Kondh Update - May 08

Vamsi GadeyVignesh Ramakrishnan

Agenda

1. Intro (Kondh, Praja Chetna, Ajay)

2. Challenges

1. Funding Situation

2. Discussion

Kondh

History: • According to 1991 census, the population of Kondh tribe is

36,365. This constitutes 7.6% of the total tribal population. • Originally belong to Koraput area of Orissa.

• Migrated to Visakha agency in 19th century due to devp. projects like Damanjod Cement Factory, Kirakud reservoir etc.

• Resorted to cutting forest land for cultivation. Only option to occupy reserve forest lands and take up cultivation.

• Productivity of land decreases, population increases -> migrate again!

Praja Chetna

Aim of Praja Chetna: To open single-teacher schools in these villages and direct the teachers to work as community organizers. Program Task     1. To establish single-teacher-schools in 10 kondh villages.     2. Teachers reside in villages and work as Community organizers

and Health workers.     3. Committee will be formed with village heads in the villages where there are schools and it will supervise           the organization of schools.     4. Every School will have 25-30 students of 5-15 years         age group.

Ajay – the one man army

• A full time programme coordinator supervises the project. He conducts training programmes for teachers once in every 2 months.

• By visiting schools and meeting children and villagers every month,

he reviews the working condition of the schools. • The working condition of a school is consolidated, taking into

account, the attendance of students, the cultural activities conducted, and the number of students joining in Tribal Residential Schools at the year-end.

• The evaluation of teachers capability is based on the teaching methods he adopts, working days, the rapport he maintains with the villagers, problems of the villages especially has response to health aspect.

Challenges

• Unable to retain teachers

• Training teachers: They are ill-equipped, and many of them are first time teachers.

• Language barrier: families speak tribal, teachers teach telugu

• Very low pass percentages: First generation learners

• Lack of clarity on what AID is doing exactly (micro-credit, land rights, youth, water preservation, right to information and education

• Funds not reaching in time (needed by May 1st week, and Nov 1st week)

• Have concerns about the seriousness of ASHA (2006-07 Asha took full responsibility but things are not working out)

Kondh Budget Approval – 09/2006

3 year budget proposalProject: Kondh tribal projectdated: Sept/30/06

Financial year Rupees Dollars1 Fist year 2006 to 2007 357000 7933.3332 Second year 2007 to 2008

10% adjustment 360570 8012.667

3 Third year 2008 to 200910% adjustment 364175 8092.778

Total for 3 years 1081745 24038.78

Financial Year 2006- 2007

• Budget approved – Rs 357000 ($7933.33)• Receipts by Kondh – Rs 304060

• Amount sent by ASHA-SV on 1st Nov 2006 - $3980 i.e Rs 175876

Amount not Received – Rs 128184

Financial Year 2007- 2008

• Budget approved – Rs 360570 ($8012.66)• Receipts by Kondh – Rs 156643

• Amount sent by ASHA-SV on 14th Jul 2007 - $4460 i.e Rs 178712.12

Amount not Received – Rs 128184( from previous year)

Excess amount received- Rs 22069Amount to be sent by Asha SV- Rs 106115

Financial Year 2008- 2009

• Budget approved – Rs 364175 ($9104.00 @40)

• Request by Kondh – Rs 372400 ( $ 93100.00)

• Amount sent by ASHA-SV on 10th Apr 2008 - $4623 i.e Rs 92711.20

( ?????? $2317)

Receipt –April 10th

Amount to be sent to Kondh

Amount not Received – Rs 128184( from previous year)Excess amount received- Rs 22069 ( from previous year)

Amount to be sent by Asha SV- Rs 106115

For 2008-2009As Per budget Rs 372400.00Received by Nisaraga Rs 92711.20Remaining Amount Rs 279688.80

Total Remaining Rs 279688.80 + Rs 106115 =

Rs 385803.80 ( $ 9645.095 @ 40)

Issues to be Resolved• Clarification on amount sent by ASHA-SV on 10th Apr 2008

• The unpaid expenses for year 06-07, how it will be treated ?

• The schools were stopped in June due to lack of funds. After

the July disbursements schools were reopened in September 2007. How to avoid this situation in future?

• It takes 2 months for the check to get encashed. How do we correct this?

• How do we understand what AID is upto at Kondh?