NatpurwaNatpurwa

Asha-MIT/Boston MeetingAsha-MIT/Boston Meeting

April 6, 2008April 6, 2008

History of the projectHistory of the project Natpurwa is a village about 10 kms away from Natpurwa is a village about 10 kms away from

Lalpur (where Sandeep started his work when he Lalpur (where Sandeep started his work when he returned)returned)

Guddu and Neelkamal, when they heard of Asha, Guddu and Neelkamal, when they heard of Asha, came up to Sandeep and others and wanted to came up to Sandeep and others and wanted to start something in their villagestart something in their village Wanted to give girls alternative options (there is a 300 Wanted to give girls alternative options (there is a 300

year history of women who live in Natpurwa, that is from year history of women who live in Natpurwa, that is from the Nat community, going into prostitution)the Nat community, going into prostitution)

Started a school in Guddu’s house, a two room hutStarted a school in Guddu’s house, a two room hut 70-80 children70-80 children People from the community taught in the schoolPeople from the community taught in the school Others from the community got involved, like Others from the community got involved, like

Chandralekha, Hans Raj, Durgesh, etc.Chandralekha, Hans Raj, Durgesh, etc. An Asha-MIT/Boston project since 2002An Asha-MIT/Boston project since 2002

Current StatusCurrent Status Natpurwa part of the RTI, NREGA, Right to Food activities in Natpurwa part of the RTI, NREGA, Right to Food activities in

the areathe area The team has grown to 6-7 peopleThe team has grown to 6-7 people

Guddu and Neelkamal focus on the RTI, NREGA and other related Guddu and Neelkamal focus on the RTI, NREGA and other related activitiesactivities

Hans Raj, Uma, Durgesh, focus on schoolingHans Raj, Uma, Durgesh, focus on schooling Chandralekha focuses on community activities like women’s Chandralekha focuses on community activities like women’s

groupsgroups Chandralekha got some publicity, and the group had a good Chandralekha got some publicity, and the group had a good

relationship with the DM (District Magistrate)relationship with the DM (District Magistrate) Managed to get a government school built in NatpurwaManaged to get a government school built in Natpurwa About 160-170 children attend that schoolAbout 160-170 children attend that school Two government teachers have been appointed, but one did not Two government teachers have been appointed, but one did not

come because of the stigma associated with the village, other is come because of the stigma associated with the village, other is busy with various government activitiesbusy with various government activities

Asha volunteers continue to teach the lower classesAsha volunteers continue to teach the lower classes A school activity has been started in the nearby village A school activity has been started in the nearby village

SukkuKheraSukkuKhera

ChallengesChallenges

We seem to be a long way from providing a We seem to be a long way from providing a real alternative to girlsreal alternative to girls

Women’s groups have not really gone Women’s groups have not really gone anywhereanywhere Women who don’t want to go into prostitution Women who don’t want to go into prostitution

still do not have a choicestill do not have a choice Several of the volunteers are related to Several of the volunteers are related to

Guddu/NeelkamalGuddu/Neelkamal Asha’s challenge: measuring and improving Asha’s challenge: measuring and improving

