Vikasana Bridge Project

Focus

• The project is aimed at addressing the Child Labor problem in India.

• Continuing Education

Project encompasses a cluster of 10 villages in Shimoga district in Bhadravathi taluk.

India->Karnataka->Shimoga->Tarekere

Need for Bridge School

• Main source of income - work in farms, coffee estates, hotels, garages, fisheries, jaggery processing units etc.

• Adults are forced to migrate in search of employment.

• The migration of their children with them generates dropouts from school and forced to work with their parents to supplement income for the family.

• Low wages

Vikasana - Overview

• http://www.vikasana.org/• VIKASANA a non-profit organization (NGO) incepted in

the year 1988 to the benefit of mankind targeting socially, educationally and economically weaker section of the society, to identify and meet the needs and aspirations.

• Special focus on child labour rehabilitation through bridge school program, promote child rights, lobby, advocacy and legal aid services for children, child trafficking issues and promotion of birth registration status of children.

Project Overview

• Project title: Vikasana Organization for Education and Social Development - Bridge School

• No of children: 16 ( link)• Target Area: 10 villages• Target families: Low income/migratory

workers

Achievements so far

• All 16 students were successful in their annual March, FY13 examination and were promoted to the next grade.

• Focus on all around development of the children.• UFlorida is supported VIKASANA for a pilot organic

farming initiative to render the bridge school self-sustaining in FY12 and before. In FY13, Part of the yield from the farming was used for bridge school consumption and rest sold to generate income of Rs 25,000 for bridge school operations.

2014 Budget

• Grant Requested From Asha for Education. Rs 6,19,950.00

• 2013 budget : Rs 6,49,200.00 Disbursed: Rs 4,22,000.00

• Additional asks this year– Increase in Honorarium for Teachers and Cooks

• Detailed budget breakdown

Site Visit Report [TBU]June 2014 - Sharan

I had an opportunity to visit the project last year and since then have communicated with the project director, Mr. Cleates, on a regular basis. My visit to the project site was most fulfilling. The funds disbursed from AfE are being utilized effectively and efficiently. The project director has maintained detailed report of the expenses and is keep a healthy track of the project's progress. From my communication with the children of bridge school, I got a feeling that they were being treated with love and discipline. Although the living conditions and the amenities being provided to them are only moderate, the self confidence and the morale of the children is very high. As part of their daily activity, they attend regular school, have nutritious meals at least 2-3 times a day and are most content to be cared for in this bridge school. The organic farming initiative is taking a very good shape and apart from serving the purpose of getting to self sustenance, it is wealth of knowledge for the children. The project director is making very conscious effort to approach towards self sustenance and more importantly, inculcate in children a sense of ownership & belonging to mother nature. As a project steward, it is most humbling to be associated with this project for all these years and as a chapter volunteer, most encouraging to support such initiatives.

Photos from site Visit

Thank you

Contacts:• Sowmya Dayanand (Asha Seattle)• Sharan Asundi (Asha UofFlorida)