ANNUALREPORT

Enabling Self Reliance

DEEPA A AL Y

LINB GA SN EE L| FA RY EAL LIA AP NE CE

ED 37 Celebrating

1979-2016

Th

2015 - 2016

About Deepalaya

Deepalaya, a registered charity, operational since 1979, enables the socially-economically marginalized, to become self-reliant. Deepalaya is an ISO 9001:2008 certified NGO and is working in Delhi, Haryana (Mewat and Gurgaon Districts), Uttar Pradesh (Saharanpur & Noida) and Uttarakhand (Almora District).

Vision

A society based on legitimate rights, equity, justice, honesty, social sensitivity and a culture of service in which all are self-reliant.

Mission

Foreword from the CEO ----------------------- 1Education ---------------------------------------- 2-7Infrastructure Development --------------- 8-9Non Formal Education -----------------------10-16Project STEADY ---------------------------------17-20Community Library --------------------------- 21-22Vocational Training -------------------------- 23-25Scholarship ------------------------------------- 26-28Gender Equity --------------------------------- 29-33Community Health --------------------------- 34-38Differently Abled ------------------------------ 39-42Children’s Home ------------------------------ 43-46CRM & HR---------------------------------------- 47-49Credibility and Transparency ------------- 50Consolidated Report ------------------------ 51Financial Summary --------------------------- 52-66Milestones --------------------------------------- 67

Deepalaya School Kalkaji Extension - DSKE

Deepalaya Learning Centre Gole Kuan - DLCGK

Deepalaya Learning Centre Sanjay Colony - DLCSCRamditti JR Narang Deepalaya Learning Centre -

RJRNDLC

Deepalaya School Gusbethi - DSG

Deepalaya Learning Centre Titron - DLCT

Samajik Suvidha Kendra - SSK

Integrated Rural Community Health Centre - IRCHC

Social Entrepreneur - SE

Self Help Group - SHG

Samajik Suvidha Sangam - SSS

Gender Resource Centre - GRC

Non-Formal Education - NFE

Remedial Education Centre - RECSupport to Training, Education and Development of

Youth- STEADY

International Forum for Child Welfare - IFCW

Father and Daughter Alliance - FADA

Education on Wheels - EOW

Table of Contents Abbreviation Key

To identify with and work along with the economically and socially deprived, the physically and mentally challenged - starting with children, so that they become educated, skilled and aware.

Enable them to be self-reliant and enjoy a healthy, dignified and sustainable quality of life. And to that end, act as a resource to and collaborate with other agencies - governmental or non-governmental, as well as suitably intervene in policy formulation.

1

Foreword from CEO

The year 2015-16 was a year of consolidation. Deepalaya completes 37 years on 16th July 2016. Last year, we demonstrated self-reliance as our watch word. Having achieved self-reliance, we thought of conceptualising a new phase of growth, through innovation and outreach. The consolidation, review and planning for the new phase took place during this reporting year. By way of income, it showed a cumulative growth of 67.40% during the past 10 years. Year 2015-16 showed an increased income of 13% which is on the top of the growth graph. At the same time, the foreign contribution was at its lowest at 15% of the annual income demonstrat ing sel f -dependence. The community contribution was at 48% showing the highest achievement on local resources. The attrition of Human Resource was at 8.5% indicating tough competition and loosing human resources to INGO's and corporates due to salaries, perks and career offer by the competitors.

During the reporting year as part of the ongoing new phase, launching of community library as a movement in Delhi, has taken place. There is great potential to expand Community Library using read aloud mechanism to educate adult illiterates.

Planning is afoot in establishing (1) an Integrated Area Development Programme at Sonipat, Haryana, (2) a new initiative in promoting and expanding services to Differently Abled sector with India having 6% population with disabilities, (3) reviving the Cataract Centre at Gusbethi, along with promoting institutional delivery, pediatric center, pediatric dentistry, etc. (4) Establishing a training and Capacity Building Unit at the Human Resource Development Centre as a self-reliant Unit, (5) Priming Vocational Units, with external collaboration and certification, (6) contracting Vismaya for crowd funding and Digital Marketing, (7) promoting social entrepreneurship and

independent venturing in the field of education, vocational training, micro-enterprises, etc. by community collaboration.

ISO 9001:2008 renewed until 16 September 2016. Credibility Alliance certification renewed. Guidestar Accreditation with Gold star certificate obtained. Corporates continued are Asian Paints, Nikon, Oriflame, Aon Hewitt, Amway, A&K, Intrepid Travels, etc. New Corporates added are Oriental Insurance and ATS Green. In house fund raising scored at 24% from public domain. Snippets of the week introduced and successfully implemented for the year with 52 editions informing the Governing structures with celebration news.

It is our duty to thank the community, staff, governance structures, donors, corporates, governments, foundations, trusts and well-wishers of Deepalaya for the support and guidance extended to us. Let God Almighty bless each one who participated in this benevolent act of promoting well-being of the marginalized, restoring their rights and enabling us to progress in Nation Building exercise.

T.K. Mathew

Secretary & Chief Executive

Education

2

Education is the most powerful weapon, one can use to change the world – Nelson Mandela

Deepalaya has two formal schools – Deepalaya School Kalkaji Extension (DSKE), Delhi and Deepalaya School Gusbethi (DSG), Distt. Mewat in Haryana. Until a few years back, there were 6 formal schools. Like other budget schools in Delhi, we had to convert 4 formal schools into learning centers due to stringent conditions and

restrictions imposed by Right to Education Act. Both the schools focus on provision of good quality education at affordable cost. Yet, the schools have an entirely different audience, especially DSG, which is located in one of the most underdeveloped regions of Haryana.

Despite the stress that the Indian Government laid on right to education, India is way behind other countries when it comes to literacy and education. The UNICEF report titled “State of the World's Children 2016 – a fair chance for every child” shows the plight of education in India. It says despite promulgating Right to Education (RTE) Act, what was once termed as a pioneering legislation, aimed at providing education to all, 34 per cent Muslim children, 25.9 per cent children from Hindu families and 25.6 per cent from Christian community do not have access to pre-school education, which acts as a dent on their learning outcomes.

A child who has not attended pre-school is less likely to sustain in the education system. Another aspect that the report lays stress on is the variance in learning skills between the rich and the poor.

An extract from the report says, “In India, being

born into the poorest households carries a learning 'penalty' relative to children from the richest households. The penalty widens between ages 7 and 11. When children face wealth-related disadvantages and have parents who did not attend school, there are powerful multiplier effects — especially for young girls. By age 11 in India, girls and boys who come from the richest homes and have educated parents enjoy a huge academic advantage over other children. The most advantaged boys and girls are about six times more likely to learn basic reading and mathematics skills than girls from the poorest households whose parents were not educated.”

In line with its vision, Deepalaya over the last 37 years has strived for children coming from the disadvantaged section of society. Hence most of the children who have benefitted from Deepalaya are first generation learners.

Formal School Education

Name of the

School

Deepalaya School Kalkaji Extension (DSKE)

Deepalaya School Gusbethi (DSG)

Grand Total

Academic year 2015-16 Academic year 2014-15

F M T F M T

604 1037 1641 580 1043 1623

461 732 1193 374 495 869

1065 1769 2834 954 1538 2492

The attendance of formal schools has increased by 17.82% during the year. Here is a snapshot:

Enrolment in Formal Schools

3

Highlights

Graphical presentation of Students' enrolment in both the schools during academic session 2015-16

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

DSKE DSG

Female

Male

Total

The girl to boy ratio during the academic year 2015-16 was 38:61, which is same as that of last academic year. While DSKE registered an average attendance of 90%, in the case of DSG, it was around 80 per cent. The difference lies in the location of the school and also the mindset of people. Both the schools focused on regularity of students in the school. The teachers and staff of Deepalaya School Gusbethi undertook special drives in the community to ensure that students attend the school religiously.

38%

62%

Girls to Boys ratio

Girls Boys

Name of the School

Deepalaya School Kalkaji Extension (DSKE)

Deepalaya School Gusbethi (DSG)

Academic year 2015 - 16

LKG to IX X

100% 100%

100% N.A

Academics & Annual Performance

Education

4

A FEW EVENTS WORTH REMEMBERING

Ÿ Holistic Development of child: Both the formal

schools aimed at holistic development of child with equal emphasis on curriculum, va lue educat ion and la tent ta lent development.

Ÿ Library classes: L ibrary classes were

incorporated into the timetable of each class in order to inculcate a habit of reading amongst students.

Ÿ Individual attention: Individual attention was

given to every child, specially the weak, to encourage equal participation and to ensure that no one lags behind.

Ÿ Special classes: Additional coaching was

given to students who were weak in studies.

Ÿ Computer-aided learning: Computer classes

were initiated from Class I.

Ÿ Students as administrators: Both the schools

made special efforts to inculcate a sense of responsibility amongst the students. While DSKE formed its first school Parliament, DSG conducted Baal Sabha almost every month.

Ÿ Summer camps: Both the schools organized

summer camps so that students are able to discover their inner talent during summer vacation.

Ÿ Parents-teacher meetings: Parents-teacher

meetings were conducted on periodic intervals.

Ÿ Inter-house competitions: The students were

grouped into four houses in both the schools. Different kind of inter-school competitions were organized at periodic intervals

Ÿ Celebrations: The schools celebrated

National days like Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Republic day and also observed festivals like Diwali, Dussehra etc. The school Principals conducted various activities to encourage participation from the students.

Ÿ Sports activities: The schools organized

various spor ts competit ions and also organized annual sports day. The students of

DSKE won second price in One nation Netball Cup. They also got an opportunity to participate in various zonal competitions and bagged many prizes.

Award distribution ceremony

The teachers, students and their parents braced themselves for the Award distribution ceremony at DSKE on 12th August 2015. The programme started with the lighting of the lamp by Mr. T K Mathew, Mr. & Mrs. Bhaskar Sen, one of our donors, Ms. Shikha Pal and Mrs. Meera Jacob. Thereafter, the students were given prizes, specially dedicated by the donors. The students presented a beautiful cultural programme for entertaining the guests, parents and our donors.

A total of 91 prizes were distributed to students from all classes, including the pre-primary wing for different categories. There were many students who were able to grab more than 2 prizes. On the whole, the day would be remembered fondly by the students, teachers and our donors.

Deepalaya School Kalkaji Extension

5

Highlights

AIDS Awareness on World AIDS Day

During the year 2015-16, the school obtained affiliation to Delhi State Bharat Scouts and Guides, an organization recognized by Government of India and affiliated with international associations – WOSM (World Organisation of Scott Movement) & WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides & Girl Scouts. The school enrolled 32 girls (guides) and 32 boys (Scouts) who would be given extensive training on scouting for the next two years.

Two of our teachers undertook training so that they can train the students. After attaining affiliation, the scouts conducted various activities in the school.

A seminar for creating awareness on HIV AIDS was organized for students of Class 10, 11th and 12th on 30th November, 2015. Mr. James from NAAZ foundation conducted the seminar to create awareness amongst the students on the following issues:

(a) Spread of HIV- ways of infection

(b) Methods of prevention

(c) Treatments available

(d) Non discrimination of HIV patients

(e) Misconceptions about AIDS

(f) Moral guidance to the students

Mr. James donated two books on HIV AIDS for the school library so that students can refer to later on.

Khelo Holi Naturally

The members of Interact Club Deepalaya School, Kalkaji Extension conducted a rally in Transit Camp on 17th March, 2016. The students of Class XI conveyed the message of playing Holi naturally by shouting various slogans to make people aware about the harmful effects of artificial colours.

