Annual Report

 

April 2009 to March 2010

 

 

 

 

 

Education Project Supported by

 

Asha for Education,USA

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by,

Manav Sansadhan Evam Mahila Vikas Sansthan,Varanasi

128, Shivdaspurs, Lahartara, Varanasi-UP , INDIA

Phone: 91+542+2372191, 91+9451895332

Email: msvs2006@sify.com , bhanuja_msvs@hot,mail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of the Organization  :           Manav Sansadhan Evam Mahila

                                             Vikas Sansthan (MSEMVS)

Address                                 :           128,Shivdaspur, Lahartara, Varanasi-

221002,U.P. (India)

 

Phone                                                :           91+542+2372191

                                                            Fax     91+542+2370799

                                                            E-mail            manavsanstha@sify.com

                                                                        msvs_vns@yahoo.co.in

 

Reporting Period                 :           01.04.2009 – 31.03.2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal:

Eradication of Slavery and Trafficking through transitional education, income generation and defense of human rights in Varanasi, Bhadohi and Chandauli Districts

 

OBJECTIVES –

Short Term:

1. To continue to educate 50 children who have been from bonded labor or impoverished conditions in the villages of Khadharawn-Phattupur and Kamlahan

2. To place these children into a fully functional school

               * provide a mid-day meal

               * provide health services

3. To prepare these children for the 5th grade level official examination so they can enter the state schools 

4. To bring awareness to families in bonded labor regarding their exploitation by money lenders    

Long Term:

1. To eradicate bonded labor from the Bhadohi and Varanasi Districts (eleven villages) 

2. To provide proper funding for all eleven schools

3. To promote a gradual but profound change of the perception of debt bondage in these districts

 

 

Location :

Village of ASHA-supported school: Khadharawan- Kamlahan (Bhadohi) (adjoining villages on the border between the two districts)

Districts: Bhadohi and Varanasi

State: Uttar Pradesh, India

Organization: Manav Sansadhan Evam Mahila Vikas Sansthan (MSEMVS)

 

Address: 128, Shivdaspur, Lahartara, Varanasi-221002 U.P. India

Phone: 0542-2372191     

Email: bhanuja_msvs@hotmail.com

 

Facilities available : Two Class rooms with furnitures,Kitchen,Store and tiolet.

 

Beneficiaries: 50 students (ex child labourers)

 

The Ex girl student, now are in village school

 

General Information about project area and problems:

 

The reporting year was suffering with draught, this is continuously third year of no raining in the project area after one year raining in 2007 and the crops of Paddy and Wheat were collapsed. The livelihood is a major challenge for the peoples living within this area. The livelihood of the people is depending on agriculture mainly the labour class people. Due to draught and no work in agriculture the poor people are facing unemployment. Being MSEMVS has been working in this area since 2004, people are aware about PDS and other schemes like SHGs related activities etc. and they are approaching for getting the facilities of the Govt.services.They are now unite and able to try to get their rights by themselves.

 

Carpet weaving work is improving due to marketing potential once again after 5-6 years. During Carpet expo the industry announced that carpet sales has been increased in international market. Saree weaving is still facing problems due to reducing demand and non availability of raw materials such as silk yarn. The Govt. is announcing many welfare schemes but due to gap between intention and action of politicians and high level authorities the weaves of sarees still in trouble and cursed to take debt from money lenders and work for them in very terrible situation. There are some groups are emerging active for their rights and employment. Special weavers Zone, Special Economic Zone and High Tech City are also proposed in that area. The Govt has started Rajeev Gandhi Weavers Card Schems while ICICI-Lombard also done the insurance of the weavers with very nominal installment.

 

The problem of unemployment due to draught and fall of demand in sarree, it has been realized that the opportunity to work for livelihood is a major issue for the people of the project area. The organization is providing skill training to the women for Income Generation and we are trying to develop the alternates for income in this challenging time. The women are in groups now active at local level for ensuring their rights.

