vidya daanam & aim for seva - working together to support & educate underprivileged...

Vidya Vidya Daanam Daanam Empowerment through Education

Among the gifts, Vidya Daanam once given is not expendable

- Swamy Dayananda Saraswati

A 2009 Initiative from Sanatana Dharma

Foundation

Aim for Sevaअन्न दा�नं� महा� दा�नं� वि�द्या� दा�नं� महात्तरम� |अन्न�नं क्षणि�क तृ�प्तिः�तृ� या��ज्जी��नं�तृ� वि�द्याया� ||

This PowerPoint presentation has been prepared by the Vidya Daanam Team – Dallas, TX on February 22nd, 2009


Table of Contents

1. Why is “Vidya Daanam” required – the challenge

2. “Vidya Daanam” – The Vision

3. Aim for Seva – A Growing Organization

4. How can you help

5. Aim for Seva – Project Examples and Photo Gallery


Current Reality1. Mindset• No one has completed secondary education in

generations – do not understand importance of it.• Less than 30% of the children complete high school.

6 out of 10 drop out after primary school

2. Environment• Many remote tribal areas do not even have a primary

school• Dysfunctional family environments compounded with

economic pressures force children out of schools by the age of 12 or 13, to join the workforce.

3. Accessibility: • In rural India, there is often only 1 Secondary school

in every 15 villages• Lack of adequate public transportation makes

traveling to a nearby school difficult.

The cycle of poverty cannot be broken without an adequate education, that leads to new kinds of jobs and economic advance.


What is neededAddress mindset, environment & accessibility

1. The young students need access to a nearby School

2. Boarding and lodging near a school, so that they do not have to travel long distances daily

3. Good food, health care and an environment that fosters discipline and an interest in education

4. School supplies, uniforms, clothes, books, stationary, study materials

5. Educate parents and families on importance of education

“Anna daanam maha daanam; Vidya daanam mahattaram; Annena kshanika trupthihi Yaavajjeevanthu vidyaya”. It means that giving food to a person is a great donation, but the greatest donation is to give a person Education. Food gives momentary satisfaction but Education for his entire life.


Vidya Daanam

Empowerment through Education

1. Target under-privileged children in weak rural areas, as well as towns and cities

2. Provide them the opportunity of a modern education

3. Create an environment that can provide holistic support for the development of the child (i.e. nourishment and healthcare)

4. Help them break the cycle of poverty through education

5. Prepare them to enter a College – beyond the 12th grade, beyond which new opportunities become available


“Vidya Daanam” – 2009 initiative

“Aim for Seva” also called as “All India Movement” for Seva is one of our Partner organizations in India.

The following slides will give you an overview of the kind of work that they are doing in Rural and Tribal India

Those of us who have had the benefit of a modern education, and thereforehave access to a decent life, have a responsibility in reaching out and Supporting the under-privileged and the poor. Sanatana Dharma Foundation Is committed to this. In 2009 we will make an important beginning.


Aim for Seva


Aim for Seva• Founded in November 2000 by Swami Founded in November 2000 by Swami

Dayananda Saraswati, an eminent scholar Dayananda Saraswati, an eminent scholar of Vedanta and Sanskrit.of Vedanta and Sanskrit.

• AIM for Seva is a national movement to AIM for Seva is a national movement to bring about a new chemistry of caring in bring about a new chemistry of caring in the society.the society.

• AIM for Seva programs are focused on AIM for Seva programs are focused on integrated community development.integrated community development.

• Has been granted Has been granted Special Consultative Special Consultative StatusStatus with the with the Economic and Social Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.Council of the United Nations.

The core ‘aim’ of Aim for Seva is to build 600+ Student homes, in each of the Districts in India. Each Student home will serve as a vehicle for providing a holistic support for the student’s educational development, while also takingCare of his health and welfare.


Aim for Seva - Vision

Create a national movement of caring to transform society.


• AIM for Seva aims at bridging the gap between the mainstream society and the less-privileged people living in the hills and the forests in India.

• To achieve this AIM for Seva invites every Indian to come together to serve those who need help.

Aim for Seva - Objectives


To provide value based education and better opportunities for children in rural India.

Aim for Seva - Mission


To build Student Homes (Chatralayas) to transform the lives of these less privileged children.

Aim for Seva – The Movement


These Chatralayas (or student homes) increase accessibility to schools as they are built near existing government and/or private schools.

They provide complete value based education and support to the children by offering the following completely free of cost:

• Accommodation, food and medical assistance • Academic expenses including school fees and books.• Evening Tuitions• Holistic training in fine arts, yoga, sports and other extra

curricular activities • Picnics and visits to educational places

What does a Chatralaya provide ?


Aim for Seva – The Goal

Our goal is to build at least one chãtrãlaya or "home" for students in each of the 600+ districts in India.


