Jeeva Jyothi Forming the Wings of Escape Project

Jeeva Jyothi “Forming the Wings of Escape” Project Champion: Susai Raj Project Liason: Anuj Chakrapani FCRA Registration No : 075900620 URL: http: //www. ashanet. org/projects/project-view. php? p=439 ASHA-AZ Project Meeting June 5, 2005 Presentation by: Anita Chawla

Background n n Target Group: Bonded and Child Laborers and Women in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu. District is dependent on seasonal rain for agriculture. Past decade has seen drought. There are 1500 rice mills in the district. Thiruvallar

Health Conditions Meager wages of bonded laborers prevent nutrition for the family. n 0 -2 year old children are not immunised. n 3 -5 year old children play in unhygienic conditions while their parents toil in the sun drying paddy. n No family planning awareness - results in large families and unwanted burden to the already heavy debt-ridden families.

Project Objectives n Project involves running a creche center / balwadi. n Seeks to prevent nutritional deficiency in mothers and children n Lactating mothers will receive nutritional meals. n Provide primary development of children with secure places of learning. n Create awareness of healthcare systems.

Project Team The Jeeva Jyothi project team comprises of: n Community Organizer (one) n Part-time Doctor (one) n Balwadi or Preschool Teacher (two) and n Balwadi Helpers (two).

Target Group Every year, this project will target: n 3 -5 years children (50) and their mothers (50) = Total 100 n 0 -2 years children (50) and their lactating mothers (50) – Total 100 n Pregnant Mothers – 50 Currently there about 44 children in the age limit of 0 -2 years and 60 children belong to the age group of 3 -5 years. Indirectly the project reaches out to the entire community (523 or 144 families), which it serves.

Funding Request Construction – Total $7, 934

Funding Request Recurring – Total $6, 876

Budget Proposal Construction Recurring (05 -06) TOTAL Less Local Contribution (Balwadi land considered as L. C. ) Grant requested $7, 934 (One time) $6, 876 -----$14, 810 $ 2, 907 -----$11, 903

Feedback from Anuj n n n Rajaram (from Asha Chennai) and Anuj made a site visit in March 2005 Simple purchases of useful educational materials Condition of balwadis has slightly improved n n n Painting and other repairs still required Reasonable expense report Teachers visited Asha Chennai balwadi only twice in the last 6 months, instead of the suggested 12 n Promise by teachers to visit more regularly Overall Impression: Progress is being made

Thoughts from Anuj n n Two balwadis not housed in the same compound. JJ claim that a single building will solve a lot of their problems. To this end, they have identified a single piece of land, which belongs to the local tribals. Mr. Susai Raj has an agreement with the tribals that land can be used by the balwadi and after 10 years, the ownership of the land will be decided.

Concern n n Possibility of a land dispute in the near future with Jeeva Jyothi losing the land. No formal agreement between Mr. Raj and the tribals that can be enforced

Poll Options n n n Fund entire amount Fund construction amount Fund recurring amount Fund 50% of construction Fund 50% of recurring Do not fund at all $11, 903 $ 5, 027 $ 6, 876 $ 2, 514 $ 3, 438

Pictures Child learning at the Asha run balwadi, October 2004

Pictures Teacher with children, October 2004

Funding Recommendations n n Fund the entire project Fund the recurring expenses of $6, 876 n n n Balwadi maintenance, child care, remuneration Seek funds for construction from other chapter/organization Recommend that JJ look for space rental close by

Project Champion n Wealth of information available at the projects site Anuj Chakrapani can be contacted at anuj. chakrapani@gmail. com Anuj has been championing this project for the last 2 years.