Annual Report Details

Annual Report 1996-1997
Deepalaya ventured into Rural Development. A new feather in it’s cap.

Education – A Right And A Light For Social Transformation.

The inspiration for Deepalaya arise from the practice of distributive justice which brings joy in the life of children from the poor and disadvantaged communities.  Began as a child centred education programme with only 5 children in 1979, today, Deepalaya programme covers an entire gamut of human development processes.  Deepalaya is engaged in education, health and integrated community development to benefit over one lakh people living in over 34 slum clusters, of West, North-West and South Delhi areas.  Our special strategies reach out to, educate and promote girl child, work with Street and Working Children, train grass roots professionals as social entrepreneurs, systematically evolve and empower community based organisations (CBO), Integrate disabled  with the main stream, network and advocate with others towards whole development of families and communities.

Deepalaya Is Of The Firm Belief That Education Is Key To Social Transformation.

The  lessons  from the past are that priority to primary education in the sixties and seventies should have  avoided the task of educating  the adults of today.  Although the Government of India in its current budget has allocated the largest amount for Elementary Education  The test of the time is educating over 75 million children who are presently non-school going.   This mammoth task needs a synergetic effort of the government, INGOs, NGOs, Corporate sector, Media, Academia, Individuals and Community to explore ways of mobilising support within and out side to educate the millions by the millions.  With the exception of UNICEF and ILO non other official agencies are focussing on Child Right presently.  The role of Government is inadequate to meet the growing demands in absolute terms of non-school going children.  Not many Industries/Corporate  Houses are inspired and motivated to invest in the specified development projects.  There is a need for media to sensitise the common Public on the problems of children and the denial of their rights.

The fruits of development has to find its root in the millions of disadvantaged and the poor as Mahatma Gandhi said, “Indeed the test of orderliness in a country is not the number of millionaires it owns, but the absence of starvation among its massages.”

1996 – 97 LOOK BACK

The  year 1996-97 has been a year of landmark achievement for Deepalaya on two counts. One, the growing columns and structures of  Deepalaya school at Kalkaji Extn. and the second, acquisition of 900 square yards of land for construction of Human Resource Centre at Institutional Area, Janakpuri. These two units will function as the epitome of Deepalaya mission, inits service for human development, of the weak, needy and neglected sections of society.

Deepalaya  has provided a yeoman service to improve the quality of life for the disadvantaged  communities in slums by providing equality of opportunities and social justice through carefully thought out strategies.  The inroads made in over 34 slum clusters through Education, Health, Income Generation, Issue Area-leads to Capacity Building, Empowerment  and Social Transformation of Communities.

The year 1996 saw the outcome of a three pronged approach to ensure economic and social development through.

a. Primary Education of Children.
b. Integrated Community development through community involvement.
c. Phase-out and Phase-in strategy.

The focus of Deepalaya is education of the disadvantaged children living in the slums.  Other activities revolve around this objective.  Today nearly 1342 children are attending Formal Deepalaya Schools at Sanjay Colony  and Panchsheel Park.  The growth for 1996-97 at 30% is a testimony of our faith induction as a vehicle to social transformation.  Deepalaya has initiated the construction   of  Deepalaya School at Govindpuri, Kalkaji during 1996. This will provide effective and affordable English medium education to 2500 more poor children for  the posterity.  In the other education programs, 16879 children are provided, Pre-School, Remedial Education and Non-Formal Education.   Education of children in Deepalaya does not limit itself to a few academic pursuits but covers a wide spectrum of inputs in culture, general knowledge, Talent development, drawing. painting, indoor and outdoor sports, debates and discussions, integration and interaction with better off  and well to do children, trekking and traveling to Himalayas and tour to Southern  states, exposure to Information, Media and Special programs.

A special feature of Deepalaya school is that children with disability  are not left out from the mainstream of education, special  care is provided through disability project to identify their handicaps and  enable them to integrate with other children. A Pilot project for Street and Working Children has been initiated during 1996.