• These chatralayas will serve children living in remote areas - mountains and forests – and also for children living in slums or huts in semi-rural and urban areas who do not have access to schools.

• By providing such children a proper environment, we save them from potentially taking to crimes and also also prevents children from being used as child labor.

Aim for Seva – The Rationale

Vidya Vidya Daanam Daanam Empowerment through EducationChatralaya – Student home

1. The Student home or Chatralaya is the primary ‘hub’ around which a variety of services are delivered.

2. Each student home, is typically built to accommodate around a 100 students.

3. Children live here and go to school. In the Chatralaya, they are provided a stable life

4. Residential Wardens, Cooks and Teachers support the Chatralaya with essential services

The Chatralaya is typically located close to a School, so as to enable the children to attend school comfortably. It also enables the School Principal and teachers to take interest and monitor the progress of the students. Thus the Chatralaya provides ‘stability’ to an otherwise uncertain life.


Chatralaya – A source of stability1. The young students in a Chatralaya are

inculcated a disciplined daily routine

2. Special emphasis is paid to imparting a ‘Value’ based education, to build character, enabling them to grow in a safe, healthy and conducive environment

3. Weekend classes and workshops are used to validate and ground the children in their native culture.

4. Sandhya Gurukulams (Evening Classes) are used to help weaker students catch up.

The Chatralaya provides ‘stability’ to an otherwise uncertain life, by shelteringthe child from the vagaries of their parents’ life situations. The environment, encourages students to complete their education, and not drop prematurelyout. Without this kind of pro-active intervention, the child will easily regress.


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Year2002

Year2003

Year2004

Year2005

Year2006

Year2007

Year2008

Growth of Chatralayas since Aim for Seva's beginning

Growth of Chatralayas

The Chatralaya program has caught on


Aim for Seva’s reach• 70 Chatralayas in 13 States, 70 Chatralayas in 13 States,

fully operationalfully operational

• 30 Chatralayas under 30 Chatralayas under construction construction

• 10 Schools in 4 States serving 10 Schools in 4 States serving more than 10,000 childrenmore than 10,000 children

• 100 Balwadis and Evening 100 Balwadis and Evening Tuition Centers (Sandhya Tuition Centers (Sandhya Gurukulams) for over 3,000 Gurukulams) for over 3,000 children in 8 Stateschildren in 8 StatesAim for Seva has a staggering national scope. It has grown rapidly within 8

Years to cover as many as 13 states in India. Annual operating budget is $1 M.


Aim for Seva’s scale

Anaikatti, Coimbatore

Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Amreli, Gujarat

Dharwad, Karnataka

Gudiwada, Andhrapradesh

Karnaparayag, Uttarkhand

70 Chatralayas in 13 States in India – in 8 years


Chatralaya – A “Hub” for Services• 3 Hospitals – Anaikatti, Shamlaji and 3 Hospitals – Anaikatti, Shamlaji and

Mathura. Mathura.

• 7 Health Care Centers in 5 States of 7 Health Care Centers in 5 States of India, serving over 80,000 patients.India, serving over 80,000 patients.

• Served over 16,000 patients in Served over 16,000 patients in hospitals in 3 States. hospitals in 3 States.

• 7 mobile medical units in 4 states7 mobile medical units in 4 states

• Held Medical Camps in 6 States of Held Medical Camps in 6 States of India serving over 17,000 patients.India serving over 17,000 patients.

The Chatralaya develops over time into a ‘Hub’ around which many communityOutreach initiatives can be designed.


Aim for Seva’s needs

1. Construction of a new Chatralaya - $60,000 One time

2. Maintenance of an existing Chatralaya - $25,000 / Year

3. Maintenance of an existing Chatralaya - $ 2100 / Month

4. Maintenance of a single Child - $ 500 / Year

Aim for Seva has plans to construct Chatrlayas in the following areas in the next few years – Jaipur (Rajasthan), Rohtak (Haryana), Khategaon (Madhya Pradesh), Shimoga, Chikmagalur and Yelahanka (Karnataka), Kambam, PalaniAnd Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu), Tirupati (Andhrapradesh) and Haripad and Palghat(Kerala). SDF can make a big difference in enabling these projects.


Estimated Financial Requirements (In Rs.)

No. of Students’ Homes 2005 2010 2015

• New 9 25 35

• Projected (Total) 26 156 316

Financial (Rs. crores)

• Building Cost 1.3 3.8 5.2

• Operating Cost 1.2 8.9 19.8

------- ------- -------

Total Cost 2.5 12.7 25.0


Your sponsorship will enable a child to study and grow in the supportive, caring environment of an AIM for Seva Student Home.

Your Support


How you can helpSer# Item Description Donation Amt.

