PEOPLE FOR PROGRESS IN INDIA (PPI)

(P.O.BOX 51231, SEATTLE, WA, 98115-1231)

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ANNUAL REPORT December 1989

Dear Friends:

PPI wishes to thank you for your support in 1989. It is one of our goals to seek direct feedback from our projects and share it with others. The following is a brief report of our activities.

BACKGROUND

PPI was founded in 1977 by a few people in Seattle, who wanted to help the under-privileged in India beyond the conventional contribution to charity. They formed an organization that would:

- fund specific programs that make the villagers self reliant and self sustaining... co-ops, loan programs, education, health care, vocational training, small scale industries.. etc.

- maximize the dollars sent by working directly with local organizations / volunteers and maintain contact with them.

- encourage new ideas for projects and villager participation.

Though PPI has primarily supported rural projects, it has undertaken some projects in urban areas also.

A SYNOPSIS OF CURRENT PROJECTS - 1989-90

1. CHILDREN'S EDUCATION PROJECT

Mr. Dwarko Sundrani, Samanwaya Ashram, Gandhinagar, Bodhgaya, Bihar

In it's third year this project, supported by individuals here who have pledged $10/month per child, has grown from 8 children to 24. These children belong to a community of Musahars (landless farmers) in the village of Gandhinagar that PPI helped settle in 1981-82. We received a detailed report on the ashram's work from Payal Khurana from England who is working as a volunteer at the ashram. Payal is one of several volunteers from abroad who often come to help in the work that covers 15 villages and two educational institutions under the guidance of Mr. Sundrani. In April 1989, the ashram has started a non-formal education project which will serve 2500 children. If you want to be an individual sponsor, please call Niranjan or Shantha Benegal (365-2679).

2. TULBUL VILLAGE VOLUNTEER PROJECT

Mr. Shiv Shankar Prasad, Pragati Bharati, Tulbul, Hazaribagh, Bihar

In 1988, we started a two year rural volunteer program in the village of Tulbul. In his July 28, 1989 letter, Mr. Prasad writes " the non-formal high school education is going well and we have started a low cost building for a permanent site. On adult non-formal education, we are emphasizing more on proper teacher instruction methods to motivate the villagers." Our funding for this year was $ 1600. As a consequence of his efforts with the villagers, the Cattle Pedigree Upgrade and Training Project (# 9) has been initiated.

3. BLIND WOMEN REHABILITATION PROJECT

Mr. N.P.Pandya, Poona Blind Men's Association, Poona, Maharashtra

We completed this project in 1989 for training blind women towards rehabilitation into society. Twenty blind women were trained in tailoring, handloom weaving, re-caning of chairs, and assembling of electronic parts. Our 1989 commitment was $ 2000.

4. COMMUNITY FISH HATCHERY PROJECT

Mrs. Krishnammal Jagannathan, LAFTI, Kilvelur, Tamilnadu

This fish hatchery project initiated this year in the villages of Keerangudi and Neivilakku, involves deepening of a tank by the villagers, planting and cultivating of fish for consumption and sale. Our commitment in 1989 was for $ 2000.

Mrs. Krishnammal writes, " the tank at Neivilakku was successfully deepened and have planted fish seedlings. However, the tank at Keerangudi broke due to heavy rains and the villagers lost the fish. We have strengthened the banks now and are making sure that the excess flow of water is being diverted through channels." She also writes that they have extended the community fisheries project to seven other villages. We are very happy to have helped in this effort.

5. PASTURE AND WASTE LAND DEVELOPMENT

Dr. S.R.Hiremath, Samaj Parivarthana Samudaya (SPS), Dharwar, Karnataka

The intent of this project is to develop common lands that are presently bare and eroded into pastures and forests that will produce fodder, fuel, raw material. Local villagers in Hirebasur village, Hangal district are being organized to dig trenches and plant trees and grasses. Dr. Hiremath writes, "organizing the poor and still have the cooperation of the whole village has been a difficult task." He is also coordinating with the forest department to get 80 acres of forest land. The project aims to to help the villagers towards self-sufficiency and self-reliance by training them in land development.

PPI's funds cover the salary of a full-time worker and the cost of a training program. Our 1989 commitment was for $ 1875. This is a two year program with a budget of $ 3750.

6. LEATHER WORK TRAINING PROJECT

Mr. L.C. Tyagi, Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GVVS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan

This is a new project in the villages of Matods, Khetasar and Balesur for training traditional cobblers in new techniques of shoe making and improve their income by co-operative marketing of the products. This will revive the traditional cottage industry of the cobblers by providing improved tanned leather, shoe designs and training. A PPI member, Gary Worthington of Olympia, visited the area in January 1989 and initiated this project through GVVS, a voluntary non-profit organization that has been working in the desert villages near Jodhpur for the last six years.

Like some of our earlier projects, the money collected will be recycled towards initiating similar projects and make the concept self-sustaining. This is a three year project with a PPI commitment for $ 8100. Our 1989 funding was $ 3000.

7. DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM

Mrs. Mahalakshmi Vadadi, SUPPORT, Bombay, Maharashtra

SUPPORT is a volunteer group dedicated to the prevention of drug abuse through education, in the slums of Bombay. This is being done through public information campaign and a training program to increase the awareness of the drug problem. SUPPORT feels video is an effective tool and an important media of mass communication. PPI has funded a one year project to make a video on the subject for educational purposes. Our commitment was for $ 1875.

