Champa Mahila Samity Visit by Suma Mondal & Arijit ... · Champa Mahila Samity Visit by Suma Mondal & Arijit Tarafdar - July 20th, 2015 The place was in a remote corner of southern

Champa Mahila Samity Visit by Suma Mondal & Arijit Tarafdar - July 20th, 2015

The place was in a remote corner of southern West Bengal about 20 km north of Sunderbans

and the general economic condition of the people in that region seemed to require substantial

help. The infrastructural advantages of any moderately sized town of West Bengal was clearly

missing in the town of Shibgunj. Champa Mahila Samity (CMS) appeared to be doing some

good work in uplifting the conditions of the next generation of the region by promoting

education among the school and some college age students. The founder of the organization

Amal Nayak seemed to be well known in the region and passionate about the cause.

The very first thing we

noticed after we entered

the CMS building was the

gathering of several Non-

Formal Education teachers

(a former project supported

by Asha) from nearby

villages on the first floor of

the building. They were

there since morning to talk

to us about the

continuation of the before

school preparatory tuition

initiative that Asha had

funded earlier. Having not

seen them in their classes

coaching students in their

role, we could not judge

their actual passion for the

cause but they seemed

enough motivated to

continue their role and

want Asha to continue funding. For some the mere allowance per month is a substantial source of sustenance. We

also heard some of them saying they would need continue coaching the students on their own

even if they do not receive funding from Asha since the parents of those students want them

to continue. For some it has been difficult to face the parents’ disappointments and not able

to answer why it stopped or when it would reopen. Some parents continue to even arrive with

their child/children every day. Each center taught about 25-30 kids on average. Some centers

grew really big that they had to appoint 2 teachers. It was not clear to me if it was due to

greater awareness of those parents about the importance of education to get out of the

vicious cycle of poverty or for some other short-term benefit. Whatever be the inspiration, the

enthusiasm of the folks gathered that day to convey their wishes to Asha to continue funding

their project was obvious. Some of them were upset about the sudden decision taken to stop

the program without much communication to them and definitely felt not included in the

process.

Here are the details of the NFE teachers who came to meet us:

NFE School Name with Address Teacher’s Name with Address Contact No.

Ahallya NFE Centre

Vill- Shibganj Majher Para

P.O.- Shibganj, P.S. – Basanti,

South 24 Parganas

Shakuntala Naskar,

Vill- Shibganj Majher Para

P.O.- Shibganj, P.S. – Basanti,

South 24 Parganas

8926485811

Dishari NFE Centre

Vill + P.O.- Mokamberia, P.S. –

Basanti, South 24 Parganas

Kajal Jana

Vill + P.O.- Mokamberia, P.S. –


8768041926

Gadkhali NFE Centre

Vill – Godkhali, P.O.- Masjidbati

P.S. – Basanti, South 24 Parganas

Shrabani Naskar

Vill – Godkhali, P.O.- Masjidbati

P.S. – Basanti, South 24 Parganas

9609414381

Rabithakur NFE Centre

Vill + P.O.- Mathgaran, P.S. –

Basanti

South 24 Parganas.

Shefali Das

Vill + P.O.- Mathgaran, P.S. – Basanti

South 24 Parganas.

7797810641

Srijani NFE Centre

Vill – Mathgaran majher Para

P.O.- Mathgaran, P.S.- Basanti

South 24 Pgs

Manju Sing

Vill – Kanthipara,

P.O.- Mathgaran, P.S.- Basanti

South 24 pgs

9093228787

Maitrye NFE Centre

Vill – Chandrakona, P.O. –

Mathgaran

P.S. – Basanti, South 24 Pgs

Ashma Khan

Vill – Chandrakona, P.O. – Mathgaran


9735376411

Pritilata NFE Centre

Vill + P.O. Sajinatala,


Shila Sau

Vill + P.O. Sajinatala,


8001995236

Kachipata NFE Centre

Vill+ P.O.- Chandkhalimore,

P.S.- Basanti, South 24 Pgs.

Rina Patra

Vill South Mokamberia, P.O.-

Mokamberia,

P.S.- Basanti, South 24 Pgs.

7797654908

Kalidanga Gitanjali NFE Centre

Vill.- Kalidanga, P.S. + P.S.–

Basanti,

Dist – South 24 Parganas

.

