JG Conference call – Feb 7th, 2011
Attendees: Shankar (UIUC), Charanya (Austin), Mr Devarajan (JG)
(minutes taken by Charanya)
General Updates:
School students are currently preparing for their examinations. 10th Exam first, followed by other exams, then ITI.
School is undergoing major funding problems, and especially daily food supply issues.
The Kalayana Mandap which was built over the past year was a means to provide self-sustenance to the school, and was embraced by all donors. As actual construction started, a lot of donors backed out siting the reason that the school probably has enough money since they could afford such an "affluent" project, and will probably not need donations anymore. In Jan 2011, a lot of regular donors backed out.
The school currently has an immediate need of about 2 lakh rupees.
Mr D has tried to organize a single meeting to address all his donors and explain the situation, but has not been successfully able to organize a meeting thus far. Needs to now try to approach everyone 1x1.
JG Trust:
There is an advisory board of 5 people for the trust. The board was assembled 22 years ago with people from Chengalpet as a means to provide guidance as well as undertake financial duties. However, there has been no major contributions or feedback, especially with current fundraising shortage scenario.
Current Student Count:
Total number of students: 137, School: 119, ITI: 18 (3 girls, 15 boys)
Teachers: 6 Trained, 4 Untrained
Asha's Current Involvement:
Austin: Educational Materials
Atlanta: Food (~350 meals a day)
UIUC: Trained Teachers' Salaries
Seattle: Untrained Teachers+Other Staff's Salaries (Total Salary Cost = 7.5 lakhs)
School Update:
10th Exam is coming up in March 2nd Week
School closed for the summer on April 23rd and re-opens on Jun 3rd. During school close, only orphan children, those who have no homes to go back to, and ITI students will be at the hostels.
Plan to start 11th and 12th standard from next year onwards. For 11th/12th - Accounts group only. No qualified teachers available for Science groups. Plan is to hire M-Com educated teachers sometime in April.
2 mail goals in 2010-2011 was ramping up on sign language and computer learning.
Sign Language - Trained teachers are currently train in speech therapy only and know very limited sign language. They are also more focued on getting the kids pass their exams. It will cost more to hire teachers with advanced ISL skills. Mr D personally hasn't had anytime to talk to the teachers and encourage signing as well. This is something he hopes to focus on more next year.
Computer Learning: No progress made. In 2010, Asha UIUC submitted a grant to NVIDIA to help with this and reacher the final stage, but lost there. Hope was that this might have help computer learning at the school. There are only 2 functional computers at the school and no internet access. Mr D still goes to the Internet Center to send emails.
Home Visits: Mr D visits the parents of local+surrounding area children every 2 months. Including both day scholars and hostel children. The parents appreciate the visits and the children tend to be more disciplined because of this as well.
ITI Update:
ITI exams are in June end.
Instructors have been complaining about outdated and shortage of workshop tools. Mr D is hoping to upgrade some of the equipment for the next school year.
Jobs secured for 2 students at Hindustan Piston. Mr D hoping to find jobs for the rest of the students as well.
Kalyana Madapam (Wedding Hall):
Good progress made over the past 6 months. 1 more month of work left.
A watchman has already been hired and has been working since the beginning of the mandap constructions.
A manager will be hired soon.
Plan to start bookings starting June 1st.
Overall: ~30 lakh expenditure.
Goal is still to be self-sustaining by 2012 end or 2013 beginning.
New Proposals for 2011-2012 school year:
- Upgrade to ITI Tools/Equipment
- Teachers Salary for M-Com Teachers 11th/12th grade (Asha Seattle potentially)
- Food (due to shortage of local donors) (Asha Atlanta potentially)
- Medical supplies (was proposed to Asha Austin last year but Austin was not able to support.)