8. VILLAGE REHABILITATION PROJECT

Mr. Durai Raj, Christ Children's Home(CCH), Kalpakkam, Tamilnadu

This project initiated this year in the village of Nallathur, involves with the development of vegetable gardening, tree nursery, poultry farming, water source development and children welfare program. A PPI member Dorothy Craig of Olympia,has visited the project area and the children's orphanage run by CCH. This is a three year project with a total budget of $ 7500. Our 1989 commitment was for $ 3000.

Mr. Durai Raj writes in September 18th letter to Dorothy that they have initiated the tree nursery by planting saplings of several fruit trees including Mango, Lemon, Guova(country apple) and Neilli(citrus). He is also getting the villagers involved in well digging and modern farming methods.

9. CATTLE PEDIGREE UPGRADE AND TRAINING PROJECT

Mr. Shiv Shankar Prasad, Pragati Bharati, Tulbul, Hazaribagh, Bihar

This new project deals with teaching the village farmers to improve the pedigree of cattle and train the villagers in agriculture and non-formal education. The objective is to raise strong, healthy, disease resistant cattle and increase the milk production. A goshala (cow house) will be built by the villagers. The villagers will be trained in the of animal husbandry and will be encouraged to form a co-operative for the sale of milk. The overall three year project cost is $ 7000 with a first year commitment of $ 3000.

This project is an outgrowth of our funding of a volunteer support for two years in the village of Tulbul (project #3).

10. TRIBAL WOMEN EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROJECT

Mr. Ravi Kumar, Alternative for India Development Group, Bihar

This project deals with non-formal education and skill training of tribal women in 133 villages near Girish district, Bihar. Five education centers will be started to teach 40 women each per year, to increase literacy. The objective is to create awareness of the causes and problems of backwardness, impart employable training skills and increase income level. Specific training will include: literacy, health and hygiene, family budgeting, nutrition and child care, rights and responsibilities of women, tailoring, spinning and weaving. A dedicated young man Mr.Ravi Kumar, who had visited us in 1988, is spearheading this effort . This is a three years program with 1989 funding of $2625. We wish Ravi success in his effort and are happy to be a part of his experiment.

11. MIGRANT WORKER CHILDREN CARE

Mrs. Rukmini Mahadevan, Mobile Creches, Bombay, Maharashtra

This project provides for the day care support and education of the children of migrant construction workers in Bombay. Creches are set up at a construction site and children from the age of one to twelve are cared for. The core services include: supplementary nutrition, health, immunization and non-formal education. Similar to the Gandhinagar Children's Education Project (#1), this is funded through individual voluntary contribution. It only costs $ 80 per year to support and educate one child. If you are interested in supporting a child, please contact Saroj Das at 523-9224.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

ï Dr. Parameshwara Rao from Bhagavatula Charitable Trust (BCT) visited us in September this year. Dr. Rao returned to India in 1967 after completing his Ph.d in USA and founded BCT to work in the villages of Andhra Pradesh. Over the years, BCT has developed more than 10,000 acres of waste land, has trained more 6000 women, has revitalized many local handicraft industry and has become a model institution for many similar projects in India. Dr. Rao has received numerous humanitarian awards in India.

In 1990, Dr. Rao is spearheading a "Literacy as movement of People (LAMP)" project to reverse the tide of illiteracy in India by training rural motivators (volunteers) to go the villages and teach basic skills. PPI supports this worthwhile effort and will send any funds collected here, to BCT. If you would like to know more about the project and like to help in raising funds, please contact Saroj Das at 523-9224.

ï The annual PPI dinner in March 1989 was well attended and successful. The annual dinner in 1990 will also be in the month of March 1990. The date is yet to be finalized.

Perhaps you support some good cause in India in your own way. Perhaps, you have thought that if there were only more people to help, things would be better. PPI was founded on such sentiments. Many of our projects were started through personal referrals and were followed through with direct correspondence.

PPI invites you to share your ideas on development. Much more can be done collectively. Your help in the past has enabled us to make some change, however small, in rural/urban India. As we continue with the current projects, there are several new ones under consideration. We need your continued support and ideas.

The projects are funded through pledges (typically $10-$30/month) and contributions by members and non-members. All donated amounts are passed on to the various projects. Membership dues($25/family/year, $15/single/year) cover the cost of printing/mailing for the year. Members participate in the selection and funding of the projects. Monthly meetings are held on the first Friday of each month. Everyone is welcome to attend.

We need your continued support. Please fill the attached form and mail.

For further information, please contact one of us.

Saroj Das 523-9224 Shimoga Srinath 747-6239

Arun Desai 747-7288 Urmi Saraiya 364-1509

Shantha Benegal 365-2679 Pran Wahi 232-8619

Sincerely,

Shimoga Srinath

Chairperson, PPI

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NAME: ______________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________

________________________ Phone: ______________

Would like to:

make a monthly pledge of : $ ________ for one year (1990)

make a contribution of : $_________

Would like to become member(s):------------ ( $25 Family, $15 Single/ Year)

Enclosed is a check for: $ ____________ (tax deductible)

Please make Checks payable to: People for Progress in India (PPI)

P.O.Box 51231

Seattle, WA 98115-1231.