Minutes of Asha Seattle meeting on 07/02/08

Venue : RTC LWSD, Redmond, WA

Attendees:

Ken , Megha, Salima, Pooja, Sowmya, Nagendra, Hareesh


Project: Gyandeep Vidyala

Presenter: Pooja Jain

 

Background

Pooja’s project in Berkeley, she wants to bring the project to Seattle

Initial proposal 2003, started by Savitri, 75 km to Varanasi

Project started with 29 kids

Vallabhai visiting every 6 months

Asha India monitoring the project

Any 2000$ less projects get approved without aggressive review process. so, it was approved

They used to give quotes for every single thing (even up to 100rs). Bicycle, bicycle repairs

 

Progress:

Started  funding in 2005

29 to 136 kids

2 teachers to 8 teachers

1 centre to 5 centres

Education of community

Initial hut funded by community

Budget from 1000$ to 4000$

Asha India helped the project grow, teachers get trained under Asha India

 

Funding

1.87l – 4k$

Only Asha Berkeley used to fund, now change to Asha Seattle

No other funding sources

 

About the facility

Kids don’t even have clothes.

Vallabhai takes care of site

School provides food

350$ given to establish a library

School gives clothes

Sewing classes

Learning centre as well.

Not so qualified teachers, but good enough.

No real school infrastructure

 

Site visit reports

Vallabhai sends the site visit reports in Hindi

Pooja to translate.

 

Questions

No schools near by?

Yes,  but  other reasons – education about community, kids got injured during travel etc.

Comments from Vallabhi

He is more like a fellow, Asha volunteer, highly recommends the project.

How effective by any measures?

They were able to get lot of children. 136 small, but still a good growth.

Age cut off for the kids?

3-10

Do the children come regularly?

Yes, more reasons – clothes, food, library etc. Not exactly bribing, but just let them see what a school is.

Are the site visits good?

Yes,

Last site visit?

March 2007

Budget

Good, okay

 

To be answered

What is the success rate of children transferring to main school?

Adult literacy rate?

What are the initiatives taken by the organization on adult education?

 

Voting

7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain

Site visit to be gathered by ASAP

 

 

Project: Hariksha People’s Welfare Trust

Presenter: Salima

 

Background

Project from Asha Irvine

Asha Chennai approved it

Binay forwarded the email to Salima.

One time project for now.

School for mentally challenged kids who don’t go to school

Background in medical field by the trustees – wife and husband

Wife experience in rehabilitation of mentally challenged kids

Experience in working with V-Excel

Special educator experience for govt. Facilities

They wanted to start this facility for CP and mentally challenged kids

Basics, physical therapy, food, etc. to the kids

 

Facility

Brand new. They want to setup a new facility

Plan to help 30 kids, 12 teachers

 

Site Visit

April 2008 last site visit

Site visit by Bhaskar

http://picasaweb.google.com/chennai.asha/harikshatrust

 

Funding

$16,000 – too big ?

They don’t have FCRA clearance. They do have ADG clearance.

Asha Irvine will help them support for FCRA clearance

They need commitment letter from Asha

 

 

QUESTIONS

What is the fee?

300, nominal fees

How old are they?

Teenage – like up to 14. Big spectrum. Older side 14

How did Asha Irvine approve?

They went through  formal process. Asha Chennai did the basic leg work.

Can we send money to Asha Chennai?

Probably not, Asha Honor vs. Asha Chennai, awareness camp, already doing that. 25 to 30 children.

Where are they getting the funds for their current activities?

Private funding.

Focus of the organization? Is this possible?

Five people on trust list. They want to hire other dedicated people for this project. They cannot use one or more of the 12 NGOs?

What is the funding for?

To run the facility. Mobile education centre.

What does the project trust do?

The trust – husband and wige have good experience. They help little kids.

Credibility

Have they identified special educator?

Wife can get people and train them.

Budget

29 – 3 litres –

Item 25

Can someone do site visit from Asha Seattle?

May be Kannan.

How is Bhaskar?

Asha Chennai member. Helped Salima

Doesn’t government do something?

Yes, but people cannot obtain their 2000 rs, unless they go through big process.

Is the org doing anything to help parents get the money?

To be answered

How many teachers?

5, not 12.

Can they not do for 15 kids?

No administration costs won’t allow.

Is the amount per kid good to compare with other projects?

Okay. But varies from project to project. No apple to apple.

Can we wait for 6 months?

No, Asha Irvine and Asha Chennai committed. We have credibility. We cannot wait, we either say yes or no. 

Are they planning to provide education? Exact services?

No. ADL. The kids don’t go to school. Basic education.

 

 

To be answered

How far is it from Chennai?

What they actually do? What are their current project budgets etc.?

Can you compare with other projects and present summary?

What if they come up with more needs? Logistically possible?

Details about the van, and transportation, etc.

Who are the project coordinators? Who are special educators?

How much funding do they use for their current activities?

What NGOs are these 12 NGOs?

Is 30 not too big number?

What is their management plan/logistical plan?

How do they envision managing the project?

Daily routine?

How many kids do they pick up by van?

Where is the van in the budget? Details?

3 year plan?

Monitory plan? Budget for 3 years?

Do we think that the project will have success?

How the project compares to other projects in similar environment?

Can you talk to Irvine about the project and find details, approval process etc.?

Site Visit report summary, about other projects they do? Can we know more details?

Was their background credible? More information? Three other trustees?

What exactly is the trustees involvement?

What happens after the kids leave the facility?

How long is the program for an average child?

When does a child considered done?

Alternative support for the kids after they leave the facility? How will they help children support themselves?

How will they identify the kids? What is the process?

What does the village think?

Details of their current projects?

Livelihood of the trustee husband and wife?

Scooter? How will they manage children with this scooter?

 

 

Concerns

More looks like administrative costs, not much on children related expenses

30 students at the start not easy to manage

$16K sounds high

Transportation concerns

No great proposal in hand

No management experience, but wife has special education experience

First-time difficulties

 

Voting

Not ready yet.

 

Minutes by Hareesh Veldandi

 

 

 

 

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