Ashreya Charitable Society
August 2013
Impacting individuals, transforming Society No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop, (620 - 560 BC),
“The Lion and the Mouse”
We are back! I mean the Ashreya News letter is back with a much overdue update on the school, our other activities and life in the 'in-betweens' with children. Most of us value our childhood and the joys of school and learning. Here at Ashreya, we find joy in serving children and we try to give shape to their dreams and aspirations. We do not always succeed, nor do all our plans work out. Ashreya Charitable Society presently runs a school for 307 Low Income Group children at Arilova. Besides the school, the Society was running a home for street kids and later for tribal boys. This is now not functioning for lack of real needy children and work with street kids has just resumed. In the past we had provided skill learning opportunities for women at Gajuwaka area and trained over 120 women in dress making and embroidery. We now impart skills to prisoners in the jails at Srikakulam and have started dress making classes for women who seek to earn a livelihood.
Ashreya School The new school year began amid threats of closure of private schools by the State Govt. The MEO who periodically visits our school, has been satisfied by the facilities we provide as well as our commitment to maintain records. Our goal is to promote a value based yet affordable quality of school education. We have a long way to go, but as we look back at how we started in 1996, with 16 small children in one small room, we are confident we will continue to make progress. This year we added another class in the English section and introduced Std VIII (Telugu) as well. Eventually we hope to go up to Class X. There have been 77 new admissions this year. However, an equal number of students left to join the Govt. School which provides free education. English medium fee ranges from Rs. 200-350 while fee for Telugu medium it is Rs. 150-300 per month. We hope to eventually become fully self supporting by 2018. Teacher salaries range from 4000 - 6000. The running of the school has been smooth due to Eswar’s personal attention. We plan to appoint an academic council to guide curriculum development. We give you a few snapshots of events in Ashreya during the last 7 - 8 months The Annual Day programme was conducted on 27th April and over 150 parents were present to witness the cultural programme put up by the children. There was high excitement as children had an opportunity to perform for their parents and the guests.
Children showcased their skills and knowledge in the Science Exhibition held in January. Children made models & displays to explain How things Work. It was a proud moment for all.
Our children won many awards in both the Maths Competition & at the inter school science exhibition conducted by L&T for all the schools it supports as part of CSR
The School was presented a special Merit award by L&T at a function organised by them in May 2013 at the Hotel Four Points Sheraton. This was in recognition of the high standards of education maintained by Ashreya School With a view to familiarise our teachers with the growing challenges in handling emotional problems of adolescent children,, the school conducted a Two day Child counselling course for all teachers during May by Faculty from PtP (Person to Person) Secunderbad. All participants received certificates.
Ashreya charitable Society has been associated with needs of prisoners in the District jail in Srikakulam. Besides addressing some issues related to prisoner rehab, Ashreya has also been pleased to help with prisoner welfare and presented a water cooler and a sewing machine for improving life of the inmates
In January, Children of the higher classes had a thrilling outing to the artisan village at Ettikopaka, 75 Km from V izag, which is famous for its wooden toys and handicrafts. L& T provided 3 buses to transport the 150 children. It was a unique learning experience
We are blessed to have many donors who respond readily and willingly to our needs. During March many outstation friends made liberal donations to the Society and recently, several friends helped raise 1.20 lacs to supply subsidised text and note books for the 307 children in the school. Thank You for your kindness.
All our classrooms lacked good quality furniture. it was a desire which remained a dream for lack of funds. We finally decided to take 4.0 lacs from the Building Fund to meet these pressing needs. Sturdy and durable furniture has been made for all classes and besides student desks and benches, we have provided steel cupboard, teacher tables and soon will add pin boards. A few essentials still remain on the list.
L & T donated uniforms for all the new children who joined in this academic year... The parents were presented the material to get them tailored. “School ties with emblem are also being supplied to each child�.
This year we once again procured good quality text and note books for all the children and supplied them at highly subsidised rates. This was made possible only because of generous donations from outstation friends. We also supplied school diaries and brown paper covers with the school emblem.
A class room full of new children who are slowly getting adjusted to the school and the very different way we work as compared to other schools in the area. While discipline is emphasised, teachers cannot beat or abuse any child. Every teacher stays back for an hour to help children cope with homework and backlog
Our achievements are because of our qualified and dedicated teaching and support staff. The Ashreya family is grateful to these men and women who are truly changing lives and causing an impact on the community at Arilova. Today many children seek admission here from other far flung sectors as well. Street Kids programme RK Singh, Pooja, Richard and a few young people have started visiting street kids. They befriended 50-60 kids with a view to add value to their life. However police evicted an entire slum and these children have relocated. We are pursuing ways of locating and starting a regular work with them and if possible move them to a shelter
We are thankful to Mr Prem & Mrs Komal Mirpuri of Eastern Art Museum who donated a much needed Photocopier to the school. Their patronage and support has been a special blessing to the Ashreya School time and again. Two stories of impact Chandini is an old student of the school. She studied here till class VI and then went to another school to finish her 10th, Because Ashreya opened a "doorway of hope," she has come back to serve others who study here. Speaking near fluent English and gifted with creative skills, she is an active part of the English medium primary school. It is a special joy to have ex students like her return to serve Ahreya.
Ganesh came to the school 8 years ago. His has no parents but his grandmother is still alive and he visits her during the summer vacations. From a shy, reticent boy whom we brought home from the street, he has slowly grown in confidence. Having graduated from a 4 - Year Diploma Course in Computers, he is looking for suitable job openings and also helps the school in his spare time.
OUR PLANS (SHORT / LONG TERM) 1. Start afresh our work among street kids. 2. Start a foster care home for the homeless children and identify caregiver families who will commit to meet their needs 3. Provide a shelter for abandoned old and destitute people 4. Start a community college to train poor women with employable skills
OUR NEEDS (SHORT / L0NG TERM) 1. Mobilise atleast 20 dedicated volunteers with a minimum One year commitment to serve on part -time ( 4 hours per week) basis. 2. A place to start a shelter for old / destitute 3. Sponsors who will stand with us to GIFT Education, Care & Development to those who most need it. 4. Good publicity and visibility 5. We also need a LCD PROJECTOR, as well as sponsors for providing all children with black & white shoes and blue and white socks.
We are indebted to all those who continue to encourage our projects and stand with us. This support has been invaluable. Ashreya cannot achieve anything without the favour of God, the goodwill of the community, the affirmation from authorities, the dedication of our staff and the cooperation of all our beneficiaries. We can only say “Thank You” to all who have helped as we can continue to serve. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. - Charles H. Spurgeon For those of you who wish to make donations, we are pleased to inform you that we have been allotted 80 G status and all donations will be eligible to receive a 50% Tax rebate. Our account is in Union Bank of India, Dwarakanagar, Visakhapatnam sb a/c no. 506102010013073, IFSC Code UBIN0550612 Please do call us or mail at ashreyacharity@gmail.com Ashreya Charitable Society, 48-9-18/56, Ratnaveni Complex, Dwarakanagar, Visakhapatnam – 530016 Our website is down for modification. Please call us on 9849829107 or 98492 95426