In addition to the direct educational intervention to improve the conditions of children living in the slums.  Deepalaya is aware of the fact that it alone cannot ameliorate the sufferings of the poor unless active participation and self realisation of communities is evoked.  Community Based development program is simultaneously implemented to improve the thinking, feeling and actions of communities.  Deepalaya is constantly working towards  Empowerment, self reliance and self sustaining actions with the objective of cloning Deepalaya  into community based organisations. 36 CBO’s are registered under Societies Registration Act.  Through their active partnership, children are provided with regular classes in pre-school, Remedial and Non-Formal Education.  Additionally, programs on Health, Sanitation, Environment, Family Planning are organised.  In this socio-economic integration, training on organisational rules and regulations, democratic processes, accounting procedures and values of sustainability are provided.  Samities have been graded for their legal, operational and financial soundness and accordingly action plans are framed to lead them towards self reliance.  Community Based Projects have adopted literacy program in collaboration  with Delhi Sarva Shiksha Abhiya and have been rewarded for their contribution in literacy campaigns.  Special training has been organised for Community Health Workers in the areas of Reproductive Health, AIDS Awareness, Participation of Girl Child and Local Resources Mobilisation.  As the  Community Based Organisations are being prepared to take over these program., Deepalaya has initiated phase-out from these clusters and a process of phase-in was initiated in 11 new clusters at North, West and South Delhi areas.

It is important to strengthen the organisation and its beliefs by inviting larger number of people and institutions to participate in this case.  To strengthen our mission in the field, the participation of like minded People, Media, Government, Non-Government Organisations and Corporate Sectors are exhorted.  Towards this universal participation Deepalaya Communication Division was  successful in creating visibility through reports in Regional, National and International news papers, broad cast on All India Radio, Times FM and Shows on Television Networks.

Our work during the last decade and a half has earned Deepalaya recognition and a place in the Development sectors at Home and abroad.

As we set our sail into another year, Deepalaya begins with a Happy note to institute a Human Resource Centre on a 900 square yards land acquired at Janakpuri Institutional Area, New Delhi.  This centre is envisaged to provide specialised Training, Research, Documentation and Analysis to meet in house training needs of Development Professionals, Managers, Grass Roots Workers and Community Based Leaders.
DEEPALAYA PROCESS MANAGEMENT

FOCUS –> Child

To enable the child look beyond slums.

Education & Health  Care  of Child.

Family development through Integrated Programmes.

Community participation and development  through Cluster group, CBO’s and CCC,  Resource Management  through Thrift & Credit groups.

Community contribution through user fees,  equity participation  and community revolving fund

Community empowerment through Training,    Capacity building, Asset creation, Self reliance, etc.

Social transformation through attitude change, Collective action.

Phaseout and phase-in as a strategy Collaboration and linkages with others.

Mission

Establish a new peaceful socio-economic, Politico-cultural order which will help and enlighten communities to transform themselves into  self-reliant, self-governed and exploitation free, social  structures that will foster a healthy and appropriate environment for the development of disadvantaged, specially the children.

DEEPALAYA SCHOOL-SANJAY COLONY
The focal point of Deepalaya projects, Deepalaya School at Sanjay Colony has steadily grown from a Primary School to a Middle School and now a Secondary School. This year 26 students were promoted to Xth standard adding another class and a-level to its school.  The need for quality education at the basic level is so demanding that more than 50% of the children are learning at the Pre-school and Primary level.  To meet the ever growing demand for admitting more children this year the school has undergone’ an extension of the building for class rooms and halls, by adding another floor to the existing structure.  Toilets have been renovated for providing better hygienic and healthy environment along with special provision for cool drinking water.