 

 

 

 

Project Implementation and achievement of the project objective/Project goal

 

The planned results have been achieved in most of our planned activities and we successes to get the objectives:

 

·      A schools of 50 students was implemented regularly and the more than 95% number of children was maintained in schools and educational/nutritional/vocational training activities were implemented properly.

·      50 children were enrolled and the educational and nutritional facilities provided to them. It helped their proper physical and mental growth. Now the children are in 5^th standard.

·      Awareness about education,child rights,ICDS,PDS and panchyatiraj has been increased within the community through training,capacity building of women’s groups and volunteers. The community is able to vigilance the schools,ICDS,PDS and other govt schemesrun in the villages and taking interest toward education of the children.

·      Community Vigilance Committees have been formed in 12 villages within the cluster of Kamlahan Village.

·      The number of the volunteers increased and the issues related to rights of the children and women,ICDS,PDS were discussed and people learned about their rights.

·      2 SHGs are functioning as local power group and people in the villages specially the women are trying to solve their with the support of these SHGs.

·      33 women of two SHGs are earning fair through production and marketing of glass beads, knitting and inscence stick.

·      Vocational training of Chalk Making, screen pronting and tailoring & Book crafts were provided to the 32 children in a proper way and the children are able to use the skills getting in the trainings.

·      More than 100 volunteers have been supporting the project activities as the CVC members. A mechanism has been developed for birth registration and reporting the violation the Children’s & Women’s Rights.

 

 

Participation of the target group/beneficiaries-

·      The parents of the children are key members in Community Vigilance Committees.

·      The village youths are participating in the project activities

·      The parents are attending the meetings regularly.

·      Women are participating actively and they encourage other women to take part in these activities.

·      The villagers are providing monetary support also in form of little donations.

 

 

Contribution of the achieved result toward the project objective/project goal

·      The achieved result within the period shown that the project is being implemented in right way and it will certainly contribute toward the objectives of the project.

 

 

Summary Assessment of the project situation at the end of the reporting period

 

At the Kamlahan-Kadharawa the education centre is now functional as Resource Centre on Human Rights (Jan Adhikar Kendra) and the educational activities are being continued as in July they will be mainstreamed in Govt. Village school in project area. Now children & parents especially the women are on the way of social and economic empowerment.50 children have been attending the schools and are prepared for appearing in Examination of Education department. The children are now moving toward leadership in the community by playing a vital role in the committees formed under the project as well as in Children’s Panchyat. The Children are participating in school activities and the parents also showing interest in a better way.The Kisori Samuh (Adolescent Girl’s Club) is trained and very active in village matter specially gender and women’s issues.

 

More than 100 individuals making their efforts as volunteers and in 12 villages on the issues Trafficking, bonded labou, minimum wages,ICDS, PDS,NREGA etc.Being the members Community Vigilance Committees they are very active in their villages as well at block level. The team including trained Staffs and committed Volunteers are now much more skilled and confidence to achieve the goals of the Project.

 

 

The women of SHG in Block level Meeting

 

 

MSEMVS’ methods & Strategy:

 

First get the children in schools: MSEMVS introduced an accelerated and rights-based education program to the villages, encouraging all the parents to send their children to the transitional schools that they established. Normally around 50 children attend each school, and 60 – 70% of the children (typically the older children) are removed from forced labor in order to attend the school. The remaining (younger) children usually had not entered forced labor yet. Because all the parents remove their children from labor at once, there is less risk of reprisals, and at the same time, MSEMVS organizes mothers and fathers groups, as well as Community Vigilance Committees in each village.

 

Second, organize communities around basic human rights: Community Vigilance Committees now operate in 73 villages. The Committees take on all of the issues that tend to keep families in debt bondage: lack of access to health care and safe water, corruption of the Government-funded “cheap food” distribution system, control of elections and legal systems by the slaveholders, and failure of government schools to perform. MSEMVS have documented significant successes in this community mobilization around human rights issues – with village after village uprooting age-old corrupt systems and consistently holding officials to account.