quality of education in the schoolquality of education in the school

BudgetBudgetS.No Particulars Work Details Amount

1 Honorarium of Neel Kamal Coordinator/RTI/RTF 6,000/- PM X 12 72,000/-

2 Honorarium of Ram Sagar Coordinator Sita Pur 6,000/- PM X 12 72,000/-

3 Honorarium of Ram Babu RTI/RTF/PDS 3,000/- PM X 12 36,000/-

4 Honorarium of Chandra Lekha Community Awareness 3,000/- PM X 12 36,000/-

5 Honorarium of Hans Raj Teacher at Evening class / RTI 700/- PM X 12 8,400/-

6 Honorarium of Shailesh Teacher 1000/- PM X 12 12,000/-

7 Honorarium of Durgesh Teacher 2500/- PM X 12 30,000/-

8 Honorarium of Shri Niwas Teacher at Sukkhu Khera / RTI 2,250/- PM X 12 27,000/-

9 Honorarium of Rohitashwa Teacher 1000/- PM X 12 15,000/-

10 Honorarium of Uma Teacher 600/- PM X 12 7,200/-

10 Stationeries For Teaching/RTI/RTF 250/- PM X 12 3,000/-

11 Traveling Expanses For Conference + Meetings 1000/- PM X 12 12,000/-

12 Telephone/ Internet/ Postage 1000/- PM X 12 12,000/-

13 Local Conveyance For RTI/RTF Works 1500/- PM X 12 18,000/-

14 Health Camp Medicines + Vaccination 2,000/-

15 Unforeseen 4,000/-

TOTAL 363,600/-

Request from Asha-SV for 07-08Request from Asha-SV for 07-08

Total budget: Rs 363,600 ($9205, at Rs. Total budget: Rs 363,600 ($9205, at Rs. 39.5/dollar)39.5/dollar)

Asha-MIT/Boston funds: $4500Asha-MIT/Boston funds: $4500 Request from Asha-SV: $4705Request from Asha-SV: $4705

Last year it was $3700 – this year exchange rate Last year it was $3700 – this year exchange rate has changed a bit, and some honorariums have has changed a bit, and some honorariums have gone upgone up

Asha-MIT/Boston approved the entire Asha-MIT/Boston approved the entire amount in its Fall 07 meeting, and sent its amount in its Fall 07 meeting, and sent its funds as the first installment.funds as the first installment. Asha-SV’s funds would be the second installmentAsha-SV’s funds would be the second installment

NatpurwaNatpurwa

Asha-MIT/Boston MeetingAsha-MIT/Boston Meeting

November 8, 2008November 8, 2008

Status of 2007-2008Status of 2007-2008

Based on conversations with Based on conversations with Sandeep, Sirish, NeelkamalSandeep, Sirish, Neelkamal

Pawan of Asha NYC/NJ has become Pawan of Asha NYC/NJ has become involved, helps in conversations with involved, helps in conversations with project team (he knows Hindi)project team (he knows Hindi)

Primary SchoolPrimary School

School:School: 181 children (98 girls and 83 boys)181 children (98 girls and 83 boys) Taught by Durgesh, Sailesh, and a govt. Taught by Durgesh, Sailesh, and a govt.

appointed Siksha Mitra who comes about 7-8 appointed Siksha Mitra who comes about 7-8 times a month (rest of the time busy with times a month (rest of the time busy with various other govt. activities)various other govt. activities)

Midday meals happening properly, because of Midday meals happening properly, because of active RTI activity there is not much corruptionactive RTI activity there is not much corruption

Books, school uniform provided as wellBooks, school uniform provided as well BSA does not seem happy with Asha teachers, BSA does not seem happy with Asha teachers,

but he should be shown DM letter allowing itbut he should be shown DM letter allowing it

Primary SchoolPrimary School Issues:Issues:

Not much learning is happening because student/teacher ratio is Not much learning is happening because student/teacher ratio is so badso bad

Girls are not really doing anything after primary school, just stay Girls are not really doing anything after primary school, just stay homehome

Questions: (1) are the books Vallabh bhai arranged for being Questions: (1) are the books Vallabh bhai arranged for being used? (2) how were Sailesh and Durgesh hired?used? (2) how were Sailesh and Durgesh hired?

Appears that the team might not have the exposure to realize Appears that the team might not have the exposure to realize that a school is more than distribution of midday meals and that a school is more than distribution of midday meals and uniformsuniforms

Next steps:Next steps: Fix the quality of education – hire more teachers, send them to Fix the quality of education – hire more teachers, send them to

training (training is happening for other teachers in the area, will training (training is happening for other teachers in the area, will happen for Natpurwa teachers too)happen for Natpurwa teachers too)

Intermediate college for girls is necessary – that should be our Intermediate college for girls is necessary – that should be our final goal – middle school, high school, collegefinal goal – middle school, high school, college

What happened to the scholarship effort for girls? Can What happened to the scholarship effort for girls? Can Chandralekha do a survey of parents whose daughters have Chandralekha do a survey of parents whose daughters have stopped after primary school?stopped after primary school?

