ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Foundation for Initiatives in Development and Education for All (IDEA)
Christmas Party
Haemoglobin detection of young ladies in the community
Life Skill Sessions
Making a Collage
Systems Plus Volunteers for Pune Marathon
Visit to a Museum
Foundation for Initiatives in Development and Education for All (IDEA) ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Registered Office: Foundation for Initiatives in Development and Education for All (IDEA) Flat No. 10, Fountain Head Apartment, Opp. Sangam Press, Kothrud, Pune 411037. INDIA Telephone: 020-2544 0615, +91-98901 19732 / +91-97302 61878 E-mail:
[email protected] Website: www.ideafoundation.org.in
Registration Details: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Society Registration Act - Mah/195/2002/Pune, dated 8 February 2002 BPT Reg.No. F-22506/ Pune, dated 11 December 2007. 12 A (a) - No.PN/CIT-1/Regn./12A(a)/111/2007-08/5918 dated 01-04-2007 Income Tax Exemption (80G)- PN/CIT-1/12A (a)/80G/281/2007-08/5919, dated 19/02/2008. FCRA Registration no - - 083930539 IT PAN NO – AAATF11638 TAN - PNEF01426F
Contents: 1.
Director’s message
2.
IDEA Profile
3.
Funding Partners
4.
Networking Partners
5.
Major Milestones of the Organization
6.
Performance Report 2013-14 6.1
Learning Centers
6.2
Sponsorship Program
6.3
Skill Development Program
6.4
Special Projects
7.
Voluntary Contribution
8.
Activities through Networking
9.
Trainings and Workshops
10.
Promotional Events
11.
Evaluation and future plans
12.
Acknowledgement
13.
Financial Statements
14.
Appeal for Donation
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Director’s message: Dear Friends, It gives me immense pleasure to present the 7th Annual Report of IDEA. I would like to take this opportunity to summarize the achievements of last year and share some of the learning that will go towards shaping the future direction for IDEA. During the year our Core Programs remained the same - Learning Centers, Sponsorship Program & Skill Development Program. We could reach out to around 7000 Children, 1500 Youth & 1800 Women in 10 slums in Pune city, 25 schools and 20 villages located in Bhor Block in Pune district. IDEA’s holistic approach in dealing with ‘Education for All ‘ has invited global attention and we have been selected to implement “Inclusive Education for Socially Disadvantaged People- India Country Project” by Sir Peter Ustinov Foundation (SPUF). This special project has enabled us to reach out to Bhor Block. Another highlight of the year has been a yearlong attempt to strengthen the financial and monitoring & evaluation systems to enhance credibility and accountability of the organization with the funding support from Global Fund for Children (GFC). We thank Center for Promoting Accountability (CPA), a sister concern of Financial Management Service Foundation (FMSF) for guiding and supporting us in strengthening the Financial & Governance systems in IDEA. We are also thankful to Mrs. Parinita Pal for training the staff on Monitoring & Evaluation of Programs. As a part of a self-assessment, we conducted a study on the achievement level of children attending our learning centers and children who are not attending IDEA centers in three slums. It was encouraging to see that the performance of children in IDEA Center was much better than the other group. Similarly remarkable performance of sponsored children in Board exams, the number of youth occupied in skilled job after receiving vocational training and the number of women receiving supplementary income through art & craft and the positive impact of the Inclusive Education Project are our motivation for continuing the core programs & projects. Moving forward, we are in the process of networking with a school of Fashion Technology in Pune to provide additional professional skills to the students. It will equip them with more skills and better job opportunities. We are pleased to have some of our donors and volunteers sharing their experience while working with us. Contribution of all our volunteers, donors and networking partners was very significant for the development of the organization. I would like to thank them all for the trust and support you have in us. We hope you will support us till we realize our vision of ‘a just society where individuals have access to equal opportunity’. 3
IDEA Profile:
Aims and Objectives: • To conduct and develop Research, Consultancy, Documentation and Training. • To undertake specific studies, evaluation and research projects in the area of Applied Social Sciences and Rural and Urban Development. • To undertake Action Research Projects in the fields of Rural and Urban Development. • To implement Schemes and Programs / Projects in the field of Social Development with particular reference to the promotion of education. • To facilitate development aid and support to the needy children to complete their education, training and all round development. • To extend help in exceptional cases to poor and needy. • To organize seminars, conferences, workshops, etc. • To provide vocational guidance, training and facilities for vocational rehabilitation of the needy. • To undertake programs of community development in the field of education, health etc. • To undertake implementation of the various schemes of Government bodies and local bodies, in the fields of education, income generation and vocational training. • To initiate programs for: 1. Needy and destitute children who have no shelter, education and who are found to be exploited in the society. 2. Street children and school dropouts and to restart their education and organize special programs for them. • To achieve the aims and objectives aforesaid, to co-operate, enter into partnership programs and to take joint programs and or to lend assistance to and seek assistance from other institutions, national or international with similar aims and objectives.