 

Third, sustain the process through giving women access to income: A further vital strategy is to enable women in particular to develop new sources of income. Self Help Groups (SHG) have formed in the villages (including the villages with transitional schools), and women are now earning regular income through glass bead production, incense sticks, embroidery and other activities for which there is a local and international market. Equally important, these SHGs are supporting their members to demand payment in cash, not grains, for their agricultural work. The diagram at the end of this document shows the desired changes and the processes aimed at achieving these results.

 

 

 

 

Educational Program

MSEMVS school enrolls at least 50 children, usually aged 6 – 14.

The mainstream curriculum covers Hindi Language, Math, Science and Environment, to ensure that the children are successful in the state examinations and are able to enter government-run schools.

§  Lessons are taught not only traditionally, but also through the use of games and activities. The teachers ensure the active participation of children and make learning fun and interesting.

§  In addition, teachers emphasize the following areas:

• Awareness generating and advocacy on the local level – how to influence the Panchayat Raj Institutions (village government).
• Community organization and self-help groups.
• Emotional and mental health care of the children – education must take into account prior traumatic experiences.
• Legal rights, illegality of slavery, bonded labor and child labor in India’s laws.

o      Hygiene and cleanness

o      Moral science

o      Physical training, meditation, cultural activities

o      Social education classes

• During the second and third years, vocational training is provided to older children.
• Children’s self-organization is critical to the management of the school. Three committees are run by the children: Hygiene/cleanliness; Discipline/attendance; and Recreation.

 

 

 

ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT THE

APRIL, 2009 – March, 2010

 

v    Educational activities conducted in school with joyful learning methods, midday meals were provided to the children. A menu for mid day meal has been decided by the Children’s Comittees.11 children passed 5^th class and they Mainstreamed in 6^th class in Govt in July,2009. 39 children are still in school and will appear in examination of Govt. Education department and mainstreamed in village school.

 

v    Human rights education class conducted by community worker and Block coordinators on Nine Essential Components. Human rights education also given the sight on the issues of violence, bonded child labour, human trafficking, women and girl child rights, right to information. Children aware on the different legal issues.

 

v    Vocational training for the children age at 13+ conducted through out the period of April,2009 – March,2010 and the children undergone in Chalk making,Book crafts, Tailoring and Screen printing at Kamlahan School.

 

v    Production and marketing continue by MSEMVS team and Volunteers. Some local buyers bought incense stick, woollen cloth and glass beads.9 women are doing beads work, 11 are doing woollen and cotton Knitting work and 13 are producing incense stick.

 

v    9 Girls passed out from this school are now formed Adolescent Club and getting life skill education in our centre.

 

 

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED:

 

APRIL-09

 

24.4.2009:

A sensitization and training programme for Core Group of Community Vigilance Committee was conducted in the Kamlahan village on the issues of Right to Information.13 male and 5 female from 18 villages participated.The participants learnt about Right to information and its uses for the poor people. During the meeting Block level CVC team was formed who will be responsible for taking acting and making task for ensuring basic human rights of the villagers.

 

28.4.2009:

A meeting of women’s Self Help Group (previously this was the mother’s committee but now it is empowering as Self Help Group) held in Kamalaha Village in which 25 women of two groups participated and learnt about fighting against the irregularities in Ration shop under Public distribution system.

 

MAY-2009

 

1.5.2009

On international Labour Day a meeting of parents of the children organized in Kamlahan Village in which more than 40 people participated from Kamlahan,Belwan,Nahvanipur & Purenanda villages.In this meeting they made about cooperative and its application for their development.A lawyer also expert of cooperative gave the training to the villagers for formation & registration of a co-operative.

 

2.5.2009:

A training of staff members and selected CVC members of Human Right Education was conducted in Varanasi in which they were trained on nine essential components; the nine essential components are:

1                Every BPL (below poverty line ) family should have the BPL ration card and Every card holder families should get the ration properly in quality and quantity

2                100% birth registration. ICDS centre should be in place and all the children age at 0-5 years should be enrolled at that centre and get proper services

3                All the children age at 6-14 years should be in Govt. Primary school and Primary school must have the proper facility of mid day meal and the children should get nutrition as per menu of Govt without any discrimination of caste, religion and habitat.