This year the children of Deepalaya School have provided glimpses of our endeavors on various platforms like Kala Arpan, Maitree Shree, Abhinaya Drawing competitions, All India UNESCO Test etc.  This school offers a sample of the  composite approach of Deepalaya in educating children from disadvantaged  communities.  Although underprivileged these children have been fortunate to Fly a Fantasy flight on the eve of New Year, An expendition to Himalayas for Trekking and Cricketing, a journedyto South India for Drawing, Painting and debating competitions.  This school is specially caring for the integration of disabled children with nearly 20 children attending school as a special wing.  Positive discrimination is practiced to enroll more Girls in this School and nearly 49% of the students are Girl Children.
DEEPALAYA – SOUTH  DELHI  PROJECT

South Delhi Project is another Program of unique character and kind.  Located in the South Delhi area, around 9 slum clusters in Okhla Industrial Area are  serviced by this project.  This multi partner Project with Integrated Community Development activities is a unified programme in diversity, for the betterment of the children, their families and communities living in these slum clusters.

The year 1996-97 saw a phenomenal growth in various sectors.  Due to participatory approach adopted by this unit, and through the process of Planning  Cum  Micro Realisation, active community participation was obtained.  This action has resulted in a quantum jump of establishing 51 Community Based Remedial Education Centres for  Government School children.  Community based social entrepreneurs were trained for providing these services to Middle School children whose parents are mostly illiterates. The limitation of admitting children in  Deepalaya   School is overcome by training Non-school going children in the age group of 6-14 years through Non-formal centres and Pre-school children in the  age group of 3-5 years through Balwadies and preparing them for admission in Government Schools.  Around 445 students were prepared to confidently join the Government/Private Schools.  All the nine locations are facilitated with Community Based temporary structures as local  learning centre s.  This has helped approximately 4600 children to regularly take educational inputs in the community where  even basic shelter for living is inadequate.  Simultaneously Health Centres are operated  through active participation of Community Health Workers.  During this year 15,093 children were provided with Pulse Polio immunization in a special drive organised by Delhi Administration.  A healthy network with AIIMS, Ranbaxy, Cheshire Home, TB Association, Indian Environment Society and Delhi commonwealth Welfare Association has accelerated the health activities.  Consultancy, Training, curative and promotive health services are made available. South Delhi project is identifying handicapped and disabled children for integrating with the mainstream in partnership with spastic society of Northern India.  It is initiating a Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programme.  Under health sector emphasis is given to awareness on AIDS, Sanitation and Hygiene and special drives are organised for clean surroundings.

Community based organisation are nurtured with women trained to play active role in decision making bodies.  Special programs for their active participation is organised . Girl Child project, Skill Training Units, Thrift and credit for women, mother and child care centres are a few examples.
DEEPALAYA PLAN PROJECT

The Deepalaya PLAN project was started in West Delhi as the largest Integrated Development Project of Deepalaya in 1986 in partnership with PLAN International.  Over the years the strategic changes have reshaped the development process from a service  delivery mode to a self sustaining community based project.  In a decisive decision to withdraw from Projects serviced by Deepalaya inten to twelve years the process of Phase-out was  initiated. 33 clusters at Khyala, Raghubir  Nagar, Kirti Nagar, Naraina  and Tagore Garden areas are in phase-out process.  New areas were brought under – phase-in through a strategy of Planning Cum Micro Realisation (P.C.M.R) which inother words is empowering and sensitizing the poor towards self help groups right from the beginning of intervention.

The task of enabling 33 clusters (CBO’s) towards a self reliant, self managed, self sufficient community based organisation is the primary objective of Deepalaya PLAN Project as the deadline to phase-out by 1998 closes in.  In this direction 1996-97 was loaded with training and inputs to community members for clearer understanding of programs and  Action Plans.

Training to improve the service delivery activities of CBO’s in Education and Health Drinking water were held.  Workshops for better understanding of Accounting procedures, Purchase, Stock taking and inventory management were organised.  As is the practice of leadership, one up manship is being replaced by consistent  emphasis for democratic processes by creating awareness among families.  Establishing Model Remedial Education Centre managed by CBO’s through qualitative improvement in physical environment, record keeping, parent teacher associations. To mark the progress made by these CBO’s Pragarti’96 was organised to celebrate community based achievements during the year.  The achievement of 10 CBO’s participating in Total Literacy Campaign has also been recognised by the Delhi Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and awarded with prizes. Training programs for community health workers in Nutrition and  Reproductive  Health , AIDS awareness etc were specially organised. A breakthrough in the area is the participation of Males in Family Planning Program  for the first time, a sign of changing attitudes. The introduction of social entereneurs as the trained Human resource within communities is gaining acceptance for educating  children. In order to motivate and encourage higher  learning, scholarships have been provided to children  in 10th and 12th standards. Special programs like Teachers Day National Festival and exposure trips for children and community members were also organised.