1 Support a Child Support a Child for 1 full year at a Chatralaya

$500

2 Support a Child Support a Child for half a year at a Chatralaya

$250

3 Dollar a Day Support a Chatralaya with a gift of 1 dollar a day

$365

4 Support two children

Support two children at a Chatralaya

$1000

5 Sponsor School Sponsor Schooling needs for one child

$200

6 Sponsor New clothes

Sponsor new clothes for one child for one year

$100

7 Support a Chatralaya

Support a Chatralaya – for ten children for a year

$5000

8 Support a complete Chatralaya

Support one whole Chatralaya for a year

$25,000


Support a Child – For one yearWhere does your $ 500 go ?

Ser# Expenditure Item Notes Rs./ Year $$ / Year

1 Food 50 cents / day Rs. 8500 $180

2 School Needs / Books / Uniforms / Shoes

Rs. 4000 $90

3 Medical Care, Sports, Supplementary Tutoring

Travel of Teachers and doctors

Rs. 4000 $90

4 New Clothes, Sweaters, Blankets

Rs. 1000 $22

5 Educational Tours, Excursions, Travel and Maintenance

Chatralaya takes Children and parents out on tours

Rs. 3000 $68

6 Miscellaneous Rs. 2250 $50


Here’s the true story a boy - Vikram from our Indore Student Home who stood first in Class VI among 80 students.

Let’s hear it from him in his own words

Vikram Kushwah – Madhya Pradesh

Hear from our Beneficiaries


“Hello, my name is Vikram Kushwah from Panigaon village. My parents are poor farm labourers. A year back, I never used to go to school regularly because I had to walk a long distance.

But all that changed when I came to the Chatralaya. I got an opportunity to study and to play games like cricket, football and kho-kho, do yoga exercises and even learn subjects like science and maths. I am proud to say that last year I stood first in my class.

When I grow up, I want to be an engineer. Just as I have been helped, I will save money and donate to help other children like me go to school.”

Vikram Kushwah – Madhya Pradesh


Lingamma and Nagamma are sisters who before coming to the Nandyal Chatralaya could get food for the day only by begging

at the Nagalotti Darga

Lingamma & Nagamma – Andhra Pradesh


Sri Bhaskar Babu - the man they call thatha garu (grandfather) met them by chance and brought them under the protective shelter of AIM for Seva – Nandyal Student Home.

At the chatralaya they found happiness and in their own words, they got everything they could ask for, and had as much as the children of the landlord of their village!

Today, incidents of their begging at the Nagalotti Darga remains a distant past - one that they do not wish to be associated with.

Lingamma & Nagamma – Nandyal Student Home


Lingamma and Nagamma seeing better days at the Nandyal Chatralaya.

Lingamma & Nagamma – Nandyal Student Home


There are many children like Vikram, Lingamma and Nagamma who need your support. Every little contribution from you can go a

long way in lighting up their lives.

To find out how you can make a difference to them, please visit our website www.aimforseva.org or contact us at:

All India Movement for SevaSaylorsburg, Pennsylvania 18353, USA

Attn: Ms. Janet FalkPhone: 570-402-1244

Fax: 570-992-9680E-mail: [email protected]

Make a difference to a child‘s future!


The following Slides take you into the world of the Chatralayas, and give you a peak into the world of the Children who are living in these Chatralayas …


Girls at the Nandyal Student Homelearning dance and praying before their evening classes

Activities at Student Homes – Andhra Pradesh


Medical Services – for the community


Boys at the Kankanpur Student Home studying and praying before meals

Activities at Student Homes – Gujarat


Activities at Student Homes – Himachal Pradesh

Boys at the Solan Student Home learning computers and science


Girls at the Kusanur Student Home attending their value education class

Activities at Student Homes – Karnataka


Boys at the Indore Student Home learning yoga and other exercises

Activities at Student Homes – Madhya Pradesh


Boys at the Indore Student Home learning gardening and studying during evening classes

Activities at Student Homes – Madhya Pradesh


Boys at the Srinagar Student Home on their excursion to Rishikesh and studying

Activities at Student Homes – Uttarakhand


Student Home in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh

AIM for Seva - Project Example


Student Home in Solan, Himachal Pradesh



Student Home in Karnaprayag, Uttaranchal



Student Home in Srinagar, Uttaranchal



Student Home in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh



Student Home in Nagpur, Maharashtra



Student Home in Indore, Madhya Pradesh



Student Home in Hoshangabad, Madhya

Pradesh



Student Home in Kareli, Madhya Pradesh



Student Home in Jeypore, Orrisa



Student Home in Sawantwadi, Maharashtra



Student Home in Mysore, Karnataka



Student Home in Manjakkudi, Tamil Nadu



Student Home in Trivandrum, Kerala



DhanyaVaad

Thank You

Om Tat Sat

अन्न दा�नं� महा� दा�नं� वि�द्या� दा�नं� महात्तरम� |अन्न�नं क्षणि�क तृ�प्तिः�तृ� या��ज्जी��नं�तृ� वि�द्याया� ||