PEOPLE FOR PROGRESS IN INDIA (PPI)
(P.O. Box 51231, Seattle, WA, 98115-1231
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1998 ANNUAL REPORT December, 1998
Dear Friends:
Greetings. This year's annual report marks a special occasion in the life of PPI - it's 20th year Anniversary! As a part of the celebration of this milestone, we are also publishing a special commemorative volume that recaps history of PPI's 20 years of existence. We are grateful for your tremendous support and good wishes that have sustained and provided growth to PPI. We look forward to your continuing support in the future years as we move in to the 21st century.
For those that are new to PPI, here's a little of it's background. PPI is a Seattle based non-profit grass-roots organization that supports development work in India. It was incorporated on October 3, 1978 in the state of Washington. PPI was founded with the concept that help to under-privileged should go beyond conventional charity. Accordingly, from it's very inception, PPI has been guided by the following goals:
- to fund specific programs that make people self-reliant and self-sustaining through co-ops, low interest loans, education, health care, vocational training, small-scale industries, etc.
- to maximize the effect of money sent by working directly with local organizations and volunteers and maintaining contact with them, and
- to encourage new ideas that involve people participation in such issues as environmental awareness, afforestation, etc.
In its 20 years, PPI has sponsored and funded more than 50 projects all across India. The type of projects cover a wide range: from education, health care and environment preservation to vocational training, small scale industries and co-ops.
Typically, a project lasts 2-3 years with a funding level of $1000-$3000 per year depending on the level of effort. Many of the projects do become self-sustaining after our initial help.
Following is a current summary of our activities.
CURRENT PROJECTS: 1998 - 1999
1. Daycare for Children of Mothers in Tailoring Training New Project
Ms. Carmine Hussian, Hope Charitable Trust (HCT), Nizamuddin, New Delhi
In a slum near Delhi's Nizamuddin shrine, the HCT has launched a program to train women to sew and market high quality doll dresses for export markets. The organizers enlist candidates based on their desire to participate and their economic need. Many of these women have small children who cannot be left at home. PPI's support will provide free daycare and schooling for children of the trainees. Upon earning an income from their sewing skills, the women will be required to reimburse the Trust for daycare services received. By supporting daycare, PPI will help the HCT to increase the number of financially independent women, thus raising the quality of life in the locality. PPI's total funding for this one-year project will be Rs. 105,000 (approx. $2500) to be sent in early 1999.
2. Environment Protection and Pollution Control New Project
Mr. A. M. Vargees Cleatas, Vikasana, Tarikere, Karnataka
This 3-year project for environmental improvements in Bhadravati area, with a first year budget of Rs. 120,300 (approx. $3150), was begun in February 1998. The overall objective of the project is to make people aware and to help reduce the environmental pollution caused by the industrial growth in the town of Bhadravati, Karnataka. The initial phase of the project was described in Vikasana's 1997-98 annual report: "20 villages and neighborhood groups are involved in the project. 20 women's groups and 10 men's groups have been formed which have participated in training sessions and workshops dealing with pollution control and related matters. Nurseries are being promoted in the area, and seedlings have been distributed for plantings in common lands and in people's yards. The men's and women's groups take responsibility for caring for the plantation in common lands, and they are also working on improving garbage disposal."
3. Rampura Water Conservation New Project
Mr. & Mrs. L.C. Tyagi, Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GVVS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan
This new three year project is similar to a previous very successful PPI-funded GVVS project, but is in a different area of Thar Desert. The project is designed to help the 63 families in drought-prone Rampura village by extending the number of months rainwater is available and boosting agricultural production an estimated 2.5 to 3 times. This will be done by building 20 taankas (rainwater catchment storage tanks) and 20 khadins (earthen embankment) to collect rain for crops; and also by deepening of the village pond. The individuals who benefit will contribute voluntary labor to the extent of over 40% of the cost of the structures. PPI's commitment is for the first year is Rs. 125,000. (approx. $2976).
4. Adult Literacy and Vocational Training for Slum Women
Mr. S. R. Patwardhan, Swa-Roopwardhinee, Pune, Maharashtra
This three year project started in 1997, trains women in an urban slum area in Pune in: 1) Adult Literacy, 2) Tailoring, Embroidery and Machine Knitting, and 3) Home-Nursing. In the first year, 98 women have successfully completed the program. PPI members Shantha and Niranjan Benegal visited "SWA" in December 1997 and were very impressed by the progress. Some women from previous programs who have been successful in advancing themselves have returned to teach new students. The home-nursing program has been particularly successful because of the increasing demand for trained health care workers in hospitals as well as for home care for elderly people. Several local hospitals provide on-site training for the students and also have hired "graduates" from the program. Our 1998 commitment for this project was Rs. 64,600 (approx. $1538).
