kolkata is the capital of the indian state of west bengal
TRANSCRIPT
Sl.No.
Program Running No. of beneficiary receive support in the year 2009-2010
No. of Beneficiary receive support in the year 2010-2011 (till December 2010)
Proposed Budget 2011-2012 Cost per Beneficiary(€)
01. Education 354 379 37 € 02. Nutritious food to
malnourished children
450 131
03. Medical Facilities 3397 4562
2.43 €
Total No. of beneficiary receive support
4201 5072
Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in eastern
India on the bank of the River Hooghly and with a population exceeding 15
thmillion; Kolkata is India's second largest city and the world's 14 largest
metropolitan area. One of the iconic symbols of Kolkata is the bridge across the
river Hooghly better known as “Howrah Bridge”. The bridge connects the twin
cities of Kolkata and Howrah and is a symbol for millions of rural poor trying to
escape poverty in their villages. The Howrah Railway Station and the Head
quarters of Eastern Railways, connects Kolkata to all parts of India through its
vast network of tracks crisscrossing the entire country. Even though it is the
second largest city, appropriate infrastructure has not been developed in the last
century. As a result, Howrah is continuing to face its perennial problems like
traffic congestion, population explosion and pollution. The railway unloads
thousands of migrants daily who eventually settle down in the numerous slums
and settlements. A large section of this population remains homeless, living on
pavements and temporary shelters along drains and under bridges. It is
estimated that about 20% of the population of Howrah live in slums and various
unauthorized settlements. These slums and settlements while scattered
throughout are highly concentrated along the western and northern parts of the
city. The reason for the high concentration of slums and settlements in the
western and eastern parts of the city was the traditional presence of high
industrial activity in these areas of the city. Ship-building, Jute, Textiles and
manufacturing industries proliferated, attracting cheap labour from the vast
hinterland who settled down in these areas and made Kolkata and Howrah
important livelihoods destinations.
thFor the well being of the slum dwellers on 19 May 2009 in partnership with Goal
India we have started a Project named as “Integrated Development Program for
the Poor living in Slums and Settlements of Howrah”.
The project focused on Health and Education of slums in Howrah District. The places
of operation are: Tikiapara opposite of Big Bazar (Banjara Bastee) which falls under
Howrah Municipality Ward No. 22 which consist of 250 households of 1500
populations and Bhagar Bastee near big garbage dump under Howrah Municipality
vide ward number 8 which consist of 650 households with 3900 population.
The project runs since May 2009 but unfortunately partnership agreement with no
longer due to some unavoidable circumstances of policy formulation depends on
Community need and relating terms and condition adopted for the interest of
beneficiaries.
So, the agreement has been terminated with Goal India and we faced terrible trouble
with stressful situation but not stopped at all. Considering the rapid demand of
poorest of the poor beneficiaries indeed increased our double effort for
implementation of the project. This pen picture scenario and felt need of the slum
dwellers inspired the team as well as empathetic support from our beloved well
wisher (AVTM, France) took the new shape of the project under named
th stDevelopment of Slums since 6 August 2009 and the project work effect from 1
September 2009 under auspices of AVTM, France.
More or less the economic condition of the slums belongs
to the poorest of the poor class due to close down of heavy
engineering and other industries and thousands lost their
only source of livelihood both directly and indirectly. Among
them some people are working as laborers, sweepers who
are engaged in sweeping, picking, van pulling, maid
servant and some of them work as a middle man and their
per day income ranges from Rs. 40 to Rs 150. All the
people of above-mentioned categories are recognized as
workers of unorganized sectors. Generally, most of them
used to live in jhupri, footpath, a very few of them lives in
shops and hotel where they are working on the road side
(especially found in Tikiapara Banjhara Basti) as poverty
and nature of their work compel them to live in bare
minimum space and in absence of basic amenities. People
of Banjara Bastee at Tikiapara spend their life style by
profession begging, singing & people of Bagar Bastee near
big dump at Belgachia spend their life style by profession
picking & sweeping. The combined condition both working
place and home needs to be the greatest gains in
information, motivation, behavioural skills and behaviour.
Moreover, many of them specially the youth are forced to
participate to involved anti-social activities and they are
exploited by the older one to behave as it.
Though they are staying away from their native places, they are
maintaining all their tradition, cultural heritage and inter-personal
relation intact similar to their native village. They are very
orthodox, close door regarding their culture and habit.
As the slum area consist of mixed culture and mixed communities so
there lives different category of people. Some are from Bihar
community who speaks in Hindi, Bhojpuri and Maitheli. Where as
some are from Orissa community who speaks in Oriya, UP people
used to speak Hindi, Assam people speaks assamiya and minority
communities of different states used to speak Urdu.
