ASHA PROJECT PRESENTATION

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ASHA PROJECT PRESENTATION

• Funding Request for a School in MATHIGIRI, TN

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The Location MATHIGIRI PO
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The Location MATHIGIRI PO

• 40 Km from BLR, 5 Km from HOSUR, located 4 Km off
  the BLR-HOSUR Highway
• Population of 40000 with 6000 children in 6-14
  age group
• Parents primarily engaged in Cattle Farming,
  Subsistence Agriculture or work for horticultural
  companies. A literacy rate of less than 10
• Average Annual Income of 25K with 50 well
  below poverty line (less than 20K pa)
• Highly neglected rural area nestled between two
  big industrial towns (HOSUR BLR)
• Also a border area (bordering three states) with
  at least four different spoken languages

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The School
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The School Founded 1997

• To impart Quality education initially up to VII
  and later up to X Standard (Eng Medium apt for a
  border school. Matriculation Syllabus better than
  State. Also after X pass, ITI Diplomas are
  forthcoming)
• In a Secular Fashion (No religious affiliations
  unlike many missionary schools in the area.)
• In a good environment (Nearest Government school
  has a student teacher ratio of 1100 and teachers
  do not turn up most of the days)
• At an affordable price (Residential schools
  charge over 500 pm. Missionaries charge 25.
  This school charges Rs. 100/2 pm to parents who
  can afford it)

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The Need

• School expanded from Elementary to Secondary in
  order to help potential students. But, with no
  higher fees or monies coming in, Infrastructure
  had not expanded.
• In addition, school did not have basic amenities
  such a wall, gate, toilets for girls, computers,
  tables, chairs etc
• For many students who were poor and unable to
  pay, scholarships/sponsorships were required
• Even many paying parents had erratic incomes and
  may not pay for months together. Its a monthly
  struggle for the school to make ends meet

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The Anchors

• Mr. Mrs. Natarajan 59 54 respectively -
  both worked in the government service in various
  places in Tamil Nadu
• Moved in to a Senior Citizen complex near
  MATHIGIRI in 2002 after their voluntary
  retirement
• Saw this school during one of their morning walks
• Have since taken the schools cause as their own
• Apart from personally donating large sums of
  money for the school, they have mustered help
  from local friends and family members.
• Mr. Natarajan also serves as a voluntary teacher
  for 9th and 10th standard. As an engineer he
  worked for TNEB for 25 years. He now teaches Math
  and Science

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The Progress Card
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The Shortfall Explained
As explained, the school charges a nominal fee of
Rs.100/2 per month to only those who can afford
it. This results in a shortfall of 100 - 200
per month. But this shortfall could drop heavily
in bad times..example crop failure Our long term
plan for self sustenance includes getting more
voluntary teachers both full time and part time
and also popularizing student scholarships -
sponsor a child programs. Such measures would
help the school break even Right now the
anchors efforts are constantly focused in making
both ends meet that there is no time to think
long term
Approximate Numbers
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Where ASHA could Help..

• Mr. Nathan S Swami, an active ASHA volunteer and
  fund raiser for ASHA VGKK project in LA
  Chapter, has visited this school in India. He has
  offered 250 for Infra.
• If ASHA AZ can help meet the monthly shortfall
  for the immediate future, this would give the
  anchors some well needed breathing space.
• We can start with 1000 for this year (works to
  4 per child) This amount may be reduced as the
  situation improves
• During this time when ASHA funds can take care of
  the monthly payments, the anchors, with help from
  ASHA in BLR can put together a team of volunteer
  teachers for the higher classes. They can also
  gather children sponsorships from locals.
• These efforts should help stabilize the school
  within the next two to three years

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Thank You

• If you have any other questions about this
  school, do write to us
• Mr. Mrs. Natarajan natarajan2k_at_gmail.com
• The anchors for this project
• Aarthi Natarajan aarthi_n_at_fastmail.fm
• Their daughter based in Phoenix, AZ
• Nathan Swami nathanswami_at_virginia.edu
• Active volunteer with ASHA and potential donor
  for this project, now based in Virginia