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IDEA's Outreach:
Project Locations (during 2013-14): 10 slums in Pune. 25 schools and 20 villages in Bhor. • Children: 7000 • Youth: 1500 • Women: 1800 • Total population Coverage: 92300 5
Council Members: The management and staff at IDEA is guided by a Governing Council consists of esteemed members with expertise in varied fields. The Governing Council met five times during 2013-14 on 20th July 2013, 7th December 2013, 22nd February, 2014 and 22nd March, 2014. Sr. No.
Name
Designation of Board
Profession
Area of Competency
1
Balakrishna K Pillai
Mechanical Engineer
President and Trustee
Strategic Direction & Administration
2
Dattatraya S. Waghmare
Social Work Practitioner
Trustee
Strategic Direction
3
Ajay Talreja
IT Expert
Treasurer
Technology
4
Dr. Prachee Prasanna Joeg
Psychologist
Member
Program Development
5
A.G. Budhkar
Finance
Member
Finance, Marketing
6
Shilpa Khangaonkar
Legal Consultant
Chairperson
Strategic Direction
7
Mr. Sachin Gokhale
Member
Finances, Marketing
8
Dr. Vijay Kulkarni
Hon. Secretary
Program Development and Staff Training
9
Dr. Usha Pillai
Co-Founder and Director
NGO Management
Chartered Accountant Social Work Educator Social Work Practitioner
Full time Employees as on 31st March, 2014 1. Dr. Usha Pillai (Director) 2. Mrinal Badawe (Program Manager) 3. Kripa Deshpande (Program Officer) 4. Anita Khatikpatil ( Program Coordinator) 5. Ravikiran Patil (Senior Project Officer) 6. Priya Yadav (Instructor-cum-Facilitator) 7. Deepali Karpe (Instructor-cum-Facilitator) 8. Rajshri Nikam (Social Worker) 9. Jyoti Yadav (Instructor-cum-Facilitator) 10. Uma Kale (Accountant) 11. Usha Bhosale (Social Worker) 12. Sachin Malekar (Social Worker) 13. Suraj Mohite (Social Worker)
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Volunteers & Interns contributed during 2013-14: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Siddhi Gokhale Milind Aishwarya Kolisetty Soumya khanna Sonakshi Sharma Tamnay Jadhav Varsha Sathe Repaka Nilekha Isha Akhairomka Amita Kumari Kriti Kumari Fatimah Rahmani Jayna Sorathiya Ameya Kokate 4 Interns from Bharati Vidyapeeth Social Science Center- Varsha, Sundip, Nikhil and Maitreyi Chowdhary Intern from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth- Sonali 2 Interns from Karve Institute of Social Service- Yuvraj Borhade, Kiran Kadu NMIMS Interns- Apurva Datar, Nikita Sharma 8 Volunteers from Vodafone: 11 volunteers from Symbiosis, Khadki Symantec volunteers: Rahul Sarda, Atul Swamy
Auditors: CA Satchidanand A Ranade, Partner, SPJV & CO C-102, Devgiri Apts, Ganeshmala, Sinhagad Road, Pune 411030 Bankers: ICICI Bank Ltd, Kothrud Branch, Plot no.1, S. No. 15/1, Sarthak Terraces, Opp. Gandhi Lawns, Pune 411 052 Shri Laxmikrupa Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd. Siddharth Chambers, Kothrud, Pune 411029. Indian Overseas Bank Dahanukar Colony, Kothrud, Pune 411029.
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Funding Partners during 2013-14: 1.
Sir Peter Ustinov Foundation & German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
2.
Global Fund for Children (GFC)
3.
Give India
4.
Godparents.in Foundation
5.
Give Foundation USA
6.
Volkart Foundation
7.
Global Giving
8.
Samhita
9.
Let’zChange Foundation
10.
Jindal Foundation
11.
Seva Sahayog
12.
Infosys Technology
13.
Prorigo Software Pvt. Ltd.
14.
Caring Friends
15.
Trent Ltd.
Individual donors who have paid Rs 25,000 or more : 1.
Mrs. Neesha Kharva
2.
Mrs. Madhuri Dalal
3.
Mr. Sachin Nambiar
4.
Mr. Anil Devnani
5.
