Sarnath Village Development Project

arnath Village Development project (SVDP)
Education is important part of everyone’s life. It gives confidence, it develops skills and one can develop himself for any kind of work. Educated people change their family, society and country. Founded by Dr. Abhaya Kumar Jain (M.A PhD in Geography from B.H.U), the Society provides educational facilities and health facilities to underprivileged children of Sarnath and surrounding villages of Sarnath, India. Life in rural India can be difficult and many families live on less than one Dollar per day. Education, for both girls and boys, can be a pathway out of this poverty. The overall mission of the society is to establish awareness regarding education, physical wellbeing, ethical behaviors, and environmental aspects that affect daily life in the villages surrounding of Sarnath. Here is our story:
Great change can arise from small but powerful catalysts. For Dr. Abhaya Kumar Jain, a mere favor asked by a friend was enough to prompt the development of programs that have already enriched the lives of numerous members of his community in Northern India. Siglind, paid for two days stay in his newly opened guest house. She was so pleased with the place that she decided to stay much longer. She became a mother figure to Dr. Jain, was respected by his daughter as a grandmother, and from that point on she visited yearly. In 2002 Mrs. Siglind’s asked that Dr. Jain do something for the impoverished children regarding their access to education; he responded earnestly that he would try his best. Living in an urban area, Dr. Jain often noticed several young children playing the entire day. Upon inquiring why they were not in school, he encountered countless reasons. Among the most prevalent was the overall disregard towards the importance of receiving an education. The grand majority of parents in these areas were illiterate so they couldn’t conceive how an education would be important for their children. Additionally, in financial conditions where 80% of their meager earnings went towards food, they were incapable of the burden caused by superfluous expenses. With this insight into the lives of the underprivileged, Dr. Jain took action and created the Sarnath Village Development Project. This project is composed of two Sub-Projects working simultaneously:
Social Awareness in Village Education (SAVE)
Rural Child Health Care (RCHC).
1-Social Awareness in Village Education (SAVE)-
In August of 2003, the SAVE project became a reality for 47 children in the village of Ghurahupur, Sarnath. This project has since been sustained by two principles:
1-Sponsorship program (A Step for a Smile)
2-School System

1- Sponsorship Program: Children of disadvantaged families are able to apply for sponsorships that would guarantee them education at no cost. To be eligible, first the child’s economic condition is assessed by the Sarnath Village Development Society. If the combined income of the parents is less than 5,000 rupees (currently equivalent to $83) per month, then he or she is be eligible for one of the Sarnath Village Development Project’s facilities. The following step is for the Sarnath Village Development Society to find sponsors to fund the child’s educational expenses; presently the cost of 9,000 rupees (approximately $150 U.S. or €110) is required per child per year. The child must be between seven to thirteen years old and may receive an education through this program up through 12th grade depending on the availability of sponsorships.

2- The School system consists of Ankur Bal Mandir (ABM), scholastically comparable to preschools, and Srijan Nursery Schools (SNS), akin to grade schools or elementary schools. Ankur Bal Mandir (ABM) -
The ABMs are run in the home of a teacher living within the village. Children ranging from three to five years of age may attend to be instructed in basic Hindi, Math, and English for three hours in a classroom-oriented setting. The Sarnath Village Development Society provides the fundamental materials necessary for class infrastructure; including a black board, slates, mats, and books. There are two tests held annually, and the children that pass the final assessment are qualified to take the entrance exam for Srijan Nursery School. Srijan Nursery School (SNS) -
SNS is a program for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. This education is also free for all of the children accepted due to the sponsorship system. The courses are based on the Indian Government’s norms and the Sarnath Village Development Society supplies school essentials such as uniforms, shoes, socks, stationary, textbooks, and a book bag to each and every student. Class runs Monday through Friday providing instruction in the compulsory subjects of Hindi, English, Math, and Physical Education with electives offered such as Music and Dance. Saturday is devoted entirely to extracurricular activities; including games, sports, and art. Students are evaluated based on monthly tests and oral exams which teachers’ grade based on the pupil’s memory, presentation, imagination, decorum, pronunciation, and handwriting. Furthermore, the Sarnath Village Development Project is concerned about more than just the intellectual development of the children involved in SAVE; health is also a matter that is often overlooked.

