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Hjälp till självhjälp! |
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Mango-rapport juli 2008 |
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RECORD MANGO PLANTATION 2008 ! [DHARAMPUR & KAPRADA]
THESE ARE SOME PICTURES
OF THE MASSIVE MANGO SAPLINGS DISTRIBUTION, AT 40 % COST. IT IS JUST
FINISHED.
*TOTAL PLANTS DISTRIBUTED TODATE : 90,000* |
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NEWS DIGEST :
DHARAMPUR
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Four Sister Schools Working for VPSS Schools Four more schools also worked on the same lines [News just received] for funding VPSS schools. From their funds 2 schools will be fully and 3 others will be partially supported, mainly for food expenses, salaries and teaching materials.
3 New Wells Three new wells have been constructed with the support of Tuff. Two of them will be named : OLGA WELL TYRESO ROTARY WELL.
One More Room in Tamachhadi VPSS has constructed one more class room – cum - reading room in Tamachhadi Primary School. It is named PETERSONS’ READING ROOM, to commemorate the Birth - Days of long - time Tuff activists and great lovers of Dharampur : Margaretha [70] and Gunnar [75].
Mango Saplings This year it is planed to distribute 10,000 more mango saplings, for which support has been received from Sweden. The preparations are in progress, as the monsoon has set in, a pre-condition for mango plantation. 75,000 mango plants have been distributed at half the cost with the help of Tuff, in last 15 years. Great.
VPSS – INDIA Mass-Marriages During the last Guardians' meeting in Vaghval School, some young guardians raised the question of Mass Marriages in their cluster. There was a quick result, in just one month. Mass Marriages of 82 couples in two villages on the same day were organized. The entire show was efficiently managed by the community leaders. It is an important social reform, a considerable saving for the community in general and a boon for the poorest of them in particular. Most of those who got married in Mass Marriages program could not afford the expenses which are normally heavy. They desperately waited for years, for this auspicious event. The traditional gifts for the couples came from 'Friends of Dharampur' [Bombay], as also expenditure for mass meals for about 8,000 people. Our only endeavor was to make it as cheap as possible, so that it could be replicated in future on bigger scale. The expense [Couples/Donors] for 82 pairs [164 persons] did not exceed rupees 2,50,000. The coordinator of the marriages asked Koki: ”600 kg rice has been saved. What to do?” The bags reached to nearby VPSS schools: Vankhas & Vaghval. What a spirit of poor! After reading the report of mass marriages and viewing the photographs of the event. It is very encouraging that we have received an offer for the entire expenses for 100 couples, next year. Guardian’s Gatherings Guardian's Gatherings were held in all VPSS schools. About 400 guardians attended them. 40 percent were mothers. The students performed nicely and exhibited their creations. Lively discussion for future plans followed the meals, with focus on soil/water conservation, mango plantation, forestry, wells & introduction of latrines [latest program]. Unique Contribution Dharampur region has not yet entered the latrine - age. Earlier we tried to introduce latrines, with little success. One regular donor of Dharampur came to know of this deplorable state of affairs. He offered to support the program of latrines for workers. It was revealed that 50 out of 55 of our workers are not having latrines. Immediately followed an action - plan. Our 21 workers have been selected in the first batch. These families will have latrines in their homes - first time in life. A unique gift. The same gentle man donated woolen sweaters to all our 800 students and teachers - workers last winter. It was a great relief. Vocational Training VPSS has launched on first of May technical/ vocational training program for the youths and for those who could not fair well in academic subjects. There has been overwhelming response. Against the target of 50 trainees, 62 turned up in the first interview. We now have a waiting list of 70 applicants. 