Mr. Karthik Ranganathan
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Networking Partners:
Major Milestones of the Organization:
2002-Registered under Society Registration Act, library & study centers and awareness programs in a slum
2009- Listed by Godparents.in foundation
2006- Programs in 2 slums and 3 schools
2010- Accredited by Credibility Alliance, Received ‘Outstanding Annual Report Award’, Initiated Vocational Training for youth
2012- Expanded work to Bhor Block to implement ‘Inclusive Education for Socially Disadvantaged peopleIndia Country Project’ in collaboration with Sir Peter Ustinov Foundation and German Ministry
2008-Listed by Give India, Implemented ICICI Bank sponsored ‘Read to Lead’ Project for 1 year
2011- Listed by Global Giving, funding support -Volkart Foundation and Global Fund for Children, received Dhyas Social Excellence Award 2011
2013- Received organizational development grant from Global Fund for children to strengthen our systems in financial, management and monitoring and evaluation programs, Partnered with Samhita
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Performance Report 2013-14:
Core Programs / Projects: • Learning Centers • Sponsorship Program • Skill Development Program
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Program Impact in numbers (during 2013-14) Beneficiaries from Slums in Pune
Beneficiaries from Rural Project in Bhor
No of children received school bag and note books
936
479
1415
No of children enrolled in Learning centers
543
175
718
No of children under Early childhood Care and Education (Preschool)
30
11
41
No of Youth received Vocational Training
174
71
245
No of Adolescents and Young women benefitted from Craft and Embroidery Classes
106
97
203
No. Of Adolescents attended Life Skill Sessions
239
101
340
No of Children participated in various co-curricular activities like study tour and Summer camp
1212
701
1913
No. of Children under Sponsorship Program
359
21
380
560
360
No. of Children attended Health Check up
170
-
170
No. of Children received Career guidance
93
155
248
Particular
No. of Parents attended various Awareness sessions
11
Total No. Of Beneficiaries
920
Learning Centers: ‘Play & Learn centers’ and ‘Activity oriented study centers’ are set up for the children coming from lower socio-economic and educational background. IDEA Team has modified teaching- learning methodology based on its own experience as well as from lessons shared by other NGOs. Presently there are 27 Learning centers located in Pune slums and villages in Bhor. As the name indicates, the ‘Play & Learn Centre’ educates children in class 1 to 4 through educational games, songs and dance, with an intention to develop an interest in schooling along with a strong educational foundation in them. The focus is on enhancing the reading, writing, comprehension and arithmetic skills of the children. Children in class 5 to 7 attend the ‘Activity oriented study centers’. Here they develop a habit of regular study supervised by a trained teacher. Each child gets individual attention in studies. The teachers follow a standardized syllabus and a time table. Children attend the centers either before or after school for around 2 hours, starting with a few exercises for improving concentration followed by reading a small story / passage every day ,children learn the lessons preplanned by the teachers . Last one hour is kept aside for self-learning, supported by the teacher, if necessary. Children look forward to Saturdays to learn many new things through play and activities. Along with the co-curricular activities planned by their teachers, involvement of volunteers is an attraction for the children. Sports competition, Children’s Fun Fair (Balmelawa), Celebrations of special days, learning science through fun, Math Workshop are some of the curricular and co-curricular activities held during the year in all the Learning centers apart from the regular routine. The Learning Centers are supported by Global Fund for Children, Volkart Foundation, GiveIndia, Sir Peter Ustinov Foundation and GlobalGiving. There is a remarkable improvement in school attendance, achievement level and interest of children in regular schooling. Yet we need to do a lot to improve their arithmetic skills and English Language skills. We have observed positive changes in the motivational level of parents too; they attend parents' meeting regularly. Some of them come to meet the teacher in the centre voluntarily.
Beneficiary Coverage of Learning Centers: Sr. No.
Type of Center
No. of Centers (in Pune and Bhor)
No. of Students
1
Play and Learn Center
16
413 (233 Girls + 180 Boys)
2
Study Center
11
296 (161 Girls + 135 Boys)
Total
27
709
12
A Comparative Study on achievement level of children: We conducted a study on the achievement level of children attending learning centers and children who are not attending IDEA centers in three slums. It was encouraging to see that the performance of children in IDEA Center was better than the Non centre children in 3 subjects like English, Mathematics and Marathi. A vast difference in the performance of Mathematics was seen in level 1. (Only 8.1% children from IDEA centre got less than 40 % marks whereas 26.8% non-center children got less than 40%). In Marathi all IDEA Children were above 40% in Level 1 while 7.3 % non center children scored below 40 % marks. The inputs given by IDEA like training to teachers in Mathematics, use of teaching Aids, games and regular monitoring have improved the achievement of the students. We are undertaking more capacity building programs for our teachers to increase the performance of children in level 2.