The festivals which are celebrated by those communities are Chhat
Puja, Kali Puja, Holi, Shivaratri, Rajaparba, Ravanabodh, Ganesh
Puja and Common festivals like Rakhi Bandhan, New Year etc.
Children appeared to be happy souls screaming and running around
and play until the last drop of energy is exhausted. Have food in open
ground and sleep under the stars. There is no homework, no school,
no exams just picking garbage, most of the teenager are engaged
themselves as a maid servant, factory labor, begging, doing hawker
in the train compartment, without thinking to devote their valuable
time for going to school due to extreme level of poverty.
Most of them are indulged in addiction of Alcohol, Ganja, Heroine and
other sedatives.
Most of the people are affected with Tuberculosis, skin disease,
Malaria, Jaundice, Diarrhea and other water borne disease.
Alcoholism is rampant and both males and females are addicted to
illicitly produce home liquor. Most of the young migrated are
habituated with multisex and frequent habit to visit commercial sex
worker which implies risk of acquiring HIV and also STI.
The project has started in two slums areas of Howrah District, one is at Tikiapara and the second one is at Belgachia with the target population around 5400 beneficiaries
under auspices of Les Amis Des Villages Du Tiers Monde (AVTM, France) and part of it is supported by Pierre and Sylvie Jacot, Switzerland.
With your kind support now the program are running in full phase and lots of beneficiaries are thankful to receive the support. Now the slum dwellers living over there are
becoming aware about education as well as about health related problem.
At first the Health clinic and education program was running in the
local club and under the tree which was very difficult for us to run.
Then with the approval of the donor two multipurpose centres were
constructed and were inaugurated on 1st December 2009.
The first one is at Uttar Bantra Banjara Bastee at Tikiapara railway
station. The centre was inaugurated by Sri Samir Das, an influential
community social activist came from khudra Kutir Silpa, Department,
Govt. of West Bengal. Around 1000 local people including 133
children, 400 health beneficiaries and 500 local people had attended
the ceremony.
The other one is at Bhagar Bastee at Belgachia. The centre was
inaugurated where at least 3000 community people including 212
school drops out students attended the ceremony and make the day
graceful.
Children in the target population need non formal education and among adults literacy is far
above the ground. Access to Government education schemes is also poor across the
population. Parents of the learners are innocent and live under poor economic strata. Most
of them depend on big garbage. The new generation along with their parents goes to
Bhagar as their day to day living for easy earning. They choose garbage picking, begging
and other related works. Mainstreaming and regularizing children in school going age
accessed coaching centre for 6 days in a week. The team member picks up the learners to
attend coaching centre regularly or involved with government education at nearest schools.
Total numbers of student attend the coaching = 379
Class wise distribution of the Beneficiaries in the centre
No. of children admitted in other school = 55
Sl.No. Name of the
Centre
Pre-
Primary
Class I Class II Class
III
Class
IV
Class V Class
VI
01 Tikiapara
Banjhara Bastee
72 39 30 09 08 17 07
02 Belgachia
Bhagar Bastee
80 55 29 16 10 06 01
Tikiapara Banjhara Bastee Belgachia Bhagar Bastee
Girls Boys Total Girls Boys Total
97 85 182 89 108 197
Malnutrition is one of the major causes of disability and permanent impairment. If
diagnosed and treated timely, it can save children and improve their physical and mental
conditions to a great extent, thereby helping them to improve the standards of their lives
and livelihood. Asha Bhavan Centre with the help of AVTM, France had taken an initiative
to identify vulnerable children suffering from acute malnutrition and supplement nutritional
intake so as to bring them out of potential danger and build their physical and mental
health. ABC has been supporting malnourished children to recover to a path of healthy life.