Phasing-in simultaneously with Phase-out in  new  areas are undertaken to keep the balance of programme size and out each.  The experience of Deepalaya intervention for community Development is being applied to the various situations.  In the Phase-in project the community members are trained not to receive a  fish but how to catch a  fish?  This approach is practiced from the very beginning of intervention and the experience has been encouraging. As a result with minimum financial inputs and considerable organisational support self help values are inculcated and activities are undertaken.

As the Phase-out projects are progressing towards empowerment and self sustenance the Phase-in project units will follow the same path  leading the community towards self reliance.
DEEPALAYA CORPORATE OFFICE

The Corporate Office is operating as the think thank of Deepalaya and the co-ordinating and converging point of different units and programmes. Established to formulate and administer policy of Deepalaya and guide Project/Programme units, the Chief Executive of Deepalaya and a support team of financial, Administrative and Program Managers  function in this unit.  The main objectives are Recruitment and placement of staff, Program planning, guiding and monitoring, Feed back reporting to Funding Agencies, Fulfilling statutory requirements, Ensure proper utilization of funds, Manage growth and development of Deepalaya and providing, organisational support and strength to Project units in Programme   Planning , Implementation, Administration, Internal audit and resource mobilisation.

During the year 1996-97 the Corporate Office was actively involved in providing effective direction, designing organisational growth, adding diversified program areas, management of finance, disbursement of resources and providing effective leadership and control to project units.
DEEPALAYA COMMUNICATION DIVISION

Communication plays a vital role in improving the image of our work and help capitalize on the credibility and  reputation through soliciting solidarity, philanthropy and altruism.  This unit was established in 1990 with the aim of Communication to the outside world about  Deepalaya’s efforts.  The Communication

Division Function as as the umbilical chord of Deepalaya bringing in people closer to Deepalaya and to one another in the mission of Deepalaya.

Communication Division is a unique effort  of  Deepalaya to raise funds at low costs within the country and to build a broad based domestic support which not only build public awareness but wide ranging participation in fund raising   efforts.

During the year 1996-97 the following areas and strategies were explored with success and to progressively lead Deepalaya towards self reliance and self sustenance.
Special Achievements:

Few Donation boxes are placed in leading chemists shops, hotels, departmental stores, ice cream parlors and garment  shops.  These have been sources of regular income and also gives an opportunity for the organisation to communicate its mission and objectives  to people at large through these chain of outlets.

Shop N Share:

An innovative fund raising venture was launched with some of the leading retail outlets to help Deepalaya by means of asking Rs.2/- from each customer per purchase. It was inaugurated with wide publicity and glamour, through participation of leading celebrities from the field of cinema, politics, sports, fashio and art.
“ON AIR WITH MALLIKA”

A TV chat show to sensitize the issue on child labour was anchored by Ms.Mallika Sara Bai on a popular TV Channel Home TV.
20 Deepalaya school children participated in a Radio Broadcast with Samshir Luthra on “Time FM Das se Gyara” program to mark the 50th Independence Day.  46 children from Deepalaya school were treated to a flight of fantasy-courtesy British Airways to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of UNICEF
DEEPALAYA- NATIONAL OPEN SCHOOL

As an autonomous Institution, National Open School was established in 1989 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India to offer Academic, General and Vocational programs up to Pre-Degree level.  It is also empowered to hold its own exams and certify students who qualify for external examination.