40 boys and 22 girls are undergoing training in Dalit Shakti Kendra in 11 trades, near Ahmedabad. Being the first such venture, VPSS has financed in full, with generous help from well – wishers of Bombay. When we visited the institute recently, we were extremely happy to learn that one of our girl students who opted for police training was interviewed on Radio. She boldly explained that she wants to become a police, to eradicate corruption from public life. Nice training is being imparted. An ambitious training [for jobs & livelihood] year – round program will be carved out, once the trainees are back to Bilpudi Girls’ Hostel. Soil–Bunding & Check – Dams A generous donation has been received for soil - bunding and check – dams program from Allana Trust of Bombay. One of the officials of the trust visited Dharampur at the end of March. He was happy with the performance, as 90 % of work was completed before the dead – line, from their half a million rupee donation, against the same amount of labor contribution of the beneficiaries. The official asked our team, if we could continue bunding work. Our workers started visiting villages and planning with them accordingly. The work restarted and before the end of May, it covered more land. The picture is as follows, with the work done before and after April. Soil – Bunding: 1150 hectares of land of 1128 families in 17 villages has been reclaimed. The fields will be under crops now onwards with more progress, when new fields will be carved out. Totally 7, 80,136 C. Ft. of work has been done by the beneficiaries. The workers received 84,200 kg of food – grains, as half of the wages. Rest is their labor contribution. To date, 19,150 hectares are reclaimed. Check – Dams: Before the end of May, 20 new check - dams have been built by the community in 18 villages. The total work stands at 3, 21, 033 C. Ft. The workers received 30,800 kg of food grains, as half of normal wages. [rest is labor contribution]. To date 336 mud – stone check – dams have been constructed. Next year will be a consolidation phase, now that so many dams are ready. We will concentrate particularly on repairs, maintenance, utilization of water, more production accordingly, as well as better water – management in general. Against this expenditure for Soil – Bunding and Check – Dams VPSS has received donations of RS 9,00,000 so far. VPSS has spent RS 12,07,500 for food grains. We have received an offer from one source for bridging support. Near 100 % Result of Tamachhadi High School in SSC Examination In Shrimad Rajchandra Vidya Vihar [High School] of Tamachhadi, 26 out of 27 students got through in recent S.S.C. exam. Last year [first S.S.C. batch] there were 28 students and 27 got through. There was no facility of secondary education in about 30 villages of that cluster, having population of about 25,000. All the girls passed in both the batches.
New High School in Vaghval VPSS has started another High School in Vaghval. 30 students have been admitted in 8th grade [with hostel facility], on the very first day. It is highly appreciated by the community, having no such facility in that cluster also [like Tamachhadi], for secondary education, for about 25,000 people. The buildings for the school have been constructed.
‘Earth Care Award’ for VPSS Vedchhi Pradesh Seva Samiti received national 'Earth Care Award’ on ‘Earth Day’ for Dharampur Project, some two months back. The award is instituted jointly by Times of India news paper and one Delhi – based Climate Trust.
Computers in VPSS Schools Computer subject has been introduced in VPSS schools. We have received 25 computers so far. The special teachers will now go on visiting all the schools.
Expansion in Girls’ Hostel In Bilpudi Girls' Hostel construction of more rooms for girls [for 60 in 11th/12th grades] has been completed. 75,000 liters Rain Water Harvesting Tank is under construction. In Chandvagan School also 2 more rooms have been constructed. They are stone houses - a beginning of environment - friendly construction.
THOSE WHO LIVE FOR
OTHERS REALLY LIVE. SWAMI VIVEKANAND
VPSS : Tuff Friendship House : Vedchhi : 394641 : T. Valod : D. Surat: INDIA |
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Bhikhu tackar Med anledning av följande dagsverken 2008 har Bhikhu skickat tackbrev.
Här visas som exempel brevet till Södertörns friskola i Huddinge |
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We at Dharampur are glad to learn from Ake [TUFF] about the OODW at Södertörns Friskola.
We remember with great joy the visit of Dharampur schools by Bo and some students, about 4 years ago. He will be an ideal resource person to give you information about the schools and other activities in Dharampur Block I had also the privilege to visit your school, about three years ago. It was very impressive to meet to some classes, talk to them about the concept of community development and feel the warmth as well as the aesthetic atmosphere of the school.This is the second time you are working for Dharampur schools. Great! Please accept our congratulations & best wishes for your work, meant to support our schools and other programs like mango, water & soil conservation, wells etc. in remote hilly forest villages of Dharampur. I once witnessed the hectic OODW in action in one Sister School. What an intelligent mix : A mission of study, concern, fun and commitment!
