1999 ANNUAL REPORT

People for Progress in India (PPI)



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





1999 ANNUAL REPORT						 December, 1999





Dear Friends:





Greetings. This is our 21st year annual report. 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 our 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 its very inception, PPI has been guided by the following goals:

to fund specific programs that make people self-reliant and self-sustaining through co-operatives, 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 21 years, PPI has sponsored and funded more than 52 projects all across India. The projects cover a wide range of activities: from education, health care and environment awareness and preservation to vocational training, small scale industries and co-operatives. Typically, a project lasts 2-3 years with a funding level of $1000-$4000 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: 1999 - 2000

1. Association of Women for Dry Land Development New Project*

Ms. Mohan Kumari, Prathidhwani, Mysore, Karnataka

In September 1999, we began a 2-year project whose focus is the development of wastelands in five villages. The lands are owned by poor farmers who cannot afford to develop them on their own. Our funding will help Pratidhwani to establish a nursery to raise seedlings for plantation, and to carry out training programs and workshops. The administration of the program will be handled through the local women's associations, which will profit from the sale of seedlings and the sale of fruit when the trees begin to bear. The project will also generate jobs for the landless. This year's budget is Rs. 47000 (approx. $1120).

2. Vocational Training for Street Children and Women New Project*

Ms. Sujata Ganeja, SUPPORT (Society Undertaking Poor People's Onus for Rehabilitation), Mumbai, Maharashtra

Many of you will recall that in 1989, PPI had funded an educational video for fighting drug abuse on Mumbai's streets. PPI has just initiated a new project with this organization. Our current project's objective is to provide vocational training programs for women, young girls, youth and children of Mumbai --some of whom are rehabilitated drug addicts. Individuals will be trained in skills such as stitchery, carpentry, electrician training, welding, etc. -- according to their aptitude. Stipends will be awarded on a need basis. Basic literacy, as well as health and environmental awareness are built into the training programs. Upon completion of training, students will be placed in jobs or trained to obtain bank loans for self-employment. Some will return to SUPPORT as teachers and field workers. Total project cost: Rs. 5,04,500 ($12000). PPI will contribute Rs.170,000 ($4050). The rest will be funded by local sources in Mumbai as well as ASHA of Seattle, with whom we networked to make this project possible.

Kumar Bhatia, a PPI member, visited SUPPORT and met Ms. Sujata Ganeja when he was in India early 1999. He visited a center devoted to the rehabilitation of street children that is now caring for about 50 boys, and he was very impressed with the good work they are doing under the difficult circumstances.

3. Vocational Training for the Blind New Project*

Mr. Jai Kumar Palit , Bihar Educational Development Society, Gaya, Bihar

This three-year project, just approved in the November 1999 meeting, will provide vocational training to 90 visually-handicapped persons over 3 years in stenography, tailoring, brush making, carpentry, and file-making. The training program is being developed in collaboration with the National Association for the Blind, Mumbai. The total budget is for Rs. 450,000 ($10710) for three years. The first year budget request from PPI is for Rs. 180,000 ($4280). In addition, they will be putting in a total of Rs. 110,000 ($2620) of their own funds into the project over the 3-year period.

