1. Jeeva Jyothi “Forming the Wings of Escape” Project Champion: Susai Raj Project Liason: Anuj Chakrapani ASHA-AZ Project Meeting June 5, 2005 Presentation by: Anita Chawla FCRA Registration No: 075900620 URL: http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=439

2. Background Target Group: Bonded and Child Laborers and Women in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu. Target Group: Bonded and Child Laborers and Women in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu. District is dependent on seasonal rain for agriculture. Past decade has seen drought. There are 1500 rice mills in the district. District is dependent on seasonal rain for agriculture. Past decade has seen drought. There are 1500 rice mills in the district. Thiruvallar

3. Health Conditions Meager wages of bonded laborers prevent nutrition for the family. 0-2 year old children are not immunised. 0-2 year old children are not immunised. 3-5 year old children play in unhygienic conditions while their parents toil in the sun drying paddy. 3-5 year old children play in unhygienic conditions while their parents toil in the sun drying paddy. No family planning awareness - results in large families and unwanted burden to the already heavy debt-ridden families. No family planning awareness - results in large families and unwanted burden to the already heavy debt-ridden families.

4. Project Objectives Project involves running a creche center / balwadi. Project involves running a creche center / balwadi. Seeks to prevent nutritional deficiency in mothers and children Seeks to prevent nutritional deficiency in mothers and children Lactating mothers will receive nutritional meals. Lactating mothers will receive nutritional meals. Provide primary development of children with secure places of learning. Provide primary development of children with secure places of learning. Create awareness of healthcare systems. Create awareness of healthcare systems.

5. Project Team The Jeeva Jyothi project team comprises of: Community Organizer (one) Community Organizer (one) Part-time Doctor (one) Part-time Doctor (one) Balwadi or Preschool Teacher (two) and Balwadi or Preschool Teacher (two) and Balwadi Helpers (two). Balwadi Helpers (two).

6. Target Group Every year, this project will target: 3-5 years children (50) and their mothers (50) = Total 100 3-5 years children (50) and their mothers (50) = Total 100 0-2 years children (50) and their lactating mothers (50) – Total 100 0-2 years children (50) and their lactating mothers (50) – Total 100 Pregnant Mothers – 50 Pregnant Mothers – 50 Currently there are about 44 children in the age limit of 0-2 years and 60 children belong to the age group of 3-5 years. Indirectly the project reaches out to the entire community (523 or 144 families), which it serves.

7. Funding Request Construction – Total $7,934

8. Funding Request Recurring – Total $6,876

9. Budget Proposal Construction$7,934 (One time) Recurring (05-06)$6,876 ---------- TOTAL$14,810 Less Local Contribution $ 2,907 (Balwadi land considered as L.C.) ---------- Grant requested$11,903

10. Feedback from Anuj Rajaram (from Asha Chennai) and Anuj made a site visit in March 2005 Rajaram (from Asha Chennai) and Anuj made a site visit in March 2005 Simple purchases of useful educational materials Simple purchases of useful educational materials Condition of balwadis has slightly improved Condition of balwadis has slightly improved Painting and other repairs still required Painting and other repairs still required Reasonable expense report Reasonable expense report Teachers visited Asha Chennai balwadi only twice in the last 6 months, instead of the suggested 12 Teachers visited Asha Chennai balwadi only twice in the last 6 months, instead of the suggested 12 Promise by teachers to visit more regularly Promise by teachers to visit more regularly Overall Impression: Progress is being made

11. Thoughts from Anuj Two balwadis not housed in the same compound. JJ claim that a single building will solve a lot of their problems. To this end, they have identified a single piece of land, which belongs to the local tribals. Two balwadis not housed in the same compound. JJ claim that a single building will solve a lot of their problems. To this end, they have identified a single piece of land, which belongs to the local tribals. Mr. Susai Raj has an agreement with the tribals that land can be used by the balwadi and after 10 years, the ownership of the land will be decided. Mr. Susai Raj has an agreement with the tribals that land can be used by the balwadi and after 10 years, the ownership of the land will be decided.

12. Concern Possibility of a land dispute in the near future with Jeeva Jyothi losing the land. Possibility of a land dispute in the near future with Jeeva Jyothi losing the land. No formal agreement between Mr. Raj and the tribals that can be enforced No formal agreement between Mr. Raj and the tribals that can be enforced

13. Poll Options Fund entire amount $11,903 Fund entire amount $11,903 Fund construction amount $ 5,027 Fund construction amount $ 5,027 Fund recurring amount $ 6,876 Fund recurring amount $ 6,876 Fund 50% of construction $ 2,514 Fund 50% of construction $ 2,514 Fund 50% of recurring $ 3,438 Fund 50% of recurring $ 3,438 Do not fund at all Do not fund at all

14. Pictures Child learning at the Asha run balwadi, October 2004

15. Pictures Teacher with children, October 2004

16. Funding Recommendations Fund the entire project Fund the entire project Fund the recurring expenses of $6,876 Fund the recurring expenses of $6,876 Balwadi maintenance, child care, remuneration Balwadi maintenance, child care, remuneration Seek funds for construction from other chapter/organization Seek funds for construction from other chapter/organization Recommend that JJ look for space rental close by Recommend that JJ look for space rental close by

17. Project Champion Wealth of information available at the projects site Wealth of information available at the projects site Anuj Chakrapani can be contacted at anuj.chakrapani@gmail.com Anuj Chakrapani can be contacted at anuj.chakrapani@gmail.com anuj.chakrapani@gmail.com Anuj has been championing this project for the last 2 years. Anuj has been championing this project for the last 2 years.