4                Every family has Job Card and bank account under NREGA, The registered labour should get employment of 100 days in a year and get the wages in proper way, unemployment allowances should be ensured if they do not get job.

5                The SC students must get scholarship in the village school and get free educational meterials

6                The panchayat is active on pro children & pro women decision

7                The committees formed under Panchayati Raj should be active and meetings are conducted regularly and the entire member should participate in.

8                The Govt. Schemes – Indira Awas, Social Security benefits, Widow pension, Disabled pension, water and drainage facilities, road etc.

9               Health system in place and active- 100% immunization, ANM services, regular camps should be done.

12.5.2009:

A meeting of women’s Self Help held in Kamalaha Village in which 25 women of two groups and 18 other women participated. In this meeting the women taught to other women about Income Generation Activities which they are doing already. The women demonstrated the glass beads made by them. In this meeting the women made their action plan for going to Block Authority office and protest against the problem in PDS system in the village.

 

 

 

JUNE-2009:

 

19.6.2009:

A Block Level Core Group of Community Vigilance Committee was conducted in the Kamlahan village under the leadership of the members of Kamlahan village committee. In that meeting they formalized this core group at block level. With the help of the facilitator they made their own mission statements and memorandum of the committee. They reviewed their effort made during previous months by village level groups.

 

25.6.2009:

A school enrolment rally was organized by the MSEMVS in which the children & parents of Kmalahan village participated. This rally passed through dozens of the villages and given the massage of Right to Education and girls education among the community in the villages. More than 60 people were participated in this rally.

 

26.6.2009:

A meeting of the Kisori Committee (The group of adolescent boys & girls mainstreamed in Govt.schools through Kamlahan School ) was organized in which they were sensitized about their role in the village as a social worker.This was a very motivating event in which more than 20 children & adolescent villagers took part.

 

28.6.2009:

A sharing meeting of the self help groups and mother’s committee held at Jan Adhikar Kendra (Centre for People’s Rights) situated at Kamlahan village. In this meeting the women discussed about market linkages of the product of their SHGs and encouraged to other women for doing this work. They also reviewed their efforts made with block level authorities for PDS & ICDS (integrated child development scheme) run by Government. The women are now very active on these issues and they influence to PRI people for promoting these services in the villages.

 

 

JULY-2009

 

1-15 July, 2009:

During the first fortnight school enrolment drive was conducted in Kamlahan & adjoining villages for ensuring the enrolment of each & every children in school. The children, parents, members of community vigilance committee and staff members were participated in the rallies & wall writings on the issues of Right to Education and girls education. The teachers of the government schools also made sensitized about education of the village children.

 

This was a month of Great Achievement of the people struggled in Kamlahan for a Govt school. The new school building was handed over to the Village Panchyat and the admission started for 1^st standard. During July & August 72 children were enrolled.

15-31^st July, 2009

Skill training for the women started for new group.Woolen cloths, Screen Printing & Incense stick trade were offered to the women and the 21 women altogether undergone in different trade of skill training for the women of Kamlahan.

 

AUGUST-2009

 

24-31.8.2009 (expanded up to 10^th of September)

Massive review meetings on the functioning of Community Vigilance Committee in 12 villages conducted and the people joined the CVCs were activated through training, sensitization and information/Education/Communication activities.

 

On 24^th August a District level Training for school teachers on Health Education in Schools was organized in which the school teachers from Kamlahan & adjoining villages also took part and now they are conducting Health Education Sessions & Activities in the village schools.

 

16.8.2009:

A review workshop for lesson plan was conducted and the lesson plan & curricular activities were reviewed and the improvement done with the experts opinion.

 

10.8.2009

Training for CVC members & SHG women in Kamalahan village on nine essential components and the ways were described how they can get their rights by themselves.

 

22.8.2009:

A meeting of Bal Panchayat (MSEMVS has formed the three committees at Kamlahan School; education-sports-health & hygiene. The leaders of these committees are also the member of Bal Panchyat at Block level, so that way 3 children from Kamlahan School took part in the Bal Panchyat) held at Kamlahan centre in which the children got the training on bonded labour & child labour. The children discussed on the causes, consequences and prevention of the child labour in their own ways.