4. Micro-Enterprise Credit Revolving Fund for Women New Project*

Mr. C.Y. Bharadwad, CHINYARD, Hubli Taluk, Karnataka

This is a new 30-month project to develop a revolving fund for micro-credit to women's Self-Help Groups (SHG's). The total budget is for $10,050 with a first year budget of Rs. 171,150 ($4070) for the first year. The Chinyard project will finance micro-enterprise development through a revolving fund. The funds will be used to lend to the SHG's at normal (bank) interest rates, which are much lower than the rates charged by the moneylenders. The concept is very similar to the Grameen Bank operation originally started in Bangladesh. The initial loans will be to 15 SHG's and the loans will be repaid in 12 months in installments. As the repayments are reinvested and rotated, about 35 groups will derive benefit from the PPI revolving fund. Chinyard will spend the first six months in setting up the revolving fund and establishing norms for its management. It will also train the participants in money management, book keeping, and the principles of small business management to facilitate selection of the right enterprise for profitability. The participants are drawn from a very poor and disadvantaged section of the population with most being from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The kinds of small businesses Chinyard expects the participants to engage in are: production of condiments; small grocery shop; small cooperative dairy; floriculture; knitting; garments; retailing fertilizers and seeds; leaf plate making; embroidery; mirror craft; etc. At the end of the current project, the revolving fund will be available for further rotation and PPI will be involved in deciding the future use of the fund.

5. Environment Protection and Pollution Control

Mr. A. M. Vargees Cleatas, Vikasana, Tarikere, Karnataka

Exciting progress has been reported on this 3-year project that promotes environmental improvements in the vicinity of the industrial town of Bhadravati, Karnataka. Now in its second year, its achievements include the following: (1) A number of environmental awareness programs/camps have been held, with participation from 1500 people, including government officials, industry representatives as well as the staff of Vikasana and other similar organizations. (2) Soak pits have been built for treating waste water. (3) Nurseries have been established to raise seedlings of various useful species of trees to sell to local people. (4) Drawing competitions were held to call Women's and children's group's attention to environmental issues. (5) The response to all these activities has been enthusiastic from all quarters -- the general public as well as local industrialists, governmental departments, non-governmental organizations, and grass-roots groups. Local industries are beginning to take steps to mitigate the pollution they cause. PPI's contribution for 1999 was Rs. 135,300 (approx. $3220).

6. Rampura Water Conservation

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

This is the second year of three-year project in the desert village of Rampura in Badmer district of Rajasthan. Mr. Tyagi reports: The village is mainly inhabited by Bheel tribals and Meghwals (Harijans). Taking advantage of its sloped and graveled land that is favorable for the collection of water runoff, GRAVIS helped the poor families build six Khadins (tiny earthen dams) to harvest rain water for crop production. The villagers were also trained to build 12 Taankas or household underground water collection cemented tanks. The women, who had to walk 12 km to fetch drinking water, now find it quite near their dwellings. The project has created a special enthusiasm among the community. The villagers have formed a community organization and are helping each other by contributing voluntary labor to the tune of 25 to 30% of the cost. The poor cultivators are also very happy as they can now successfully grow fodder in Khadin areas even in times such as the current drought. PPI contribution for 1999: Rs. 95000 (approx. $2260).

7. Adult Literacy and Vocational Training for Slum Women

Mr. S. R. Patwardhan, SWA-Roopwardhinee, Pune, Maharashtra

This 3-year vocational training project for women slum-dwellers in Pune has now reached its final phase. Assisted by PPI, SWA-Roopwardhinee held vocational training classes as well as adult literacy classes in Urdu and Marathi near a large slum settlement in Pune. The number of beneficiaries who completed training were 32 in tailoring, 18 in advanced blouse/fashion design, 23 in home nursing, and 52 in adult literacy. To date, 326 women have benefited from this project. This year's funding was Rs.84,400 (approx. $2010).

8. Small Holder's Livestock's Improvement

Ms. Mamata Nayak, Champa Mahila Society (CMS), Sibganj, District : 24-Parganas, West Bengal

Located in the salty marshlands of the Ganges delta, this 3-year project aims at providing scientific knowledge and training on animal husbandry to villagers, especially widowed and abandoned women. In their November 1999 report, they indicate that the first two years have been a valuable learning experience. Mixed strain cattle have been found to have a better survival rate than pure imported stock and also produce a high milk yield. In villages where the water is too saline (not suitable for Holstein and Jersey cows), poultry farming has been successfully substituted. From October 1998 through September 1999, income from the project has totaled Rs. 18,538 ($440). The beneficiaries earn Rs. 200 to Rs.500 per month. With savings of Rs.10/month, they have opened group bank accounts and are now eligible for small bank loans. The program has been extended to two more villages. This is significant progress in view of the fact that a severe drought hit the area earlier this year (see Page 5). PPI members Anutosh and Stuti Moitra, who visited the project in January 1999, were impressed with their progress. PPI's funding for this year was Rs.70,000 ($1640). Total cost: Rs.2,80,000.