“Play Holi Naturally, Play Holi with Rangoli”

“Play Holi Naturally, Mat karo barbadi pani ki”

Gems of Deepalaya

The District Council for Child welfare organized different competitive activities for the children at Sardar Gurmukh Singh Memorial School, Nuh. Our children got an opportunity to participate in the district level competition. The competition was held during 17th to 19th October, 2015 and prizes were distributed on 10th November 2015, in the presence of Additional District Commissioner, District child Protection Officer (DCPO) and other guests from Development for Children and Women Organisation (DCWO) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). Children made us proud by winning different positions.

Deepalaya School, Gusbethi

Achievements:

Education

6

Celebrations galore at Annual day

Annual day is certainly one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year in any school. It is an occasion to celebrate the achievements of the school, of the students and the teachers. Deepalaya School Gusbethi organized annual day function on 1st March, 2016. Every member of the school including the students, teachers and staff members contributed to celebrate the occasion. Mr. Anup Singh Jakhar B.E.O of Tauru block was the chief guest. He and his colleague Mr. Shishupal Yadav arrived at around 10.45 a.m. The guests were given a traditional welcome by the school band team and tilak by two school girls.

The students put up scintillating dance performances including Bhangra, Haryanvi and Rajasthani dances and a Nazm.

Mr. Anup Singh Jakhar was invited to say a few words. He laid emphasis on girl child education in his speech. Thereafter, toppers from all classes were awarded and appreciated for their performance. Two of our donors – T K S NIdhi and Ms.Rajni – presented a few awards, especially for the girls, who outperformed and excelled in every field, be it sports, education or extra-curricular activities. A cash award of Rs. 500/- each was given to two girls and Rs. 250/- each to four girls.

The function ended with a vote of thanks.

Girls dancing to a folk song from Haryana

Deepalaya School Gusbethi celebrated its annual day function. Guests were

welcomed by children. Students put up scintillating dance performances and

later prizes were given to girls who outperformed and excelled in every field.

Rishali's journey with Deepalaya began from Class V. She was initially studying in Ankur Public School, Tughlakabad. Her father did not have a full time job and earned a living by taking tuitions and her mother was a housewife. After a few years he fell sick and they went back to Bihar, their home town. However, it became more difficult to survive as the tuition centre business could not take off. They again shifted to Delhi and his father despite his illness took tuitions from home to meet the high cost of education of three daughters and a son.

Rishali's father enrolled her in Deepalaya School Kalkaji Extension which offered quality education at a nominal cost. While at Deepalaya, Rishali excelled at academics and cemented her position at the top of her class. She also showed an interest in painting and participated in and won at the Global Painting Competition.

Rishali left Deepalaya after Class IX and continued her studies from the local government schools. She joined a three-year Office Management/Secretary Programme at the coveted College of Vocational Studies, Delhi University. When Ms. Shikha Pal told her about Community College Initiative Programme, an initiative that offers free college education at an U.S. based community college to deserving underprivileged children, she decided to participate and appear for the test and interview.

“Shikha Ma'am was very helpful”, she says, “She helped me in preparing for my interview, which was not an easy task to clear. Finally, I was selected. It was a dream come true when I landed in the US on 22nd August, 2014 and stayed with my host family for about two weeks. They were kind enough to answer all my queries and introduced me to American culture”. Thereafter, she joined Northwest Community College for studying Business management.

“It was entirely a new experience as I could see huge difference in culture and education system of both countries. The US promotes innovation, education through technology, practical knowledge and plagiarism is a taboo while in India, theory is more important and teachers focus on bookish language. The more one reproduces from books during exams, more marks one gets. It was difficult to cope up with the new environment initially, but I started recognizing myself with it soon,” she exclaimed.

Rishali passed out with flying colours and came back to India a few days ago. She now plans to complete her graduation and work with a NGO to serve the poor. Her brothers and sisters also studied from Deepalaya and are now working except her youngest sister. “Had it not been for Deepalaya I would not have been what I am today. Deepalaya has given us good education and helped us to be independent,” says Rishali

A journey towards cultural assimilation and self-realisation

7

Highlights

Rishali - a proud girl from Deepalaya with her mentors

Infrastructure Development

8

Ever since Deepalaya established a school at Gusbethi, there has been a demand from the community to enroll more students. The school is one of the most renowned schools in the region. However, the building has always been a constraint and Deepalaya has always been on the lookout for donors, who could be generous enough to help us in constructing the building as planned.

During the financial year ended 31st March, 2016, Oriental Insurance Company Limited accepted our proposal and donated Rs. 25 lacs for meeting the cost of constructing seven rooms alongwith extended corridors and toilet block partially under its CSR activities.

Apart from Oriental Insurance Co. Limited, we had applied for grant under MP Lad Scheme. The application has been approved for Rs. 25 Lacs. Hopefully, we shall be able to avail the grant during the coming financial year.

The construction is in full swing and the project is expected to complete by the month of November, 2016.

We are grateful to Oriental Insurance Co. Limited & Mr. HK Dua, Member of Parliament who enabled us to get approval under MP Lad Scheme for their support and generosity. The block once constructed shall enable us to enroll another 300 students in the school.

CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOL BUILDING WITH SUPPORT FROM ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY AND MP LAD SCHEME

It was a memorable day for our students at Deepalaya School, Gusbethi. The two-yellow coloured buses donated by Nikon India were beautifully decorated with flowers and balloons. So much so, it took a while to find out which one is the new one. The bus has been an asset for the girls as it has helped girls studying in the school in commute long distances. Deepalaya-Nikon

India partnership entered into its second year and it was time to celebrate, rejoice and commemorate the moment.

Twelve people from Nikon India Private Limited, including Mr. Kazuo Ninomiya, Managing Director & Mr. Sajjan Kumar, V P – Imaging arrived at Deepalaya School, Gusbethi on 25th

A year of togetherness and love – Nikon India Private Limited

DEEPALAYA SCHOOL GUSBETHI

Construction of new school building is in its full swing

9

Infrastructure Development

February, 2016 to celebrate the Handing over ceremony of 40-seater bus gifted by Nikon for promotion of girl-child education.

The guests were given a warm welcome. The school band was in its full satutary attention. Two girls dressed in traditional yellow Haryanvi dress welcomed the guests with tika and flowers. As the guests entered the premises, they were given bouquets and roses.

The day started with the lighting of lamp by the honourable guests, Mr. T K Mathew, Chief Executive & Mr. A J Philip, President. The students then sang a welcome song. Thereafter Mr. T K Mathew, CE Deepalaya gave a welcome speech and informed how the last bus donated by Nikon has helped us in reducing the drop-out rate and has increased the school enrolment of girls too. He thanked Mr. Kazou Ninomiya & other members of the team for their generosity.

After the welcome speech, girls put up a scintillating dance performance. Dressed in yellow, green and pink, the audience was enthralled with the Haryanvi dance. Thereafter, Mr. Kazou Ninomiya, was invited to say a few words on the occasion. He said that “ The bus is a small gift to the girls studying in the school and is a small gesture to promote education”.

Thereafter, students from Childrens' home presented a yoga dance. It was an excellent fusion of music with yoga. After the innovative dance, Mr. A J Philip, President, Deepalaya was asked to felicitate the guests with a few words. He thanked Nikon for the beautiful gift. After the speech, everyone moved towards the bus. A few girls were asked to sit in the bus. Mr. Kazou Ninomiya, Mr. A J Philip & Mr. T K Mathew then flagged off the bus for a short ride to a nearby village.

The guests thereafter took a tour of Deepalaya gram, specially the houses of boys and girls and the school.

Nikon donated another bus for promoting the education of girl child

Non-formal Education

10

Apart from formal schools, Deepalaya is having several learning centres in Delhi, Noida and Saharanpur in UP. As it is difficult to get affiliation/recognition under the current provisions of the Right to Education Act, Deepalaya is trying to bring a change in the lives of children, who cannot go to school, due to their financial condition or personal problems through Non formal and remedial education.

While students and parents approach the school authorities for admission in formal schools, Deepalaya workers conduct awareness drives in the community and slums dwellers from time to time for enrolment of out-of-school children into the learning centers. Door-to-door surveys are conducted to identify out-of-school children or those who drop out from school mid-way. With the consent of the parents and after conducting necessary counseling sessions, the children are then enrolled in these learning centers, where their skills are mapped.

The students with same learning skills are grouped together. However, there is only one

room, where students of different skills are made to sit together for multi-grade teaching. The teachers pay special attention to each child so that they are able to achieve the skills required for enrollment in their age-appropriate class in government schools. The students are assessed on periodic intervals to measure their learning outcomes. The assessment mechanism also enables the teachers to take corrective measures in case students are not able to grasp what is being taught. By this time, the parents also get convinced that their children can achieve great heights if they are sent to school regularly. The parent-teacher meetings help in bringing a change in their mindset.

As soon as the students achieve the required learning levels, they are mainstreamed into government schools . Af ter at tending government schools, they come again to the learning centers for remedial education. The teachers help them in understanding concepts, something that is not available in government schools.

Children from Deepalaya Learning Centers in different shades of their daily activities.

11

Highlights

Name of the Centers

Deepalaya Learning Centre, Sanjay Colony (DLCSC)

Deepalaya Learning Centre, Gole Kuan (DLCGK)

Ramditti J R Narang Deepalaya Learning Centre (RJRNDLC)

Deepalaya Learning Centre, Titron (DLCT)

Fathers and Daughters' Alliance (FADA)

Education on Wheels (EOW)

Grand Total

Academic year 2015-16

Female Male Total no. of students enrolled in

learning centers

Enrolment in Learning Centres

Deepalaya Learning Centre, Adarsh Nagar

Deepalaya Learning Centre, Wazirpur

Deepalaya Learning Centre, Haiderpur

Deepalaya Learning Centre, Bhalaswa

Deepalaya Learning Centre, Tilak Nagar

Deepalaya Loesche India Learning Centre, Noida

Deepalaya ASHA Learning Centre

114 117 231

70 74 144

298 298

222 222

40 40

150 156

76 119

-

195

47 9346

69 11445

54 8026

46 11670

37 7942

40 8242

306

-

-

1263 737 2000

Non-formal Education

12

'Education on Wheels' programme was launched by Deepalaya in 2006 with the support of Edukans Foundation, Netherland. From April 2013, the Australian High Commission in India started supporting and introduced the concept of education through music, rhymes, songs, poems etc.

As the name suggests, the programme has a

well-equipped bus with computers, TV, Music CDs, tools and other education related material. Till September 2016, the program catered to children residing in the slums of Sarai Pipli Thala, Bhalaswa, Haiderpur and Wazirpur. Over these years, the number of children increased considerably. The space in the bus was not sufficient to cater to the growing numbers and one learning center was opened at each locations.

Gradually, it was decided that the bus can be moved to another location, where children

could derive maximum benefit.

A few months of research took the team to a p lace on Dwarka expressway where construction projects are in full swing. We could very well imagine the plight of children of construction workers. While both mother and father went for work, the children stayed at home at the mercy of a neighbour or a relative. The labour too had a cycle of two to three months after which they would go back to their home town. In such circumstances, the children could not attend a formal school as there is no certainty about their next destination.

