Annual General Body Meeting Association for India’s Development Philadelphia Chapter 12 th April Houston Hall University of Pennsylvania

2 Agenda for the GBM Awareness Activities of the Past Year Projects Funded Review of Past Projects Financials for the Year 2007 Planning for 2008

3 Awareness Activities

4 Talk on Children’s Development Feb. 17, 2007, Temple University Invitation from Temple University clubs: Delta Kappa Delta Sorority Iota Nu Delta Fraternity Vijay S. gave a presentation on the projects AID supported for child-development related issues The students raised $1,175 for AID-Philadelphia

5 Talk by Arvind Kejriwal June 3, 2007, University of Pennsylvania Awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in 2006 Founder of Parivartan- a Delhi based Citizens Movement Right To Information (RTI) Crusader Gave examples of power of RTI: Corruption in Public Distribution System of Delhi Water-privatisation Taught how to write an RTI application Efforts of AID-volunteers led to Indian Embassy to adopt RTI

6 Talk by Sandeep Pandey August 12, 2007, University of Pennsylvania Co-founder of ASHA For Education Awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in 2002 Spoke about RTI efforts of Asha-Parivaar in UP- a project co- funded by AID-Philadelphia AID-Philadelphia volunteers attended Democracy workshop in Princeton University (19 th Aug.)‏

7 Rhythm of India Sept. 29, 2007, University of Pennsylvania Cultural Event + Fundraiser Attended by ~250 people Information about AID and its activities Focus on plight of Indian Farmers and Farmer Suicides in Vidarbha Funded by Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA) of Univ. of Pennsylvania Raised around $1600

8 7 Groups Performed in the Rhythm of India Concert Penn Sargam Penn DhamakaPenn Thillana Penn Masti Sripriya Drexel Bhangra

9 Candle Light Vigil on Gandhi Jayanti October 2, 2007, University of Pennsylvania AID-Philadelphia participated in a world-wide candle light vigil to: Empathize with Indian farmer’s Highlight the grave situation of farmer suicides Discussed the situation and gained understanding of the causes behind the problem AID-Philadelphia funded Chetana Vikas Involved in developing and spreading sustainable agricultural practices

10 “Journalism from the Trenches”- talk by Dayamani Barla December 7, 2007, University of Pennsylvania Dayamani Barla: AID- Saathi (Fellow)‏ Journalist and tribal activist from Jharkhand, Bihar Focused on issues such as eviction of tribals because of Koel Karo dam and hazards of uranium mining in Bihar Runs a local tea-shop to hear the voices of the people Counter Media Award in Journalism Center for Advanced Study of India (CASI) co-sponsored the talk Funding from GAPSA

11 Dr. Balaji Sampath March 20, 2008, University of Pennsylvania Balaji is an AID Jeevansathi (Fellow)‏ Involved in education related activities of AID-Chennai Awarded the Ashoka Fellowship (2005), and won the MIT Global Indus Technovator Award (2005)‏ Spoke about the Eureka Education Programs of AID-Chennai

12 Ravi Kuchimanchi (AID Founder) March 22, 2008, 12 th Wharton India Economic Forum Ravi was invited by WIEF to on the panel titled “India's Underprivileged Majority: The Real Development Story” Ravi spoke of the need for feedback from local communities for development intiatives Demonstrated the “Hay-Box”

13 Tabling at Events AID-Philadelphia tables at local events to reach out to the community Penn’s Landing (August 2007)‏ Philly Fest (January 2008)‏ Wharton India Economic Forum (March 2008)‏

14 Major Achievements for the Year Invited 5 reputed speakers Created awareness on issues like education, farmer’s suicides, tribal rights, etc. Reviewed and Funded 3 projects since last GBM Refreshed the core-volunteer base in Philadelphia Collaborated with groups like CASI, WIEF Committee, etc. Availed GAPSA funding for the first time

15 Projects Funded in

The ITC project by AID Orissa Location Mohana Block, Gajapati District, Orissa One of the most remote, inaccessible tribal areas in the state 655 sq Km 476 villages 115,808 people Only one Hospital!!