Rita Pal

Vill + P.O.- Basanti, P.S. – Basanti,

Dist South 24 Pgs

Mamtaj Molla

Vill + P.O. – Kalidanga , P.S. – Basanti

South 24 Parganas

9332621208

8001288165

Nobodaya NFE Centre

Vill – Ranigarh, P.O.- J.N.Hat,

P.S. – Basanti

South 24 Parganas

Sulata Das

Vill – Ranigarh, P.O.- J.N.Hat,

P.S. – Basanti

South 24 Parganas

8346834308

5 No. Bharatgarh NFE Centre

Vill – 5 No. Bharatgarh,

P.O.- J.N. Hat, P.S –


Subhadra Sarkar Vill – 5 No. Bharatgarh,

P.O.- J.N. Hat, P.S –


9734439863

Ramkrishna NFE Centre

Vill.- Dhasbhanga, P.O.-

Harekrishnapur,Basanti

South 24 Parganas

Ruma Das

Vill.- Dhasbhanga, P.O.- Harekrishnapur

P.S. – Basanti,

South 24 Parganas

9647762409

Jharkhali Sabujayan NFE Centre

Vill – Jharkhali A.K.J. Colony P.O.-

Jharkhali, P.S. – Jharkhali Costal

South 24 Parganas

Jamuna Mondal Vill – Jharkhali A.K.J. Colony P.O.-

Jharkhali, P.S. – Jharkhali Costal

South 24 Parganas

Sabitry Mondal

Vill – Jharkhali A.K.J. Colony P.O.-

Jharkhali, P.S. – Jharkhali Costal, S 24 Pgs

9593455500

8229936689

Indrajit NFE Centre

Vill – Pukurpara, P.O.- Baria,

P.S.- Basanti, South 24 Pgs

Kshitish Mahato

Vill – Pukurpara, P.O.- Baria,

P.S.- Basanti, South 24 Pgs

8697573604

Kishalaya NFE Centre

Vill – Birajnagar, P.O.- Birajnagar.

P.S. – Gosaba, South 24 Pgs

Nandita Adihikeri Vill – Birajnagar, P.O.- Birajnagar.

P.S. – Gosaba, South 24 Pgs

9564365082

Ma Sarada NFE Center

Vill + P.O.- Satyanarayanpur, P.S. –

Gosaba, South 24 Pgs

Bharat Biswas

Vill + P.O.- Satyanarayanpur, P.S. –

Gosaba, South 24 Pgs

9679046540

B.R. Ambedkar NFE Centre

Vill – Haldarpara,

P.O.- Satyanarayanpur

P.S. – Gosaba, South 24 Pgs.

Rita Mondal Vill – Haldarpara,

P.O.- Satyanarayanpur


8670190773

Rani Rasmani NFE Centre

Vill – Mathurakhanda,

P.O.- Amlamethi


Subhadra Paira Vill – Mathurakhanda,

P.O.- Amlamethi


8967895434

Rammohan NFE Centre

Vill – Kandarpara, P.O.- Basanti

South 24 Pgs.

Soma Manna

Vill – Kandarpara, P.O.- Basanti

South 24 Pgs.

9732782717

CMS runs two hostels for boys one of which is especially for differently abled students. The

subproject is know as Special Children and supported by Asha. We visited some of the

differently abled students and spoke to them about their willingness to continue to higher

education and ambition in life in general. We met Prosenjit Das who is attending Baghajatin

College in the suburbs of Kolkata studying History Honors. He mostly commutes to the college

from the area and asked for any help we can provide to cover some of the college expenses

including commute and tuition. We pledged (personally) to support his commute. I believe any

truly enthusiastic student should be supported in their education but I worry on the prospect of

the course of their study. It’s the absence of guidance and resources that gives them less

choice. Since the disability subject is bit sensitive I tried to talk to them about their difficulties.

Some of them were not sure how they were categorized as differently able, so I did not ask any

deeper. In my next visit certainly plan to get more information. Cleanliness is definitely

something that can be improved especially practice of good hygiene needs to be inculcated.

There were 8 boys present out of 11. They do have accommodation for boys with difficulties in

movement. Mostly kids help each other.

The Health Clinic Champabati Sevasadan, run by CMS, is situated adjacent to the main

building. The clinic has facilities to treat small to mid level cases. A doctor visits twice every

month to treat patients. There are trained nurses and “ayas” to take care of the patients in

absence of the doctor. On average about 250 patients visit the clinic every month. Asha

supports only doctor’s remunerations and his commute. The day I visited there was no in-care

patient, though nurses and “ayas” were present.