5. Small Holder's Livestock's Improvement
Ms. Mamata Nayak, Champa Mahila Society (CMS), Sibgang, District : 24-Parganas, West Bengal
Located in the Ganges delta area in West Bengal, this project aims at providing knowledge, training and assist village women in improving their live stock. Shantha and Niranjan Benegal visited the project in January 1998 and were very impressed by the progress. The scientific methods of cross breeding and health maintenance have resulted in higher yields and a higher survival rate of cattle. The women have been able to earn a better living, and the program's success has attracted the attention of the state government's Animal Husbandry Department which has provided some financial aid. PPI's commitment for this second year was Rs. 70,000 (approx. $1666).
6. Women's Self Employment Generation
Mr. M.Y. Swamy, Ashraya, Bommagondanakere, Chitradurga District, Karnataka
This project launched in 1997, is in its second year and trains local poor women in sewing and tailoring. The project aims to establish three centers: two centers staffed with teachers for training women, and a third center where the trained women can work and gain practical experience. In March 1998, Ashraya sent us a report with photographs on the progress made so far. They have started two centers with each center training 116 women (ages 18-22) who have developed substantial skills. Ashraya also held entrepreneur awareness training programs for 60 women. A local women's organization is actively participating in the project. Second year's funding of this three-year project was Rs. 33,200 (approx. $790).
7. Development of Tribal Artisans
Mr. B. Sharanappa, Pragathi, Mysore, Karnataka
As more and more forest areas are taken over by a growing population, the tribals who used to live and earn in the forests are being displaced. This is a project to train the displaced tribals from the Niligiri Hills who are living in the villages just north of the hills. The 3-year project was begun in 1997 with a budget of Rs. 110,400/yr. (approx. $2890). Training is being given to destitute tribal people in southern Karnataka in the traditional crafts of making bamboo baskets and leaf plates, while the children of trainees are provided with day care and basic education. After overcoming some initial apathy among the villagers, the program is now well under way. So far 74 people in two colonies have received two months of training in basket-making. Pragathi has negotiated with the forest department to obtain raw materials at a fixed rate and to provide assistance with the marketing of the baskets. The daycare centers, for children aged 3-6, have provided nutritious mid-day meals as well as instruction in hygiene and other educational activities. As a result, the health and appearance of the children has improved, and involvement of the parents in the project has increased.
8. Vegetable Gardens and Tree Plantations
Mr. Nireekshana Rao, SNEHA, Mandavalli, Andhra Pradesh
This three-year project initiated last year benefits the villagers of Mandaville, near Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh, whose inhabitants are largely dependent on fish for food. The main objective of the project is to improve the villagers' nutrition and teach them to make better use of their land by developing kitchen gardens and cultivate community plantations of useful species of trees. SNEHA organized a 2-day training program for 40 volunteers. It's achievements so far are as follows:
- 100 people have received training in kitchen gardening, and they have been getting very good yields in their own gardens ( enough to sell some surplus).
- 500 coconut plants were distributed to 250 beneficiaries, of which 259 have survived. SNEHA will try to achieve a better survival rate in the next batch.
- Community vegetable gardens have been successfully developed in 5 villages, and are run by the local mahila mandals (women's associations).
Quote from the progress report: " We are very happy to have PPI's support. It really helped us to show our commitment to environmental programs and people development...to [benefit] many people around Kolleru Lake...and helped us to get good results in other SNEHA programs."
The annual budget is Rs. 58,500/yr. (approx. $1392).
9. Garment Design and Garment Making
Dr. Samuel Issmer, Rural Welfare Association, Bangalore, Karnataka
This 3-year project initiated in 1997, is designed to train girls/women from rural areas near Chittor, Andhra Pradesh in the art of garment making. The trainees are expected to be skilled in both tailoring and stitch-craft prior to their admission to this program. Six batches of 15 girls/women per batch are to be trained over a period of three years. This year's funding was for Rs. 57,800 ( approx. $1376).
10. Slum Women Rehabilitation
Dr. Samuel Issmer, South Asia Council for Community & Children on Crisis (SAC-CCC), Bangalore, Karnataka
Completed this year, this project trained 90 poor women from Byappanahalli and Naganpalya slums of Bangalore in tailoring and embroidery. Each woman received 8 months of training. Each trainee learned to stitch 25-30 styles of dresses for women and children. Successful graduates are being assisted by project co-ordinators to obtain bank loans for sewing machines, as well as to establish contacts with businesses to provide sewing orders. The total funding for this project was $3800.
11. Afforestation and Environmental Protection
Dr. S. R. Hiremath, Samaj Parivarthana Samudaya (SPS), Dharwar, Karnataka.
This three-year project completed in spring 1998 dealt with environmental improvements with economic benefits to villagers in and around several villages in Central Karnataka.
The main accomplishments of the project during this year were:
- Organization of Village Forest Committees and watershed Development Committees. These provide mechanisms for villagers to make effective use of their land through interaction with government agencies. The people of the Kusnur cluster of villages were able to get a government grant of Rs. 4.2 lakhs (approx. $10,000) for a watershed development project over 3 years, and the people of Gerugudda Basapur established rights over 126 acres of forest lands that are now being managed by their new forest committee.
- Organization of four new women's Self Help Groups (co-operatives), which increase women's power by enabling them to obtain good quality foods at lower prices and with greater convenience.