Deepalaya was accredited to National Open School in t he year 1993 with the aim of helping
students to acquire  credible  certificates at the  Secondary, Senior Secondary and Vocational Program. The year 1996-97   was specially given to consolidating and revamping this program by including National Open School as a part of Deepalaya Development Strategy.  The dynamic character of the learning program provides the appropriate environment for educating children outside the conventional schools and colleges through a specially designed self study program.
Special Achievement:

1. During the last academic session 499 students took admission in Secondary and senior  Secondary  Courses.
2. 12 students in Secondary course and 6 students in Senior Secondary course have successfully
completed their academic courses. Additionally, 22 students were certified in Refrigeration and  Air-conditioning Trades.
3. One student has joined ITI,Hari Nagar for Electronics Training and one student has been admitted  to 11th standard course of Government senior  Secondary School
4. Vocational Courses for Air conditioning, Refrigeration, Sewing, Tailoring and Dress  Designing,
Library Attendant, Library Clerks has been provided to 53 students.
5 Personal Contract  Program  were organised for nearly 489 students in South Delhi and West Delhi  areas.
6. Linkages were established for additional training in the following trades:  Dress Designing,  SecretTimes New Roman Practice, Beauty Culture, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning, Radio. T.V  and Cable, T V
Technician, Electrical, Library Courses with the cooperation of Urvi Vikram  Ch aritable Trust,  Samuel Foundation, SGTB Industrial Training Institute and Shramik Vidya Peeth.
RAMDITTI  J.R NARANG DEEPALAYA SCHOOL

This School began with two children in January 1995.  As on March 1997 the number of children on the rolls has ascended to 231. A Unique & Special feature of this project is the blending of Corporate and Social strengths to bring into the development fold our country’s poorest of the poor – As the name suggest, Ramditti JR Narang is a Business house trust with a philanthropic accent to their growth and profits.  The program started with a survey of the slums in the Panchsheel Area for qualitative  and  quantitative inputs.  On identifying the location, the Project has been formulated in two parts:

1 The School Project Ramditti JR Narang – Deepalaya School.
2 The Community Project.

The concept of this Primary School located in an area surrounded with slums is to provide quality education to children whose parents are illiterate even in their  mother tongue.  The school   creates an environment for learning so that the children like to come  to school The school provides a broad based education to ensure holistic development of the child by combining extra curricular  activities with  academic inputs.  This school enrolls children of the poor below the poverty line. Here the Girl Child enrollment is nearly 50% which is the outcome of continuos interaction and starting the special afternoon shift as these Girls Baby sit in the morning.

Community Project:  The work of the school precedes the Community Project, it actively interacts with the community through PTA meetings, House visits as well as, Informal  discussions which created a certain amount of motivation in the community. Thus 11 women, 20 teenage Girls and 10 men have joined the Adult literacy program in December 1996 and January 1997, this school had assisted the Government in its efforts to eradicate Polio through Pulse Polio Campaign.  Counseling  and  constant meeting for  Marital discord, Alcoholism, Wife battering, Drugs, Environment, sanitation and Hygiene are simultaneously addressed by conscientising the community and moblising women.
PILOT  PROJECT – STREET AND WORKING CHILDREN

This project is conceived primarily to ameliorate the plight of Street and Working Children – a very hard hit category of children who as a result of their situational placement are leading  a   life full of neglect, abuse and exploitation.

Around 100 children were identified in ”Banana Godown” at Azadpur Village, West Delhi. Here these young children sweat and toil to unload rows after rows of Banana stalks brought to Delhi by Goods trains.  While they go on to carry them to the waiting Trucks for further transpiration to the wholesale markets, they even  receive harsh beating from fruit dealers. Truck drives oreven Police personnel. Most of them actually sleep on the platform without shelter or civic facilities. Having to lead a life of uncertainty and constant threat, reaching succor to these children is a complex issue as they have suffered  a lot at the hands of adults.  To strike that elusive chord Deepalaya has  added string, by involving these  children in the annual cultural events like Maitree Shree & Abhinaya.