The ITC project by AID Orissa Summer 2007 A Cholera Epidemic strikes the region AID Orissa went to rescue with a set of “Short-term action plans” The ground reality and backwardness of the region came into limelight

The ITC project by AID Orissa For overall development of the region AID decided to take initiative Empower the local tribal people by creating avenues for livelihood generation Establish an Industrial Training Center based on the model of AID Rural Technology Resource Center functioning in Gosani block

The ITC project by AID Orissa Synopsis of the project Provide certified training in professions of Electrician Fitter Welder Mechanic Beneficiaries: The local tribal people SC/ST, BPL Set up an ITC on a 5 acre land in Mohana Block of Gajapati district with full facility of workshops, equipments and trainers. Goals: To train 100 students in first year Increase the number to 120 in second year Sustainability: Rs 10000/- total training fees for each student SC/ST and BPL students will be financed by bank loans and/or scholarship

The ITC project by AID Orissa Impacts (to be added)‏ AID Philadelphia approved $ 10,000 for setting up the ITC

Chetana Vikas Motivations: Farmers and their families are in distress Farmers suicides are increasing in number Primary causes: - Inefficient farming practices - Political and economic changes - Pressure from loaning agencies, and other socio-economic burdens Solutions: Implementation of self-sustainable organic farming Low input farming techniques Set up self-help groups to get around the problems posed by banks and co-operatives

Chetana Vikas The NGO: Started in 1977 A small, informal, non-political group Works in 150 villages of Wardha district Staff strength of 20 fully paid workers More than 20 years of experience in issues relating - agriculture - women's empowerment - rural development Highly qualified core group of administrators and officers

23 Chetana Vikas Goals of the project Establish model farming by collaborating with a specific group of farmers Access to finance by self-reliant savings and credit – establishment of 'self-help groups' Spread awareness about good agricultural practices and techniques Women's empowerment for agrarian crisis Integrate these approaches within the farming system and directly link small farmers to market Assigning Village engineers

Chetana Vikas AID Philadelphia approved $3,000 for this project Impacts: Members of a SHG 2.5 acres of land dedicated for model farming Self reliance achieved for a typical farming family through the farming practiced on the dryland plot Effective water management Active self-help gropus (SHGs) with active participation from women. Village Engineer of Pathari village

Snehalaya NGO details: Established : 1989 Location: Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra Website: Mission: Work for (a) Victims of commercial sexual exploitation in red light areas (b) Under-privileged children and youths in slums

Snehalaya NGO’s objectives: 1. Provide social and family reintegration and overall development of children 2. Create awareness about AIDS (HIV) in the red light areas 3. Rescue victims from brothels and provide rehabilitation for them 4. Establish rehabilitation center for the children and the women affected by HIV 5. Work for the health care and education of children in slums 6. Support the economically backward students for higher education

Snehalaya Project: Educational support for rescued victims and economically backward students Goals: To provide vocational training and higher education to 25 students Budget: Total amount required: Rs. 3,39,850/- for a period of 2-3 years

28 Snehalaya Approval: AID Philadelphia has approved - Rs. 1,32,350/- ($ ) for the year 2008 and - Rs. 37,500/- ($ ) for the year 2009 (contingent upon progress)‏ Remaining amount will be provided by AID Buffalo in 2 installments Proposed follow-up actions: Monitor the educational progress of the funded students Actively involve in the activities of the project Provide advice to students, as external mentors Impacts: The formal and vocational education will enable rescued victims and under- privileged students to stand on their own feet and uplift their social status The beneficiaries can also join the organization and work to strengthen the NGO’s activities in achieving its objectives

29 Review of Past Projects

30 Right to Information Act India (2005)‏

31 RTI: Agents of Change in Uttar Pradesh AID Philadelphia joined hands with other AID chapters to support 20 RTI activists in various districts in UP. Total Budget: $14,000. AID Philadelphia Support: $6000 These activists, part of Asha Ashram, took up the task of RTI Awareness Generation – Mobile RTI camps Organizing RTI Camps in villages and outside Public Departments Ensuring that a Public Information Officer for each Public Dept has been assigned and his name is know to everybody Follow up and approach the local BDO or Collector for appeals/action Amazing Success Stories Thousands of RTI applications have been filed and hundreds of officials have been penalized. Key benefits include: Proper functioning of Primary Schools, Mid-day Meals & Anganwadis, Below Poverty Line Ration Cards, Social Audits for NREGA, Allocation of Job cards, Widow pensions; discovery of corruption in various departments