- The nursery and fishery programs are continuing. A new fishery has been established at Byagwadi, and the nurseries have produced 10,000 seedlings that are being raised in kitchen gardens and other places.
12. Greeting Cards from Leprosy Victims Rehabilitation
Dr. Vikas Amte, Maharogi Sewa Samiti (MSS), Anandwan, Warora, Maharashtra
In the nine years since PPI's silk-screening project in Anandwan was completed, MSS's silk-screen project for cured leprosy patients has established itself as a successful endeavor that supplies cards, decals, labels etc. to businesses and private buyers. The MSS has been supplying us with colorful greeting cards with beautiful Indian designs. Cards are available at 50 cents each. All the collected money is sent to MSS. Please contact Pran Wahi at (206) 232-8619 to obtain cards.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Dinesh and Ruth Rastogi (parents-in-law of PPI member Nina Singh-Rastogi) visited us in April 1998 and talked about their work with primary education and village development in the Faizabad area of Uttar Pradesh. Dinesh recently took voluntary retirement from his job to devote full time to help villagers solve their problems by developing their organizational skills. The lessons learned are being applied in other villages.
Ram Prasad, head of PRAMUKH, whose solid waste management project we supported in Dehra Dun from 1995-97, visited us and gave us a detailed project report. He showed us a number of slides of his work that provides garbage collection service to 800 homes in 8 neighborhoods of Dehra Dun. He now employs 12 workers, who sort out solid waste, recycle part of it and use part of it to make compost that is sold. His main problems are finding land for disposal and composting, as well as getting people to pay for the service. However, with more requests coming for expansion of service Ram hopes the operation will be self-sufficient by the year 2000.
On July 26, 1998 Dr. Geeta Mehta, head of the department of philosophy at Maharshi Dayananda College of Mumbai University, visited us. She is a follower of Acharya Vinobha Bhave and spent five years traveling with him from village to village. She was touring United States speaking at universities and women's conferences. She spoke to us about the status of the Sarvodaya movement in India today. We had an enjoyable afternoon meeting her and learning about her work in India.
PPI's annual benefit dinner on March 7, 1998 was well attended, and helped raise about $5600 after expenses. Our sincere thanks go to the dancers of Prabha Rustagi Memorial Trust, Devki Saraiya, Sujot Chawla and their accompanists, Annie Penta, Shantha Benegal and Matt Rice for the delightful program of Kathak dance. The PPI Annual Benefit Dinner in 1999 will be held on Saturday April 17, 1999. Please mark that date 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 only there were more people to help, much more could be accomplished. PPI was founded on such sentiments.
Twenty years ago, when the concept of supporting rural development projects in India was just a "brave idea," it took us a while to find our first project, "RUHSA," a health and nutrition project in Vellore, Andhra Pradesh. Now that rural development movement has taken root in India, many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) actively seek PPI's support for their projects. As we continue with our current projects, we are always looking for new ones.
Please enrich our support/resource base by joining us. PPI NEEDS YOU.
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 it to us.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Pran Wahi
Chairperson, PPI
PPI 1999 Project Contacts
Project Organization PPI Contact Phone
1. Daycare for Children of Mothers in Training Hope Charitable Trust Simi Nikore (425) 828-4340
2. Environ. Protection and Pollution Control Vikasana Gerry Folland (206) 524-8581
3. Rampura Water Conservation GVVS Gary Worthington (360)-866-4655
4. Adult Literacy & Voc. Training SWA-Roopwardhini Shantha Benegal(206) 522-4404
5. Small Holder's Livestock's Improvement Champa Mahila Society Niranjan Benegal (206) 522-440
6. Women's Self Employ. Generation ASHRAYA Pran Wahi (206) 232-861
7. Development of Tribal Artisans PRAGATHI Gerry Folland (206) 524-8581
8. Vegetable Gardens and Tree Plantations SNEHA Gerry Folland (206) 524-8581
9. Garment Design & Garment Making RWA Arun Trikha (425) 641-3207
10. Slum Women Rehabilitation SAC-CCC Arun Trikha (206) 641-3207
11. Afforestation and Environ. Protection SPS Gerry Folland (206) 524-8581
12. Greeting Cards-Leprosy Rehabilitation MSS Pran Wahi (206) 232-8619
PPI Office Bearers: Pran Wahi, Chairperson; Shimoga Srinath, Co-Chairperson,
Niranjan Benegal, Treasurer; Gerald Folland/Shantha Benegal, Joint Secretaries.
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1999 MEMBERSHIP & PLEDGE/CONTRIBUTION FORM
Name/Address:_________________________________________________________
____________________________________ Phone: ________________________
E-Mail Address: _______________________________________________________
Membership: $ _______ ($25 Family, $15 Single/Year)
Pledge: $ _______ /monthly for one year (1999), or
Contribution of: $ ________
Enclosed is a check for: $ ________ (IRS Tax Exempt ID No. 91-1057315)
Please make Checks payable to and mail with this form to:
People for Progress in India (PPI)
P.O. Box 51231, Seattle, WA 98115-1231.
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