Anandan What? School for children. Women’s vocational training center. Where? Lake Market, south Calcutta, West Bengal. Who? Founders: A group of middle-class housewives. Beneficiaries: 45 children from kindergarten up to class IV, and 55 women enrolled in vocational courses. Staff: The founder members, 4 teaching staff, 3 vocational staff, and other volunteers. For Slum-dwellers

Anandan Objectives * Guidance through education of underprivileged women and children. * Compassionate investigation of personal problems. * Appropriate instruction, formal and informal. * Exposure to new ideas, opportunities, facilities, activities; cultural, recreational and functional. * Towards fulfillment of total potential.

Anandan April 1999: Seed money formed {individual contributions of Rs. 200 by each of the founding members}. February 2000: Partial financial support for English-medium school education, books for the library {CII Belgium}. April 2000: Sewing machines {Rotary Club of Calcutta}. September 2000: Furniture, children’s toys, etc. {Asha-Yale}. November 2000: Vocational training center for young, economically disabled women {KMC}.

Anandan August 2001: Computer and educational accessories {UNWG}. September 2002: Exhibition of crafts by the children of Anandan, access to room for additional coaching classes twice a week {KCWC}. February 2003: Weekly dancing classes for interested children {Interlink}. Anandan has continued to receive support from various NGOs, companies, clubs, schools, government departments, and individuals from the year 2000 onwards.

Anandan Activities [Anandan charges a nominal fee, just enough to induce regular attendance, for both vocational trainees and children] * Schooling for children from Kindergarten up to Class IV. Thereafter, the children are assisted in continuing/enrolling/ paying for formal school. * Vocational training for women, including computer training, sewing, beauticians courses, fabric painting, soft toys, and spoken english. Several vocational trainees from Anandan are now self-reliant. * Children are provided with a meal each day. They have access to many toys and books. They participate in story-telling, drawing, singing, etc. They have performed outside Anandan as well. Each year, they participate in various picnics and trips organized both by Anandan, and other organizations.

Anandan Achievements The School * Schooling and a stimulating and healthy environment provided for many children since inception. Due to the attraction of the meal, toys, books, and caring provided at the center, children usually turn up ahead of time. * Four boys and two girls have been admitted into good schools, where they are performing well. At least two of these children were first introduced into the schooling system by Anandan. * The children have performed very well at extra-curricular activities, such as winning prizes in drawing competitions organized by the Rotary Club. * The school has expanded greatly in terms of number of students.

Anandan Achievements The Vocational Center * 55 trainees enrolled at present. * Several trainees have found stable employment at beauty salons, and some have started as individual entrepreneurs. * Anandan has provided help and counseling in times of domestic disturbance to several women. * The vocational center has greatly expanded in terms of number of trainees, as well as the variety of courses offered.

Anandan Requirements * Space for i) A central office ii) Separate areas for children and vocational trainees iii) Computers class and related equipment iv) Library and recreational area for children v) Projected increase of vocational courses

Anandan Requirements * Financial corpus to generate regular income for monthly staff salaries, rent, children’s meals, and materials. * A second computer with printer. * Sponsors for a children’s education to meet the target of enrolling six children every year into good schools. * Qualified personnel for teaching and training in specialized courses. * Ideas for broadening the range of exposure to extra-curricular activities for children and opportunities for income generation for vocational trainees after completion of courses.