Deepalaya decided to bring a change in the lives of these children and the bus started visiting Dwarka Expressway. A few visits to project locations helped us in building rapport with companies like ATS Greens, who agreed to sponsor the cost of the project to some extent. The company had employed a maid to look after children in the labour camp in the absence of their parents. But the maid hardly took care of the kids as she was more interested in her salary and her own family. ATS greens too expressed interest in educating these children and agreed to provide meal, books and stationery to the kids.

Finally the project was inaugurated on 28th October 2015 in the presence of representatives from Deepalaya and ATS Greens. The bus proved to be a blessing for these kids. We could see the difference in their lives. Children who used to play in the mud started taking bath everyday. Not only this, they would wash hands before and after eating. They could recite poems, recognize alphabets and also started reading and writing as well.

Education on Wheels program – collaboration with ATS Greens

13

Highlights

Fathers and Daughters Alliance (FADA)

As the name suggests, this unique programme motivates fathers to assume responsibility for providing education to their daughters. The programme was launched during 2009 and has made a monumental impact on girls who never went to school or dropped out midway. It has shown that if given an opportunity these girls can not only learn but also give tight competition to regular students of their age.

The kind of difference the programme has been able to make in learning skills and behaviorial pattern of girls is note worthy. The proud Fathers, who were initially reluctant to enroll their

daughters to school, have acquired a wider role and have become agents of change by inspiring and motivating others to join the movement.

The project throughout the year conducted different activities aimed at honing the skills of the girls. The fathers too participated in the project activities actively. The project is currently being run at Sanjay Colony, Y-block and Panchsheel Enclave. The program reached out to 298 girls during the year. 58 students were mainstreamed into the government schools.

It was heart-rending to see the status of Girl Child education in Noida. They were doing everything except going to school. Thanks to Loesche India Private Limited, we have taken an initiative for establishing a learning center at Noida for educating 200 girl children at Noida.

Situated in the midst of an industrial area, Deepalaya Loesche India project is striving to educate girls residing in sectors 8, 9 & 10, Noida. Most of the people residing in the area work in the adjoining factories on daily wages, which is barely enough to meet their needs. Women too work as maid servants or on job-work basis in the factories. Bitten by constant sting of poverty, lack of resources and age-old superstitions, people

Deepalaya Loesche Learning Centre at Noida

Girls from FADA project enjoying their daily activities of knowledge and learning.

Girls from Learning Centre in Noida

Non-formal Education

14

have been educating their boys, so that they could earn a better living as they grow up. It has been observed that the parents go out of their way to fulfil the demands of their sons.

Majority of the girls, who are being educated, were kept indoors, for looking after their siblings and for taking care of the household chores. For the last more than a year, Deepalaya & Loesche India Private Limited have tried to burst these myths through education.

It was an uphill task initially not only to convince people for enrolling their daughters but also to find space on rent for setting up the learning center. Two months of toiling in the sun and incessant conversation with the people helped in winning their confidence. Finally, we got a small space and began with a few students.

Gradually, the number increased. We found that most of the students could not even recognize alphabets, forget reading or writing. The teachers developed different kind of Teaching Learning Materials so that students are able to understand and memorise things.

We thought that our battle against dogmatic attitude of parents is half won now. Alas! That was a misconception. Barely a month had lasted and we observed a sudden drop in the attendance. The rumours were rife about the project and intentions of Deepalaya. Deepalaya conducted a parent's teacher meeting and a community meeting to bring

clarity in their minds.

Students started coming again with a renewed trust and commitment. Months passed by. There was a visible change in the learning skills of most of the students. The efforts of the teachers bore fruit. The parents too showed lot of interest in their child's performance.

The students were also given a chance to participate in extracurricular activities. The girls, who were suppressed for long, brimmed with confidence. The center gained popularity and people started recognizing the efforts of the team. Despite competition from various ends and other NGOs operating in the area, Deepalaya Loesche Learning center came to be known as in the community.

The students got an opportunity to visit different places like Nehru Planetorium, India gate. Even the mothers were involved as the center celebrated International women's day on March 8, 2016. Towards the end of March, 2016, the center taught 220 girls from the underprivileged background and 125 girls were mainstreamed into nearby government schools. The fight is still on. The project will certainly bring a positive change in the lives of the people in the coming two years.

Proud girls who secured admission in regular school with flying colors

bees rupeya ka school

15

Highlights

Farzana – a name worth remembering

14 years old, Farzana, is the eldest daughter of Md. Jahangir Alam and Mrs. Rukhsana Begam. They have been living with their four children at J J Colony Sec – 9, Noida for the last twenty years. The family hails from Line Sigali (Bihar). Mr. Jahangir is earning his living by doing welding work on the salary of Rs. 6000/- per month and Mrs. Rukhsana is a house wife. Even though Farzana is their first child they never sent her to school. Her siblings are studying in Government School, Sector 5, Noida. She was always neglected by her parents and relatives too. Right from her birth, she was treated as a bad omen. The parents scolded her often.

When, we conducted a survey in sector 9 to identify the out of school children, our staff identified her and motivated her parents to send her to our learning center. When she came to our center she was totally blank. She was peevish in nature. It appeared that she was busy in her own world, thinking something about herself and her parents' behaviour. She was restless. The teachers too were worried and found themselves in a fix.

Perturbed by her behaviour, one day, the teacher decided to strike her name off from the roll. However, the project in-charge advised the teacher to talk to her in detail, give special attention, and find a solution to her problems in view of the behaviour of her family members towards her.

The girl slowly opened up with the teacher and informed her about the kind of problems she is facing at home. It was found out that none of the family members liked her. Her uncle used to beat her over trivial issues.

One day Mr. Alam, the project coordinator, called her father to talk to him about the child. He took her father in a corner and counseled him. The counselling brought a sea change in the attitude of the family members.

She now attends the learning center regularly and behaves with her fellow children as a normal child. She feels relaxed and wants to study in the school. Her parents have agreed to enroll her in a government school. Now the family members do not chide her.

She joined Deepalaya Learning center on 23rd May, 2015. When she came to our Learning Centre she did not know anything. Within a period of ten months she has learnt reading and writing in Hindi and English. She can write essays on myself, cow, can narrate tables from 2 to 15, can do addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, calculate Lowest Common Multiple, highest common factor and Addition, subtraction and multiplication of Rational numbers. The effect of dialogue, counseling and communication has immense potential and has changed the life of Farzana.

Farzana, with her family & classmates

Non-formal Education

16

Deepalaya ASHA project

Towards the end of December 2015, Deepalaya collaborated with ASHA Minnesota – ASHA for education, a US based secular organization, for educating 30 out-of school children. Yes, the number was comparatively less than other projects of Deepalaya but the team was faced with one of the most baffling challenges. Nevertheless, different team members collaborated with each other to conduct the survey in the shortest possible time.

Door-to-door survey was conducted in

Jagdamba camp, Panchsheel enclave and nearby Khirkhee village. Around 45 students who never went to school or left their studies mid way were identified and enrolled in the center. One teacher was hired on part-time basis from the existing learning center as it was difficult to find suitable teacher towards the end of the academic year. The students started picking up quickly. At the end of the financial year, 17 students were mainstreamed into the government schools.

Karishma's mother is a housemaid and father is working as a cook in a hotel. The couple is struggling to make both ends meet for a family of 6 people. Karishma is the eldest child. While one of her sisters is only 4 year old, two of her siblings are studying in nearby schools. The entire family is residing in a one-room apartment in Panchsheel Vihar.

Karishma was studying in one of the Government schools in Delhi. She left the school after 2nd standard as the teachers used to ask her to do personal tasks like, sweeping, dusting etc. Due to constant misuse and abuse, Karishma never developed interest in education. In fact she thought that schools are meant for abusing children. Finally, she stopped going to school.

She was identified as out of school child during the admission drive conducted by Deepalaya team for ASHA project. It took lot of time and effort to convince her parents to enroll her into the program. After about a week of counseling and regular visits, the parents agreed and she was enrolled in the center from 1st February, 2016.

Karishma could not believe that she is again back to school. She took lot of time in coming to terms with a different kind of school, where children are loved and nurtured. The teachers counseled her continuouslysince her enrollment. Gradually she was able to trust the teachers, who

Karishma

helped her in overcoming her past experience. She is now a hard working girl and is slowly acquiring interest in education with an open mind to learn and absorb new things.

Considering the growth in learning skills, Karishma was mainstreamed to the nearby M.C.D Govt. School Khirki Village in 4th Standard during April, 2016. The teachers took due care in ensuring that she is not enrolled in the same school, where teachers misused her. Now she is regularly attending classes in Govt. School and also the remedial education classes held in the afternoon under ASHA project. The teachers have been able to overcome the trust-deficit Karishma had.

Karishma aspires to be a Doctor and she wants to serve the people in need and mitigate their suffering.

Karishma

17

Project STEADY

Deepalaya and Asian Paints Limited entered into the second year of partnership with a target to reach out to 4000 students (unique beneficiaries) through career counseling and self-defense training. The team started the project during the month of October 2015 with a motive to train a few students in self defense training and lending clarity to the students for choosing their career paths through career counseling. The project began with baseline survey of 17 schools located in and around Kasna and Dankour block of

Greater Noida.

The survey indicated that the students studying in these schools were not even aware of what self-defense is and why should they be trained at all? We observed an equal level of ignorance amongst students and even teachers for career counseling in these schools. Even though they had high ambitions, the students were hardly aware of what subjects should they opt for achieving their aim.

STEADY growth – second inning of Deepalaya andAsian Paints Limited

2000

2000 2000

350 350 350

7050

2213

1849 1845

505 444 419

7275

(103 %)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

Session -1 Session-2 Session-3 Session-1 Session-2 Session-3 Total

Target Achievement

Self Defense Training of Trainees

Self-defense Traini get and Achievemng Tar ent

Self-defense training

The project reached out to 2276 (girls) unique beneficiaries including those who were trained as trainers for conducting self defense training. Each girl was given three sessions of training bringing the outreach to 7275 girls. The girls who received special sessions for enabling them to step into the shoes of trainers brimmed with a lot of confidence.

A group of 9 nine girls from one of the schools

also participated in a program organized by Mahila Samakhaya Awe Watsalaya Sanstha, a NGO, under UP Mahila Sashaktikaran. The NGO conducted an awareness campaign for “beti bachao beti padhao” – a government program aimed at saving the girl child. Smt. Garima Kahre, BDO was the chief guest of the program. The students enacted a real-life eve teasing situation and demonstrated how girls can protect themselves during such untoward situations. The event was widely covered by local newspapers as well.

Graphical presentation of Self-defense training conducted under PROJECT STEADY

Project STEADY

18

Career counseling

Career counseling sessions were conducted in 15 schools located in Kasna and Dankour block of Greater Noida. The sessions were conducted through expert agencies for students studying in class 9 to 12 of these schools. The students were asked to fill a form which enabled the experts to arrive at their interest areas. The process was called psychometric tests. After the test was

conducted the students were given a report containing the kind of careers they would be interested in. Career booklets were also distributed to students detailing different type of career choices they have, in case they opt for a particular subject. Overall the sessions were conducted for 2122 students.

649

(31%)

451

(21%)

588

(28%)

434

(20%)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Class IX Class X Class XI Class XII

Class-wise Beneficiaries of Career Counseling

Towards the end of the project, it was observed that there is a need to add another dimension to it by reaching out to the parents as well. The addition was recommended by Mr. Mahendra, Founder of Asian Paints during his visit in November 2015.