When Bo was with us, perhaps we were preparing to start the first ever high school in one remote cluster, having no facility for secondary education. That was done with great success and now, from next June we are adding one more high school in village Vaghaval on high mountains. It is for the first time in the history of these two clusters, having population of 50,000 poor people, secondary education also becomes possible. We are running six primary schools as well as one Gymnasium level girls’ hostel. Our schools try to impart education with social concern, with emphasis on culture and fine arts. |
The support to be generated by your school will be utilized for new high school in Vahaval, for expanding drinking water facilities and to establish science laboratory.
It is such a nice feeing for the students and the teachers here to learn that there are schools like Södertörns Friskola - far far away, working hard for them. More importantly, school communities like yours give us lot of strength, in this isolated and invisible area.
It is great that education is
spreading rather fast in Dharampur - quite an illiterate society two
decades ago, when we made an entry through just night classes. The
credit goes to many a Sister Schools like yours, nicely coordinated
by Tuff.
While the world is becoming strife-torn and self-centered, the Sister Schools cooperation - a marvelous idea - gives a hope for sustainable development in a large and neglected region - a real mission of peace and brotherhood.
I convey the best wishes to all the students and teachers of Södertörns Friskola.
With many thanks again.
Bhikhu Vyas |
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[Tuff Friendship House : Vedchhi : 394641 : T. Valod : D. Surat : INDIA] |
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DHARAMPUR & KAPRADA NEWS LETTER February 2008
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Sweden
Petersons’ Reading Room Like their Swedish friends and colleagues, we admire both Margaretha & Gunnar for their more than two decades long involvement in Tuff and active support for ‘Dharampur Development March’ from day one. They really are an asset for Tuff and Dharampur. How nice that a collection of about 8,000 SEK was made by Tuff from the friends of the couple, to commemorate the 70th birth day of Margaretha & 75th birth day of Gunnar [December – 2007]! The result: There will be “Petersons’ Reading Room” in one of the schools in Dharampur. As a token of love from both Tuff and Dharampur team under VPSS, a picture was taken of the proposed Room and presented to the couple by Tuff seniors, at Greeting Function of birth – Day celebration.
Visitors from Sweden Some Tuff members in Sweden formed a ‘Study Group’ for India, with focus on Dharampur. Last month 3 ladies from the group visited our schools and other development projects for 5 days in Dharampur. They also moved in our Mobile Van with our teachers, to see how this innovative project [partly supported by a Sister School named Tyreso Skola of Sweden] is operating in the government village schools. Then they came to Valod - Vedchhi and took a round of some old projects supported by Tuff In Bombay before they left for home, they were taken care of by our activist friend Mr. Rajesh Shah. M/S Bhavana Shah [getting more involved in Dharampur activities] also met the group. Both the Shahs apprised the group of the project and more importantly, assured them about its bright future. Now will quote from a letter of one lady:
‘We had a wonderful time in Dharampur. To see for ourselves all the good things you do in Dharampur was fantastic. Again to meet all the nice people and the children who were so curious and tried to speak a little English and danced and sang for us. As I have for so many years heard about these projects, it was so rewarding to see and experience all the schools, the dams and the soil bunding and to see the enthusiasm showed by all the people involved’.
Inspiration from Sweden Last month both of us met two boys [11th grade] and their mothers in Bombay. One of the boys and his mother earlier visited two schools and some check - dams as well as soil – bunding program in operation in Dharampur. It was not a casual type visit. During our talk, at some stage they asked us about how we came in contact with Tuff and Sweden. I narrated the whole story and explained the concept of OODW and how it is organized in Sweden by Sister Schools of Dharampur. They were rather motivated with the role played by the Swedish students. The mother of the boy exclaimed: While the students from thousands of km distance are so inspired, why not students from Bombay - just 300 km away! They know nothing about such a good cause and achievements!
