Dear Friends:
PPI wishes to thank you for your support in
1992. 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 in Seattle to help the under-privileged in India beyond the conventional contribution to charity. PPI, from its very inception, has been guided by the following goals:
ï to fund specific programs that make villagers self reliant and self sustaining: co-ops, loan programs, education, health care, vocational training, small-scale industries etc.
ï to maximize dollars sent by working directly with local organizations and volunteers and maintaining contact with them.
ï to encourage new ideas for projects and villager participation.
Though PPI projects are in rural areas, some
have also been undertaken in urban areas.
A SYNOPSIS OF CURRENT PROJECTS - 1992-93
1. Slum Dweller Women's Tailoring Project
Mrs. Kunti Muzumdar, SWA Roop Wardhini, Pune, Maharashtra
SWA works for the uplift of slum dwellers by
developing social service and leadership qualities in very bright
students. At SWA's center in a densely populated slum area of
Pune, students receive study assistance and find a refuge to read
and exercise. After they are employed, these student volunteers
return to teach other deserving students. PPI's grant of $2,200
for 1992 extends the work to include adult women's education,
tailoring, embroidery and home nursing classes. With newly bought
sewing machines, the program is now poised to begin classes in
January 1993.
2. Environmental Education and Social Forestry Project
Dr. S. R. Hiremath, Samaj Parivarthana Samudaya (SPS), Dharwar, Karnataka
The main focus has been on organizing small
groups of rural poor, especially women, to undertake projects
of environmental and economic value, utilizing available government
resources when possible. Specific programs include: A) Tree-planting
by women in Kusnur; B) Afforestation of 12 acres of common land
near Hirebasur with the help of the Gram Panchayat (village government);
C) Kitchen gardening by women in Kusnur and Byagwadi; and D) Avenue
tree planting by village youth in Nednagil. In addition, SPS
has been sending villagers for horticultural training, and working
with other organizations and government bodies to establish committees
for management of common resources. The cost of this three-year
project is $1,800 per year, which covers the salary of a full-time
worker, among other costs.
3. Leather Work Training/Marketing Project
Mr. L. C. Tyagi, Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GVVS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan
PPI supporters will remember our 1991 project to train leather workers in new shoe-making techniques in three village areas near Jodhpur. The project was successfully completed last year. There are now 40 men and 11 women producing leather goods worth Rs. 40,000 ($1403) per month. Faced with the necessity of marketing these goods locally as well as in distant urban areas, Mr. Tyagi has requested further assistance. PPI's new two-year project will therefore fund a marketing representative for the leather workers. GVVS has been urged to train a local person in basic marketing skills. The two-year budget for this project is $1,950.
4. Stone Quarry Worker Rehabilitation Project
Mr. L. C. Tyagi, Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GVVS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan
This is the first year of a three year project to assist stone mine laborers to free themselves from heavy, life-long debts to mine owners. GVVS is helping workers to renegotiate loans at fairer terms so that the loans can be paid off in more affordable installments. PPI's grant will enable these workers to buy tools on loan so that they can mine stones from quarries in their own villages, sell them for income, and gradually repay the loans. PPI's commitment is $1,800 for this year. The total three-year cost is $4,700. A problem of global magnitude, the release of workers from bondage is being addressed locally in Rajasthan by Mr. Tyagi's group with ingenuity, commitment and dedication. Though small, the project has the potential to act as a catalyst to a larger change.
5. Nandagaon-Khanapur Buffalo Dairy Project
Dr. M. K. Vaidya, Karnataka Health Institute (KHI), Ghataprabha, Karnataka.
This program is providing interest-free loans to villagers in Nandagaon and Khanapur for the purchase of dairy buffalos. This is the fourth time PPI's money has been recycled from earlier village projects in Balobal, Wadiratti and Dharmatti (1979-1988). In its third year, the Nandgaon-Khanapur project continues to progress well. Dr Vaidya writes that to date eight buffalos have been given at a total cost of Rs. 24,000 ($842), out of money recycled from earlier projects.
Rs. 9,500 ($333) have already been paid back
by the villagers. PPI's 1992 commitment of $500 supported the
salary of a village-level volunteer, as well as meals and medical
care at the Balwadi (child care center).
6. Rural Vocational Training Project
Mr. Durai Raj, Village Rehabilitation Project, Kalpakkam, Tamilnadu
PPI funds had been used over a three-year period
to begin a tree nursery, vegetable garden and dairy operation.
This year, the project has been expanded to include tailoring
classes for destitute women, and typing classes for unemployed
youth. PPI funds of $1,500 helped purchase five sewing machines
and four typewriters.
7. Women's Tailoring Project
Mr. Augustian Samuel, Rural Service Center, Narayanvaram, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
In March 1992, a tailoring program was begun
to train 33 village women. PPI funds were used for a teacher's
salary and the purchase of two sewing machines, a cutting table,
scissors, learning materials and related items. After completing
the training, these women will be able to earn an income by sewing
for nearby villages. PPI's funding: $1,150 for one year.
