Chandannagar Sarada Sadhan Vidyalaya Project Steward: Dr. Gautam Banerjee Information compiled by: Anita Chawla May 6 th, Location: District Hooghly, PIN West Bengal, India. More information available at

Mission of the Organization The mission of the organization has always been to impart free education to the poor local girl children, the majority of whom belong to the refugee community from erstwhile East Pakistan, settled initially in 1947, at the time of Partition of India and later in greater number during and after the Bangladesh liberation movement

Goals To impart upto secondary education to the girl children from the economically backward section of the local community. To further train the students in certain effective vocational training (such as knitting, sewing, computer software operation, etc.) to help them transition to a self sufficient life after graduation.

Funding Information Total funding request for 2004$5,000 Asha, AZ funded $4,000 Dr. Banerjee funded $1,000 Funding was requested for infrastructure as follows: Plaster of inside wall and ceiling Rs. 55,000 Plaster of outside wall Rs. 35,000 Concrete Floor Rs. 38,000 Concrete/Water Sealed Roof Rs. 45,000 Doors/Windows Rs. 22,000 Painting Rs. 5,000 ElectricalRs. 25, Total Rs. 225,000 Budget was prepared by Gautam’s active involvement. Two estimates were solicited by contractors before freezing the budget. Estimates were within 2% of each other.

Site Visit Some observations from Gautam’s Site Visit Report: 6 classrooms were visited that had at least 70 students each Children enjoy coming to the school 60% of staff is recruited from the community, 9 women teachers Parents of students help in fund raising activities for the school School caters to the refuge community and has been preferred by some parents over traditional schools Staff salaries are at par with amounts set by the State Government School helps to engage young women here rather than them being part of the very common brothels Site Visits made in May 2002, October 2002, August 2003 and January 2004.

Inside a classroom

Another classroom view