I was in Bombay next week. The group seized an opportunity to discuss with me more of Dharampur. Later on I sent them a copy of the film taken by 3 Swedish girls, after they worked for Dharampur in Sweden. Many other documents also were sent as was demanded. The students thoroughly studied Dharampur work of last 10 years and prepared a comprehensive report with facts and figures, supported by photographs. This study – report is forwarded to reputed Indian news paper - ‘Times of India’ for consideration of recognition as ‘Savers of Earth Volunteers.’ This is the first systematic study of our work in Dharampur. It will be of use for people interested in Dh.
Mobile Van I just wrote to the Swedish School who worked for mobile van [Summary]: ‘I am glad to inform you that only last week one organization from Bombay has contributed RS 2,50,000 for the running cost of the Van, the salary of three teachers and other teaching material. One lady from Bombay has donated educational toys. She is frequently joining the Van as she is very skilled and interested in this particular project.
The Van operating on experimental basis in 7 Primary Schools is a success beyond our expectation. The Van is a model school. The teachers are trying to make it interesting. The students wait for the Van to reach to the respective schools. Our 3 qualified teachers find great excitement in the villages where the schools are situated. The teachers are full of enthusiasm. They are not only distributing library books for extra knowledge [as was our original idea]; but are also involving in subjects teaching. They are also covering drawing & other skills in which students are interested’.
Dharampur Block is highly grateful to Tyreso School for working [OODW}] for this dream project of ours and a making it a reality.
A Well in Dharampur: A Test Subject in Sweden ‘Your last ‘News Letter’ was most interesting and very useful, because we are planning a school exhibition where we among other subjects will present our sister school. I will also inform some young students about you and your work. They have asked me if there is a possibility for them to contribute with a well in your project. They are in their last form, 18 years old. Young enterprising is what they are to do as an examination-work. They shall create a product and sell it. They can keep the money but these young people want to do something better. so that is why they have asked me about the well in Dharampur. What is your opinion? I think it is a good idea. [Summary from a letter of one teacher]
A Swedish School worked for Dharampur A Swedish Sister School Strandskolan has collected SEK 31,152 [1,80,000 rupees in Indian currency] by OODW in the school locality. The amount would cover half of the total cost [mainly food & salary] of Virekshetra School. I wrote to them. [Summary]:
‘Strandskolan deserves special congratulations and thanks for breaking all former records. The spirit of supporting a school in an unknown corner, thousands of kilometers away from Sweden is so stimulating. Education is spreading fast amidst challenging logistics in isolated villages of Dh. on account of generous contribution of Strandskolan & many other schools like yours, with an effective coordinating role of Tuff.
While I am penning this mail, my mind goes back to those wonderful days, when I had been to your school - last time in May - 2005. It was such an enriching feeling just to think of that visit. I know how you generate support through hard work by different imaginative methods [OODW]; a mixture of fun, commitment and education! Just before my visit, two of your energetic teachers Mia & Anna karin visited our schools -- including Virekshetra. They very much liked this school. While the families all over the world are becoming more and more self - centered, the Swedish Sister Schools Cooperation gives trust in the goodness of the wider world and more importantly, New Hope.
Our schools modestly try to impart education with social concern, in poorest of the poor communities. Not only that, our schools are now creating positive atmosphere in the schools in the neighborhood. It is such a nice feeing in our school community to learn that there are schools in far off Sweden, which are thinking of them and more importantly, working for them. From this distance you may not be aware that in a way, you are joining mission of Holistic Development in Dharampur. Sister - Schools Cooperation is a practical model of Friendship in Action - a hope for a better world.’