8. Cattle Pedigree Upgrade and Training Project
Mr. Shiv Shankar Prasad, Pragati Bharati, Tulbul, Hazaribagh, Bihar
Initiated in late 1989, this project consists
of training villagers in animal husbandry with the purpose of
improving cattle pedigrees and increasing milk production. Mr.
Prasad writes that the project has not been as successful as anticipated
due to the difficulty of obtaining a pedigree bull, as well as
his own inability to find enough time for the difficult work involved.
PPI has continued his stipend of $900 for another year. Additional
funds for the cattle project will be provided only after a more
viable project plan has been drawn up.
9. Tribal Women's Non-formal Education Project
K.S. Sunanda, Alternative for India Development Group (A.I.D), Giridih, Bihar
This project was initiated in 1989. It deals
with non-formal education and skill training of tribal women in
133 villages near Giridih district, Bihar. A.I.D's May '92 report
indicates that PPI's project is a small part of a large-scale
scheme for non-formal education of tribal women. In the larger
project, 2,400 women have been made literate, 400 women have been
trained in profitable skills, cooperatives have been formed for
group employment, and women have been trained to utilize local
government resources. PPI's commitment of $2,400 was completed
this year. Our funds represented about 5% of the total project.
In response to our preference to work with specific projects,
A.I.D. has promised to send us a smaller, more localized project
proposal. This project was partly funded by a generous grant
to PPI from Horizons Foundation of Seattle.
10. Non-formal Adult Education Project
Dr. Parameshwara Rao, Bhagavatula Charitable Trust (BCT), Vizakapattanam, Andhra Pradesh.
One of the problems faced by neo-literate adults
is how to remain literate. BCT is addressing this problem by
producing books with large print and pictures, and distributing
them through librarians on wheels (bicycle wheels!) who take the
books right to the homes of villagers. The subject material is
derived from stories familiar to the villagers, such as the Puranas,
and other folklore. The proposal is to print 2,000 copies of
10 book titles, of which half would be sold and the rest distributed
through the libraries-on-wheels. The total cost of producing,
transporting and circulating the books (including bicycles and
remuneration for the cyclists), is $7,000 for one year. PPI is
funding half the cost ($3,500) this year with BCT matching the
balance amount.
11. Greeting Cards for Leprosy Victims Rehabilitation
Dr.Vikas Amte, Maharogi Sewa Samiti (MSS), Anandwan, Warora, Maharashtra
Completed five years ago, PPI's silk screen
project for cured leprosy patients has been regularly supplying
PPI with greeting cards with colorful folk art designs. This
year, we are selling 2,000 cards at 50 cents each on their behalf.
Some cards bear holiday greetings, and others are blank. Those
interested in purchasing cards may contact Ilse Volinn, 524-3442
or any of the contact persons listed on Page 5.
12. Drug Abuse Prevention Education
Ms. Swati Pongurlekar, Support, Bombay, Maharashtra.
There is good news from this past PPI project
. Funds held up in Support's bank account with BCCI have become
available at last!. They have begun production on a video to
educate street children of Bombay on the dangers of drug abuse.
Bombay Doordarshan (TV) is considering this video for broadcasting.
No new funds have been committed by PPI to Support in 1992.
New Project under consideration:
Village Dairy Project
Dr. Samuel Issmer, Rural Welfare Association (RWA), Bangalore, Karnataka
The proposal is to provide high-breed cows
to 15 poor families in five villages (Papichettipalli, Mogaralapalli,
Sreerangapalli, Peyanapalli and Pilliarmedu) near the Chittoor
district of Andhra Pradesh. A resident village volunteer will
offer guidance in caring for animals, arranging for fodder, and
marketing milk. The farmers will also be expected to pay off loans
with income of sale of milk to a Chittoor cooperative dairy.
The total cost of the project is $6,400 for three years.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
ï Krishna Leela
About 40 local youngsters, under the direction
of Shobha Raman, performed a full length dance drama ìKrishna
Leelaî based on the life of Krishna, on February 8, 1992
and raised $700 for PPI. Our warmest thanks go to the children
for their outstanding performance, to their parents/others for
their support, to Shobha Raman for producing the show, and to
Music and Cultural Society of India for providing refreshments
and donating the proceeds to PPI.
ï Seattle-to-Portland Bike-a-thon
Vijay Bhatt and Satish Samant participated
in the annual Seattle-to-Portland bicycle marathon in July, 1992
and raised $656 through pledges for PPI. Our special thanks to
Vijay, Satish and all the supporters who pledged.