9. Women's Self Employment Generation

Mr. M.Y. Swamy, Ashraya, Bommagondanakere, Chitradurga, Karnataka

This project launched in 1997, is in its third and final year. PPI funding is being used to train poor women in sewing and tailoring. The latest project report received in October 1999 is very encouraging as things are going according to plan and are progressing satisfactorily. A new center for training has been opened in the village of Gudekote replacing the two old ones; evidently, the new center can address a larger population and has more civic amenities available. A new batch of 15 trainees, girls in the 13-18 age group, has been enrolled to start the third year project. The final year's funding of this three-year project was Rs.33,200 (approx. $790).

As the work in ASHRAYA grows, they have joined up with a larger group called Program Vision Project (PVP) to address a target group of 1000 rural poor women during the next three years, 2000-2002. PPI has not made any commitment to participate in this new project as of now.

10. Development of Tribal Artisans

Mr. B. Sharanappa, Pragathi, Mysore, Karnataka

This 3-year project, with an annual budget of Rs. 110,400 ($2630), is nearing its conclusion. Located south of Mysore city, its main objective is the training of tribal people in basket weaving and leaf plate making. As of March 1999, 35 people have completed their training and are engaged in the production of leaf plates and baskets. In addition, a school/day-care center has been established for small children of participants to provide mid-day meals and cultural enrichments as well as basic education. Pragathi has also held workshops in leadership training, community organization, and health, and they report that the villagers' attitudes and confidence in taking charge of their own lives has improved markedly.

11. Vegetable Gardens and Tree Plantations

Mr. Nireekshana Rao, SNEHA, Mandavalli, Andhra Pradesh

This three-year project, initiated two year ago, benefits the villagers of Mandavalli, 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.

In the past year, 100 people have received assistance in developing kitchen gardens, joining another 100 from the first year. They have been getting good yields, enough to sell some of the produce for profit. 500 coconut seedlings have been provided to 250 families, who are raising after them with care. Community vegetable gardens have been developed in five villages with the cooperation of the local Mahila Mandals. Four of them have been very successful, with profits of around Rs.10000 ($240) each; the fifth had problems due to flooding. SNEHA has worked with eight local schools to plant trees and kitchen gardens, involving both children and their parents. The second year's budget is Rs.58000 ($1380).

SNEHA has also trained additional village workers, organized legal awareness camps for 200 village women, held training programs in thrift and credit union, and promoted the cooperative society concept among the villagers.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Dr. Parameshwara Rao



Dr. Parameshwara Rao of Bhagavatula Charitable Trust visited us in May 1999. Seattle was among several US cities he visited to mobilize individuals and non-profit organizations to act as catalysts for a social change in India on a larger scale. Some members of PPI, ASHA, CRY, AID and other interested individuals have been meeting regularly to develop "action plans" along with ideas for implementation.  A coalition called Rejuvenate India Movement (RIM) has been formed. Regional conferences and a national one were held all over the USA.  Cleanliness has been taken up as a pilot campaign in New Delhi, Pune and Cochin to demonstrate the power of participatory democracy.  Among the NGOs collaborating is Exnora of Chennai.  Several PPI members helped put the campaign proposal together. PPI wishes Dr. Rao and RIM success.

Tube Well for Champa Mahila Society, 24 Parganas, West Bengal



In March 1999, this area faced severe drought.  All the ponds and canals dried up and the soil cracked, affecting both humans and animals.  The CMS (Project #8) asked for Rs.70000 ($1640) to bore a tube well for drinking water.  A generous PPI member has provided this funding, and we hope with the addition of the new tube well, the adverse effects of water shortage will be alleviated.