A Motivated Girl from Sweden A Swedish girl Fia visited Dharampur a year ago. She organized a concert in a church. The amount collected there was given away to Tuff for Dharampur. One Swedish girl Johanna - who worked with two other girls for mango program of Dharampur directed Fia and 4 other youngsters to visit Dharampur. Johanna & group visited Dharampur few years back. They earlier took up this project to support our mango program.
Concern from a Distance Ake Sandin [Tuff – Sweden] wrote to me a couple of days back that one Swedish peace activist and an old colleague of him Ingemar Haraldsson intends to contribute about 10,000 SEK [now about RS 55,000] in Dharampur. He wanted my suggestion. I have recommended a class-room in the proposed high school in Vaghval.
An Extra – Ordinary Offer In the last ‘News Letter’ there is a reference about this offer. Orjan/Greta [Sweden] further wrote ‘I have far too little knowledge of the priorities that is most valuable for the poor people in Dharampur. Is it better to build water wells or check dams or planting more mango trees? Or anything else that is to the benefit of the women?’ [Summary]
The most enriching correspondence was carried on between us. Finally the following programs suggested were agreed upon by the couple. We quickly received a contribution of RS 7,76,000, with total freedom to make changes, as may be required.
(1) Repairs of old wells & Soil - Bunding (2) Mango, other fruit tree plants and distribution of special Seeds (4) Health – care programs, with a focus on women (5) Partial support for male – buffalo distribution program (6) Experimental Catchments Plan for water - conservation (7) Job - oriented training to girls after 10/11/12th grades [one year] (8) Manufacture of organic manure by groups of women.
SUCCESSFUL SWINDIAN PROJECT [From a report just received from Mr. Rashmin Sanghvi: Visit - 16/17 February]
Credit goes to Tuff [Sweden] & ‘Friends of
Dharampur’
Karela [Bitter Gouard] Plantation We went to an area called Makadban. There was well in the area. It used to get dry very soon. Vedchhi Pradesh Seva Samiti built a check dam on the upper side of the well. Now because of increased underground water supply, the well is full. The farmers in the area have installed pumps and they are drawing water from the well. They irrigate their farms and take a winter crop. We saw several farms full of Karela – vegetable plantation. [Second Crop]
Inexpensive Project The leaders from VPSS did a very small and extremely beneficial project. A small river in the area was dammed by a simple device. They filled gunny bags with sticky soil. With layers of such gunny bags, they stopped the flow of water (after monsoon). With this, a small pond is created. The farmers pump water from the pond in the river and irrigate their farms.
Most interesting sight is to see how they take water as far as 1.5 to 2.0 km with the help of the pump. They raise water to the height required to reach a hillock. It may be 50 to 100 ft. height. Thereafter, small canals of 6 inches depth and 1 ft. width are made to direct water in different directions. The water goes all over the hillock and irrigates several farms. With these simple devices, several farms take the winter [second] crop. This also presupposes that the monsoon crop is guaranteed by small irrigation.
Estimated incremental income of the farmers in the area per winter crop – due to
this irrigation- should be
running into a few lakhs of rupees.
Mango Plantation In or around June 2006, we had gone to this area. The donors from Mumbai planted 70 saplings of mango trees there All the seventy trees have survived & grown. Some have even got the flowers which will be followed by mangoes now. All the plants have survived. Almost all saplings distributed by VPSS are for the ownership of some specific tribal. They take good care of the plants.
Water Managemen: This year VPSS has planned to build additional water facilities as under: Soil conservation or terrace farming. This work has been allocated in several villages to several tribals. They have almost completed building mud & stone walls on mountain slopes to protect the soil. The terraces built naturally behind the walls will become ideal soils for rice cultivation. VPSS has budgeted Rs. 5 lakhs for this work. 90% of the work is completed by 17th February, 2008.