Age wise classifications of the malnourished children from April 2010 to November 2010:
Children Degree of Malnutrition Age
Boys Girls Total A B C D
0-6 months 02 02 04 00 02 02 00
7 months – 1 year 13 10 23 09 05 09 00
13 months – 1 ½ year 12 08 20 04 09 06 01
1 Yr. 7 months – 2 yrs. 14 15 29 07 10 08 04
2 yrs. 1 month - 2½ yrs. 08 02 10 02 03 03 02
2 yrs. 7 months – 3 yrs. 09 10 19 01 16 02 00
3 yrs. 1 month - 3½ yrs. 01 03 04 00 02 01 01
3 yrs. 7 months – 4 yrs. 06 10 16 01 06 07 02
4 yrs. 1 months – 5 yrs. 03 01 04 00 02 01 01
5 yrs. 1 months – 6 yrs. 02 00 02 00 00 01 01
TOTAL 70 61 131 24 55 40 12
As of April 2010-
December 2010 Normal Children Degree of Malnutrition
Age Boys Girls Total A B C D
0 – 6 months 02 02 04 00 02 02 00
7 months – 1 year 13 10 23 09 05 09 00
13 months – 1½ years 12 08 20 04 09 06 01
1 Yr. 7 months – 2 yrs. 14 15 29 07 10 08 04
2 yrs. 1 month - 2½ yrs. 08 02 10 02 03 03 02
2 yrs. 7 months – 3 yrs. 09 10 19 01 16 02 00
3 yrs. 1 month - 3½ yrs. 01 03 04 00 02 01 01
3 yrs. 7 months – 4 yrs. 06 10 16 01 06 07 02
4 yrs. 1 months – 5 yrs. 02 01 03 00 02 00 01
5 yrs. 1 months – 6 yrs. 01 00 01 00 00 01 00
TOTAL 68 61 129 24 55 39 11
Disabled Children Degree of Malnutrition
Age Boys Girls Total A B C D
4yrs 1 months – 5 yrs 01 00 01 00 00 01 00
5 yrs 1 months – 6 yrs 01 00 01 00 00 00 01
TOTAL 02 00 02 00 00 01 01
Age-wise classification of normal malnourished children:
Classification of Disabled Malnourished Children
Develop health seeking behaviour reduced morbidity and hygienic environment,
proper medical intervention, sanitation and sharing knowledge about water
borne diseases, knowledge relating reproductive child health, prenatal and post
natal care, proper housing approaching to house drainage system launched
health clinics by general physician for 3 days in a week. More than 100 patients
regularly come for treatment of common illness like (water and vector borne
diseases, STIs, skin disease) and receive high quality medicine at free of cost.
Even Linkages with government health department and other agencies were
also made especially for DOTS (course of treatment for tuberculosis) and other
programs. With support from Pierre and Sylvie Jacot we are able to provide
medical support to the beneficiaries.
No. of Patient attended the clinic = 4562
Sl.No. Name of the Centre Male Female Total 01 Tikiapara Banjhara Bastee 678 1092 1770 02 Belgachia Bhagar Bastee 1274 1518 2792
In those slum areas the people living over here are illiterate and they
are totally unaware about health and hygiene. To sensitize the
community regarding their health, hygienic, education, disability,
family planning, AIDS etc our team members organize Awareness
program along with the community members. Especially with the
mothers and also with the youth. 4 community Sensitization
programs were organized.
No. of people attended the program = 181
Alternative means of livelihood skills and knowledge development
to address for families focusing on adolescents and youths women
enhancement on existing trades providing vocational training
especially tailoring and sewing activities for joint intervention among
the target communities. Unacceptable means of livelihood such as
begging, extracting metal from water, garbage picking etc. and
gradually involvement of children in these activities for betterment of
catchments beneficiaries.
No. of beneficiary = 20
Children are the building bricks of a nation. If we do not
build their character today it will be reflected in future.
Sports are a way for the children and it is the way to build
the spirit of healthy competition within the children. Thus
we always honor the need for sports for the students and
to fulfill this need on 9th February 2011 Annual sports meet
was organized for the children of Development of Slums
project at Belgachhia Bhagar Bastee. The colourful day
was inaugurated by our Honorable General Physician Mr.
Chanchal Ranjan Bandyopdhyay. About 300 students
participated in various events i.e. 200 mtr run, frog jump,
Yogasan, Spoon & Marble race, Memory Race, Musical
Chair etc. Even parents of all the children and the staff
attended the 'Hari- Bhanga' competition with full
enthusiasm. In such a back ward society the sports meet
inspire all the participants and each and everybody
enjoyed every moment of the day. In the last session of the
day prizes and certificates were distributed to the winners
of all the events. The gala day was ended in the evening
but we hope that we will try to build the spirit of
sportsmanship for the students in future also.
Korina, 8 years old girl lives with her
parents at Tikiapara Banjhara Bastee
of Howrah District. Her father is the
only earning member of the family
who earn day to day living by
repairing Burner and mother earn
some money by begging inside the
public places associated with
Korina's little sister. Altogether there
are 12 members in the family who live
in a thatched house with mess
bamboo. In spite of poverty Korina
pays attention to study so she
regularly comes to the coaching
centre and receives education. She is
very good in her studies and also do
all the assignments regularly
attentively. Inspite of this she is a very
good dancer and also she can sing
very well. She has an aim to become
a teacher in near future. The aim in life
most possib le selected wi th
observing daily behavior and way of
teaching of our team members.