2- Rural Child Health Care (RCHC)-
The Rural Child Health Care venture along with SAVE comprise the entirety of the Sarnath Village Development Project. Supervised by Mr. Dubois from the United States, the medical component of the project stems from the fact that education ensues most effectively in healthy, well-nourished children. Children are able to get checkups under this program, several hundreds of whom had never seen a doctor before in their lives. The Nityanand Hospital provides health examinations for all the children of ABM and SNS programs regarding worms and vitamins, likewise delivering treatment when aid is required. Just as this organization provides an opportunity for education to primarily young girls of disadvantaged groups and Castes; it acts as a form of empowerment by teaching self-sustaining skills and offering health security to the young women who will bear India’s future generations. Current Situation (year 2013-14):-
At present total 15 ABMs are running.
8 ABMs are running in Sarnath and 7 ABMs in Jairampur village. SNS (Due to RTE Act the Srijan Nursery School of Sarnath and Jairampur have been shut down from the year 2013-14).Therefore all 442 children have taken admission in other schools. Total Number of children:
ABM 376
Sponsored 282 (These children are studying in different Schools). Total: 376+282= 658 Children are getting education and healthcare facilities under this Project. The Problem:
RTE Act came into the picture in year 2012-13. Under this act Indian Government has set certain Guidelines (Length of Class Rooms, School Building, Play Ground etc.) for all schools in India. The schools have to meet the standards, set by Govt. If schools fail to meet those standards then either they have to shut it down or pay the penalty of Rs. 10,000 per Month. The SNS Sarnath and SNS Jairampur failed to meet the standard of 20’x20’ classrooms. Dr. Jain has composed a comprehensive proposal to meet all of the RTE requirements. Due to the rules and regulations of the RTE, both the SNSs in Sarnath and Jairampur have been closed. After a school inspection on 4/12/12, Dr. Jain was given positive reviews, only to be notified by the District Basic Education Officer at a later date that having not fulfilled the classroom size norms set by the RTE criteria, the SNS schools were not authorized to operate and starting 3/31/2013 penalties would apply. Since the SNS in Sarnath and the SNS in the village of Jairampur were both run from rented buildings, retrofitting the property to meet the RTE standards is not a feasible option. These schools tailor to the education of 442 children. Note: We are looking for Sponsors for the SNS children, who have taken admission in different schools. Sponsorship scale :-
9000 INR p/a
150 USD p/a
110 Euro p/a

The new building requirements under this new federal protocol include:

(i) At least one class-room for every teacher and an office/head teacher’s room. At least seven class rooms sized 20’X20’
(ii) Barrier-free access
(iii) Separate toilets for boys and girls
(iv) Safe and adequate drinking water facility to all children
(v) A kitchen where mid-day meal is cooked in the school
(vi) Playground
(vii) Desk
(viii) Library

Rather than solely focus on seeking sponsors, Dr. Jain and the Sarnath Village Development Society have formulated a budget and designed floor plans for the construction of a new school that would meet the federal requirements and the needs of the children that so desperately deserve but otherwise would have no opportunity to seek an education due to their income and Cast. To make the leap from sound logic on paper to a sustainable physical structure with the manpower to fuel its success, financial support through grants and sponsors will transform this project into an establishment thoroughly recognized by the Indian government. FUTURE PLAN:
Srijan Nursery School Project
In order to run the school smoothly and to maintain the continuity society is trying to raise fund for school building. Jairampur: A piece of Land (1 acre) has been purchased and donated to the society by Mrs. Robyn Martin Weber, Australia in Jairampur Village. Sarnath: we are looking for a rented place or a piece of land to build a school in Sarnath. Society is urgently looking for donors / donation for school building construction in both villages. Girls High School and Intermediate School Project
In the same land (Jairampur village) a Girls High School and Intermediate school would be constructed. A Clinic Project ( in Jairampur):
Under RCHC Project Mr. Ken wants to establish a clinic in the land as above mention in Jairampur village. Milky Way Literacy Project:
Under this project society wants to open 30 ABMs, 5 SNS, 1 High school and 1 Intermediate school (for girls only) from class 6th to 12th in this region. With this mission underprivileged children from this region will get educational help up to 12th class. The Intermediate school will be built only for girls because there is no school for them in the surrounding area. Helping Hands:-
Following Organizations are supporting this NGO:-
KinderHilfe NEPAL/ INDIEN e.V. www.kinderhilfe-nepalindien.de
1.1-Jutta Schaut (President)
Grabenstr. 90,97295Waldbrunn
Germany
Email: [email protected]
1.2-Melanie Fulczyk (Incharge of Sarnath Project in Germany)
Westendstr 262, 80686
Munchen, Germany
Email: [email protected]
Lewis E Watson Charitable Trust
Mr.Kenneth Dubois (Administrator)
3550 Wilshire Blvd.ste105-162
Los Angeles CA 90010
USA
Email:[email protected]
Institute for Village Studies
www.villagestudies.org
Mr.Charlie Ashbaugh (Director)
2215 Franklin Sts.Bellingham
WA 98225
USA
Email: [email protected]
http://villagestudies.org/community-development
Note: Individual donors are also equally involved in the success of these project. Contact us:
Dr. Abhaya Kumar Jain (Director)
Sarnath Village Development Society
14/37 A, Baraipur, Sarnath, Varanasi 221007
Email: [email protected]
Ph: +91 542 2595621
Mb: +91 9936251407
Follow the Website:
http://sarnathvillagedevelopmentproject.org/
http://www.gofundme.com/48vmts