VARUN Voluntary Association for Rural Upliftment and Networking Mid-year update 9th February 2011

Purpose And Goals To increase the level of literacy and intellectual development of the children in the targeted area. To give technical instruction to increase skill level. To provide technical tools so that the local population can join the main stream society

Updates  FCRA has been approved  Updates on: Current student strength Teacher training updates Mid-year RTI update NREGA work update Health program progress Organic farming Panchayat elections updates Events and melas (fairs) Women empowerment

Total students: 383 (out of 384 enrolled) TotalSC/STOBC Dhobai25232 Pathror50490 Hathini251(24) 23 Sukhdevpur Jhariya Junior High School (Shahpur) Total(384) (134) 133 Number of Students Unfortunately 1 student died of jaundice.

Teacher training updates 6 teacher summits organized. Monthly progress reports, school reports, and general issues and village level notifications were discussed. Conducted periodic meetings between teachers and parents to discuss progress, quality of education and school attendance.

Library and buildings A total of 9170 books are available in the library 4 meetings conducted by school library committee. Repair and renovation work at all school sites are in progress. School bags were distributed to all the students of Junior High School (Shahpur)

Mid Year RTI Update 6 meetings: attendance of 193 people. 1 RTI camp: attendance of 2500 people. 6 RTI training sessions were conducted, with a total attendance of 163 A total of 7 RTI applications were filed. Block level-1; District level & Forest and Environment-1; State Information Bureau (Lucknow)-4. RTI awareness camp was organized at the Nagor Mahotsav in Dec pamphlets distributed. Participated in an 5-day RTI people awareness camp organized at the Varanasi circle court house. Previously there were 24 applications filed. 5 resolved. 19 in pending appeals

NREGA updates 6 NREGA meetings: 232 village participants 5 NREGA training camps: 145 attendees 210 workers filed for NREGA applications. 36 workers opened a bank account. 31 acquired NREGA job card Leveling project launched in Naugarh development block under NREGA scheme Meeting with block officers and Principal Secretaries of NREGA Lucknow, Forest department, social welfare department over progress of plantation work undertaken under NREGA, CSH, and implementation of NREGA in general.

Progress Summary of Health Program: Helped Community health center for testing malaria for 41 out of 2298 patients. 146, who have tested positive were treated for free. 12 out of 266 patients tested for DOTS(Directly Observed Therapy, Short-course ). 16 are being treated. Basic medicines are distributed monthly at all the centers. Supporting vaccinations programs, public welfare schemes, eye camps, pulse polio drive and distribution of supplements. 2 health sessions with women: 53 participants

Organic Farming Updates Agriculture related work in 13 villages. Report provided gives information that 51 members from 5 various villages grew crops like Rabi, Kharif, farming vegetables, fruits etc, in a land area ranging from 0.5 acres to 12.5 acres in various villages. Example: 34 farmer members grew green-potatoes (parwal) potatoes, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and coriander in 8.55 acres. Few of these crops grown under Award scheme. 11 meetings were arranged in 10 villages among members of the farmer coalition, with 223 farmers participating in them. 3 meetings of the farmers club were held, during which seeds, crop and cultivation issues were discussed. 36 vermi-beds were installed in 5 villages to promote vermi- composting.

Panchayat Elections Panchayati Raj elections were conducted in Naugarh block in October. Of the 27 elected Gram Pradhan members, 5 of them are from VARUN. 7 area panchayat members were elected, including 2 women, out of a total of 33 area panchayats. 92 members were elected from 21 panchayats out of a total 345 gram panchayats. A total of 48 women were elected to gram samitis. Chatrabali Singh was elected without contest to head the District Panchayat. Neetu Singh (women federation) was elected as Head of Naugarh block.

Events and Programs There was an event called Naugarh Mahotsav held between 23rd-25 th December 2010 at the Sheep breeding and research center, Naugarh. Chief guests were Dist. Officer and IG, Varnasi (Mr. R K Tripathi and Mr.R P Singh) Program aimed at motivating the Youth for more involvement through sports, cultural and awareness programs and strengthening the bond for overall progress. Awareness programs included a lot of fields like: forest, agriculture, horticulture, social welfare, panchayati raj, fishery, CRPF, self help groups, NGO, education, health, and human rights etc.

Women Empowerment 38 self help group meetings: attendance of 298 villagers (278 women and 20 men) Conducted a meeting of Women Empowerment Organization in 5 villages of Chandauli: 142 people (126 women and 16 men) Work covered by local journal with appreciation and encouraging the work being done.