ASHA-MIT
GROUP: Paharia Samaj Seva Kendra Project.
INTRODUCTION:
This organisation is managed and run by the Jesuit Fathers of the
Society of Jesus, of the Dumka-Raiganj Province. who have been working
in the tribal belt of Pakur,Bihar for the last 60 years in various
spheres of the lives of the people emphasizing mainly education and
socio-cultural-economic upliftmnet of the poor and exploited tribals of
the area. The 'Paharia Seva Samiti' is the implementing organisation of
the Paharia Samaj Seva Kendra and has been active as a Non Governmental
Organisation since 1988.
OBJECTIVES:
The main thrust of activities is education, both formal and non-formal
in their Environmental Education programs. The second target is
popularizing indigenous herbal medicines. Other activities include
teaching students vegetable farming and handicrafts.
LOCATION:
The Paharia Sev Samiti is active in 3 districts of Santal
Parganas, namely Sahibganj, Pakur and Godda.
CONTACT:
Fr. Sebastian Tudu S.J. (Director)
Paharia Samaj Seva Kendra,
Village, Satia, P.O. Littipara,
Dist. Pakur - 816104, Bihar
India
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The tribals living in the Rajmahal Hills of South Bihar have been
totally neglected by the administrative, welfare and other development
agencies of the successive Governments. The literacy level here is 2.5%
and that of women is 0. Their population has been decreasing at a
consistent rate of about 1000 every year,current population is 90,000.
There are a lack of basic facilities like livelihood,
healthcare,education, added to the the indifferent attitude of the
government and constant exploitation of money-lenders.
Their basic goal is to help form a force within the marginalised and
oppressed Malto community, targeting their children between the age
group of 6-15 years to aquaint themselves with life-oriented skills,
social awareness and making them catalysts of development of their own
society. Presently there are 230 students and an encouraging 50% of them
are girls.
FUNDING:
Funding has been sought for the following.
1) A separate boarding building for the boys. The same school building
is used as a sleeping dormitory at night while classes are held during
the day.
2)The same req for girls.They are housed in the dispensory building of
the herbal medicines wing.
3)They need a safe warehouse for storing their foodgrains and other
edibles
4) A separate room for sick boys and girls
5)A dining place
Annual Budget/Expenses-
Non-recurring expenses
1)Equipment and furniture 15,000
2)Teaching Aids 10,000
3)Books 10,000
Recurring expenses-
10Board and lodge for 230
students for 10 months 6,90,000
2)Vegetable farming 5,000
3)Herbarium 5,000
4)Staff training 5,000
5)Travel and transport 20,000
6)Educational tours 20,000
7)Raw materials for
handicrafts 15,000
8)Contigency 10,000
Salaries-
Rs.2500/per month for 9 teachers for 12 months 2,70,000
Rs.2000/per month for 2 cooks for 12 months 48,000
Rs.2000/per month for one gardener for 12 month 24,000
Grand Total Rs. 11,71,000
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Local Contribution has amounted to 1,44,000
so requested amount is Rs. 10,27,000
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COMMENTS:
Vinay K. (Based on the projects group meeting of
Dec. 7, 97)
This is a region where quarrying for stone chips is the
main occupation. It is possible that the project directly
affects the daily wage earners in these quarries. The fact
that the project is run by Jesuits is of lesser concern
because the Jesuit's have done sterling work in many areas.
A greater concern should be that since the Jesuits are very
well connected to the church, they will anyway be able to raise
the amount requested. Asha funds would be useful in a more
needy project.
There also seems to be a significant discrepancy in what they
claim they need funds for (i.e. boarding building for boys and
girls, a sick unit, a dining unit) and what they intend to use
the funds (the bulk of the money is spent on recurring expenses).
This also leads to the issue of how the project will support itself
in the future. Given these issues it was decided that we will not
shelve the project but will write back for clarifications.
SOURCE:
The project is probably the result of our Bihar mailings.
HISTORY:
Nov, 1997- Proposal received by the Asha-MIT projects group.
First Summary- Hiral 12/07/97.
STATUS:
Awaiting Clarifications on the exact use of the funding
amount.
SUMMARIZED BY:
Hiral, 12/07/97.