 

SEPTEMBER-2009

 

03.09.2009:

A village level Community Vigilance Committee sensitization meeting was conducted in the Kamlahan village under the leadership of the members of Kamlahan village committee. In that meeting they learnt about trafficking, Gender & Violence and related laws & provisions. The Advocate of the organization facilitates this meeting and answered the queries of the villagers. On that day they interfaced with some rescued person and got vast experiences.

 

 

11-22.9.2009:

A ten days review meetings on the functioning of Self Help Groups in Kamlahan village conducted and the 25 women joined the SHG were refreshed and activated through training and other IEC activities.

 

 

14-15.09.2009:

Two days staff training was organized in which the staffs of Kamalhan School project participated and learnt about Gender, Human trafficking, violence, and Legal Intervention for ensuring the basic human rights.

 

 

24.9.2009:

Mass awareness event conducted. Under this programme a Rally was organized in the dozens of villages. CVCs Member and older children of ASHA School participated in rally on the issues of corruption in National Rural Employment Gurantee Act.

OCTOBER-2009

 

10.10.2009:

In the Mohanpur village (Bhadohi District) a training was conducted for the CVC members on the issues of Trafficking, Gender & Domestic violence as so many cases were identified there.

 

 

 

12.10.2009:

In Belwa village (Varanasi District) a training was conducted for the 22 CVC members on the issues of organization building and CBO formation. They were educated about co-operative society also.

 

15.10.2009 – 21.10.2009:

A legal education drive was conducted in 10 villages of the cluster and CVC members including NREGA workers were made aware about their rights and tips to monitor the Govt. Schemes. More than 200 villagers and CVC members with audio-visulas.

 

NOVEMBER,2009

 

10.11.2009:

A Women’s Empowerment Meeting was conducted in which more than 200 women form 12 villages participated and taught each other.In the meeting the members of empowered groups encouraged to the newly formed group for struggle and unite.The women shared their experiences with the others.This event helped them to understand the changes and its ways.

 

 

The women in Women’s Empowerment Meeting

 

13.11.2009:

On the occasion of Children’s day (14^th November; it celebrates on the birthday of first Indian Prime Minister Pt.J.L.Neharu) the children of Kamlahan school participated in a Human Chain on day before evening for symbolic protest. The children asked the “question: Why Children’s Day, if there are a lot of children at work and out of school?” to the general masses and authorities with hoardings and banners.

 

DECEMBER,2009

 

10.12.2009:

On world Human Rights Day a Public Meeting was conducted and the memorandum with the demands was given to Block level authorities. In this meeting more than 50 villagers did demonstration at the office of Block level authorities and the women raised their voices for ensuring their rights.

 

MARCH, 2010

 

25.03.2010:

On this day in Belwa Village the women and CVC members made protest of a LIQUOR SHOP. They oppose the shop in the village as this is a big factor of domestic violence. They lodged the FIR against the liquor shop owner and made closed the shop.

 

The children learning screen printing

 

Financial Report for April-2009 to March, 2010:

 

Line Item	Description	Unit cost rupees	Expenses April,09 –March 2010
Teachers (2)	2 teachers per school	1,500	36000.00
Community workers	1 community worker	2,500	30000.00
Cook for mid-day meals	1 cook/caretaker	800	9600.00
Furniture for schools	mats, whiteboards, etc	4,540	4350.00
Supplies and educational materials for school	Books, sports items, puzzles, first aid boxes etc	12,720	12330.00
Food for mid-day meals for children	Rs. 130 per month for 50 children	6,500	75037.00
Awareness /Networking		1000	9130.00
Building maintenance		500	5911.00
Total			182358.00

 

Staffs paid by FTS as increased from October, 2009 and top up by FTS budget:

Line Item	Description	Top up by FTS from Oct.09	Expenses April,09 –March 2010
Teachers (2)	2 teachers per school	1000.00	12000.00
Community workers	1 community worker	200.00	1200.00
Total			12200.00

 

 

Bhanuja Sharan Lal

Director