Utilization of Funds Report from Swarachna School

A report from Milaan, our local NGO partner, on the progress at the Swarachna School, Uttar Pradesh, India:

Utilization of Funds from Foundation for Freedom [PDF]

"Completion report and a thank you note" - General Secretary, Milaan Be The Change

Introduction

Milaan started its journey in 2007 from Kantain Village, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, where we initiated the Swarachna Project with only 10 students and one volunteer teacher. On that journey, we have had our share of good times and not so good times. But our perseverance has never wavered and we have gone from strength to strength.

Along the way we have found steadfast friends who have helped us in immeasurable ways not only to grow but also to better understand our own beliefs, and causes, and therefore to better serve them. Foundation for Freedom has been amongst the foremost of these and we are proud indeed to have their continual support in almost all our endevours.

Funding Support and Utilization

In January of 2010, we submitted a proposal to the Foundation for Freedom requesting support towards increasing the accessibility of quality education in Sitapur. Our partnership with Foundation for Freedom began with financial support to the amount of $ 10200. Of this amount $ 8500 was used for the construction of new classrooms, toilets and a boundary wall for the Swarachna Learning and Resource Centre.

These classrooms are being used to teach children from class 5th to class 10th. The remaining $ 1700 was utilized for purchasing school books and study materials for the students of the centre.

Impact of the funds

The impact of the funding has been immediate. The increase in classrooms has allowed the centre to cater to a larger number of children in the area while also allowing the students to study along with their own age groups rather in mixed age groups. This has had an impact on the academic results within the school and children are more willing to attend classes.

The construction of toilets has also had an immediate impact on the strength of the school, especially resulting in the increase in the number of girls in the school. The number of girls in the Centre has gone up from 34 to a 108. A more than 3 fold increase.

Together these two factors doubled the strength of the school from a hundred odd to nearly 200 students now with nearly 60% of them being girls.

This is a remarkable achievement in the light of the fact that in our area of operations, parents are not always willing to send girls out of the house. In particular, it shows the Swarachna Learning and Resource Centre has gained credibility for its work and the trust of the beneficiary community.

The construction of a boundary wall has further strengthened the sense of security afforded to the children as well as the parents during their time spent at the school.

The most salient long term impact is that these steps have taken the project a long step towards self sustainability.

The Road Ahead

The journey does not end here though.

Swarachna

The next step is take to take the strength of the school to 300 children, in the coming academic year, so that our efforts reach an even larger number of the community. Especially girls, because we firmly believe that educating them educates a future family. Provision for a mid day meal. This is high on our list of priorities. The children often bring only left overs of last night’s meal as lunch. It is our intention to provide them, at least, one proper meal during the time they spend at the school.

We also intend to begin a tradition of sports in the school, as the children have shown great enthusiasm and ability for sports. This will involve the creation a playground and the hiring of a sports teacher. The bare walls of the school will be plastered and done up.

The boundary wall to be completed.

Swabhiman

Swabhiman is a program designed to bring back to school those girls who have dropped out of school for whatever reason, in keeping with our belief of educating future mothers. The program will help them complete their education, at least, up to high school.

The first year will begin with 30 girls being brought back to school. Foundation for freedom has already helped us with 5 girls:

Conclusion

In conclusion, we at Milaan we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people at Foundation for Freedom for the work that they do towards supporting people like us in doing the work that we believe in.

In particular we would like extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Shakti Das for the initiative and the support he has given to us. More than just financial support he has been a mentor to the organization and has helped us in ways that cannot be put a price on.

There is no doubt that contribution of the Foundation for Freedom has helped a lot of children in Sitapur.

We look forward to maintaining the relationship and to continue the good work in the very spirit in which it was started.