32 RTI Support: Next Steps Expand our support to more activists in 2008 Support 30 activists Increase Reach to 30 districts in UP and 15 districts in Bihar Total Budget: $30,000 AID Philadelphia is considering renewing support to the tune of $6-9K Develop RTI Kiosks in various places. Equip the place with a computer, printer etc Provide application services for a small fee Store information in a common database all across UP and India

33 Mahila Shanti Sena Objective Tap the innate power of women Conduct Training camps to organize and empower women to stand up against exploitation and to contest for positions of power (panchayats and other local bodies)‏ Training on income generation activities Improve self confidence AID along with McMaster University (Canada) supported the expansion of this effort in Orissa. AID Funding: $5000 AID supported various training sessions such as, Training of Trainers Camp, Training of Women’s Peace Workers and inter-group visits.

34 AID Rural Technology Resource Center (ARTRC)‏ A range of projects by AID Orissa geared towards Income Generation and Livelihood training. AID Philly Funding: $3500 A core of 15 staff + 50 student volunteers from JITM AIM: To create a self sustaining livelihood center Activities Livelihood training: Pottery, Tailoring, Bamboo & Cane Work Education: Night schools, Libraries Environment: Biodiesel, LED Ferro cement brick making Social audit for NREGA Awared Govt contracts to construct: District Training Center Eco-tourism center (near water fall)‏

35 Financials for the Year 2007

36 Financial Summary ~$16300 deductions 2007: $3000 Chetna Vikas Project, $10000 Industrial Training Center in Orissa; 2008: $3300 Snehalaya Going forward plan projects based on ~$26,000

37 Funds raised in 2007

38 Break-up of Donations 13 donations make up about 80% of total donation amount 1 person contributed to over 50% of total donation amount Approx. 30 different donors in 2007 (Sometimes donations are aggregated in one check, but this is still a very small number). We should increase this. In 2006, marathon involved many people and helped raise a lot of funds. In 2007, the Rhythm of India concert had great attendance and those people bought tickets (which is somewhat like donating)‏

39 The Year Ahead

40 Can we accelerate development?

41 Beggars Salesmen ''All we are doing is telling beggars that, well, since you go house to house begging, would you like to take some merchandise with you, some cookies, some candy, something?'' he asked a crowd that hooted with delight at this clever notion. Haybox idea of Ravi

42 Kalpana An AID Philadelphia initiative

43 Contest - Invite everyone to submit ideas Simple, practical solutions Consider best for implementation List all on website Inspire people to think about problems at the bottom of the ladder

44 Teaming up with clubs and schools Completion by the end of this year Sponsor for the contest Thank you!

45 Eureka Child An AID INDIA Education Initiative A project to improve learning quality of 10 million children in Tamilnadu

46 Access to Schooling: Good India out-of-school children = 4.2 %. Tamilnadu out-of-school children = 1.2 %. Learning Levels of Children: Poor India 5 th Std: Only 58% children can read a simple story. India 5 th Std: Only 42% can do a simple division problem.

47 Tamilnadu Worst Performing State ASER results show: TN worst performing state in reading. Among bottom three states in math. Out of 1 million children in 5 th Std… 650,000 cannot read a simple story. 560,000 cannot subtract.

48 Problem Summary Schools in Place Children Coming to Schools Teachers in Place But Learning Not Happening Urgently Required: Ways to quickly improve Learning Quality in Schools

49 Improving Learning Quality Requires…  Community Learning Initiatives – Libraries, Learning Festivals  Community Engagement (“Education Watch”) to support schools and to ensure they function well.  Group and Self Learning Activities  Remedial Activities  Learning Enrichment  Skill Evaluation  Remedial Classes for children who are lagging behind  Training Government school teachers on child centric group activity methods Focus on Learning Outcomes Effective Resource Materials Communities Involved in Children’s Learning Better Teaching Methods

50 Pilot Programs Implemented by AID INDIA Reading Program 7,300 schools in 5 districts Math Program 100 schools Pre-primary Program 100 centers Community Libraries 2,000 villages Science Program 900 schools in 3 districts

51 Reading Pilot Campaign Scaled up Quickly and Effectively Six-month pilot from October 2006 to March ,000 children in 7,300 schools in 5 districts. 225 AID INDIA staff hired and trained within a month. 8,000 teachers trained and provided reading kits. Every school visited twice a month and implementation monitored.