While career counseling gave necessary impetus to the students, who now know what they want to achieve, their parents still clinged on to their mindsets, resulting into a huge generation gap.

In view of this, a session for counseling the parents was conducted on 9th February, 2015 on a pilot basis at S D Kanya Inter College, Bilaspur. An invitation letter was sent to the parents in advance. Experts from careerguide.com were engaged to conduct the session. Necessary arrangements were also made to give refreshments to the parents and a small kit comprising of a writing pad, a pen and IEC material on role of parents for shaping the future of their child.

A Pilot session for parents

Graphical presentation of Self-defense training conducted under PROJECT STEADY

19

Highlights

As parents arrived, the registration process was started and general interaction was initiated to have an overview about their socio-economic background and the problems they face in educating their children. It was observed that majority of the parents were Muslims. Some of the mothers who arrived were struggling to make both ends meet in the absence of any support from their husbands.

The session began with a brief introduction about Deepalaya and Asian Paints. Thereafter, the experts began the discussion with the help of a presentation and videos. The parents, especially the mothers, too raised queries about the future of their children which were adequately answered to. Some of the parents told their wards have dreams but they don't have the means to help them in achieving their dreams.

Towards the end of the session and based on the interaction with the parents, the team informed the parents about Deepalaya Merit-cum-Means Loan Scholarships. The parents showed good response towards the scheme. She also informed them about certain schemes which have been floated by the government to help meritorious students from weaker section of society. It only meant that where there is a will, there is a way. Lack of funds should not stop their children in achieving great heights. The two-hour session came to an end with parents showing a renewed interest towards the girl-child education.

The sessions presented the stark realities of village life in Greater Noida and gave us a reason to work with the people instead of concentrating on the students alone in the coming year.

Manisha comes from a small village, near Bhatta Parsaul, Dankour Block. People in the village are a bit hesitant about sending their daughters to school. However, her parents are very supportive. She narrated a story about a women in their locality who is thinking of marrying her daughter as soon as she completes her 12th. When we asked if she ever doubted that her parents may get influenced by such people and marry her she said, “Whatever may come, I will not leave my education mid-way. My parents are very supportive”. Though she also said they

Manisha Chaudhary

Glimpses of STEADY program and its regular activities

Manisha

20

Highlights

have some apprehensions about present circumstances in the area. Her parents may not allow her to study in case she gets engaged in a relationship as it is labeled “galat kaam” in her village.

Right now she is studying in Class 8 at Savitri Bai Phule Inter College and was part of STEADY last year. Her parents never allowed her to visit the local market alone even for buying small things, mainly due to the violent circumstances and the news questioning the safety of women in the area. She learnt a lot from the self-defense session conducted last year, including different techniques that should be used under different circumstances. Besides, she also told that one should keep a small knife and pepper spray handy in handbags to protect themselves when faced with untoward situations. She also told about an uncle, a distant relative, who used to follow her wherever she went. Her parents gave her a very conducive environment at home. She could easily express herself to her mother, who then scolded that uncle. Since then, her mother told she should not go out alone.

After attending the self defense training session last year, she now feels confident of handling such situation and also narrated about an incident that took place during the summer vacation 2015. She saw some boys forcing themselves upon a girl in the fields. She

intervened and warned the boys, who were equipped with weapons and even threatened her to kill her. At first instance, she got afraid and went away from the site but her conscience forced her and she decided to save the girl. She used her common sense and some of the techniques she learnt during the session to save a girl from being raped. Though she was afraid at that time, she not only argued with the boys who were about to outrage the modesty but also gave a chance to the girl to run away.The girl then told some people who were at a distance from the location. Manisha raised her voice and also stopped a boy from escaping. People from nearby area called the Police, who then arrested the boys.

When asked how she felt about the incident, she said, “I could not sleep for 2-3 days. But my mother appreciated me and encouraged me by saying “kisi se darne nhi, dar ke nhi jiya ja skta (You should not be afraid from anyone, you can't live like this)”. She has a small purse in which she carries a small knife whenever she goes out alone though most of the time she lives in the school hostel.

Manisha made us proud and is an inspiration to the girls of her age. She may not be very tall but that is not a hurdle for her when it comes to saving herself or anyone who is stuck in a difficult situation.

Press coverage of Deepalaya-Asian Paints STEADY project

21

Community Library

Deepalaya Community Library and Reading Project

The Deepalaya Community Library and Reading Project has been running in one form or another since 2008. Initiated by volunteers who met with children in an after school reading club, in the beginning, the library was merely a bag of books. But soon school leadership and volunteers worked with a supportive community of publishers and the American Embassy School to create a permanent library inside the J R Narang Deepalaya Learning Center. The children enrolled in the school enjoyed once-a-week library period in addition to the opportunity to attend the after school Reading Club.

During January 2015 the school library became a community library and actively sought to reach out to the neighbourhood to enroll children and adults regardless of their affiliation to other Deepalaya programs. Today the library has over 800 members drawn from the community in which it is situated.

From the beginning it was clear that school curriculum, with its emphasis on rote learning of a select set of subjects, is not enough to turn children into thinkers and lifelong learners. The library, with its emphasis on child-led curiosity and enquiry, was the crucial missing element in children acquiring a well-rounded education. However, given the lack of literacy in children's home life and the fact that their familiarity with books extended only to textbooks, it was understood children would not read books simply on the basis of being handed books.

The Reading Project was born as an answer to the need to open up the exciting world of books and thinking to children. The over three dozen volunteers in the Reading Project read aloud to children both in the classroom setting and in the l ibrary so that chi ldren have mult iple opportunities in a week to listen to a book read out to them.

Children listen in two voices: the reading voice which vocalises the words on the page, and the thinking voice which, either through the expressive emphasis given to the words on the page or through its interrogation of those words (“Oh I wonder what happens next?”), gives children strategies to access the ideas in both the stories they hear as well as the stories they read on their own. The child who has a meaningful interaction with a story in the Reading Project is likely to open her library book on reaching home, to read it again and again throughout the week, not to memorise the words within but to become a thinker who can interrogate the entire world of knowledge contained in a library.

COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Community Library

22

The numbers tell the story:

The simplest measure of the success of the Reading Project so far has been the running record of growth over the last year in the library at the Ramditti school. In the fall of 2014, we had about 40 members enrolled in the library. In an year since then, we've have grown more than tenfold. Today we have over 800 members.

Another strong measure of our success to date in getting kids reading is recorded through our Honour Roll program. On March 31, 2016, we took a snapshot in time of the children who had been added to the Honour Roll including those who had read ten books or more. Here's what we found:

Ÿ 276 children had checked out and returned

10 or more books.

Ÿ 117 had borrowed and returned 20 or more books;

Ÿ 50 had borrowed and returned 30 or more books;

Ÿ 22 had borrowed and returned 40 or more books.

Ÿ 4 had borrowed and returned more than 50 books.

Ÿ 3 had borrowed 60 or more.

Children are working toward a goal of 100 books read. At the point they cross 80 books read mark, they know they will have to submit mini book reports to retain their place on the Honour Roll.

Another milestone, another library

In October 2015, Deepalaya established another library at Deepalaya Learning center, Sanjay Colony. Being in the initial stage, the new library served children enrolled in the learning center and alumni of the school. A Reading Project was initiated so that children will not only borrow books from the library but also be exposed to the magic of reading through hearing stories read aloud to them. The architect, Swati Janu and Vyas Yengkhom designed the library to create a playful and stimulating environment. The book shelves and doors are made of recycled wood. It is the perfect place, with colorful furniture, where a child would like to sit and read.

A mural of animated animals is painted on one side of the wall by renowned illustration artist, Kavita Kale. Another wall is used by the children, to display their creativity by making drawings using crayon colors. The library room which houses 4000 donated books, has an open archway and well-lit airy design.

Deepalaya believes, that community libraries are cost-effective projects to enhance the quality of learning and life of economically

backward communities. The library will evolve into a community library during the next financial year.

Deepalaya is committed to establishing libraries in all of its schools and learning centers, and to broadening library membership by extending school libraries into community libraries. Currently Deepalaya is exploring the possibility of opening community libraries outside the school setting.

23

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

This is exactly what Deepalaya professes through its vocational training centres, be it computer courses, beauty culture or stitching and tailoring. The programmes aims at providing marketable skills to the youth, women and men so that they are able to earn a living and support their families instead of sitting at home. Deepalaya with the support of its patron like AON Hewitt is running the following skill oriented programmes:

1. Computer Literacy: The computer literacy programme is being run at Sanjay Colony, Gole Kuan and Ramditti J R Narang Learning Centre.

(a) 6- months basic computer course

(b) 6- months advanced course

The centre provides certification with the help of NIIT foundation. In addition to the courses, the students were given special sessions on

enhancing/improving their communication skills, both verbal and written.

The sessions on personality development and verbal communication mainly aimed at providing the students an insight into how an interview is conducted. The mock interviews, group discussions, debates were initiated to motivate the students to speak and overcome their hesitation. During the year, 185 students enrolled and passed out from different courses, the details of the same are given in the table below:

Vocational Training

Computer Literacy programme

Type of Course

Gole Kuan

Sanjay Colony

RJRND

Basic

Advanced

Total

52 81 14

7 31 –

59 112 14

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

AdvancedBasic Total

Gole Kuan

Sanjay

Colony

RJRND

Total

Vocational Training

24

2. Cutting and Tailoring

A Cutting and Tailoring unit is being run at two places – one at Deepalaya Gram, Gusbethi & the other one at Tilak Nagar Delhi as a part of Deepalaya Communi ty Deve lopment programme (DCDP). The sewing classes have been a big boost for the girls and women. Deepalaya has been providing this opportunity for these backward girls to learn sewing and make their livelihood. The instructors are a great source of strength for the beneficiaries. They not only teach them the skills to sew but also give them lesson for resource management. The girls apart from learning sewing skills, they are empowered to come out in society and use their skills and learn something apart from their

household chores. During the year, 94 women were taught cutting and tailoring. Out of these 10 started their own boutique and 11 earn a living by stitching clothes of people residing in their neighbourhood.

Cutting and tailoring Unit

Location No. of beneficiaries

Deepalaya Gram, Gusbethi

DCDP, Tilak Nagar

Total

30

64

94

3. Beauty & Culture:

Under Beauty and culture, girls and women from underprivileged background are groomed for setting up of their own beauty & culture unit or get a job fetching them a reasonable amount for their self-sustenance. Deepalaya has two such units – one at Deepalaya Gram, Gusbethi and the other one being run under Deepalaya Community Development programme (DCDP) at Tilak Nagar. During the year 120 students passed out, out of which 8 of then started their own parlour and 6 started giving door-to-door parlour service. The detail is given in the below table:

Beauty and culture Unit

Location No. of beneficiaries

Deepalaya Gram, Gusbethi

DCDP, Tilak Nagar

Total

32

98

130

Aasha was once a housewife, whose world was limited to the four walls of her house, her children and her husband, who was a driver and the only bread winner. One day, the husband was brutally hit by a motorbike on road and lost his memory and stayed at home for a year. This could have been the end of her world. She was hounded by endless questions to which she had no answers as she was not very well educated. However, she gathered herself and her family. She hoped to seek justice and hence decided to file a case in the court. But she couldn't afford a lawyer. Asha decided to step out and work.