Level 1: Class 3 & 4. Level 2: Class 5, 6 & 7
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Sponsorship Program: The educational sponsorship is given to needy children from class 3 to class 12 and above if needed. The Program is supported by individual donors either through Giveindia and Godparent foundation, Caring Friends, TRENT Ltd, Symantec or donation in kind and cash collected by IDEA. 380 children received benefits like school materials, uniform / civil dress, school and coaching class fees and opportunities for their all round development through co-curricular activities. Sensitization and awareness programs for parents on adolescent issues and importance of education, Right to Education Act, Right of the child etc were held frequently. Life skill sessions on gender equality, child abuse, love and friendship, leadership development were organized for the youth. Our collective effort for the empowerment of youth resulted in formation of a youth group. 15 young girls and boys are actively involved in organizing some of our activities like craft and art, joy of giving week, yoga, exercise, fun games, felicitation program, and summer camps. IDEA has built a strong sense of ownership which they continue to pass on to others. Donor wise distribution of children in Pune under the Sponsorship Program Donor Give India Godparent Individual donors IDEA General Caring Friends Trent Symantec Total
Number of children Boys Girls 32 83 20 40 21 9 28 42 17 43 1 20 6 18 125 255
Total 115 60 30 70 60 21 24 380
• Our Champions: In 2013, 48 sponsored students of IDEA succeeded in 10th Exam. Cheers to our top Scorers: Pradnya Paigude-93%, Nutan chavan-90%, Ankita Thakur- 86%, Somnath Kangude- 83%, Shubhangi Taware-82% and 10 more students got above 70% 14
Felicitation Program: Every year IDEA takes pleasure in organizing the Annual Felicitation program. It was held on 31st August 2013 at Tridal Hall, Zala society, Kothrud, Pune. Dr. Dilip Garud, guest speaker of the function is a retired Principal & an expert in storytelling. He motivated children to set goal in life through moral stories of great persons. He also talked about roles and responsibility of the youth in family and society. Dr. Vijay Kulkarni, Chief Guest is Associate Professor in Social Work College. He is also a Board member of IDEA. IDEA felicitated 76 sponsored students of 9th, 10th and 12th standard for their excellent performance in their annual examination.
Distribution of school material
Session with youth group
Best Motivated Mother
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Skill Development Program: Skill Development project is basically for the youth struggling for livelihood. Many a times youth in slums face problems like poverty, lack of interest in education, lack of guidance, household responsibilities which leads to illiteracy or lack of awareness. The youth could not be enrolled in school either due to their over age for school. So after a need assessment a vocational training program was started to provide a second chance for education. This gave them recognition and skills for their livelihood. Vocational Training: Total 245 students have completed training in Beautician, Tailoring, Nursing, Spoken English and Retail Marketing in 2013-14. Courses are conducted at 3 centers in Pune and one center in Bhor. Beneficiaries of Spoken English, Computer and embroidery course are college students. Tailoring class
Course
Duration
No of Trainees (May 2013 to April 2014) in Pune and Bhor
No of trainees employed after completion
Beautician
4 months
53
14 (20 are self employed)
Basic Nursing
6 months
7
3
Retail Marketing
2 months
4
2
Tailoring
4 months
107 (under training)
65
Spoken English
2 months
25
-
Computer literacy
2 months
35
-
Hand embroidery
1 to 2 months
14
-
245
84
Total
Visit to Tailoring unit: 22 ladies visited Tailoring unit of one of the famous sports material production centre and were surprised to see tremendous scope in garment industry. They saw all kinds of machinery, raw material and the whole process of tailoring. 16
Case study of Nayna :
Nayna is a young and cheerful lady from a low income community. Her native place got affected by construction of a dam and the entire village was displaced. Nayna and her 2 sisters dropped out in 7th and 8th in the process of rehabilitation to a new place. Her father was a keertankar and her mother used to do labor work. Nayna has been very hard working and patient girl from childhood. She got married at the age of 18. Her husband is 9th pass and works as a local bus conductor. They were very happy in the initial few years. Their daughter was born in 2 years. But very soon Nayna could trace her husband’s secret affair with another lady. To make it worse he started beating Nayna. Separation was the only way but she kept quiet looking at her daughter. She neither had education nor any skill to stand on her own feet. Moreover, she had no courage to face the challenges of being a single woman and a single parent. But she had the courage to live with such husband for 10 years. She always had an urge to be independent and this incident made her strong to step out. She heard about IDEA Foundation from women in neighborhood and within no time she completed Beautician course in 2011 as part of vocational training program of IDEA. She completed an internship with a local beauty parlor and worked with them for Rs 2000 a month. Then she found a job in another parlor where she got an opportunity to grasp new techniques of hair dressing. She was very excited and decided to go for the advance course in the similar line. She requested the master trainer from the same parlor to deduct the fees from her monthly salary of Rs. 3000 for learning advance techniques. Today, Nayna works for a famous beauty parlor and earns a respectable salary of Rs. 10,500 a month. It has been an amazing ride to start from a drop out to a stand out! Nayna is earning more than her husband does and it gives her immense pride. He does not beat her anymore. Her daughter is 8 years old and studying in 3rd standard. Her status in the family has increased and it has a positive effect on her relationship with husband. She thanks IDEA for bringing about a change in her personality. ‘‘It was a big change in my speech and overall standard of living”, she admits. IDEA is proud to see her visualize her own beauty parlor in next 10 years.