After lunch at Amalda’s house we went to visit the girls’ school, Sarada Balika Bidyaniketan run

by Champa Mahila Samity which is few blocks away from the boys hostel. The attendance at

the school seemed to be quite high. The school, which has classes until Grade VIII, provides

several facilities to the students including lodging. It was not obvious if the high attendance is

the result of interest for education or availability of daily provision for sustenance. Grade I to

Grade VII classes take place in a long hall type room, the classes were run side by side which

was quite startling since that was not ideal for teaching due to overlap of noises from different

classes, though the teachers seemed to be very competent teaching under such condition.

There were no benches in the classroom and the students were seated on the ground. We then

went to visit Grade VIII on second floor. The room was pretty cramped and suffocating with not

much ventilation. The classroom did not have enough light and no fan connections either.

From there we went to the teachers room which was a very small room occupied by 10-12

people at times with no electric fan. To create comfortable conditions as much as possible is

one of the recommendations I requested them to put in their budget. The teachers took part in

surveys that help me to know them a little better. Outside the classroom they had a bulletin

board maintained by the students. They paste paper cutouts on social awareness topics that

they think must be shared with the students. One of the things that disappointed me was their

lunch menu, which was completely unbalanced with overload of rice and potatoes only. We

then went to cultural hall where all students, teacher and staff gathered. We were introduced

to all by Amalda and it was an opportunity for us to meet and talk to them and getting some of

their perspectives. Some of the students performed dance, which was good but not great if we

compare with outside. They need more training and resources for that. I tried to explain that

they should practice more their vocation of interest and get genuine feedback. I tried to advise

them that when they step out of that place into the real world they should be aware that it

would be very different and very competitive out there.

It appeared that the school requires additional support in at least two areas. First, the

nutritional aspect of the food served to the students need to be improved. I saw lunch menu

included rice, one half of a lightly cooked boiled potato and a boiled egg. The general health of

the students did not appear to be that good. The school cannot afford to include vegetables

and milk in the daily menu. Second, it appeared that even for that economically backward

region, the teachers’ salaries are not that high comparatively. I believe salaries should be

looked into to attract teacher talents. One aspect that needs to be inculcated in the teachers

and students alike is the pursuance for excellence in everything they are pursuing – teaching,

studying or training. That will come from motivation like raising teachers’ salaries and

improving student support. I have recommended increase in these two areas.

Met with the headmaster of SSB (Surendra Smriti Bidhyalaya in Amlamethi), could not visit the

school due to lack of time and flooding in the area.

Weekly Menu:

Day Menu

Monday Rice+Egg

Tuesday Rice+Veg (mostly potato)

Wednesday Rice+Soyabin+ Veg

Thursday Rice+Egg

Friday Rice+ Daal

Saturday Rice+Shrimp+Veg

Veg mostly comprises of potato

**Fish served once a month

Local salary comparison

Govt. High School Head teacher (M.A. Scale) 28,000/- p.m. Govt. High School teacher ( Graduate Scale ) 22,000/- p.m. Office Staff Scale : ‘C’ Group – 16000/- , ‘D’ Group – 14,000/- p.m. Cook ( Mid Day Meal Staff) : Rs . 1500/- p.m. Govt. Primary teacher Scale ;- 15,000/- p.m. Early child Education ( I.C. D.S ) education worker :- 4300/- p.m. NFE – Rs 500 (Proposed Rs 800) Another Seattle-based NGO has set up a coaching facility in the Sunderbans area taught by locals gets paid Rs. 3,000 for 2 hrs. twice a week. CMS

Head Master – Rs 2400 (Proposed 3000) Teacher – 2250 (Proposed 2500) Office Staff – 1600 (Proposed 2000) Cook – 1100 (Proposed 1500)

We came back to the office and asked to show receipts for a sample month for the programs

supported by Asha. I chose July 2014 food cost. It was quite impressive the way they

maintained the books. Looked into their costs and matched with their quarterly report. Took

pictures of all receipts.

This was my first visit to CMS, though a short yet good to experience some of the work done by

them, of which I have been a part for long time. Geographically, politically or economically,

CMS is not an easy project. Then it has its own complexities by over-growing due to local

demand. Though there is lot of potential and hope due to its rawness. Definitely their existence

is more need-based in a survival mode than achieving great things. Some of the staff/teachers

seemed to understand the mission, could feel their constant concern/fear about losing the

support from Asha. They promise to cooperate keeping this project run successfully. Also it’s on

my part that I feel could have supported more.

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Champa Mahila Samity Visit by Suma Mondal & Arijit ... · Champa Mahila Samity Visit by Suma Mondal & Arijit Tarafdar - July 20th, 2015 The place was in a remote corner of southern