Aasha – spreading light and hope

Ms. Aasha

25

Aasha is currently working in a parlour named, 'Mona Lisa'. She learnt how to cut and straighten hair, do pedicure, manicure, facial massage, etc. It all happened with the help of Deepalaya, where she learnt beauty and Culture. It is Deepalaya which helped her in becoming self-reliant and financially independent. Not only did it help her in generating income, but helped her

save enough funds for her children's education also.

Aasha's husband is currently working as a driver. Her husband has also started recovering. Her two children are studying in Guru Harkrishan Public School. Aasha credits her success to Deepalaya and is glad to have come across it.

20-year-old Deepak resides in Tehkhand and enrolled for Basic computer course being run at Gole Kuan Centre. Coming from economically weaker section, Deepak joined the course with high hopes that he would be able to support his family. His father works as a Security Guard in Okhla earning Rs 6000 a month, which was not sufficient to run a family of 5, including one sister and a brother.

When Deepak joined the course, he was pursuing BCA from IGNOU and Deepalaya provided him a platform to gain practical knowledge about Computers. He was a quick learner and a devoted student besides being a good artist too with sharp painting Skills. Deepak always had a goal in his mind and was always attentive in class and good student.

The teachers paid individual attention and also helped him in improving his communication skills through special sessions. The mock interviews helped him in gaining inputs for cracking interviews.

Soon after he completed the course, he applied for a job advertised by JawaharLal Nehru University on contract basis. Today he is working at “JNU” enquiry counter as Helpdesk Data entry operator, earning Rs. 8000 a month. Deepak has set an example for his peers.

Deepak – a role model for the underprivileged

SCHOLARSHIPS

NURSINGWEB

DESIGN

TRAVELTOURISM

HOTELMANAGEMENT

SOFTWAREENGINEERING

MASSCOMMUNICATION

Highlights

Deepak

Scholarship

26

23-year-old Mangal has had a long association with Deepalaya. He was enrolled with Deepalaya when he was just 2 years old. As a toddler, he used to play while his two elder sisters used to study. “Deepalaya was the only English medium school in Sanjay Colony at that time. Although my family was financially weak but my father wanted all three of us to get good quality English education. Therefore, he enrolled us with Deepalaya” says Mangal. Deepalaya's community mobilization programme helped Mangal's family know about Deeplaya.

“ “ adds Mangal. Mangal still remembers the moral education lessons taught to him by his English teacher. “At Deepalaya, we learnt to be selfless” says Mangal. Taking inspiration from these lessons, Mangal has taught kids for free.

Mangal – marching towards self-reliance

For being an excellent student, Mangal was awarded a scholarship by Deepalaya. After his schooling from Deepalaya, Mangal pursued a course in Art, Illustration and Graphic Designing and started working as graphic designer at Indian Institute Organization. After a few months in IIO, he joined Tea stall Studio. However, life had another surprise for him when he applied for one-year study programme in graphic Design under Community College Initiative programme.

The merit cum means loan scholarship scheme was introduced in the year 2007 with initial support of Pakhar Foundation. The aim of the project was to support students from economically weaker sections of the society to pursue professional higher studies like MBBS, B. Tech, B. Ed, B Pham, B.Sc (Nursing), GNM, BBA, MBA, Physiotherapy, Travel &Tourism etc, thereby enabling them to find jobs & occupation for a prosperous future.

Till now, we have supported 95 students after proper verification of their antecedents and

financial backgrounds. 56 students have completed their studies. 39 are still continuing their education. 51 students are working in various walks of life. 5 students are waiting for an opportunity. 11 students have fully refunded the loan. 34 students are repaying the loan in installments.

The scholarship programme has enabled meritor ious students of poor f inancial backgrounds pursue their higher studies in professional courses of their choice and achieve their ambitions in life.

Merit cum Means Loan Scholarship

During the last financial year, AON Hewitt through CAF India donated Rs. 10 Lac. The financial support enabled 15 students from different backgrounds and regions and to enroll for courses such as B.Sc in Nursing, Biotechnology, B. Tech, GNM, Chartered Accountant, BCA etc.

Support from AON Hewitt

Deepalaya school nahi hota toh shayad humpadhe likhe nahi hote

Mangal

27

Mangal wants to improve the living conditions for his family and is determined to achieve this objective. “Deepalaya was my second home

and it opened to me a door of immense opportunities for which I will always be thankful” adds Mangal.

A fairy tale that came true!Indu Bala was 19 years old when she passed her 12th from Deepalaya NIOS program. She belonged to a village in Himachal Pradesh. Her father was a small farmer earning around Rs 2500 to Rs. 3000 a month. With two daughters and one son, it was very difficult for him to manage his family affairs. Taking stock of the family situation, one of Indu's relatives brought her to Delhi. The paternal aunt thought it would help in reducing their family expenditure and Indu will be able to complete her studies.

It was a rare case for them. None of their relatives

had ever offered to help like this. Her aunt, who lived in the vicinity, enrolled her for Deepalaya NIOS program at Sanjay Colony. When we entered into collaboration with Shinnyo En Japan in 2007, the school principal strongly recommended Indu for the nursing course. She may not have topped the exam but had the determination of becoming a nurse.

Back in her village, she had seen people suffering from various diseases. In the absence of medical facilities, they had to travel to nearby town. The vaids and hakims in the village were the only people who prescribed some medicines. This was one reason which motivated her to become a nurse.

Considering her interest, the school Principal, Ms. Shikha Pal, contacted her aunt for convincing her to allow Indu to join the course and told that her educational expenses will be fully covered. Her aunt gave her consent after talking to Indu's parents. “I was thrilled to hear that my father had agreed and I would be able to become a nurse,” recalls Indu.

She was the first girl to be enrolled to 3- year general nursing and midwifery course at SOS Nursing College, Faridabad, where she got practical training. After completion of her course, Indu worked as a staff nurse for A P Dewan Memorial Clinic at Deepalaya School Kalkaji Extension. Meanwhile she got a better

Highlights

SOS Nursing Training Course Supported By Shinnyo En Japan, Shinnyo Scholarship AssociationDuring the last nine years, Deepalaya in collaboration with Shinnyo En Japan has brought a change in the lives of 14 girls and has lent a direction to their directionless life through their scholarship program. 4 amongst these 14 girls are studying. 2 students shall appear for annual examination during July. 8 students are gainfully employed and have become self-reliant. Not only are they earning but also contributing to society by serving people, mitigating their pain and helping them in leading a new life. Shinnyo has given a reason for their families, friends and relatives to feel proud of.

Indu Bala

Scholarship

28

opportunity and joined a hospital in Palwal, Haryana. After a few years, she got married in October 2013 and moved to Himachal Pradesh, where she started working in a community Hospital.

“I am indebted to Deepalaya and to my aunt who took me to Delhi. It was a turning point of my life. I had never imagined that I would become a

nurse. When I was in my village, only thing I knew that my parents would marry me off to a boy in a nearby village and I would end up cooking and looking after household chores. I am now a Nurse, managing my family and my job. Village people respect me a lot. I will never forget Deepalaya throughout my life”. This is what she said when we asked about her experience with Deepalaya.

Another programme designed at promoting self-reliance amongst underprivileged youth is Jyoti Sagar Scholarship, which was set up by Mr. Jyoti Sagar in the fond memory of his parents. The family has been supporting in numerous ways since 2007. The scholarship programme has been designed especially for the alumni of Deepalaya so that as they leave school and

think of building a career path, they have a shoulder to harp on, a ladder to climb on. The programme has touched the lives of 43 poor students who wanted to pursue a professional course. Out of these 43 students, 7 of them are pursuing their studies. Rest of them have completed their education and are making a living.

Jyoti Sagar Scholarship

GRADUATION

NURSING

WEBDESIGN

TRAVELTOURISM

HOTELMANAGEMENT

SOFTWAREENGINEERING

MASSCOMMUNICATION

DOCTOR

SCHOLARSHIPS

TEACHING

Gender Equity

Alleviation of Poverty is a major challenge before the government in India. While there has been a steady decline in rural poverty over the last two decades, there were 244 million rural poor (37 per cent of the rural population) in the country, as per the latest available estimates. Acceleration of economic growth, with a focus on sectors, wh ich are employment- in tens ive, facilitates the removal of poverty in the long run. It is an established fact that self-help groups and microfinance has enabled.

The strata of rural families, handled through Self-Help Groups, are capital scarce, labour surplus, and, by and large, bereft of proper knowledge as well as management skill. At the same time, it also remains a fact that barring certain location limitations, rural areas do throw ample opportunities for establishing of micro enterprises by making use of untapped manpower resources, available raw material of various forms, and existing market channels. Given the f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t , t o g e t h e r w i t h appropriate knowledge and skill input, the poor people, in general, have the propensity to make better use of labour and capital. Thus, establishing of income- generation activities and micro enterprises in the rural areas, in a way, helps promote first-generation micro entrepreneurs with resource mobilization on their own through their SHGs.

Deepalaya's Sel f -Help Group and Microfinance aim at providing an avenue to the rural and urban poor to march towards self-reliance. Started in Tavru block, a district in the Mewat region of Haryana, during 1999, the programme expanded to Uttrakhand and Delhi Slums. The main objective of the program was to help women living in this remote area to come out of “the four walls” of their house,

Self Help Group and Microfinance

The project at a glance

Particulars Total

Number of SHGs 1,218

Number of members

14,291

Micro-enterprises

7,692

Savings Rs. 7,91,57,400 Total Inter loan Rs.

17,32,96,435 Repayment of Total Inter loan

Rs. 14,31,55,740

29

empower them to take the lead, make then self-reliant, independent and respectable members of society.

A B C

Celebration of International Women's Day

Impact of the initiative

Social Changes Financial and Health related change

Ÿ Recognition of women in their families and

in the community.

Ÿ Decrease in cases of domestic violence.

Ÿ Reduction of Female feticide.

Ÿ Reduction in cases of Child marriage.

Ÿ Participation of women in decision making process of their families.

Ÿ Increased literacy rate particularly amongst the girl child.

Ÿ Empowered women enroll their Children in professional courses

Ÿ Reduction in caste based discrimination.

Ÿ Reduction in the veil custom in the community

Ÿ Participation in politics and political issues.

Ÿ Women stand united against alcoholism

Ÿ Financial support to their family members.

Ÿ Helping others in financial distress.

Ÿ Participation as equal in family decision making.

Ÿ Improved health and nutrition status.

Ÿ Started making decision on matters related to family health.

Ÿ Understanding the importance of nutritious diet for the family.

Ÿ Spreading awareness on menstrual hygiene and adopting healthy personal hygiene behavior.

Ÿ Members started their own business.

Ÿ Personal saving of members increased.

Ÿ Loan Availing Capacity increased.

Ÿ Consumption loan purpose was drastically reduced.

Ÿ Taking loan from money lender was reduced.

Deepalaya's SHG team, Haryana, celebrated International Women's day on 8th March 2016 at Pataudi. Mrs. Sharda Sharma, Women and child Development, Project Officer (WCDPO) Pataudi was the Chief Guest and Mr. V.S. Bhatnagar, (DDM, NABARD), Mr. R.K. Bhukkal & Mr. Puny Pal, Financial Literacy Counselors, Grameen Bank, with their team were welcomed and hosted by Mrs. Rachana Kulshrestha (Executive Director – Deepalaya) & Mr. Brajesh Pathak (Manager – SHG Microfinance). The programme started with

135 women from 25 SHGs. Various social issues like female feticide, domestic violence, etc. were discussed.

