Annual Report Details

Annual Report 1988-1989
The Directorate of Education, Delhi Administration recognised the need for Deepalaya School by providing Essentiality Certificate. Application for proper recognition of the school is submitted. We did not know even after 10 years from now we would not get this recognition from Government.

1988  was yet another year during which peace making was on  the cards at International, National and Regional levels but all  the same it eludes every sphere and the efforts are to be kept up and peace  strived  at. The national political situation  has  become quite unpredictable and concerns are expressed at all levels. The average  people are still looking forward for a better  life, both materially and qualitatively.

Deepalaya  has been attempting in its own humble way  to  mitigate the  sufferings  of poor and backward communities  and  meet with basic necessities of life of these people through its development efforts.

The following are an account of our activities for the  financial year  1988-89.  With  the  new  finance  act  universalising  the financial year as April-March for all categories, Deepalaya 1988-89  financial year is made up of 15 months from January 1988  to March 1989.

Deepalaya activities are confined to the Union Territory of Delhi and that too to two geographical locations:
1. The Kalkaji area – South east Delhi.
2. The Raghubeer Nagar and Kyala areas – West Delhi.

The  programme at Kalkaji and neighborhood is supported  through sponsorship  grants by Aide-et-Action Paris, France and Save  the children   fund,  London,  U.K.  During  1988,  Inter church   Co-ordination Committee ‘ICCO’, Zeist, Holland joined the family  of Deepalaya  supporting  collaborators through a Capital  grant  to purchase land for school at Kalkaji and recurring block grant for initiating   Urban  Community  Development  activities   in   two locations, namely Transit Camp and Sanjay Amar Colony.

The  Unie  School and Evangelie, Amsterdam, Holland  is  another supporting  organisation, who have extended support to  Deepalaya during  1988-89  for  school building at  the  instance  of  ICCO through  a  Co-financing mechanism. The  programme  at  Raghubeer Nagar  and Kyala is fully supported and collaborated  by Foster Parent  PLAN International, Rhode Island, U S A and this programme  is fast expanding to become an independent project in 1989-90.
The  activities  at Kalkaji and neighborhood are  summarised  as below:-

DEEPALAYA SCHOOL 

During the year Deepalaya School has obtained from Directorate of Education, Delhi Administration.
a)    Essentially  certificate for a middle  school  in  Kalkaji Area.
b)    Sponsorship  recommendation for land purchase from DDA.
c)    Scheme  of  Management  of  the  school  approved  by  the Education Directorate.
d)    Application for recognition is submitted to the  Education Directorate and is being pursued.
e)    DDA is being pursued to process the application  for  land but the hitch is that they ask for proof of Rs.28.5  lakhs available for an acre of land, which Deepalaya do not have.
Deepalaya  school  has  entered into the  second  decade“  of  its existence  in  1989. From a humble beginning  in  1978-79, with  5 children  and  two  staff, Deepalaya school is  now  catering  to around  750  children under the care of the requisite  number  of efficient   and  committed  staff  as  Manager,  Social   worker, Teachers, Ayas, Drivers, Helpers etc. Another glaring  difference which  has  been brought about is the class of students  who  are catered  to.  Initially it was majority of children  from  middle class  families paying fees, but today it is for 99% of  children from  poor  families, who are catered to and who  can  ill  afford the  high  cost  of quality education. The  package  of  services rendered  to  children in Deepalaya include  tuition,  transport, books,  uniform,  nutrition, medical care/check-up,  picnics  and study  tour  etc. all these free of cost. A nominal  donation  of Rs.10/-  is accepted from each student to make the parent  serious about  education  and to enlist their participation.  These  free services have been possible due to the sponsorship support  which is being obtained from above mentioned agencies. All the children in  Deepalaya are at the primary level, with majority of them  at the  level of lower and upper Kindergarten. The focus is on  tiny tots  which is in tune with the objective of  universalisation  of education  and  the  pre-school levels the  most  vulnerable  to behandled to achieve universalisation.

1988-89  for Deepalaya School was a year of growth, fitting  well with the new decade, a decade of anticipated growth and  service. From  around  300  children in 1987, it has  reached  around  750 children in 1988-89. Inspite of the problem of accommodation, the attempt to educate by decentralising helped to cater for  another 450  children  of which 362 are catered to in  the  Transit  Camp hired rooms, 70 in St. John’s school run by the Mar Thoma  Church Society and 18 in Municipal Schools.
In  improving the quality and standard of education  steps  taken include  teachers  training,  informal  teaching   methodologies, nature study, use of library, study tour and vacation school  for creative arts, culture etc. in Bal Bhawan.

The   parent-teacher   meetings,   Management-teacher   meetings, Management-teacher-parent meetings, celebrations of  Independence day,  Republic day, Christmas, School day, film shows,  visit  to important  historical  places, etc. were normal  events  followed during 1988-89.