Family Planning Center, Pune:



Prakash Limaye, a long-time supporter of PPI donated $1000.00 to the Family Planning Association of India to help build a Family Planning Center in Pune, Maharashtra.

PPI on the Web!



Thanks to Ashwin Mahesh of India Together, PPI is on the web.  Ashwin has created a site for us where the monthly minutes and other information can be obtained at http://www.indiatogether.org . See the box on their home page headed "twenty years and dozens of projects."

Mr. K.L. Patwardhan



Mr. Patwardhan, founder of SWA-Roopwardhinee, Pune, (Project #7) visited Seattle in August 1999. A visionary educator, he started a study and tutorial center for the brightest children of the slum areas to pursue their career dreams.  These students are encouraged to return to the center and tutor other students like themselves.  PPI has had several projects with SWA-Roopwardhinee over the years. Shanta and Ramesh Gangolli hosted an evening for many of the PPI members and other interested individuals to meet with this remarkable man and hear him speak.

Annual PPI Dinner

PPI's annual benefit dinner on April 17, 1999 was well attended, and helped raise about $5600 after expenses. Our sincere thanks go to the Ms. Priya Sreedharan for the delightful program of Bharata Natyam dance.

The PPI Annual Benefit Dinner in the year 2000 will be held on Saturday March 18, 2000. Please keep that evening free and attend the fund raiser event if you can.

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--so help your cause even more by bringing it to the attention of PPI.

Twenty-one 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 (NGO's) 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. Membership dues 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 in the evening. Everyone is welcome to attend. PPI needs volunteers to correspond with projects in India.

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

Sincerely,

Shimoga Srinath, Chairperson, PPI

Project Contacts

Project	Organization	PPI Contact	Phone
Women for Dry Land development	Prathidhwani	Jerry Folland	206 525 8581
Vocational Training for Street Children and Women	SUPPORT	Niranjan/Shantha Benegal	206 522 4404
Vocational Training for the Blind	Bihar Educational Society	Arun Trikha	425 641-3207
Microcredit Revolving Fund	CHINYARD	Kumar Bhatia
Environmental Protection and Pollution Control	VIKASANA	Jerry Folland	206 525-8581
Rampura Water Conservation	GRAVIS	Gary Worthington	360 866-4655
Adult Literacy and Vocational Training for Slum Women	SWA- Roopwardhinee	Shanta Gangolli	206 525-7728
Small Holder Livestock's Improvement	Champa Mahila Society	Niranjan/Shantha Benegal	206 522-4404
Women's Self Employment Generation	ASHRAYA	Pran Wahi	206 232-8619
Development of Tribal Artisans	PRAGATHI	Jerry Folland	206 525-8581
Vegetable Gardens & Tree Plantation	SNEHA	Jerry Folland	206 525-8581



PPI, Non-profit Tax-exempt Charitable Organization Registered in the State of Washington.


Office Bearers: Chairperson: Shimoga Srinath, Co-Chairperson: Shamik Basu, Treasurer: Niranjan Benegal, Joint Secretaries: Rolli Khattri/Sangita Gulati.





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Year 2000 Membership & Pledge/Contribution Form





Name/Address:______________________________________________________________





_____________________________________________Phone: ________________________





E-mail Address: ______________________________________________________________





Membership:		$ _______ ($25 Family, $15 Single/Year)





Pledge:			$ _______ /monthly for one year (2000), or





Contribution of:		$ ________





Enclosed is a check for:	$ ________ (IRS Tax Exempt ID No. 91-1057315)





Please make your checks payable to "People for Progress in India" and mail it with this form and 


your employer's matching grant form to: 


People for Progress in India (PPI). P. O. Box 51231, Seattle, WA 98115-1231.