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Craft and Art We run Craft and Art classes in Pune and Bhor. Many drop outs and young women are benefitting from these activities. They learn to make paper articles, jelly candles, mehendi work, glass and fabric painting, pen stand and artificial jewellery making. The articles are displayed and sold during NGO fairs and exhibitions at various places. They get a small but regular income by undertaking work order in the neighborhood. Many women are very proud to utilize their skills like tailoring, craft and Art in their household after completion of training. Total 197 women completed Craft & Art classes through IDEA in 2013-14 and most of them are earning a supplementary income.
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Pallavi- A Budding Artist:
Pallavi has an inborn talent of creativity. Private classes for learning craft were too expensive and far from her home. IDEA center was close to home. She enrolled for craft and art class and was very excited to learn different varieties. She could complete this class along with her college education. She acquired formal education as well as art forms like paintings, jewelry making etc. She has flair in paper quilling. She takes orders and sells paper made jewelry in her neighborhood and also in exhibitions. A timid girl is now become confident enough to take up a jewelry designing profession in the coming years. She is teaching this art to the new batches of IDEA and earning a supplementary income which gives her immense satisfaction. Pallavi does not like a routine job and therefore plans to build a career in this field. Though the talent was inborn through IDEA it was discovered and well groomed.
Dangles she made!
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SPECIAL PROJECTS 1. Inclusive Education for socially disadvantaged people –India Country Project IDEA’s holistic approach in dealing with Education for All has invited global attention and selected to implement “Inclusive Education for Socially Disadvantaged People- India Country Project” which is being funded by German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) & Sir Peter Ustinov Foundation (SPUF). This Project is part of a Project titled “Inclusive Education in Action: Worldwide Experiences” implemented in 5 developing countries & IDEA is the implementing partner in India. This project is implemented in 25 schools, a few slums and many villages in Bhor Block in Pune district. Major activities under the project are:• Survey & Need assessment The objective was to identify & implement school specific and community specific interventions. Total 25 schools, 10 villages and 185 households from 5 slum communities were surveyed initially & periodically. The survey findings helped us to have data and need assessment for implementing school specific & community specific interventions. • Capacity building of Staff The project staff received training in English Language, communication skills as well as Inclusive Education and Right to Education Act (RTE). • School level interventions The school level interventions include Capacity Building of teachers, parents & School Management Committee (SMC) members, programs for School Quality improvement & initiatives for creating an interesting school environment for students Capacity Building of teachers included workshops on Right to Education Act (RTE) & Activity Based Learning (ABL) , Personality Development, Understanding roles, importance of creativity, problem solving in teaching, Training on Reading skills, Use of teaching aids on Math & Science, importance of Storytelling in classroom teaching etc. Capacity building of SMC members & parents included exposure visit for teachers and SMC members to 'model schools' and awareness program on RTE. Interventions we had taken for School Quality improvement include supporting 6 schools to implement ABL, Implementation of e-Learning in 8 schools, Provision of Mathematics kit, Soft board, Sports materials, Musical instruments etc. Children in class 10 were benefited through career guidance programs and Model Question & Answer papers.
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Our initiatives for creating an interesting school environment for students included children's club activities like life skill education, spoken English classes & art & craft, competitions on essay, elocution, drawing and summer camp. • Community level interventions Along with the school level interventions, we worked with the villages and slum communities close to the selected schools. These interventions started with awareness on RTE & Role of SMC in school development, developing a local Resource team to impart Art & craft classes for girls and women, Life Skill Education for young girls, Vocational Training in Tailoring & Computer, Study - cum- activity classes for children, Sessions on Women’s health awareness & child abuse • Experience sharing session with Mr. Andreas Wenzel (SPUF Representative) This sharing session was to discuss the interventions undertaken under the IE project in Bhor & to share their views and first impact. Thirteen headmasters attended in this session. In this session Successful interventions were discussed & the areas where more focus has to be given were identified. The head masters understood the IE project more clearly & the SPUF representative got a firsthand understanding on the IE Interventions undertaken by IDEA • Project Sharing with International partners The Project Coordinator has participated in the international meeting and field visit in South Africa to understand the ' best practices' adopted in the Inclusive Education Project in other countries like South Africa, Ghana ,Burkina Faso and to share the experiences of India Country project with other country partners of the Inclusive Education Project. It helped us to be focused on the objectives of the IE project and to make necessary modifications in the activities to achieve the project goals.
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A few case studies from the field Sana (name changed) - the budding leader!