Visitors   to   school  included   Municipal   Counsellor,   Land Commissioner,  DDA,  representatives of supporting  agencies  and sponsor  parents. On the whole the visitors were  impressed  with the  overall  disciplines, manners and educational  standards  of children  and  were pleased to continue supporting the  cause  of Deepalaya.  The  strength of children under Deepalaya  school  is given below:-

Out  of the above 750 children 640 are sponsored and rest of  110 non-sponsored.  We are happy to indicate that girls form  48%  of the  students attending the school, which is a special  endeavor of Deepalaya focussing attention on women and children.

INITIATIVES OF URBAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Considering  the constraints of obtaining infra-structure  (land, building  etc.)  for formal education and gaining  experience  in undertaking  Urban Community Development through  sponsorship  in West  Delhi  area, the programme of expanding  the  work  through urban  Community Development in Kalkaji area was mooted with  the encouragement of ICCO of Holland. A block grant of Rs.100000/- to initiate  community development in Urban localities in Delhi  and integrate  Deepalaya  School  activity with  community  work  was approved by ICCO and the programme was launched in Transit  Camp, Kalkaji and Sanjay Amar colony.

Here again the entry point was education, focus was children  and approach was community  participation. With decentralised schools in  hired rooms at Transit Camp, the education launched  here  was for women in literacy and non-formal education for dropouts. This covered  77  adults and dropouts. At Sanjay  Amar  Colony  formal education covered 129 children in nursery ( 69 boys – 60 girls  = 129)  and  58 in LKG (40 boys and 18 girls=58),  altogether  187. Literacy classes for women, Non formal classes for dropouts  also were  conducted at Sanjay Amar Colony. This benefited around  90 adults and dropouts.

Under  health,  the  approach was  promotive  and  educative.  At Transit  Camp doctors and post-graduate trainees from  All  India Institute  of Medical Sciences made weekly visits to conduct  pre and  post natal and other community health education.  At  Sanjay Amar  Colony,  a team of 5 doctors from  LNJP  hospital  involved themselves in regular visits, health status, survey, referrals to govt.  hospitals, immunisation, growth monitoring,  personal  and environmental  hygiene etc. Three basti development  guides  from the slum colony were under training to become barefoot doctors.
Community organisation  was  another  area  which   was   given attention.   The  diversities  of  language,  religion,   region, occupation,  culture  etc.  play  its  own  part.  In  creating  a conducive atmosphere to promote community organisation  awareness creation  for collective organisation was undertaken. It  is  too early  to judge the effect of evolving community structures.  The attempt is at the level of women and youth and through  literacy, skill training etc.

Very  little  could be done on income enhancement  and  the  main reasons  are  lack of skill potential and  mutual  knowledge  and confidence  between and among the community and  Deepalaya. In  the coming  years, income enhancement should receive equal  attention and  priority so that the community can on their own provide  the means  for health and education to the growing  generation.  Much more efforts are required to make a dent in the problems of Urban Community   and  Deepalaya  is  training  itself  to   meet   the challenges.

DEEPALAYA PLAN PROGRAMME AT RAGHUBEER NAGAR & KYALA

Drawing  resources from sponsorship and administered  jointly  by Deepalaya  and PLAN, Deepalaya PLAN Programme is a typical  Urban Community  Development  Project  which  attempts  to  cover   all concerns  of  Urban  living. This programme  has  3504  sponsored children/families  and  covers  around 5000  families  under  the administration  of  a large team of  committed  professionals  in Social  work and other disciplines of management.  The  programme areas  cover education, health, income enhancement and  community Development/Organisation.  The outreach has been substantial  and benefits  both  tangible and intangible have been  adequate.  The achievement are summarised below:-

EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE
 

INCOME ENHANCEMENT (SELF EMPLOYMENT)

Garment production unit                45   women
Small Business Development       137   families
Ancillary Unit                               1   family

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/ORGANISATION

      Total     51
Cutting  across  the barriers economic,  social,  political,  the attempt was to enlist participation of the  communities/families. The  family Development Plan and preparation of Family budget  as part  of  the  Corporate budget for the  fiscal  years  1989-1992 afforded   opportunities   for   individual   families,   groups, associations to involve activity in programme planning  and budget formulation.  In  the  implementation  of  programmes  especially housing,  potable  water, small business  development  etc.,  the benefiting families and groups took their own decisions,  framed their own rules and regulation mobilising resources by  self-help contribution  etc.  working  towards  self-management  and  self-reliance.

As  part of the celebrations within the programme, the Bal  Diwas (14th  November), the Republic day, were celebrated in a  fitting manner and the community as well as staff took active part.
The Deepalaya Pariwar Sammelan and the Adult Education Mela  were occasions  of  learning  together  and  sharing  collectively  of concerns  and experiences, as also an occasion to understand  the global  mission of Deepalaya and how the cadres and  their  roles are placed in relation to the mission of Deepalaya. The cadre  of committed workers building themselves into a cohesive team was an asset to Deepalaya and basic factor for its success.

Looking into future we are left with considerable challenges  and it  is hoped that Deepalaya  shall stand upto the challenges  and demands of the opportunities lie ahead of us.

