mention of the organization was only at Madison). A few of us had proposed the idea of donating clothes to the Banyan, in Chennai. We ended up collecting donations not only at madison, but, also in chennai through our parents/relatives/friends. When I actually visited this project, Asha-madison had not worked with the project and also was not considering any proposal from them. I reached austin directly from india after the site-visit. My visit to the banyan was not to evaluate the organization's funding needs or project needs. My visit was to touch base with Shoba and Snigdha, the persons I had been in contact with from madison and to give another set of clothes donations done at chennai.

The Visit:

My father and I left our home in the morning in his scooter to Mogappair, Chennai. Though we had the address and the directions it took us time to actually find the place. I guess I was the reason for the confusion :) ..I showed visible signs of frustration and did nothing to help my father when he was trying hard to find the place while we were getting late. This obviously irritated him and he couldn't take it anymore. We decided we were lost :)... We tried asking people around for directions. The first two persons we met had no clue to what we were talking about. Then we met a group of guys standing near parked cycles at the corner of the road. They asked us if it was the hospital we were looking for, when we mentioned "The Banyan" and we were relieved to have found an answer.

The building is pretty impressive. It had a huge gate and big locks. (http://www.thebanyan.org/new/newbuilding.htm)

The watchman asked us a few questions and led us to the reception desk. I could see a few inmates taking walks and the whole setting had a peaceful ambience to it. There were a couple of dogs (these are raised at the banyan). The dogs somehow didn't really like my idea of walking towards them and seemed to give me angry snarls. I found myself in a familiar situation and decided to be courageous enough to wait for the watchman to lead the dogs away :) . The receptionist paged shoba and she was there in a minute to lead us to her desk. Everyone seemed to be enthusiastic and bubbly. I could see quite a few people in the office, considering that it was a Sunday! The dogs wanted to check what I was up to even after being assured by the watchman! While my father had no problems with them, they gave me the snarls again! 

O.k..enough about the pets. We presented shoba the bags with the clothes (mostly saris, salwars and footwear). She thanked us and said our contribution actually was timely. She was quite busy with the Banyan's 10th Anniversary Celebrations. She told us how the Banyan had struggled to be where it was in the 10 years. No one would have given a chance to two young collegians to establish a system that would make a huge change in hundreds of underprivileged lives. (http://www.thebanyan.org/new/genesis.htm)

We have become so used to poverty and suffering that it seems to seamlessly and comfortably blend into the background of busy no-time-for-you lives. But, here is an effort that’s seen many selfless acts to bring a lot of smiles and create new beginnings.

Shoba described the objectives of the banyan. (http://www.thebanyan.org/new/objectives.htm). She offered to take us around and show the entire building and facilities.

(There are a few photographs to look at though - http://www.thebanyan.org/new/gallery.htm)

 My father had other appointments (Unlike me my father gives his all to work and spends time every day of the week at work! I had actually made him drop a few urgent appointments for me ..because I needed a ride:)..) and we really hadn't planned for it. Maybe if I had known that this would have helped us evaluate their needs at that time, I would have surely done it.

After shoba described the methodology and functioning of the banyan (http://www.thebanyan.org/new/methodology.htm), I felt the concept of vocational training and occupational therapy was innovative and interesting. I wanted to know more about it. She did say that they were not really very experienced in doing it. But, they seemed to have the right foundation and advice from medical experts. The program if made feasible and exploited well, would make a huge difference in the rehabilitation of the inmates.

I then spoke to her about Asha and AID ( At that time (and probably even now!) I was a pretty new volunteer). I spoke about the projects that Asha and AID typically support. She was impressed with the kind of work we were doing and both of us seemed to be converging on the idea of Asha/AID working with the Banyan. She promised to send me a formal proposal (of course, at that time I was not aware of Asha's own questionnaire. ) after I settled down in austin. As it neared almost an hour, I realized that I was making my father wait! But, he was quite interested in what we were discussing and had questions of his own. He wanted to know about the "sponsor a meal" idea. He also asked her how they actually find the destitute women. Shoba explained to us about the hotline and how effective their response system was. I could see that this was a responsible and well-organized system.

It was time to go. I thanked shoba for her time and patience. I promised her that I would do my best to cause at least a small positive change.

As we stepped out to the scooter, my four-legged friends reappeared! But, this time the the snarls were a little bit mellowed down. I guess it was noon and they already had lunch. Thank god!!

As we were going back home, I had a strange feeling of being happy and at the same time a fear of living up to expectations. My father was happy too and he had a lot of stories to tell on our way back..his activism and voluntary service in our native village of Tattamangalam, Palghat (Yayyy!!.....my village's name is going to be on the web now ;)...) Well, I will narrate those when you guys have more patience for me!

Later, I was quite surprised to see that Asha had very few projects in the line of "The Banyan". I sincerely believe that when presented with an opportunity to help a genuine organization with a genuine cause and philosophy we should try to broaden our horizons. This is especially true, when the organization has a demonstrated need of funds.

Disclaimer: This is not exactly a report. This is just my experience and I have reflected it (to the best of my knowledge) without any distortions.(of course, I really didn't believe the dogs would have me for lunch ;) ..)