Prasanna Jyothi

Annual Review

September 23rd, 2007 Stewards : Sharanya Rao (Assisted by Santhosh, Rajiv & Savitha)

Review : Two Parts

Part 1 : Brief overview of background Latest update on kids and PJ's progress Recent Site Visit Part 2 : Annual Budget Review (Oct '07-March '08)

Brief Background

• • • Located in Puttenahalli, situated off JP Nagar, Bangalore.

Home for disadvantaged GIRL children.

Boarding and education taken care by Asha’s SAC since 2003.

• Number of children : 22 (excluding Kusuma) • 3 to 23 yrs • There are two activities of this Trust.

1. Transformative Education programs (primarily a program titled LIFE (Living In Freedom, An Enquiry) devised and conducted by Swamiji Sukhabodhanandaji 2. Child care and education center PJ

Brief History

– – – – – – Prasanna Jyothi Trust had submitted a proposal for a project to support destitue/orphaned girls in Bangalore in Spring, 1994 at Asha Berkeley Support from Berkeley between 1994-96 – two pictures created by PJ kids was on calendar.

Break in funding between 96-2000 Shanmuga visited PJ and new proposal was submitted.

Seattle supported between 2001-03 Asha Austin was born as a satellite in 2002 and this project was taken over from Seattle and funded for the first time in 2003.

Social Context

Urban Setting Parents from low income groups – daily labourers, vendors .

Parents are divorcees or widowed. There are orphans too.

Kids leaving PJ Will to succeed and be independent.

Map of PJ (rough :))

Small House Gate

Ground Floor First Floor

Entry Staircase Kitchen Room1 Staircase Room2

with computer Room 3 with TV, and 2 closets neatly arranged

Garden

Satisfied Kids…..

• Very happy about schools they go to….

• New Catering Unit…… (up to 100 people daily) • Well equipped for school and with clothes • Multiple talents in kids, either picked up from school or otherwise.

• Multiple games kids play…. • Older kids take care of younger kids…..

• Kusuma’s support…amazing.

Latest Updates about PJ…..

• Most kids preparing for first term exams in second week of Oct • Plans of converting the Catering Unit into Small Scale Industry (SSI) • Main Concern : Water Logging in front of school • Related Concern : Water Logging leading to kids falling sick. Any suggestions to help??

• • • Still under discussion : Currently each kid needs Rs.30000/- a year. SAC provides $240 per kid now. Right now, remaining funds supported by other means Elizabeth wants to get in touch with Vinutha Budget review in progress with Sundari Mami this week.

Latest Updates about kiddos…..

• Kid A : Finished B.E. Joined IBM Chennai • • • • • Kid B : Working on nursing course Kid C : Actively helping with catering unit (Plans to expand the catering unit) Few kids joined NSVK.

Every Kid in Prasanna Jyothi was promoted to the next grade/class. Many of them won awards/prizes in competitions and sports in school.

All kids put up a splendid dance-drama

Nature of the visit….

• Unannounced ..

• Weekday after school hours (4pm-ish) • Visited by Anita Komanduri and Savitha • Spent close to 3 hours • We had a blast! :)

A few concerns…..

Constant 'pull outs' from PJ.

Assistance in tuition and after-school coaching.

Water-logging problems Advanced teaching material may help….Only one computer now.

More playing material may be useful