Soil Conservation work has been done at following places:
VPSS will build additional 20 check dams during the current year. This will cost approximately Rs. 4 lakhs. Total cost of water management will be around RS 9 lakhs. Out of this, M/s. Allana group has provided RS 5 lakhs, Shri Rameshbhai Ajmera has provided RS 2 lakhs, Shri Prakash Bhoopatkar has donated RS 50,000, Rotary Club - Queen’s Necklace has provided RS 50,000. This leaves a deficit of RS 1 lakh for the current year. |
Pumps [201] Wells [155] & Mango Plants [75000] are from Tuff funding [Stared 1990 in Dh.] The check-dams & the rest of the support from ‘Friends of Dharampur’ [Started from 1999]
We have been informed by Mr. Rshmin Sanghavi [Bombay coordinator] that on getting his above – mentioned report, within two days RS 1000000 contribution was received by two regular supporters of Dharampur project. So the deficit will be made good.
INDIA & DHARAMPUR
A Generous Contribution from Allana Trust The main person coordinating support and generating good – will for Dharampur in Bombay and his circle Mr. Rashmin Sanghvi by chance met managing trustee of Allana trust Mr. Irfan Allana in Bombay. The result: Generous aid from the Trust for activities in Dharampur conducted by several NGOS. One of the recipients is VPSS which got rupees 7,50,000 for two projects: [1] RS 5,00,000 for check dams & soil - bunding in Dharampur & Kaprada Block. As this was a committed program [also supported from three other sources] the work was started a few moths back and is about to finish. [please see the report of Mr. Rashmin Sanghavi above] [2] RS 2,50,000 for one year's running expenses for fuel, salaries and teaching materials of the Mobile Van.
Soil – Bunding A massive community - based soil - bunding program has been undertaken from 1993 onwards. A little over 1700 hectares of land has been reclaimed or repaired and brought under cultivation [resulting into more production] in last decade and a half. During the period under review, more work is done in 10 villages. [See report of Mr. R. Sanghvi]
Check – Dams The program has just started with 4 check – dams completed [now totals 320]. Mr. Sanghvi and group visited soil – bunding and check – dams program in action recently [see the report] in village Makadban. It is a success story of planned group action. Long back, about 30 farmers were given 8 oil engines from Tuff funding, after a good water source was identified by our teacher. He worked in a school started by VPSS in that cluster. The land was barren and the second crop was never dreamt. He introduced water-melon crop. Helped by our check-dams program, the crop spread to other farmers and worked rather well in the beginning, for a few years. The oil – engines given to them one by one at half the price encouraged them for taking second crop. Later on the farmers gave up water – melon, as the market forces were discouraging. They did not have the capacity for initial investment and to organize market on their own. But they were resourceful and were constantly guided by VPSS coordinators. This year two more oil – engines were given and experimental sand – bags check dam of new and simple design was constructed, with good flow of water. The farmers intelligently changed over to diversified crops of Karela [Bitter Guard] - Bringle – Tomato and Chilly. Mango plants are also growing side by side, given at half the price [Tuff support]. So this is a good example of composite plan. They are now getting sizeable income and are saved from migration. Mr. Rajesh during his foot - march found this green patch, amidst barren land. There are several such spots in Dharampur & Kaprada Counties, working on same lines.
Support Plan for Land - Donor We are keen to support the donor of the land for the Girls‘ Hostel in Bilpudi. VPSS has taken full responsibility of 3 kids of the family – one for Higher Secondary [admitted in the Girls’ Hostel], one for graduation and the third one for post – graduation. A deserted half – done well in the farmer’s land adjoining the hostel is going to be repaired. A Bore well has been constructed there. 500 mango plants have been planted along with 1000 teak wood plants and a few coconut trees. About 2 hectares waste land has been brought under cultivation. Irrigation is still a problem, as we have not found sufficient water in both the bore - wells. We are desperately trying out other alternatives. At present during emergency, for on – going construction in the hostel and for small irrigation, we are getting water from our neighbor.
New Pattern in School - Administration The monthly ‘Review – Planning’ meetings of our headmasters of the schools and the coordinators are taking a business - like shape with the guidance and active participation of Shree Rajesh Shah & Shree Bhavna Shah, both getting more and more active in the field work as well as administration. A new hope for taking over from us – very much required. In the last meeting with all our head-masters, representatives of the Students' Committees from all the 7 schools [one girl & one boy] also participated. This is a new direction, where the students' representatives also joined us in review and planning, along with the head - masters. Welcome initiative, prompted by Mr. Rajesh Shah.
