Project Details | Asha for Education

HWSTVAPSS - Savidya Upasamati

Project Brief: The Savidya Upasamiti project has adopted 7 schools (4 primary, 2 middle and 1 vocational school) benefitting 680 children in the Champawat district of Uttaranchal. The parents of most students are agricultural workers or daily labourers.
Project Type: Formal Schools (description)
Primary Focus: creating resources (description)

Secondary Focus: vocational training

Area: Rural
Supporting Chapter Contact: Silicon Valley

Project Contacts

Status: completed - sustainable
Project Steward: Chadramouli Ganesan
Project Partner(s): Hari Bist
Other Contacts: Anamika Batra
Project Address: , c/o Prof. Hari Bist,14-35, GB Pant Marg,Haldwani,
Uttaranchal 263141
Tel: 91 8941032868
Stewarding Chapter: Silicon Valley

Funding History

Jun 2020	Silicon Valley	USD 15691
Oct 2019	Silicon Valley	USD 16569
Dec 2018	Silicon Valley	USD 7129
Aug 2018	Silicon Valley	USD 7294
Sep 2017	Silicon Valley	USD 23589
Jun 2015	Silicon Valley	USD 14861
Nov 2014	Silicon Valley	USD 15611
May 2014	Silicon Valley	USD 15012
Nov 2013	Silicon Valley	USD 14672
Feb 2013	Silicon Valley	USD 14889
May 2012	Silicon Valley	USD 15370
Nov 2010	Silicon Valley	USD 22237
Apr 2010	Silicon Valley	USD 22177
Nov 2009	Silicon Valley	USD 22136
Apr 2009	Silicon Valley	USD 20660
May 2008	Silicon Valley	USD 21992
Jan 2008	Silicon Valley	USD 22865
Feb 2007	Silicon Valley	USD 8160
Sep 2006	Silicon Valley	USD 7775
Jan 2006	Silicon Valley	USD 3154
Sep 2005	Silicon Valley	USD 3188
Sep 2005	Stanford	USD 800

Total = $315831

Project Description

Uttaranchal is one of the newest states of the Indian Union, and one of the poorest too. The district of Champawat is located in the south-eastern part of the state, along the border with Nepal. In the rural hilly areas, the schools are not always equipped to handle the number of students in terms of teachers and infrastructure. There is the problem of student retention, as the parents sometimes cut short their children's education and involve them in the house or work. As the students go towards higher classes, they are not equipped with the skill sets which can enable them to lead a decent life - ie. vocational skills are not imparted to the students. This is an important requirement, as the economic oppurtunities in the region are not plentiful.

The Savidya Upasamiti, with Asha's help, shall work with the schools - primary, middle and high - in the district and improve the teaching facilities to encourage students to complete their education, and enable them with the necessary skills to lead a decent and dignified life.

In 2005-06, the project "adopted" a primary school in the Kulethi village, and augmented the school resources by building a new classroom, a library and a playground, and adding three new teachers, distributing school uniforms and study kits to all children and by organizing bi-annual health camps. The Kulethi school also became the first primary school in the hilly regions to introduce computer education. The efforts resulted in: (a) an increase in enrollment (from 52 to 98), (b) appointment of a teacher for every class, (c) reduced drop-out rates and increaseed student attendance.

Encouraged by the project's success, Asha and Savidya decided to expand the project. In 2006-07, two more schools were included - a middle school in Dungra Sethi and a primary school in Haldwani, thereby benefiting 338 children. As in the first year, additional teachers were appointed to all the schools. Health camps were organized, and school uniforms and study kits were distributed to the students. Savidya organized numerous interactions between students, parents/guardians and teachers, and also organized "learning trips" for the students to local government and private institutions. Savidya's efforts have received wide publicity, and a steady stream of local and state leaders have visited the school to learn how a model educational system can be established.

Following two years of learning and success, Asha and Savidya have embarked on a multi-pronged initiative to create a comprehensive educational framework. In 2007-08, the project proposes to:
(a) Expand the Support-A-School program to include 6 schools (4 primary and 2 middle schools)
(b) Establish a Learning Resource Center to enable learning in a group setting and in an interactive manner
(c) Organize teacher training workshops to train teachers from schools that are not covered by the project
(d) Organize meetings and lectures to increase awareness among the parents and the community regarding education and other rights
(e) Establish a Vocational Educational Program

Nearly 680 children are expected to be covered under the project. More details are presented in the project proposal for 2007-08. The reports from previous years detail the project's accomplishments and also contain many photos.

Sign leading to the Prathamic Pathashala, Kulethi village. The board reads:
Model Primary School Project, Kulethi Village (Champawat), supported by Savidya Upasamiti of HWSTVAPSS (Darah village, Champawat), with financial support from Asha Silicon Valley USA

Photos from the project

National Science Day celebrations in Champawat organised by Savidya on 28 Feb 2008

Health camp organized at the Govt. Primary School, Haldwani, on 3 May 2008

Project Goals

In addition to the items mentioned above, this project has a short-term and long-term vision.

Short-term goals include:
1. Improve the student-teacher ratio by hiring additional qualified teachers
2. Collaborate with the school and the community to reduce drop-out rates and increase student enrolment
3. Involve the local community in monitoring the teaching in the schools and help to improve school infrastructure

Long-term goals include:
1. Create a model educational structure which covers primary, middle and high schools.
2. Establish vocational training programs in the schools to train students in various practical technical skills.
3. Interact with the Govt. of Uttaranchal to replicate this model in other schools in the district/state.

Organization Description

The Himalaya Water Service Tatha Vikas Avam Paryavaran Sanrakshan Samiti (HWSTVAPSS) was started in 1988 to help solve the water problems in the villages of Champawat district. The Savidya Upasamiti was established in 2004. The Upasamiti was initially involved in providing scholarships to the poor school-going children to facilitate their studies. It also provided some scholarships to the youth to undertake professional training and participate in workshops.

Additional Information

Project Documents