On this occasion five SHG's members were awarded for their active participation in different sectors. Ms. Kamla for creating a social impact, Ms. Mariyam for promoting Gender equity, Ms. Poonam for her efforts for promotion of education, Ms. Santosh for linking other women in SHGs and creating an Economical Impact and

Gender Equity

30

Ms. Sushila for her contribution towards Culture. Thereafter, the women celebrated with each other by singing, dancing and playing instruments towards the end of the program. The day marked the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women in the area.

Dhanpati – a leader worth following

45-year old Dhanpati is residing at Tauru block of Distt Mewat. Life was not easy for her as her husband expired around 15 years back due to prolonged illness. Her two sons, though had grown up, could not add much value to the family. Their only source of Income was farming. It all depended on the crop. The yield depended on monsoon and weather. Despite all the hard work and efforts put in by her sons, they were at the mercy of God and nature. Getting nostalgic, she recalls how their crop got affected so many times due to inadequate rainfall or extreme winter and hailstorms.

Years passed by, it was time to get her sons married. Gradually, number of dependents increased with two daughter in laws and their five children. It became all-the-more difficult to make both ends meet for a 10-member family. Her sons had an aspiration to educate the children.

3 years ago, Dhanpati came to know about self-help groups from one of the Deepalaya staff. The SHG team at Tauru created a 13-member group in the name of Deepalaya Anurag SHG.

She enrolled her two daughter in laws alongwith her in the group and started saving regularly. As her family needs increased, she decided to purchase a buffalo. When her turn came, the members decided and gave her a loan of Rs. 50000/- as that was the maximum, one member could be given. Yes, she had to put another 30000 bucks to fulfil her needs, which she borrowed from the SHG.

One may wonder, how would a buffalo add to the family's income? The hybrid buffalo started giving 12 Kg of milk every day fetching her an additional Rs. 15000 a month. She had two cows and one buffalo earlier. The new animal supplemented their monthly income and increased it to Rs. 30000/-

When we asked how she spends the income she earns, pat came the reply, “I am meeting the cost of education of my grandchildren. They all are studying in private schools now. But for me, they wouldn't have gone to a good school.” She is regular in paying the monthly installment of Rs. 5000/- as she knows it would help other members of the group. And the rest is spent on the upkeep of her herd of animals.

Throughout her life, she went out of her house. After joining the SHG, she got lot of confidence. She now walks to the bank all alone, talks to bank manager, operates the bank account and is very particular about group meetings and maintenance of books and records. As the chairperson of the group, she actively participated in societal affairs. She is the first one, who contributes to a cause that the village people want to undertake.

A few days back, she came to know about a dowry case and bride-burning in her neighbourhood, Dhanpati rushed to the house and saved the girl. Not only this, she alongwith other members of the group, keep an eye on their house, so that the girl is not exploited further. She is ready to take up the matter with the Panchayat and Police too.

As she recited her experience, we thanked Dhanpati for her contribution to society. As far as her grandchildren are concerned, she wants them to become doctors and engineers instead of living a humble life of a farmer.

Highlights

31

A fight against poverty, a flight towards self-reliance

Poverty is the worst form of violence -M.K. Gandhi

These famous words were quoted by the father of our nation who was an adamant preacher of non-violence yet this worst form of violence, i.e. poverty persists in our country. It is an obligation to abate it from our homeland as it is an undue punishment for a crime one didn't commit! This is what Deepalaya has been trying to do since last 37 years.

Deepalaya has supported thousands of women. Out of the many, one such story is of Parmila who hails from Baneras. Just when she started to chase her dreams, her parents followed the age-old ritual of getting her married at an early age. Within no time she became a mother of three babies. As life became grueling, she moved to Delhi 20 years ago in search of work with her better half. Their lives took a toll when they strived to earn a living in the metropolitan city. They had mind but no money.

Parmila started keeping herself busy by joining 'Mahila Chetna', which was a group working for woman empowerment. She did not think twice before an investment, but maybe she was so naïve to see through it. The group duped her, took her money and vanished!

Some people try but they can't find the magic, others get down on their knees and they pray. One comes alive when miracles happen, that's what she thought about Deepalaya when it came into her story.

Parmila got to know about the NGO when one of our volunteers visited their locality and informed people about the concept of a SHG (Self Help Group). But the fear created by the trickster group earlier was very strenuous.

However a few people joined hands with Deepalaya. A fellowship was formed in 2007, in the name of 'Deepalaya Radha Group', which had 15 ladies as its active members. They thought that instead of crying over their fate they can create wealth amongst themselves strategically. Initially Parmila borrowed Rs 20,000 from the group which she utilized in building her house and getting her elder daughter married. Her financial condition improved. Parmila's gist

actuated her husband and he started working. Till date she has borrowed Rs 3,00,000 in small denominations several times from Deepalaya.

Besides helping these people to annihilate their financial crisis, it helped in building an understanding amongst the members as they unanimously select a person in every meeting to which the funds has to be allocated depending on the need of every member.

The members believe that they now behave like 'One Big Family'. Alone they can do so little, together they can do so much, as earlier no one would have given her 10,000 rupees but now it is done with mutual understanding. Parmila said that Deepalaya taught her that it is not about earning money, it is about designing a life. The importance of having two bread earners in the house motivated her husband to work at tailor shop. Years passed by, her husband purchased a shop in RK Puram.

The personality change that she has undergone and the confidence that she has gained after associating herself with Deepalaya was clearly evident when she said.

Gender Equity

32

“aapke sath jitni baat karrahi hu utna phele kisi ke aage bolne kee soch

bhi nahi sakti thi” . Sometimes it is not the lack of ability but the lack of confidence that prevents one from achieving what one really wants. Many-a-times things are doable, but self-doubt makes it impossible.

From dwelling on streets to owning her own house, from zero balance in her account to having plenty of savings, Parmila experienced it all! The only constant during this indelible journey was Deepalaya, who walked hand in hand with her and changed her life forever.

Highlights

33

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The Chameli Dewan – Integrated Rural Community Health Centre

The Chameli Dewan -Integrated Rural Community Health Center at Deepalaya Gram Gusbethi was started in the year 1999. We observed that people living in Gusbethi and surrounding villages rush to the city even for basic health care facilities in the absence of a hospitals/medical centres in the area. Sohna and Tauru both being about 10 KM away, were not easy to approach. A programme on adolescent and women's health care was created for this purpose.

In 2003, an OPD facility for the community members was set up in collaboration with St. Stephen's hospital and a mobile clinic was launched in 2005 with the help of Dewan Foundation. Considering the need of a nearby hospital, Deepalaya Integrated Community Health Centre was inaugurated in 2011.

Apart from providing healthcare to children enrolled in Deepalaya childrens' home and students studying in Deepalaya School, the hospital unit provides various medical services to the community members.

The Chameli Dewan – Integrated Rural Community Health Centre

Healthcare

34

0

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1000

General

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InstitutionalDelivery

PediatricOPD

PediatricDental

HealthAwareness

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CommunityMeetings

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Female

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Beneficiaries of Deepalaya’s Healthcare program

The clinic in collaboration with Dr. Arnab Sen Gupta (son of Mr. Amitabh Sen Gupta, who was introduced to us by a benefactor and well-wisher) conducted dental checkup of 350 Deepalaya school children and those residing in Children's Home. Dr. Sen Gupta has been visiting

the clinic regularly since last year and has envisaged a full-fledged pediatric dental unit for children in and around Gusbethi which will become fully functional during the coming financial year ending 31st March 2017.

Dental Check-up

There were days when our Gusbethi Hospital unit was devoid of any pediatrician. Children were at the mercy of quacks, operating in the region as people neither had the means nor resources to visit hospitals in posh Gurgaon. Superstitions galore and people used to follow some natural remedies or Totkas to treat their children. We had been struggling to find a doctor but to no avail.

As destiny would have it, one of our benefactors Mr. Tanuj Berri, who has been regularly contributing for our causes, introduced us to Dr. Amitava Sen Gupta – a Pediatrician and Director, Child and Women Department, Paras Hospital, Gurgaon. Dr. Sen Gupta had been looking after Mr. Berri's children since childhood. When Mr. Berri introduced Mr. T K Mathew to Dr. Amitava Sen Gupta, he was impressed by the way Deepalaya is trying to bring a change in the region.

At that time, one of our children, Nishtha, enrolled at Childrens' home was suffering from a tongue tie. We had consulted many doctors but nothing worked out for her. Dr. Amitava Sen Gupta made necessary arrangements and helped us in getting a huge concession at Paras Hospital for her treatment. It was a beginning and foundation for a relationship that flourished

and brought tangible results.

When Mr. Mathew met Mr. Tanuj Berri once again the possibility of collaboration with Dr. Amitava Sen Gupta was discussed. Dr. Amitava Sen Gupta visited the unit with his son Dr. Arnav Sen Gupta, who was also impressed by our mission to serve the community.

Dr. Arnav Sen Gupta, a pediatrician dentist, started visiting the hospital once a week from September 2014 onwards. He alongwith his team identified children with dental problems. While children requiring general treatment were given medicine free of cost, those who required further treatment like, root canal, filling, extraction etc. were asked to visit his clinic at Gurgaon, where they were not even given treatment and medicine but also sumptuous food and drinks.

It was amazing to see a young doctor serving the community with such dedication, free of cost, without compromising on the quality. As things moved on, Dr. Amitava Sen Gupta envisaged a pediatric unit at Gusbethi. A section of the hospital unit was renovated, equipped with latest machines and decorated with cartoon characters to attract children coming for treatment.

Deepalaya Hospital – an oasis in rural Mewat

Highlights Highlights

35

Pediatric and general health services given by professional doctors and medical practitioners

Dr. Amitava Sen Gupta identified a doctor who was supposed to visit the pediatric unit twice a week. However, he backed out later on. Considering the reluctance from other doctors, Mr. Amitava Sen Gupta resolved to attend the unit once a week.

The pediatric unit was formally inaugurated on 15th July, 2015 in the presence of Mr. T K Mathew and local community.

Despite all the problems and difficulties, we are hopeful of providing five different types of services at our hospital unit – OPD, Pediatric Dental, Pediatric general, ophthalmologic and gynecology in near future. With doctors like Amitava Sen Gupta and Arnab Sen Gupta supporting us, we are hopeful of making it a poly-clinic and self-reliant in the coming few years.

It has been a long journey. The health unit at Sanjay Colony was set up in 1993 with the help of Mr. Ramesh Dewan in the fond memory of his father Mr. A P Dewan. The clinic named as A P Dewan Memorial Clinic has been serving the poor, living in adjoining slum clusters within a radius of 15 kms from Sanjay Colony, Okhla

Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi. Over these more than 20 years, we have been serving people from other slum colonies too like New sanjay Colony, Mazdoor Kalyan Vihar, Indira Camp, Sarita Vihar, Jasola, Rajiv Jivan Jyoti Camp, Jagdamba Camp to name a few.

A.P. Dewan Memorial Clinic

Project Outreach

Healthcare

36

Sl. No Male FemaleParticulars Total

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6. Family planning 97 520 617

7. Pulse Polio 3491 3447 6938

8. Immunisation programme 448 539 987

Grand Total 7029 8710 15739

A.P Dewan Memorial Clinic

Chameli Dewan - IRCHC

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The clinic is organizing regular eye camps on Thursdays in collaboration with Rajendra Prasad Eye Centre of the AIIMS. The patients are given medicines free of cost for the most immediate and curable ailments while those having serious problems are referred to the main Hospital at AIIMS. During the financial year under review, 1330 patients were referred to AIIMS for various eye ailments like cataract, Myopia, Squint, etc. and 568 patients were operated for cataract by the hospital free of cost while 2653 patients were given treatment at the clinic. A total of 39 eye camps were conducted during the year.