Sana lives with her parents and siblings in Dhangwadi village in Bhor Block, Maharashtra. Her father is a welder and mother is a housewife. She has one brother who is also schooling. Like many other village girls, Sana also goes to a Government primary school, devoid of any opportunities for bringing out the hidden talents in them. Sana being an active girl by nature, started participating in all the co-curricular activities under the IE India Country project in her school. Introduction of co-curricular activities is an initiative to create an interesting atmosphere in school. She became one of the best members in the Children’s club. The children’s club initiative has started with an objective to bring out the best in children by creating various opportunities for their talent development. Art & Craft sessions, Life Skill education, English Enhancement program, exposure visit, encouragement in sports activities, introducing stories to improve learning skills etc are part of the children’s club activities adopted to achieve this goal. Apart from creating opportunities for children, the club also focuses on a ‘child to child’ approach. Sana attended all the above activities with great interest, her overall development within a few months time was amazing .We have also noticed the leadership skills in Sana. She started taking a lead in all programs. The guidance and motivation of her teachers and Social Workers also contributed towards her overall development. Sana regularly conducts Craft & art sessions and reading activities for the younger children in school. She guides children in various types of paper art , paper quelling, greeting card making & various other craft . Sana’s School teacher says ‘children in rural areas lack only opportunities not talent ‘. Recently during a session with her Social Worker, Sana said “I got an opportunity to learn many things in school, now I will teach these skills to my friends and younger children in my village “. The Social Worker was overwhelmed to hear this from Sana. Opportunities coupled with parental support can create many budding leaders like Sana.
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Kasurdi Fishermen community on the path of change - A case study
Tribal community (fishermen) in Kasurdi -one of the project areas of the Inclusive Education Project in Bhor- has around 25 households. These families have migrated around 25 years ago from a remote village. In the initial years of their struggle the people felt happy and lucky if they could earn money for one square meal a day. Children’s education was the last item on their priority list. The living condition was extremely poor. On top of all the male members in the family were addicted to cheap alcohol. The family never had money to buy clean clothes or toiletries. The women and the children had to suffer everything silently. The vicious cycle of ‘Poverty-unhygienic living condition-theft – alcoholismilliteracy and poverty’ kept them away from the people of the main village. When we started our work in this community in 2012, there were 25 children who were in the school going age (6 to 14 years) but only 6 children were attending school though others were also enrolled in School. Every year around 5 to 6 months the parents had to move from one place to another depending on the availability of fish in the river; children too accompanied the parents during this period depriving them of educational facilities. Because of this children were not keen on education and disliked going to school. We started an activity oriented study center in this community, provided school materials for children, held awareness programs for parents on education, health & hygiene and also helped the families to get benefits of welfare schemes of the Government for them . Women are also learning tailoring to earn an additional income. All these resulted in a gradual change in the behavior and attitude of grandparents & parents . They have also realized the need for regularly sending their children to school for creating an interest in them to study. They now leave their children in the care of the elderly while they move from the community in search of work. Today we are happy that ALL children in 6 to 14 years in this small community are attending school.
Katkari community receiving solar lamps 23
2. Promoting Science & Maths: To boost children’s interest in science and mathematics various activities were planned for different age groups. Objective was to get children interested in the subjects, to motivate and inspire adolescents through career guidance in science and maths and to promote science education among girls by sponsoring them. The method we used was innovative teaching-learning aids in the study centers, practical learning of selected students in exploratory and exposure visits science parks etc. 2 mentors were provided in study centers. As part of this project, presentations and video clips on solar system, different human body systems, natural disasters and nutrition were shown to study centre children studying from 5th to 7th Standard. A workshop was organized at Muktangan Science Exploratory, Pune for the students interested in core Science field. A practical session in the laboratory and interaction with experts from respective fields was an extraordinary experience for them.
As part of National Science Day celebration, Junkyard Genius Science Competition was organized by Science Exploratory. Tejas and Akshay from IDEA won 3rd prize among 150 participants. They made an electronic door bell from the used material provided to them. They are studying in 10th standard and both want to pursue science stream further.
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Voluntary Contribution: IDEA’s attempts towards minimizing disparity in the society are always supported by many individual & corporate volunteers. A brief note about their efforts this year: • Systems Plus Technologies: Volunteers of Systems plus Technologies took responsibility of a study centre at Hadapsar last three years back. Apart from the educational guidance given by the volunteers to children in the centre, they celebrated Children’s Day, Independence Day and the festivals with the children with fun filled events. They have also sponsored events like sports day and snacks to children on many occasions. The company and its volunteers also arranged for the transportation cost and served as care takers of the children in the centre during Balmelava. They also represented IDEA during Pune Marathon and sponsored prizes during Annual sports event of IDEA. • Symantec: Under our ‘Joy of Learning Science and Mathematics’ Project, two active volunteers from Symantec- Atul Swamy and Rahul Sarda were mentoring students in Higher secondary classes to solve their difficulties in the subjects like Math, Science, Biology and English. They were also a big help during Sports event, Running event and Balmelava. • Vodafone: Volunteers from Vodafone conducted sessions on Road Safety for IDEA children. They also participated in various ways like storytelling, teaching word power games and songs and basics of English Language. • NMIMS Interns developed modules for science presentations and also conducted experimental sessions in all the IDEA study centers
Volunteer speaks: Jayna Patel: "िजंदगी ने हमे एक खूबसूरत मौका िदया. िजंदगी ने हमे मुलाकात करवाई IDEA FOUNDATION से. जहा हमे इतने सारे बचो का यार िमला. और शमा मॅम, आपका साथ िमला. ये पल हमारी िजंदगी के बह त हसीन पल थे. जहाँ हमे बचो क जादू क झपी िमली. ये सारे िदन हमे बह त याद आएँ ग.े और IDEA FOUNDATION ने हमे सोसायटी के िलए, और इन सब मासूम बचो के िलए काम करने का एक शुभ अवसर िदया. थॅकं यु सो मच IDEA FOUNDATION!'
