Manav Sansadhan Evam Mahila
Vikas Sansthan,Varanasi
REPORT -
April 2009 to September 2009
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
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
Beneficiaries: 50students (ex child labourers)
MSEMVSÕ methods
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 Òcheap foodÓ
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
Each 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 IndiaÕs 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.
- ChildrenÕs 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-SEPTEMBER, 2009
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 ChildrenÕs Comittees.11 children passed 5th
class and they Mainstreamed in 6th class in Govt in July,2009.
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-September,2009 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, woolen cloth and glass beads.
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 womenÕs Self Help
Group (previously this was the motherÕs 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 womenÕs 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 motherÕs committee held at Jan Adhikar Kendra (Centre for
PeopleÕs 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 1st standard. During July & August 72 children were
enrolled.
15-31st 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 10th
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 24th 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 Kamlhan 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.
Financial Report for
April-2009 to September, 2009:
|
Line Item
|
Description
|
Unit cost rupees
|
Expenses April - Sept 09
|
|
Teachers (2)
|
2 teachers per school
|
1,500
|
18000.00
|
|
Community workers
|
1 community worker per school
|
2,500
|
15000.00
|
|
Cook for mid-day meals
|
1 cook/caretaker
|
800
|
4800.00
|
|
Furniture for schools
|
mats, whiteboards, etc - replacement
|
4,540
|
|
|
Supplies and educational materials for school
|
Books, sports items, puzzles, first aid boxes etc
|
12,720
|
5630.00
|
|
Food for mid-day meals for children
|
Rs. 130 per month for 50 children
|
6,500
|
38757.00
|
|
Awareness Generation/Networking
|
|
1000
|
5830.00
|
|
Building maintenance
|
|
500
|
4570.00
|
|
Total
|
|
|
92587.00
|
Bhanuja Sharan Lal
Director
Manav Sansadhan Evam
Mahila Vikas Sansthan
Varanasi