Dharampur & Condolence Meeting I attended prayer meeting for the departed mother of Mr. Hiten Shah - one of the activists in Bombay Seeing me present there parallel thoughts were going on in the mind of the gentleman that I should see one elderly person and a prospective donor present there. What a love for Dharampur! After the conclusion of the condolence meeting, Mr. Hitenbhai asked Rajesh to take me to the gentleman. It was followed accordingly and immediately. He heard us attentively and took great interest in the activities of Dharampur. As our priority need, he agreed to provide support for the food – expenses of the Girls’ Hostel at Bilpudi. The support started coming immediately.
Furthermore later on we approached the same gentle man along with two Bombay – based friends for a new Hostel Building for 11th/12th grade students of forest area [having no such facility]. He agreed to finance the Project fully. One Trust has offered free land in their Ashram. There are some legal hitches. But we are trying our level best.
Girls’ Hostel – Bilpudi One big hall [for residence], a guest house, a meeting room and a rector’s – quarters are under construction and about to finish. Vegetables are grown by the hostel students. Second bore – well has been fixed with e. motor on it and pipe – lines [Tuff Support]. This beautiful place amidst splendid nature close to Dharampur town and good road – connectivity is proving as a centre for general meetings as well as consultations, administration of schools and other activities in Dharampur & Kaprada, a distribution centre and attraction for guests and other visitors. The same donor who initiated the idea for the girls’ hostel has provided total funds for all these additional facilities. He is keen that such a hostel for boys [in Dharampur] and two hostels - one for boys and one for girls should be added in Kaprada also [totaling four]. Our efforts are on. One organization named K.C. Trust is taking care of Vaghval School. They supported room construction and are prepared to support [new] hostel construction in Dharampur.
Another Girls’ Hostel in Kaprada Proposed As for another Girls’ Hostel on lines of Bilpudi Hostel, Koki is negotiating with one Trust running hostel for girls [for 8 - 9 -10 grades] in Kaprada. The main trustee visited Bilpudi Hostel and his response was positive to add a hostel for girls of 11th – 12th grades in Kaprada. Koki again visited their hostel in Kaprada for working out practical arrangements. We have assured the Trustees that some well – wishers are ready to provide finance for the expansion of the present hostel building and for the food expenses of additional girl students [11 -12 grads]. The follow up is on. We are hopeful.
Why More Hostels? Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram earlier offered to support 11-12 grades [Gymnasium] in Tamachhadi. That offer still stands. But we have to politely say 'No' to the Ashram administrators, as the teachers who are qualified for Gymnasium level school are not available in this remote cluster – not having even single tea – shop. Alternatively, we were advised by well – meaning persons to explore the possibility of hostels for 11th - 12th grades, where Gymnasium level schools are existing. The first one [for girls] is started in Bilpudi in last June
Health – Care With generous support from ‘Friends of Bombay’ 15 individuals got partial medical aid mainly for hospitalization and medicines : Heart – trouble, Accidents, Fever, MRI, Mental Illness, Delivery and Pregnancy related problems – Sickle – sell suspects etc. We got good cooperation from Shrimad Rajachandra Hospital of Dharampur as well
NEWS IN BRIEF 1 During the period under review on an average there were two visits [in groups and individuals] every week. Some of them have been mentioned above. Prime one which requires special mention is a Delegation of 25 persons from Rotary Club - Queen’s Necklace [Bombay] Last year they supported a massive check – dams program [see the last ‘News Letter] with overseas collaboration. 40 dams were completed against the target of 35, before it started raining. A comprehensive report with photographs etc. was sent to the Rotary Club. A gentle man from Bombay visited Tamachhadi and Bilpudi along with his daughter settled in Germany | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||