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Highlights Highlights

37

For women – 344 pregnant women were examined in a health camp.

Immunisation camps – 748 boys and 782 girls were provided immunisation doses for DPT, HB, Polio, MMR, Measles and Typhoid.

Family planning – The clinic also conducted special camps aimed at creating awareness about family planning, idle gap between two children and how to practice it. The camps were organized in collaboration with MCD Dispensary and 581 packets of condoms, 238 packets of Mala D and 29 pieces of Copper T were distributed to 97 men and 520 women.

Health camps

62-year-old Mahesh Chand stays in Harkesh Nagar with his wife Seema Devi and his son Deepak. Mahesh Chand was working as a security guard but had to leave his job due to low vision in his left eye. Age too was a factor. Thinking his son would now be able to support the family, he decided to take rest and get his eye tested.

His son was working in a company, however, due to some unavoidable circumstances, he had to leave job. Life came full circle and Mahesh Chand was in a fix. He neither had money to get his eye tested nor a job to survive. One of his neighbours told him about free eye-check up camps of Deepalaya.

Mahesh Chand decided to consult the doctor and came on 25th July 2015. The doctor diagnosed the problem of Pseudophakia with decentered IOL le Msc (a condition where the lens gets dislocated and an artificial lens is required to be planted) and referred him to AIIMS. He was immediately asked to admit on 25th July 2015 for operation. The operation was successful and he was discharged on 27th July, 2015. After the operation he came back for check up. The doctors prescribed spectacles and gave medicines. Mr. Mahesh Chand now has a clear vision.

“Deepalaya gave back my eyes”, he says, “without losing a fortune. I will recommend my relatives to approach Deepalaya for availing the services”. He is now thinking of finding a job again for earning a living.

Renewed life, renewed hopes for Mahesh

Mr. Mahesh wearing his spectacles during the follow up session

38

Healthcare

Differently Abled

Deepalaya's approach to enabling self-reliance for the students with Special Needs is based on a holistic approach to rehabilitate them, and mainstream them into the larger society. Disability is a complex phenomenon and is being tackled by a unique child-to-child approach. Deepalaya's program on Differently Abled was initiated in the year 1998-99 and over the past 18 years it has reached out to more than 4500 beneficiaries. The project, located at Sanjay Colony, aims to bridge the demographic divide and bring all stakeholders on one platform.

The child-to-child approach helps in assessing the kind of environment a child is living in, changes required in its living environment, its psychological, emotional and physical needs, kind of intervention and treatment it requires, improvement and changes due to treatment and finally mainstreaming and rehabilitating them into society. The special unit has been adopted by Laj Jagdish Foundation and has been renamed as Sambhav Project. The project provides following services to the differently abled children:

Special and Individualized Education Program: Depending upon a child's capability to learn an Individualised Education Program (IEP) was designed including academic and functional goals to be achieved based on the child's present level of performance. These goals were evaluated timely and the outcomes were documented in the child's individual files.

Physiotherapy: After assessing the needs of a child, a special program was devised which involved use of balance, strength and co-ordination activities, toys, games or other special equipment.Child's progress was monitored and modifications were done after taking into account a child's improvement. Not only this, physiotherapist counselled parents of every child undergoing physiotherapy to understand their child's problem and taught them home management program. They were also advised regarding assistive device to improve the child's skills and function.

Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy

was provided to students to improve their performance. Occupational therapists collaborated with special educators, care takers, and parents to develop and implement individual or group programs, provided counselling, and support during classroom activities. Few skills those were improved are:

Ÿ Gross Motor Skills enabling movement of large muscles in arms and legs and helped in rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping etc.

Ÿ Fine Motor Skills helps in movement and dexterity of the small muscles in hands and fingers for reaching to, carrying and shifting small objects etc.

Ÿ Cognitive Perceptual Skills help in developing concentration, memory, comprehending information, thinking, reasoning, problem solving, understanding concept of shape, size and colors etc.

Ÿ Sensory Integration helped in sorting out, responding to input received from the world and sharpening sensory processing abilities like vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, visual, auditory, gustatory and olfactory skills.

Ÿ Visual Motor Skills enabling a child's movement based on the perception of visual information abilities like copying.

Ÿ Motor Planning Skills improves the ability to plan, implement, and sequence motor tasks.

Ÿ Oral Motor Skills enables movement of muscles in the mouth, lips, tongue, and jaw, including sucking, biting, chewing, blowing and licking.

Ÿ Play skills to develop age appropriate, purposeful play skills

Ÿ Socio-emotional skills for interacting with peers and others.

Ÿ Activities of daily living: Self-care skills like daily dressing, feeding, grooming and toilet tasks. Also environment manipulation like handling switches, door knobs, phones, TV remote etc.

Sambhav Project- Mainstreaming the disabled

39

Speech Therapy: Speech therapist used qualitative and quantitative assessment methods, including standardized tests, as well as special instruments to analyse and diagnose the nature and extent of speech, language impairments. An individualized plan of care, tailored to each child's needs was prepared. Students were taught how to make sounds, improve their voices, or increase their oral or written language skills to communicate more effectively.

Pre-Vocational/skill-oriented training was also provided to children who are above the age of 12 years for developing their physical and mental abilities, creative skills, vocational aptitude and interest which are essential for leading an independent life in future.

Co-Curricular & Recreational Activities: Regular extra–curricular classes such as sports & games, dance, music, craftwork, painting & drawing etc. were conducted in order to bring out children's hidden talents and develop their creative skills.

Exercise and Yoga were the integral part of curriculum which is followed on daily basis. The project during this reporting year had 106 centre based beneficiaries. The unit was functioning in 2 shifts – Morning (60) and Afternoon (46). Apart from Centre based services, 20 beneficiaries were given home based services.

Drop-Outs

While there was an increase in the enrolment, 35 students dropped out due to various reasons. Most of the students have either migrated to their home town or have some family issues.

1

No. of beneficiaries

2

Total

106

20

Sl.No Particulars

Centre-based services

Home-based services

126

Type of disability

Achondroplasia

ADHD

Autism

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy & hearing & speech impaired

No. of New

Enrolments &

re-admissions

1

1

2

12

1

Total 50

CTEV Foot

Down Syndrome

Intellectually challenged

1

1

1

Monoparesis of Left UpperLimb

Physically Challenged

Right Hemiplegia

Spinal Cord Impingement

12

1

8

1

3

Intellectually challenged and gait abnormality

Visually impaired

1

Cervical Pain

Delayed milestones with Bilateral CTEV foot

Hearing & speech impaired

2

1

1

Nine students were mainstreamed into government/MCD school for formal education.

Referrals for Provisions/ Support Provided

The staff supported the parents in obtaining different kind of certificates like Disability certificate, IQ certificate, availing railway concession, pension under different government schemes. The parents were not even aware of the facilities provided by the government.

Parent – Teacher Meetings

Regular parent's teachers meetings were held on 3rd Saturday of each month. Eight meetings were

Differently Abled

40

Mainstreamed

in the reporting period. During the meetings the respective teachers discuss the progress of the students by sharing the files of the students, they also discussed the issues (Behavioural) with the

solution/management which are being faced with the individual students. Home management and follow up of the students were also discussed with the parents.

Counselling & guidance was also provided to parents on different issues like regularity of students, concessions, certificates, pension scheme, aids and appliances and other provisions.

Community Visits

Regular community visits were done for the follow up of students who were irregular in attending classes. Home visits were also done for guiding parents on home management, identification and enrolment of new students and mainstreaming students in formal schools. This year, the project covered Giri Nagar, Kalicharan Camp, Sanjay Colony, Dayal Singh Camp, Indira Camp, VP Singh Camp, Gole Kuan, Gandhi Basti, Harkesh Nagar, Prahlad pur, Y- Block and Rajeev Camp. The team also conducted door-to-door survey in J J Colony, CRRI, which is located behind Harkesh Nagar for identification and enrolment of beneficiaries with special needs.

Participation in Junoon (12th -13th Sep 2015):

NSS BITS Pilani, Rajasthan organized an event for children with special needs. There were 8 more NGOs from different states. 15 students along with 5 staff of Deepalaya participated in the event.

Students participated and won prizes in athletic events, participated in recreational activities like vegetable painting, thumb & finger painting and pencil stand making with ice – cream sticks. Students gave dance performance during valedictory function.

Students also participated in Cricket and floor hockey and gave tremendous performance.

Production Unit – marching towards self-reliance

Vocational Training Cum Production unit was functional with 3 vocationally trained students in Textile Desgning and Life Style Product Making and 2 under training students. They prepared different art and craft products like, Photo Frame, Greeting Cards, Quilled Miniature (Santa, Rabbit, Elephant, Tortoise, Doll, Flower Vase, Ganesha Idol etc.) File Folders, Paper Bags, Stocking and Wired Flowers and lots more decorative items which were gifted to visitors and delivered to the donors who places orders.

Students got the chance to exhibit and sell the products at different stalls organized by different corporates during festive season of Diwali.

Highlights

41

Moving “From a world unknown” to “sky so high”

8 year old Babita is a child suffering from “Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (Intellectually Challenged)”. Her father works in a private firm while her mother is a housewife. She is the eldest child yet she looks younger than her sister. Her parents are educated but they were unaware of disease that Babita was suffering from. People used to stare at her when they passed by. Perturbed and disturbed by the way people reacted, the parents kept her indoors and detached her from the rest of society until Deepalaya came to her rescue.

One day, Babita's parents met the parents of another special child “Geeta”, enrolled at Deepalaya. They also informed about the se rv ices that the NGO prov ides fo r mainstreaming differently abled children. However, the parents ignored the advice.

During 2013, when a community visit was conducted, Geeta's mother introduced Deepalaya staff to Babita's parents. The team having interacted with them, informed them about the condition of their daughter. Initially the parents were not willing to send their daughter to Deepalaya nor were they willing to expose their daughter to society. After a prolonged effort and frequent visits, the team was able to convince the parents of Babita, who agreed to enroll her in the Deepalaya special unit at Sanjay Colony.

Once she joined the unit the special educators had to work a lot on Babita so that she can understand what is being taught.

Initially she had difficulty in sitting at one place. She would move incessantly as she was entirely dependent on her mother for everything and was not aware about the bare minimum that a child is expected to know at this stage. She was not comfortable with the environment, society nor was she aware of what a classroom setup is. She had no idea about activities of daily living. Nor was she able to communicate and used to make irrelevant sounds. Since she was outcasted from the society for several years she had behavioral issues and was very aggressive and agitated at all times.

Depending upon her behavioral patterns, the team prepared a special plan along with specific goals. After several months, she started showing some improvement. One of the biggest changes was that she started sitting at one place and doing her work.

Today, she can perform all activities of daily living without anyone's support. She can change her clothes, eat food etc. on her own. She has also shown improvement in academics (with verbal prompt), behavioral, communicative and cognitive skills. Not only this, she developed a sense of responsibility towards her belongings and surroundings. With the help of special educators, her parents were able to obtain disabi l i ty cert i f icate. Cons ider ing the improvement, Babita was also mainstreamed in a nearby Government school in 1st Grade, something that her parents would have never imagined before.