Korina Khatun
Place for bathing andwashing clothes
Kitchen of Korina’s family
Korina with herfamily members
House they live
Suraj a boy of 2 yrs old live with his
parents in Belgachia Bhagar Bastee. His
father is the only earning member of the
family who earn by working as a factory
labour. Altogether there are 6 members
lived in a thatched house. His father is an
intoxicated person. He spends all the
money which he earns in liquor. Suraj's
elder brother is engaged in garbage
picking and he takes his brother along
with him. Due to poverty it was very
difficult for his mother to provide sufficient
food to Suraj. Day by day he was
becoming thinner and thinner. Our field
worker visited their house and informed
his mother to bring her baby in the health
clinic. On hearing this Suraj's mother
brings her baby in the clinic on 2nd
February 2010 and from then onwards
the baby receives nutrient milk from our
health clinic regularly. Now his weight
has been little bit improved. In spite of
this parent counseling is also on
progress.
House they lived
Suraj with his mother
Suraj with his family members
Suraj’s kitchen
Suraj Sharma
Suman a boy of 5 years old lives with his
mother in his grand father's house at
Belgachia Bhagar Bastee. His father
divorced his mother and remarried and
lives with his new family at Delhi.
Suman's grand mother earns their day
to day living by picking garbage and
selling them in the market and his
grandfather earns by doing hawkery
which is very difficult for them to
manage their day to day living. Suman's
mother has a dream to make his child a
good citizen. So, she sends her son to
our coaching centre regularly. Suman is
very sincere in his studies and regularly
does his home- task. Suman has a
brother who is a malnourished child. Her
mother brings her younger son regularly
to the health clinic for health check up
and also to receive nutritious food. Even
to live in a better way Suman's mother
works with us to clean the room. They all
are very happy to receive the support
from us.
Infront of the house
The kitchen of Suman’s family
The study place of Suman
Condition of the house
Suman with his mother and brother
Punam a 20 yrs old girl lived with her parents at
Belgachia Bhagar Bastee. At the age of 13 years
she got married in the district of Bihar. After
enjoying one month her husband left her and
went to Delhi. After that he did not return back.
Then Punam rushed to her parents and took
shelter with them. She prepares food for her
family members and collects drinking water from
nearest municipality tap well. Our program
coordinator visited their house and saw that
Punam was very much neglected in her family
and she was very depressed. On seeing this on
6th September 2010 Program Coordinator
informed her to come to the centre to learn some
Vocational training for her livelihood support.
From then onwards she regularly comes to the
centre to learn sewing and knitting including
tailoring with other 19 trainees. She is a learner
but actively dedicated herself in noble
profession. She works hard. Her sincerity and
aptitude towards tailoring is surely be enough
hope to our other beneficiaries. Her presence in
our centre make more enthusiastic and viable to
early progress.
Punam infront ofthe house they lived
Punam with his brother
Punam Paswan
Sanitation
Md. Arbaj a small boy of 7 years old
lived with his family members at
Tikiapara Banjhara Bastee. His father
is unemployed and his mother earn
day to day living by begging which
was very difficult for them to manage
their livelihood. Md. Arbaj used to
spent time by playing cards with his
friends giving and taking money.
Gradually involved with gambling and
meet bad company. One day our
teachers surveyed the village and
came to know about him and bring
him to give non formal education and
then onwards he regularly join with us
to receive education. He is very
sincere in his studies and has an aim
to
Md. Arbaj in front of the house
The kitchen of the family
Family members of Md. Arbaj
Place for washing utensils, clothes, and bath place
Md. Arbaj
Md. Mansur a 12 years old boy lived
with his family members at Tikiapara
Banjhara Bastee. His father is the
only earning member of the family
who earn day to day living by
repairing burner. Md. Mansur use to
spend his childhood by playing goli
(marble) and moving aimlessly. Then
one day our teacher while going to the
centre saw him and brings him in the
centre. On seeing the children
studying over there he got motivated
and decided to study. Since 26th June
2009 he took admission in our centre
and continues to study well. On
seeing his performance our teachers
took him and admitted him in Class II
in the nearby Government school. He
is very happy to get admitted in the
school and also regularly come to
attend Education program to prepare
the lesson and receive guidance. He
is very happy to receive the support.
Md. Mansur Alam
The kitchen of the family
House they lived
Family members infront of the house
Join Us, Join our Movement……….
Asha Bhavan is a movement with a goal of ensuring rights for vulnerable children. This movement cannot sustain or succeed without your active support and cooperation. Join Us and be a part of this wonderful initiative. You can become a partner to our initiative by supporting our projects, sponsoring activities and events or by becoming our volunteer and be productively involved in capacity building and skill enhancement. Visit us, visit our centre. Asha Bhavan is located 45 kms from Central Kolkata city on the National High Way No. 6 on uluberia. Call us, come and be with our children.Asha Bhavan is your home too.