Nearby Govt. SchoolsNearby Govt. Schools

Sikroriya: Srinivas has started Sikroriya: Srinivas has started teaching since July 2008 (also teaching since July 2008 (also involved in other RTI activities)involved in other RTI activities)

Jagsiya: 205 children in school, only Jagsiya: 205 children in school, only one Siksha Mitra, Rohitash has one Siksha Mitra, Rohitash has started teaching therestarted teaching there

Chapter Questions - 1Chapter Questions - 1

What are the different classes and What are the different classes and what is taught?what is taught? Classes 1 to 5Classes 1 to 5 Students taught Maths, English, Hindi, Students taught Maths, English, Hindi,

Social Studies, ScienceSocial Studies, Science Classes 1 and 2 in playful modeClasses 1 and 2 in playful mode Classes 3, 4, 5 also playful but more Classes 3, 4, 5 also playful but more

seriousserious

Chapter Questions - 2Chapter Questions - 2

Breakdown of students:Breakdown of students: Classes are divided into A, B, and C based Classes are divided into A, B, and C based

on their learning level within the classon their learning level within the class Helps teacher focus on students who Helps teacher focus on students who

need helpneed help Students from group A help students in Students from group A help students in

groups B and C in their free timegroups B and C in their free time Out of 275 students 75 are in group A, Out of 275 students 75 are in group A,

105 in group B, 95 in group C105 in group B, 95 in group C

Chapter Questions - 3Chapter Questions - 3

AttendanceAttendance Attendance register is maintainedAttendance register is maintained 200-225 attend regularly200-225 attend regularly Currently (when we spoke in mid-Currently (when we spoke in mid-

October) attendance was down due to October) attendance was down due to fever and coughfever and cough

Chapter Questions - 4Chapter Questions - 4

How many tests are conducted annually?How many tests are conducted annually? 4 exams annually4 exams annually Other quizzes regularlyOther quizzes regularly

Report cardsReport cards Report cards are maintained regularly and Report cards are maintained regularly and

given to students at the end of the yeargiven to students at the end of the year What happens after class V?What happens after class V?

First batch of students will pass out of class V. First batch of students will pass out of class V. Teachers will try to ensure that all of them Teachers will try to ensure that all of them enroll in junior high school nearbyenroll in junior high school nearby

Chapter Questions - 5Chapter Questions - 5 What are the challenges you face?What are the challenges you face?

Villagers didn't want Asha teachers to teach in Villagers didn't want Asha teachers to teach in the school. Asha teacher had to overcome itthe school. Asha teacher had to overcome it

Issue of drunk people entering the school and Issue of drunk people entering the school and using abusive language.using abusive language.

Sikhsa Adhikari had some issues initially with Sikhsa Adhikari had some issues initially with asha teachers teaching in the school.asha teachers teaching in the school.

Issue with Mid day Meal quality and corruption Issue with Mid day Meal quality and corruption by Pradhan.by Pradhan.

Class 4-5 boys are more interested in cricket Class 4-5 boys are more interested in cricket instead of studies. Teachers have been instead of studies. Teachers have been communicating with their parents to change communicating with their parents to change their mind. their mind.

RTI workRTI work

Work for Sandila and Barawan block folks Work for Sandila and Barawan block folks under NREGAunder NREGA

Public health hearing in Barawan: on Public health hearing in Barawan: on sterlization, medicine availability, dog bite sterlization, medicine availability, dog bite injections etc. After hearing some changes injections etc. After hearing some changes are observed in PHC functioningare observed in PHC functioning

In Sandila and Barawan on the 5-10In Sandila and Barawan on the 5-10thth of of each month ensure that ration is distributed each month ensure that ration is distributed and there is no black marketing (also ensure and there is no black marketing (also ensure that the ration arrives in the store house by that the ration arrives in the store house by 2323rdrd-30-30thth of every month so that people get of every month so that people get it on timeit on time

RTI WorkRTI Work Ration license Has been suspended for Ration license Has been suspended for

shops in 8 gram panchayats in these shops in 8 gram panchayats in these blocksblocks

Education: Midday meals, uniforms, books, Education: Midday meals, uniforms, books, teacher’s activitiesteacher’s activities

Dabang people grabbed land from 110 Dabang people grabbed land from 110 dalits in Jajupur, fighting to get land back, dalits in Jajupur, fighting to get land back, some have received paperssome have received papers

Compensation for people who lost homes Compensation for people who lost homes in torrential rainsin torrential rains

New work in Gondlamoo (third block they New work in Gondlamoo (third block they have added on, in Sitapur district)have added on, in Sitapur district)