In  concluding this report, I record my thanks to the  community, the  staff,  the  executive  committee  and  general  body,   the supporting  collaborators,  the government of  Delhi  and  India, other  volagencies all who have co-operated with Deepalaya to  do what it did in 1988-89 and look forward  for the same support and co-operation in future.
Deepalaya Plan Programme

In the field of education, the following programmes have been undertaken.

Balwadi

Five Balwadi centres have been up for children in the age group of 3 to 6 years.  189 children are participating in this programme.  The children are taught by play way methods.  Regular growth monitoring of each and every child is being ensured.  Children in grade II and grade III are closely monitored and the mothers are being educated about ways and means of putting the child on the road to progress.  Regular parent – teacher meetings are being organized so as to provide a platform for interaction.  The children were also taken to the circus.

Non formal education 

Deepalaya Plan has one non formal education justify for 51 children in the age group of 6 to 12 years who have either never been enrolled in school or are school dropouts.  Condensed courses of formal school curricular are being provided to these children so that they can be put back into the main stream of formal education,  Educational tours were also organized for these children.

Approximately 150 children were admitted to a formal school by Deepalaya Plan in class I to class V.

Three Non formal education centres have been set up for the age group of 14 to 18 years and the strength is 83.  Health education forms an integral part of this programme.  This group participated in an inter agencies competition (29 voluntary organisation participated)
organised  by State Resource Center of Jamia  Millia and won a number of prizes.

Remedial Education Center 

15 REC centres have been set up for children who are studying in class I to class VI and the strength is 764, 95% of the students were promoted into the next class and fared well in their examinations.  The children were provided school uniforms, bags and stationery. Educational tours were also organised for these children.  Regular parent teacher meetings are held in order to provide a platform for interaction.
A ‘Bal Mela’ was organised on children’s day by Deepalaya plan.  Debate, elocution and play competitions were organised and the children’s enthusiasm and response was remarkable.
In order to train staff involved in all the educational programmes, regular workshops are organised.
In the field of health, the following programmes were undertaken :-
Curative Programme :-

Two health justifys have been set up by Deepalaya Plan and 705 patients have availed of curative services.  A team of doctors – a Gynecologist, child  specialist, eye specialist and general practitioner visit the community on rotation basis.  The patients are provided medicines free of cost.  Referral services  are also provided as and when required by the patients.  Resources linkages have been established  with the well equipped government hospitals for this purpose.

26 TB patients are being provided medicines by Deepalaya Plan.  Special diet is also being provided to patients whenever the doctor recommends so.

Immunization of children were  also undertaken and the children were administered BCG and TABC vaccines.  Growth monitoring of children is also a regular activity which has been undertaken but its scope needs to be widened as many families still have to be covered under this programme.

As there was an epidemic of Meningitis in the area where Deepalaya Plan is working, 526 families were provided with the preventive dose of meningitis.

Health education is given prime importance.  The health workers through mothers meetings and non formal education justifys are doing so.  The health workers were sent for two training workshops in order to enhance their knowledge.

Deepalaya Plan also contributes articles on community health to monthly news letter.

A feeding and nutrition programme has also been launched for those families where there is no source of income.  Ration is being provided to these families till income avenues are not found.

In the field of resource and skills development, the following programmes have been undertaken:

Sewing Center

Two sewing justifys have been set up with a strength of 26 trainees.  One batch of trainees has completed its 6 months training and is presently involved in an income generation activity launched by Deepalaya Plan so that they could also contribute towards the family income.

Through resource linkages a few youth from the community were placed in industrial units for vocational training.  One of the person has also been placed with Bal Sahyog for a three year vocational training programme.

The women from the community have also been trained in Vim and Soap making and as soon as the market avenues have been explored it can be taken on as an income generation activity.

An employment bureau has also been set up by a Youth Group with Deepalaya Plan’s support.
Two small business development groups were also organised.  The first group comprised of nine members and the second group of 163  members.  A loan of maximum Rs.1000.00 was given to the members which is being repaid in easy interest free installments from the repayments a revolving fund has been set up and 7 new members have joined the group and availed of loan facility for small business development.

In the field of community organisation, Deepalaya Plan has been able to organise a Youth Group and two Mahila Mandals.  The youth group besides organising cricket matches has also organised a de-addiction camp in which 15 smack addicts have undergone treatment.  The employment bureau is also being run by the same youth group members.

One of the Mahila Mandals is presently involved in organising educational tours for the children and the other Mahila Mandal is setting up a Balwadi for children who do not have this facility  with Deepalaya Plan’s support.

Mariyamman Association and Shankar Association have also been formed for the housing project which will be supported by Deepalaya Plan.  Gradually more groups are organising themselves and coming together.

In the past one year, Deepalaya Plan has certainly been able to establish a good rapport with the community.  Today in each and every programme Deepalaya Plan has considerable community participation and contribution.

The staff strength both regular and programme related is 44, which include one programme manager, one assistant programme Manager, two subject matter persons, three administrative and accounts staff, one education supervisor and 29 community level staff.

The audited statement of accounts, separately rendered will indicate financial transactions undertaken by the society.

In conclusion, it is my bounden duty to thank the parents, community, staff, well wishers and members of the society for all cooperation and support rendered in making the society grow and out reach more people in distress and want.