52 Reading Pilot: How it works 1. Reading Evaluation Categorized children’s reading skills into 5 levels: story, sentence, word, letter, beginner. 2. Attractive Reading Materials Inspired children to read. 3. Level-Specific Group Activities Advanced children – from letter to word to sentences to stories – step by step. 4. Ensured Children Could Read Fluently.

53 Reading Pilot: Impact Improvement in Sentence Reading in 6 months AID INDIA started reading campaign 31% jump in 6 months!

54 From pilots to State wide Systemic solution The Question… How to reach and impact 10 million children in a sustained manner?

55 Two Issues Scale 30 Districts 7.5 Million Children in primary and pre-primary Multiple Subject Areas Basic Programs: Reading, Math, Pre-primary, Science Experiments Advanced Programs: English, Life Skills, Advanced Math and Science, Social Science 30 DistrictsSustainYear Districts30 DistrictsYear 4-7 Action Research10 DistrictsYear 1-3 Advanced ProgramsBasic Programs 3-Phase 10-Year Solution

56 Project Plan for the Basic Programs Phased Scaling to 30 Districts of Reading, Math, Pre-primary and Science Year 2 and 3 10 districts 13,000 schools Direct Impact 3.3 million children After 3 years All 30 districts- State-wide Scale-up by Government Direct Impact 10 million children Year 1 10 districts 7,000 schools Direct Impact 1.6 million children

57 Proposed Program for Phase 1 Science Experiments for 6 th -8 th Std Children to ensure all children learn simple experiments Young Scientist Network to nurture children talented in science Govt Schools 1 million children Ensuring Children Learn Science Experiments Comprehensive pre-primary education for 3-5 age group children To ensure children start learning well right from the beginning. 6,000 Govt pre-primary centers 300,000 children Ensuring Children Learn Pre- primary Skills Remedial Math for 3 rd - 5 th Std Children To help children who are lagging behind. Early Math for 1 st - 2 nd Std Children To ensure children do not lag behind. 13,000 Govt schools 2 million children Ensuring Children Learn Arithmetic Community Learning Initiatives Libraries, Village Remedial Classes Community Education Watch To support & ensure schools function well. 5,000 villages 250,000 children Community Learning Centers Remedial reading for 3 rd -5 th Std Children To help children who are lagging behind. Early Reading for 1 st - 2 nd Std Children To ensure children do not lag behind. 13,000 Govt schools 2 million children Ensuring Children Learn to Read

58 Expected Impact Direct Impact in 10 Districts 85% can do at least 100 science experiments. Hardly any children know Learn Science Experiments 1 Million Children 85% can read.Only 30% can readLearn to Read 2 Million Children 85% attain language, visual, counting, motor skills Only 15% have pre- primary skills Attain basic pre-primary skills 300,000 Children 85% can do arithmetic operations.Only 45% can subtractLearn to do Arithmetic 2 Million Children In 3 Years…TodayWhatWho Learning Gains in 3.3 Million Children

59 Leveraging the Impact Across Tamilnadu: Use project results to get State Govt to scale-up to the entire state. Across India: Use project to influence other states, particularly… Bihar Andhra Pradesh Orissa Uttar Pradesh

60 Average Costs Annual cost per school= $ 150 Annual cost per child= $ schools in Year 1= $ 1,050, schools in Year 2= $ 1,950, schools in Year 3= $ 1,950,000

61 Children’s Investment Fund Foundation CIFF did a thorough review of our work for close to a year. Looked into programs, materials, M&E, costs, systems and people and ability to scale up and deliver results. Rated us as one of the best education groups in the world.

62 Matching Funds from CIFF CIFF has approved $ 800,000 as matching funds for the project for the first year. CIFF will match $3 for every $1 we raise. We need to raise $ 260,000 to get the matching $ 800,000. CIFF will appoint external agency to evaluate the results. Based on results, CIFF will approve additional funds for the second year.

63 Immediate Challenge for AID Raise $260,000 in the next 3 months!! How do we do it? Reach out to existing donor base Reach out to other similar minded organizations such as Asha, CRY, Vibha etc Reach out to other children oriented foundations (there is a lag, but may be useful for next year)‏ Reach out to Indian Regional Associations. Organize one or a series of fundraising events Conduct a targeted mailing campaign

64 10 million children learn to read, do arithmetic and science. 10 million children like Ashwini grow up with confidence.

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