(Life gave us a beautiful opportunity. Life introduced us to Idea Foundation, where we received love from all those children; and Shama mam, your cooperation as well. These are delightful moments in my life, where I received a miraculous hug from the kids. These days will be remembered a lot. Idea Foundation gave us an auspicious opportunity to work for the society, to work for these innocent children. Thank you so much IDEA FOUNDATION!)
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Payal Aarya: "The teaching experience at idea foundation has been enriching and satisfying more so for the fact the students I taught passed with flying colors. The kids help me grow as a better individual with each passing experience. Thank you Idea foundation for providing me with opportunities to serve the ones in need."
Donor speaks: Amit Bhansali: “I have known IDEA organization for about 5 years now. I have personally met them twice over this period to understand their working and provide any help that is needed. Both times, I have been humbled by all the work and effort that the organization and their employees put to provide educational, emotional, and most importantly a positive support to all the children they have. I also admire their continuous counseling efforts with the families to make the development of a child a cumulative effort and cover all aspects of their life and not just what they learn at school. With Godparents.in, i have seen them grow and have appreciated their prompt feedback to any of the suggestions or questions that we have had. They are doing an excellent job and i am sure will continue to do so to give hopes to many looking to make a difference in the world."
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Activities through Networking: • In March 2014, annual health check up was conducted for all children. Along with this, Hemoglobin (HB) testing for women was also organized in collaboration with ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) and local doctors. It was disturbing to know that 72% girls who were examined were detected with anemia; another 22% were with borderline anemia and only 6% girls were not anemic. IDEA provided them with Iron and folic acid tablets and with multivitamin syrup as prescribed by Doctor. Guidance for nutritional diet and medical help is also being provided for those women. As part of these efforts, an awareness session on anemia and nutrition was held on 18th April 2014 in the community • Children's Day was celebrated on 14th November, 2013 in collaboration with 5 other NGOs by organizing games and drawing competition for the children. This event was organized by ARC (Action for the Rights of Child) • All IDEA Study Centers are now equipped with mini portable Libraries and Pratham books are made available. • Sports Day was organized by KOOH Sports on 15th Dec 2013 for which 17 children from our centers have participated. • In association with BHAASHA which literally means LANGUAGE a weekly activity oriented session on reading, enacting and craft work was conducted in our study centers. It basically aimed at improving language skills of the children. • Awareness program on Superstition: On 20th Jan 2014 awareness programs were held in 3 communities simultaneously. It was in collaboration with ARC (Action for the Rights of Children) and about 150 to 200 people were present in each community. By using simple methods the resource persons demonstrated how people become prey to superstitions. Spectators of the event shared their experiences and said that the event was an eye-opener for them. • International Women's Day: IDEA celebrated the day by organizing sessions on 'Understanding Oneself' in Shravandhara slum, Kothrud. It was held in collaboration with Tej Gyan Foundation. 35 women (mothers of the study centre children and sponsored children) were present and said that this session gave them a sense of self respect as none of the family members also wished them on this day.
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Training and Workshops: • All the staff members received training on Monitoring & Evaluation of Programs imparted by the consultant Mrs. Parinita Pal. Accountant & the senior staff members received training on Financial Management from Center for Promoting Accountability (CPA), a sister concern of Financial Management Service Foundation (FMSF). These training programs were of one year duration with the funding support from Global Fund for Children ( GFC) • 2 staff members participated in a workshop on Child Abuse conducted by Awakening Jagruti and 2 staff members participated in a workshop on Fund Raising organized by Guide Star • Program Manager attended Satara Hill Marathon meeting and ‘Open House for NGOs’ for forthcoming Cyclotron Godrej Eon Tour De India, 2013 organized by Samhita, Mumbai. He participated in ‘Inspired Workshop’ Organized by Teach for India. He also attended training on ‘Learn to manage your data’ conducted by GYAN (I Volunteer) and ‘Thinking Classroom Program’ organized by Guide Star. • Two study center teachers attended training for teachers organized by Khelghar, Palakneeti Parivar, Pune • Accountant participated in a training program on Accounting in NGOs conducted by Guide Star. • 3 exposure visits were organized for the staff: Shashwat NGO, Dimbhe, Wablewadi School and Rivca Sahil Akshar Institute, Wai.
