Kondh Update - May 08

1. Kondh Update - May 08 Vamsi GadeyVignesh Ramakrishnan

2. Agenda • Intro (Kondh, Praja Chetna, Ajay) 2. Challenges • Funding Situation • Discussion

3. 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!

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. Kondh Budget Approval – 09/2006

8. 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

9. 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 22069 Amount to be sent by Asha SV- Rs 106115

10. 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)

11. Receipt –April 10th

12. 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 2008-2009 As Per budget Rs 372400.00 Received by Nisaraga Rs 92711.20 Remaining Amount Rs 279688.80 Total RemainingRs 279688.80 + Rs 106115 = Rs 385803.80 ( $ 9645.095 @ 40)

13. 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?