Date

11/03/2005

Venue

Steven's Court, University of Washington

Attendees

Binay, Tarun, Vibhavaree, Swati, Tulika, Kavitha, Sree, Srijan, Lakshmi, Mohan, Vani, Ashitha, Neeru.

 

 

PROJECT: Gramya Sansthan project - Kavitha

  • It has been active in UP's most backward Naugarh taluka since 1996.
  • The main focus of this organization is related to human rights, violence against women, and child development.
  • CRY used to fund this project together with Asha Chicago (since 2001), but because of anti-coke campaign CRY does not want to support this project (Coke is a CRY sponsor).
  • This project has already been approved by Asha Chicago.
  • The project is facing a shortfall of Rs. 276500/-

 

Voting Results for a commitment of one year

 

§         YES - 8

§         NO - 0

§         ABSTAIN - 2

 

PROJECT: RDT - Ashitha

  • RDT is a project near Kancheepuram.
  • This project serves to educate children of migrant labor population, who have moved from Andhra Pradesh in search of jobs.
  • The children are not familiar with Tamil, the local language and since they are migrant, they do not have the official documents- hence are ignored by the system.
  • Mr. Elumalai has taken the initiative to educate these kids. He has brought in some teachers from Andhra who can teach the children in their mother tongue and Tamil.
  • Past efforts have not done well. But Elumalai is supporting this out of his own pocket and have requested funds to cover the expenses.
  • The discussion centered on whether we should make a longer time commitment.
  • The group decided to approve the project with the initial amount of $5500 till Dec 2005 and in principle for longer term.
  • Once the actual amount needed is known, the group will vote to approve the dollar amount (project is approved in the current meeting)

 

Voting Results for support till Dec 2005 and in principle for longer term

 

§         YES - 12

§         NO - 0

§         ABSTAIN - 1

 

PROJECT: Betsy Elizabeth Trust Creche - Neeru

  • Presented the Betsy Elizabeth Trust Creche at Kodaikanal,Tamilnadu.
  • This provides small schools or crèches for young children (under 5 years old) who are in the bottom economic rung of the Indian rural villages.
  • The schools rescue children who are neglected, left on the street to fend for themselves.
  • These are typically children of laborers who are working in the local quarry and have to choose between going to work in the quarry (jobs) and taking care of the children, and often leave the children unattended and uncared for.
  • No specific $ amount was requested at this time.
  • Request was for ideas/feedback/questions/information to be requested from the project managers in India.
  • It was decided that we will discuss this project after site visit and more details are available.

 

Questions raised by the attendees

o         No site visit yet conducted and is needed.

o         There was concern about any potential religious oriented activities (evangelization/conversion etc) by the project, but was clarified that there was no such effort.

o         Need past data (enrolment, past collection/donations, How it was spent) etc.

PROJECT: Vishranthi project - Srijan

  • This is a donor specific project.
  • Donor wants to route the donation through Asha, but is willing to make it to Asha general funds as an alternative.
  • This project, located in Chennai, was established by Mrs. Savithri Vaithi in 1978 with the mission of providing food, shelter, and healthcare to impoverished women in their old age.
  • The trust administers both a residential home and a skilled nursing facility.
  • The discussion centered on how to approach donor specific projects in Asha.

 

Questions raised by the attendees

o         No site visit yet, and does not have a project steward.

o         The group felt that it is not appropriate to 'assign' someone to be the project steward.

PROJECT: RHEDT – Vani

  • RHEDT project in Karamadai, Tamilnadu has been supported by Asha Seattle since 1996.
  • This project helps adivasi/tribal children near Coimbatore. 
  • Recently they wanted to start a residential school.
  • Asha Seattle helped them to get the facilities and have supported the non residential part of the project thus far.
  • $4000 was requested in June.  There was insufficient information from the project to assess the work being done.
  • There was an urgent request by them to support the residential part of the project.
  • Because of the perceived need, the vote was taken to approve a one time award of $3000.
  • Site visit is required before next commitment of funds.
  • They have named the school Asha Residential School – The group felt that they should be asked to change the name to avoid confusion with Asha Seattle.

 

Voting Results for a one time award of $3000

 

§         YES - 8

§         NO - 1

§         ABSTAIN - 4

 

ORGANIZATIONAL: Project Coordination – Vibhavaree

  • Oct check sending is still in progress.  Project stewards, please update the database for projects that need checks in this round.

 ORGANIZATIONAL: Seattle Marathon – Ashita

  • We have 2 booths for Asha at Seattle Marathon (Nov 27).
  • We need volunteers to manage the booth.

 ORGANIZATIONAL: Asha Seattle Workshop – Srijan

  • Asha workshop 12 and 13th of November.

 

 

 

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