Promotional Events: • Participation in an exhibition organized by ‘Dene Samajache’ from 27th to 29th September 2013 • Participated in ‘Joy of Giving Week’ by putting up a ‘Wish Tree’ & exhibition-cum-sale of Art & craft materials of women in Phoenix Mall, Emerson and Cognizant. Great response was observed in sale and donations • Pre-Diwali exhibitions were held at Ishanya Mall, Tata Business Support Services and Shailesh hall from 19th to 21st October 2013 • An exhibition was put up at Ganga Satellite, Wanorie on Women’s Day.
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Evaluation and future plans: Under our vocational training project, we had expected a maximum number of candidates to get employed after completion of our vocational training program. But we fell short in achieving that target this year. However, we continue our efforts in the same spirit and plan to expand our work in different areas especially in vocational training and study centers. We also look forward to collaborate and network with some other NGOs for undertaking activities relating to education. We are in the process of networking with a school of Fashion Technology in Pune and reputed Beauty parlors to provide additional professional skills to the students. It will provide more skills and more job opportunities for them.
Acknowledgment: We gratefully acknowledge the help of all our supporters and well wishers in our endeavor in education. Some of them are listed below: 1. Sir Peter Ustinov Foundation & German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for giving IDEA an opportunity to be part of a worldwide initiative. 2. Volkart foundation and Global Fund for Children (GFC) for the funding support for our Community Learning Centers. 3. GiveIndia, Godparents. In and Global Giving for the unit based funding support. 4. Symantec Software India Pvt .Ltd, TRENT Ltd, Prorigo Software Private Limited and Caring Friends for the funding support 5. Guide star India, LetzChange & Samhita for listing us as a Credible NGO. 6. Credibility Alliance for awarding Accreditation status to IDEA. 7. Seva Sahayog and Infosys – CSR group for providing School kits for children. 8. Shoppers stop for engaging their employees in activities for children and women. 9. Education Departments of Pune & Bhor for granting us permission to work in the schools run by them. 10. ‘i-Volunteer’ for fulfilling part of our need for volunteers during major events and events for children. 11. System Plus for taking complete charge of running a study centre in Hadapsar . 12. Bharathi Vidyapeeth’s Social Science Centre; Karve Institute of Social Science, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune and Narsee Monjee Institute of Management studies, Mumbai for placing students for internship. 13. Ishanya Foundation, Phoenix Mall, Artistry, Seva Sahayog, Cognizant, Emerson, Tata Business Support Services for providing opportunity to take part in the yearly NGO Fair. 14. Pratham Books for donating books for our libraries and Bhaasha for conducting sessions in our centers 15. All resource persons, volunteers and interns who have been associated with us. 16. Donors like Neesha Kharva for their funding support for our Vocational Training Project. 17. All our volunteers (names mentioned earlier) who have contributed for the cause we are working.
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Financial Statements:
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Appeal for Donation:
We need support to expand our reach to more slums and rural communities. You can help us by: Sponsoring one or more child: •
Educational support – Rs.5000/- per child per year.
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Sponsoring a youth for vocational course. Rs. 3500/ per student.
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Donating any amount for the activities undertaken by IDEA.
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Donating any amount to our general fund or corpus fund.
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Volunteering the activities run by us.
How to make donations: •
Send a cheque, payable at Pune or DD – In favor of ‘Foundation for Initiatives in Development and Education for All (IDEA)
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Direct deposit to our bank account, under intimation to us. (Donors from India & NRIs) -Name of the Bank - ICICI Bank LTD, Kothrud Branch, Pune. -Name of the account holder - Foundation for Initiatives in Development and Education for All (IDEA) -Account no: - 033801004401
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Donate through Giveindia website
http://www.giveindia.org/m-858-idea-foundation.aspx •
Donate through Godparents.in website
http://www.godparents.in/FindAChild_IDEA.aspx •
Donate through Global Giving US website
http://goto.gg/7584 •
Donate through Global Giving UK website
https://www.globalgiving.co.uk/7584 •
Donate to our projects on LetzChange
https://letzchange.org/nonprofits/idea/
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Creative Activities
SPUF - IDEA bringing joy in their life
Story telling session in school on Literacy Day
Tailoring class in Bhor
WE created logo for SPUF
IDEA's Vision : A just society where individuals have access to equal opportunity Mission : To create equal opportunities for the underprivileged sections of society for their all round development
Contact details of IDEA: 020-2544 0615/ 98901 19732/ 9730261878 E-mail:
[email protected] /
[email protected] Website: www.ideafoundation.org.in IDEA's Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/IDEA-Foundation/143290109022739