This is in consonance with our mission. Tofoster a healthy and appropriate environment for the development of disadvantaged children who are denied the;

DEEPALAYA SCHOOL – GOVINDPURI

This dream Project exclusively for the deprived children is virtually becoming true with the basement and ground floor nearly  completed during this year. The auspicious launch to this Mega project began with the laying of foundation stone by Honorable Lt. Governor of Delhi Shri.P.K.Dave on 24th August 1996.

Located conveniently to provide educational services to nearly 2500 children, this school is accessible to nearly nine surrounding slum clusters of South Delhi area with an overall population of 55145. This centre is envisaged as the main school school for higher and comprehensive learning in areas of academic and vocational courses. It will serve as the nucleus school for children in the communities. As the construction is in progress, in the true spirit of its work and mission. Deepalaya continues to serve the poor, by organising a Non-Formal Education for 6-14 years old and  a day Care centre for the toddlers at the School Construction site.

Approved Under Section 35 AC. Act of Income Tax. Deepalaya has  raised Rs.175101/- during this financial year. Our unceasing efforts are continued by approaching more donors, and  partners to accomplish this project by year 1998.

LINKAGES

A. Education:
a. State Resource Centre, Jamia Milia Islamia.
b. Direct Institute  for Education and Training (DIET)
c. Bal Bhawan.
d. National Open School (NOS).
e. National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT).
f. Dept.of NCT of Delhi for Total Literacy  Campaign.
g. Ministry of HRD for Non Formal Education.
h. National Book Trust.
I. UN Information Centre.

B. CULTURE:
a. National School of Drama.
b. Nehru Bal Samiti
c. Ms.Rasika Khanna } Classical Dances.
d. Mrs.Madhumita Ray }
e. “The Family” for Carols.

C. HEALTH:
a. AIIMS Community Extension Service.
b. RP Centre for Opthalmic Sciences.
c. Cheshire Home.
d. Cancer Society of India
e. Indian Medical Association.
f. Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI)
g. Christian Medical Centre.
h. Indian Chest Institute.
I. Indian Red Cross Society.
j. NGO AIDS Cell AIIMS.
k. Delhi TB Association.
l. Marie Stopes Clinic.
m. Delhi Council for Child Welfare.
n. Malaria Research Centre.
o. Delhi Commonwealth wives Association.
p.  MCD TB Centre.
q. Ranbaxy Community Health Services.
r. Department of Health, MCD.
s. Venu Charitable Eye Institute.

D. NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS:
a. Mobile Creches.
b. Katha Kazana
c. ACCORD.
d. Love and Care.
e. Indian Environment Society.
f. Spastic Society of Northen India.
g. Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.
h. NGO Forum for Street and Working Children.
I. Directorate of Social Welfare.
j. Campaign against Child Labour.
k. Asia Pacific  Forum for Child Welfare.
l. VRIDHI
m. ISI, New Delhi.

E. OTHERS:
a. Sminu Jindal Trust.
b. Ramditti Jeevanda Ram Narang Trust.
c. Cambridge School, Srinivaspuri.
d. Kalka Public School,
e. Apeejay School.
f. Ms.Laila Kabir -English Conversation.
g. Ms.Rosic Capey – Penfriend.
h. Ms.Goll Sandy – Penfriend.
I. Ms.Meghna Prasad –  Oregami & English Conservation.
j. Urvi Vikram Charitable Trust.
k. SGTB Industrial Training Institute.
l. Prabha Institute for Candle Making.
SPECIAL MENTION
Deepalaya Gram Complex:

Deepalaya Gram Complex is envisaged to provide services to 3000 street and working children in a span of 10 years. A comprehensive project proposal is submitted to DDA (Delhi Development Authority) with a copy to Directorate of Social Welfare, Govt. of NCT to obtain 5 acres of land to realize this Dream Project  for Street and Working Children.

Activity Highlights

Linkages Established

1. NGO Forum for Working and street Children, Delhi.
2. Directorate of Social welfare, NCT of Delhi.
3. Campaign against child Labour, Central Secretariat, Bombay
4. APFCW – Asia Pacific Forum for child welfare.

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS 1997

articulars