ï Student Volunteer Visits PPI Project
Pauline Chakravartty, a young PPI member from Calgary, Canada, spent three months as a volunteer with SPS (Project # 2) in Dharwar, Karnataka, last summer. She writes that she had a rewarding experience. During her stay, she visited many environmental awareness camps organized by SPS and was highly impressed with environmental awareness and activism in Karnataka. She is putting together a short video on SPS.
There has been similar interest shown by many local youths to participate in development work while visiting India. Although unable to provide financial support to such volunteers, PPI will assist by putting them in touch with PPI project contacts.
ï Mr. Arya Bhardwaj
Arya Bhardwaj of Gandhi-in-Action, a
worldwide group of non-violent activists based in Delhi, visited
PPI in October to talk about his plans to organize an international
ìJai Jagat Mahotsavaî walk to celebrate the
centenary of Acharya Vinoba Bhave. In 1950s, Bhave undertook
a 12-year Bhoodan Yatra, a walk across India to collect voluntary
land donations from landlords to increase common lands. Several
organizations that PPI has been working with have been developing
these lands for the benefit of the landless poor.
ï Mr & Mrs L.C.Tyagi: The Greening of the Desert
At a specially called PPI meeting on October 18, 1992, Mr. and Mrs.Tyagi of GVVS, Jodhpur, Rajasthan (projects 3 & 4) gave an inspiring slide and video presentation of their work in the Thar desert. Examples include building of sandbanks to collect water in huge tanks; planting of trees and shrubs in the oases thus created; water-soil conservation experiments; liberation of stone mine workers; occupational training; women's education; and health education. The far-reaching vision of the Tyagi's is impressive, as also their willingness to cooperate with all sections of the communityñvillagers, government workers, university students, ecololists, etc. for the greening of Indian desert habitats.
ï Annual PPI Dinner
The annual PPI benefit dinner on May 2, 1992
was well attended and successful. Our heartfelt thanks to Prabha
Rustagi and other members of the Leela group for the dance
and music program. The net proceeds from the dinner were $5145.
The annual PPI dinner in 1993 will be held on March 6, 1993.
Please mark it on your calendars.
AN INVITATION TO SHARE
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 new ones under
consideration. We need your continued support and ideas. We
urge you to volunteer some of your time by participating in PPI's
monthly meetings. PPI needs you to review new projects, and to
correspond with project contacts.
PPI 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, $15/single/year) cover the cost of printing,
mailing and occasional honoraria for guest speakers. Members
participate in the selection and funding of the projects. Monthly
meetings are held on the first Friday of each month. Everyone
is welcome to attend. We need your continued support. Please
fill the attached form and mail. For further information, please
contact one of us listed on Page 5.
Sincerely,
Kumar Bhatia
Chairperson, PPI
PPI 1992 PROJECT SUMMARY
# Project Org/Location PPI Contact 1992 ($)
1 Slum Dweller Women's Tailoring SWA, Maharashtra Shanta Gangolli 2200.
2 Environmental Education SPS, Karnataka Jerry Folland 1800.
3 Leather Work Training GVVS, Rajasthan Gary Worthington 1950.
4 Stone Quarry Worker Rehab. GVVS, Rajasthan Gary Worthington 1800.
5 Nandagaon etc Buffalo Dairy KHI, Karnataka Shimoga Srinath 500.
6 Rural Vocational Training VRP, Tamilnadu Dorothy Craig 1500.
7 Women's Tailoring RSC, Andhra Pradesh Dorothy Craig 1150.
8 Cattle Pedigree Upgrade Pragati Bharati, Bihar Pran Wahi 900.
9 Tribal Women's Education A.I.D, Bihar Shantha Benegal 2400.
10 Non-formal Adult Education BCT, Andhra Pradesh Jerry Folland 3500.
11 Greeting Cards-Leprosy Rehab. MSS, Maharashtra Ilse Volinn 410. + add. sale
12 Drug Abuse Prevention Support, Maharashtra Shantha Benegal None (followup)
PPI Contact Numbers
Shanta Gangolli 525-7728 Shimoga Srinath 747-6239
Gerald Folland 525-8581 Gary Worthington 866-4655 (Olympia)
Shantha Benegal 522-4404 Dorothy Craig 754-7842 (Olympia)
Pran Wahi 232-8619 Arun Trikha 641-3207
Ilse Volinn 524-3442 Sunil Saraiya 364-1509
PPI Office Bearers:
Kumar Bhatia, Chair; Arun Trikha, Co-Chair; Sunil Saraiya, Treasurer;
Gerald Folland and Shantha Benegal, Joint Secretaries
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1993 MEMBERSHIP & PLEDGE FORM
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________
________________________ Phone: __________________________
Membership: $_________ ($25 Family,
$15 Single/Year)
Pledge: monthly: $ ________ for
one year (1993)
contribution of : $_________
Enclosed is a check for: $ ____________
(tax deductible)
Please make Checks payable to People for Progress in India (PPI)
and mail with this form to P.O. Box 51231
Seattle, WA 98115-1231.