Good PointsGood Points

A large number of children are A large number of children are coming to the schoolcoming to the school

Though they overshot the budget in Though they overshot the budget in traveling expenses they ended up traveling expenses they ended up adjusting somehow – we put our foot adjusting somehow – we put our foot down and they accepted itdown and they accepted it

General IssuesGeneral Issues

We didn’t make progress on having We didn’t make progress on having them have goals, but we are them have goals, but we are beginning the processbeginning the process Neelkamal has shared his vision. Goal is Neelkamal has shared his vision. Goal is

awareness and empowerment. Final goal awareness and empowerment. Final goal is an MLA from the people’s group they is an MLA from the people’s group they are a part of, who will work for them – are a part of, who will work for them – good goal!good goal!

Hurdles to the goal are corruption, power Hurdles to the goal are corruption, power nexus etc.nexus etc.

General IssuesGeneral Issues Chandralekha has not really done much with Chandralekha has not really done much with

women. But there are no other women coming women. But there are no other women coming forward. It is only with a women that we can forward. It is only with a women that we can build connections with the women in the Nat build connections with the women in the Nat community.community.

Thought for the chapter: Maybe we should Thought for the chapter: Maybe we should temporarily drop short-term goals of trying to temporarily drop short-term goals of trying to give the girls an alternative to prostitutiongive the girls an alternative to prostitution Maybe we should focus on education which will help in Maybe we should focus on education which will help in

the long run (when we have the intermediate college)the long run (when we have the intermediate college) Clearly finishing private school is not enough to provide Clearly finishing private school is not enough to provide

alternativesalternatives And we don’t have the organizational structure on the And we don’t have the organizational structure on the

ground to help with reviving the local economyground to help with reviving the local economy

Accusations against the teamAccusations against the team Accusations that they were involved in Accusations that they were involved in

landgrabbing – Neelkamal, Jagdish (not landgrabbing – Neelkamal, Jagdish (not funded by us)funded by us)

Discussed in village and Asha meetings – Discussed in village and Asha meetings – Neelkamal exonerated, Jagdish expelledNeelkamal exonerated, Jagdish expelled

It appears that Neelkamal and Guddu are It appears that Neelkamal and Guddu are benefiting from the contacts with the benefiting from the contacts with the officials they are developing – know the officials they are developing – know the rules well, can get things done, acquire rules well, can get things done, acquire landland Sandeep agrees that we should taper the Sandeep agrees that we should taper the

honorarium going forward, but was not honorarium going forward, but was not successful in doing that this yearsuccessful in doing that this year

BudgetBudgetS.No Particulars Work Details Amount

1 Honorarium of Neel Kamal Coordinator/RTI/RTF 7,000/- PM X 12 84,000/-

2 Honorarium of Ram Sagar Coordinator Sita Pur 7,000/- PM X 12 84,000/-

3 Honorarium of Ram Babu RTI/RTF/PDS 4500/- PM X 12 54,000/-

4 Honorarium of Chandra Lekha Community Awareness 4,500/- PM X 12 54,000/-

5 Honorarium of Hans Raj Teacher at Evening class / RTI 700/- PM X 12 8,400/-

6 Honorarium of Shailesh Teacher 2000/- PM X 12 24,000/-

7 Honorarium of Durgesh Teacher 2750/- PM X 12 33,000/-

8 Honorarium of Shri Niwas Teacher at Sukkhu Khera / RTI 3,250/- PM X 12 39,000/-

9 Honorarium of Rohitashwa Teacher 2000/- PM X 12 24,000/-

10 Honorarium of Uma Teacher 600/- PM X 12 7,200/-

10 Stationeries For Teaching/RTI/RTF 300/- PM X 12 3,600/-

11 Traveling Expanses For Conference + Meetings 600/- PM X 12 7,200/-

12 Telephone/ Internet/ Postage 800/- PM X 12 7,200/-

13 Local Conveyance For RTI/RTF Works 4000/- PM X 12 48,000/-

14 Health Camp Medicines + Vaccination 500/-pmX12500/-pmX12 6,000/-

15 Unforeseen 500/-pmX12500/-pmX12 6,000/-

TOTAL ($10,430 at Rs. ($10,430 at Rs. 42/$)42/$)

438,000/-