Nyhetsbrev 2 från Bhikhu.

Nyhetsbrev 2 från Bhikhu.
November 2000.

(Översättning. Originaltext längre ner)

25 byskolor: Ett steg framåt
Den 20 november började 25 skolor med barn i åldern 6 och 7 år. Det föll sig så att en grupp ungdomar som ville hjälpa sin by kom tillsammans med byledare till Koki som då besökte Dharampur-kontoret. De hade vid ett tidigare möte bestämt att de ville starta med 25 skolor istället för 20, och erbjöd fullt samarbete. Inför deras entusiasm och motiveringar stödde vi deras önskningar. Skolorna är egentligen bara enkla förberedande klasser som hålls på verandan hos familjer med gott om plats. Lärarna skall se efter barnen och ge elementär undervisning till att börja med. Det finns flera kreativa övningar som teckning, spel, teater, dans, historier och utflykter, samt annat som kan roa och stimulera barnen och berika deras liv. Skolorna är belägna i avsides byar bland skog och berg, och ofta svåra att nå.
"Projektet" har sedan 7 år reguljära "miniskolor" i olika hörn av Dharampur, med stöd från TUFF. Eleverna från byskolorna kommer sedan att föras över dit, där man nu har klass 1 till 4, och de kommer att utvidgas. Byskolorna är ett stort steg framåt, och de nya lärarna skall nu få träning.
En välkänd organisation CRY verkar för fattiga barn över hela Indien. Vi träffade nyligen deras representanter, och de har godkänt 20 skolor enligt vårt ursprungliga förslag. Därtill har de gått med på att skjuta till medel för lärarna i våra 7 miniskolor.

Regelbunden hälsokontroll - ännu ett stort steg.
För några veckor sedan planerade Koki ännu ett program med en kvinnlig socialarbetare som även är med. Dr. Hon har länge arbetat med hälsovård i en annan fattig stam, och avdelar nu 15 dagar i månaden åt Dharampur. Där kommer alla byskolelärare att få utbildning i hälsovård 7-9 december av ett lag experter i en av projektskolorna. De skall sedan övervaka verksamheten. Efter att ha utvärderat försöken kommer vi att besluta om hur vi skall fortsätta.

Kläder av elever - för elever.
Ett fantasifullt program med spinnande elever leds av en Mr Barry Gordan - en dramaskådespelare från London. Vi kallar projektet Boyd George efter den berömde australiske artisten, och det går riktigt bra. När garnet är spunnet och vävt och sytt till kläder kommer dessa att fördelas bland eleverna - De får klä sig i sina egna skapelser! Lärare och familjer har fått större spinrockar för sina klädbehov. En förbättrad handvävstol har just köpts in.

Andra nyheter.
1. Fyra klassrum under byggnad kommer att vara klara mitten av december med hjälp av 24 bidragsgivare i Bombay. Samma grupp skänker medel för frukt, viss mat och sportutrustning.

2. Jordbindningsprogrammet startades nyligen och vi har en stor plan för 2001. Vårt lag har stort hopp att uppnå målet med stöd från olika håll, däribland TUFF.

3. Två svenska flickor besökte projekten för ca en månad sedan. The genomförde invigningsceremonin för säsongens första Balwadi (tältskola.) Se deras resebrev.
Nu finns det 20 sådana skolor.

4. Två konstgjorda sjöar skall byggas i två byar. Förberedelserna är klara och arbete startar snart.

5. 800 bomullsmadrasser för eleverna i de sju skolorna skall fördelas. Gunnar och Margaretha var mycket angelägna om detta. Inom kort får eleverna också skolväskor genom Regeringens försorg.

6. Ännu två hälsocenter för gravida kvinnor har startats - nu finns det 4.

7. Bagerikoncernen Parley i Bombay skänker sedan två år generösa bidrag till skolbyggnader. Kontraktet förnyades nyligen. Koncernen skall inom kort ta upp ett program för landutveckling direkt med Dharampur. Mycket välkommet, och vi har erbjudit samarbete.

8. Dator-rummet i Borokhadi P.T.C.-skolan - besökt av TUFF 1978 och det första TUFF-stödda projektet - är nu klart. Regeringen har skänkt 10 datorer jämte 150 000 rupies för bygget. Resten, 50 000 rupies från TUFF gjorde det hela möjigt.

Hjärtligt TACK!

DHARAMPUR VIKAS SAMITTEE
Administrative Office: TUFF Friendship House: Near Gandhi Vidyapith: VEDCHHI
Taluka .Valod : Disrict : Surat: 394 641 INDIA : Tel. No. ( 02625 ) 20154
E-mail: Bhikhu Vyas

NEWS LETTER 2, DHARAMPUR ~ MID. OF OCT. TO END OF NOV. ~ 2000

25 HAMLET SCHOOLS: A STEP FORWARD
25 Hamlet Schools [750 Kids: Age 6/7] have stared functioning on 20th of November. It so happened that youngsters - who wanted to work for their villages - along with village [hamlet] leaders, approached Koki in a group, in Dharampur office. She was there on a field visit. Earlier a meeting of them was held for preplanning, followed by hamlet meetings, to get the responses from the community. All of them were pressing for 25 schools [instead of 20] to start with. They offered their full co-operation. Looking to the enthusiasm and the motivation of the community, our team supported the demand. Actually the schools are simple zero grade classes. They are being run in the verandas of the families having fairly large places. The teachers are supposed to look after the kids and impart elementary education, to start with. In the schools there are more creative activities like drawing, games, drama, dancing, stories, singing etc., trips and other enjoyable as well as stimulating experiences, befitting the childhood. The schools are situated in remote hilly villages in the forest. Most of the hamlets are even difficult to reach. The kids have never seen the face of the school. In a way, they are preparatory schools, for the first grade of primary schools. The Project is running 7 such residential primary schools [Mini Schools] since last 7 years, supported by TUFF. [In different corners of Dharampur] The students from the hamlet classes will be absorbed in these regular schools [1\4 grades at present. They are going to be expanded]. The new Hamlet Schools is a step forward. All the teachers will be given in - service training shortly.
A reputed organization CRY is working for the deprived kids, all over India. We met their officials recently [not earlier as their visit was cancelled]. They have approved the Project for 20 schools, according to our original proposal. Additionally CRY has approved part budget for the teachers' salaries of our 7 Mini Schools. We have received the first installment from CRY.

REGULAR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ~ ONE MORE PROGRAM
A couple of weeks back, Koki planned out an additional program with one lady social worker. She is a medical doctor. We very much missed such a person so far, in Dharampur. She has worked for long for health-care in another poor tribal block. She now devotes about 15 days a month in Dh. Accordingly, all our new Hamlet School teachers will be given special 'Health-Care Training' by their team of experts, on 7-8-9 of December, in one of the Project schools. We are joining hands. Her team will as well monitor the program in action. Accordingly, we will now be having a mixed School-Cum-Health program, where there are no teachers and no doctors. It will be in the experimental stage for some time. We will observe the performance of the hamlet schools and go ahead accordingly.

A PAIR OF CLOTHES ~ OF THE STUDENTS - BY STUDENTS
One imaginative program of spinning by students is supported by one Mr. Barry Gordan - a drama actor of London. We have given the name to it after his famous Australian artist friend late Boyd George. It is going on rather well. Once the yarn [spun in quantity by the students] is woven and the dresses are ready, they will be distributed to the students - their own CREATION. The teachers and their families also have been given bigger spinning - wheels, for the cloth - needs of their families. An improved hand - loom has just been purchased for weaving yarn, spun by the students.

OTHER DEVELOPMENT NEWS
1. 4 Class Rooms - cum hostels are under construction at present. The work will be finished in about 10 to 15 days. The support came from a group of 24 Bombay-well-wishers. [Please see the 'News Letter' No:1]The same group provided further finance for all the students for fruits and other supplementary food items as well as sports material.
2. The soil - bunding program has been launched last week. We have planned a massive program for 2001. Our team is hopeful of reaching the target, with support from various sources including TUFF and Bombay supporters. [Please see the 'News Letter' No: 1]
3.Two Swedish girls visited the projects about a month back. One of them wrote a long report and sent it to us. They performed the opening ceremony of the first Balwadi of this season. [now there are 20] The concluding paragraph of the report:
" The last 5 days have been incredible. The kids would be almost alone, while their parents are out in the fields. At that time they are doing nothing, except for here - where some of the money Tuff is sending goes to Balwadi schools - Tent schools. The small kids must get the chance to play, dance and smile. Yes, they need to learn how to SURVIVE, most of all. Bhikhu brought us out to one Balwadi school, which started just on that day. The kids greeted us with flowers through a couple of girls. Maria [another girl] was the one cutting the red ribbon. And the school was declared open. We got so affected and so out of breath when we saw all the dirty sugarcane kids playing, smiling and drawing. They sat on the ground with cut jute bags as walls and roof, just with all the attention of their well - trained teachers. We just would have stayed there forever, if it was possible. But we had to go back to Surat station and buy our tickets for the next day, before it closed. We will never forget that helping each - other leads to a better world."
4. 2 artificial lakes are to be constructed in two interior villages. The sites have been selected after community meetings. The technical details are ready. The work starts soon.
5. 800 mattresses [cotton beddings] are being distributed to the 7 schools for each and every student. Gunnar\Margaretha were very keen for this particular program. It is a pleasure that their sentimental wish has been fulfilled - rather fast. All the students are getting very shortly special school - bags, under one Government scheme.
6. 2 additional centers for health-care of pregnant women have been started. [Total 4 now]
7. Parley Biscuits Trusts Of Bombay provided generous funds 2 years back, for school- buildings. The contact was re-established last week with the main functionary of the trusts. The Trusts are directly taking up land development programs in Dharampur shortly. A welcome news. We have offered to co-operate.
8. The computer room at Borokhadi P.T.C. school - first to be visited by TUFF team in 1978 and also the first project supported by TUFF- is ready by now. The government has provided 10 computers as a grant. Also received from the govt. RS. 150000 for the construction. The rest RS. 50000 came from TUFF, which made the room possible.