Differently Abled

42

On left kids in Deepalaya project for differently-abled is receiving care and education from their special educators at Sanjay Colony, Okhla

On Right Babita a student of Special Education

Children’s Home

Deepalaya Institutional Care Program is now

known as Deepalaya Children's Home after its registration under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000. The program was started in the year 2000 with an aim to provide a safe and familial environment to children at risk. The program started with 19 children and today has grown to reach out to 70 children (45 boys and 25 girls as on 30th March 2015). Some of the children enrolled in the project have also been rehabilitated and marched on to a self-reliant future. They are on their own and supporting their families. While some of them have also been supported with higher education through different programs like Merit cum Means Loans scholarships thereat Jyoti Sagar Scholarship etc. Children enrolled come from different backgrounds. Some of them have been rescued from the streets and public places like railway stations, some are negative children of HIV positive parents, some are children of drug addicts and commercial sex workers and some are children from broken and dysfunctional families, referred by District Child Welfare Committee. The Program functions from village Gusbethi, Tavru Block, Mewat District, Haryana.

Counseling sessions and Health Checkups

As these children have faced difficult circumstances in their life, the program ensures that their psychological needs and health are adequately taken care of. While quarterly health check-ups help to keep a track of their physical health, counselling sessions are conducted to guide them during different phases of life and also to correct them whenever they are wrong.

Life skills training & Personality development workshops

During the year, children were given an opportunity to attend different workshops imparting life skills training, guiding them how to manage peer pressure, providing an insight into issues relating to sexual development, time management, developing leadership qualities, positive thinking and personality traits.

Yoga – a new discipline

Yoga is the new discipline for our children enrolled at Deepalaya Children's home. One of the sponsors, Ms. Varuna Khullar taught yoga to students. Since then, mornings start with Yoga in DCH. It has helped in disciplining the students and also in improving their concentration.

R e h a b i l i t a t i o n a n d h i g h e r education leading to self-reliance

When we established our Children's home, in the year 2000, we had not imagined a day would come when we will have to part with the children. However, it also gives us a sense of pride as some of them are now grown up, capable of taking care of themselves and their families. During the year, 1 girl and 3 boys were sent for a Job skills training organized by Jesus and Mary College at Chanakyapuri. After their training they will be placed in various jobs in Malls, Hotels and Parlours coordinated by the Enactus JMC personnel. In this way their rehabilitation will be done. The Training began from December 2015 and continued till Feb. 2016.

The 45-day training also known as Enactus youth empowerment program aimed at counselling c h i l d r e n f r o m p o o r s o c i o - e c o n o m i c background, giving them a direction and in helping them in getting employment. Soon the students will be gainfully employed in the retail sector.

43

Photo by Colonel Manoj Rawat

It was last day of October. Twenty Alumni including a girl came back to their alma mater for revisiting the good old days, the days of self-transformation and enlightenment. It was a proud moment for Mr. T K Mathew to see these children in an entirely different avtar. They were so meticulous about their appearance unlike the day when they were brought from the Okhla Mandi, railway stations and other places.

Dressed up for the first DCH alumni meet, their twinkling eyes reflected their achievements and dreams they have for their future. Out of respect they touched the feet of Mr. T K Mathew – the man who strived for changing their lives. Mrs. Mohammedi, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee was moved by the warm gesture. The students enjoyed the day, interacted with each other and also served as a motivation to the inmates. For it showed they could do more than just survive and can build a successful future.

IMPACT

1. With continued guidance and support, children enrolled in both the homes have improved a lot in terms of their confidence to speak in public, acting and stage performance. Constant exposure to different kind of

An emotional homecoming – a reunion of the past and the present

workshops, seminars and cultural activities have given them a different perspective. Additionally, an internal children's welfare committee has been formed pursuant to which children are entrusted with different roles and are actively involved in proper functioning of the Children's Home.

2. Children used to play sports and games like football, volleyball and badminton without knowing the rules of the respective sports. However, after being taught about the rules of these games they have chosen the games they want to play and started playing with proper rules and regulations. This has brought discipline and sportsmanship in their life. Puran, a class 12 boy has sent an example. After learning the rules of badminton at DCH he started playing properly with the children. He also played in his school at Tavru. In the month of August 2015 he was selected and represented his school in the Mewat dist r ict Inter-school badminton tournament. Though he could not win a trophy he was given a platform which has sent a positive signal to the rest of the children at DCH.

3. The behaviour tracking of the children and their constant correction through counselling is the most effective and a sustainable way of shaping and moulding a child's behaviour.

Children’s Home

44

DCH Alumni Meet

Prakash – igniting a ray of hope for his parents

Life, they say, is not a bed of roses. There are people, who are born with a silver spoon, while there are others, who don't have a home to live in, clothes to wear and food to eat.

Prakash hails from Bihar and comes from a very poor family. His family, including his father and two sisters moved to Delhi for livelihood unaware of the consequences of living in a city. It was getting difficult day by day for his father to bear the expenses of three children. They all were living in a small room. It took few months for his father to finally get a job and he started working as a peon in a small company. The owner of the company observed the situation of the family and referred Prakash to Deepalaya Children Home in 2004.

Since then, he has been staying in the Childrens' home. Despite the fact that he was very obedient and hardworking, he could not perform well in his studies. Throughout his academic life, he was poor in studies and passed with bare minimum marks. He could not clear class 10 exams and appeared for the second time.

Prakash himself and the staff at DCH realized that he can go ahead in life apart from studying and getting big degrees. When the staff informed about a job that he may get in a renowned hotel at Goa as a room keeper, he agreed and started working from November 18, 2015. Prakash is grateful to Deepalaya for its support as he is now in a position to help his siblings and parents, who have struggled throughout their life.

Shiva – the unsung hero of the underprivileged

There are some stars which are always in the limelight. People talk a lot about them. Their stories are known to everyone. But a time comes when they shine only for themselves. The light they emit doesn't guide people rather it hurts the eyes of others. While there are some stars that burn twice, not for themselves but for others, to brighten up others' lives.

Shiva belongs to the second category – the unsung hero of those whom he mentors and guides. However, this sense of social responsibility, was not something that came naturally to him. He comes from a very poor family. His father was a driver and mother a housewife. For some personal issues, the family moved from Pune to Old Delhi, unaware of the problems one may face in the hustle bustle of the busy city life and the kind of money that would

be needed for managing a family of six with two sons and two daughters. His father thought Delhi is better than Pune as far as income is concerned.

As time passed by, Shiva had developed a tendency to move around with his friends. He was not sent to school for want of money. His mother, who suffered from a heart hole, managed to enroll him in a play school run by a NGO close to G B Road, a red light area. Considering their condition, one of the women working in that NGO referred Shiva to Deepalaya Childrens' Home in 2004.

It was an entirely different world for him. Gradually, he realized there is much more in life than merely wandering on the streets with his friends. He was sent to a school in Deepalaya

Highlights

45

Prakash

gram campus. Initially he found it difficult to grasp things yet he could manage to catch up with his peers. His mother enrolled her brother Shankar too in the Childrens' Home. His brother was studious as compared to him. As he grew, his mind again started wandering. He passed his matric with average marks. Meanwhile, Shiva lost his mother. And his father too left the family. His sisters were happily married and had their own family to look after.

As he came out from the Childrens' home, he realized the stark realities of life. He was all alone with only one friend without any house. He had even slept on a footpath. Little did he realize that Deepalaya was merely a call away to offer help? However, lessons that come the hard way remain there for life. He managed to find a job or two but could not sustain. As he went for an interview, someone stole his documents. Shattered, he was sitting alone in a job consultancy firm. Suddenly a man told him there is a vacancy in Aggarwal Movers and Packers for a customer care executive. Before he could even think or talk to that man and take his contact number, he stepped out and appeared for the interview.

“My eyes still search for that man as I wanted to thank him,” says Shiva. “But he disappeared

within minutes. Nor did I realize that God will help me like this. It was a turning point of my life.” Shiva is happily employed and has also helped 3 more students from Childrens' home to find a job. “I don't want that my brother and other peers should also face the problems I went through. They also approach me whenever they need guidance. I will help people to the extent I can,” he adds.

Certainly, we need people like Shiva to make this world a better place to live.

Children’s Home

46

Shiva - a beneficiary of Children’s Home

Glimpses of regular activities, achievements and celebration at Deepalaya Children’s Home

CRM and HR

Communication and Resource Mobilisation

Communication and Resource Mobilisation department has been entrusted with the responsibility of communicating, spreading awareness about various interventions, programmes, causes of the organization and raising funds from different means and sources for its sustenance. During the past few years, Deepalaya has raised funds from Individuals, fund ing agenc ies , corporate grants , government sources and specially designed programmes like sponsorship.

Considering the fact that internet penetration in India is 8.5% and it ranks third in the list of countries with highest number of internet users, Deepalaya has, of late, started a crowd funding page to tap digital marketing as one of the tools for raising funds.

Ways and Means of raising funds

Child Sponsorship: Sponsorship is one program which establishes a one-to-one relationship with child whose education is being sponsored and the donor. During the year under review, the department was able to add on 314 new sponsorship and retain 768 existing sponsors. Regular and prompt communication, especially updates from children, their progress reports, birthday greetings, created a long-lasting relationship. This year, the sponsors were also sent a calendar. During the year, spsonsoship department was able to raise Rs. 82.14 lacs

Donation Boxes: These tiny boxes, aimed at creating visibility and raise funds, added Rs. 8.90 Lacs to our kitty during the year ended 31.03.2016. We were able to install 129 new donations boxes in the market with a total of 492 boxes installed at shops, malls, clinics etc.

Corporate Grants under Corporate Social

Responsibility: Much to the advantage of the organization, the government came up with a policy of Corporate Social Responsibility, under which certain corporates are under the obligation of spending at least 2% of the average annual profits of last three years for social

transformation. We were able to raise Rs. 2 crore from the Corporates which is around 42% higher than last year.

Funding Agencies: The funding agencies have been supporting us much before for the last many years. Deepalaya was able to raise Rs. 1.6 crores from the funding agencies too.

Direct Mailing/Individual Donation: While Funding agencies and corporates provided major chunk of resources, Individual donors helped us with Rs. 89.09 lacs. The donors were engaged through periodical communication like direct mailing, newsletters, annual reports etc.

Foreign Funding to Indian Funding: It is pertinent to mention that over the last few years, Deepalaya has been able to reduce its dependence on foreign sources. The percentage of foreign funding to Indian funding has reduced from 15% during 31st March 2015 to 14% during this financial year. In other words, Deepalaya is marching towards reliance on indigenous sources as foreign sources tend to dry up slowly.

47

3

44

123

6

0 Outstanding Above Expectation Solid Improvement

Neededunsatisfactory

Fund raising during 2015 -16

Individual Donation Corporate Grants Funding Agencies Grants

Government Grants Donation Box Sponsorship

CRM and HR

Notable contributions

`60,43,600

`35,64,250

`25,00,000

`25,00,000

`21,57,520

Oriflame India (P) Limited

Asian Paints Limited

The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd.

Essel Foundation

Nikon India Private Limited

Human Resource

The year 2015-16 began with new challenges. Efforts were made to fill numerous vacant positions with most-suitable people. Ms. Rachana Kulshrestha joined us as Executive Director. 39 positions were filled at the middle level and 6 at the junior level. The HR department is making its earnest efforts to keep the employees and the management satisfied.

Indian Volunteer

Indian Interns

53

31

Volunteer Management

Employee motivation and engagement

Employee engagement was one of the top agendas of the HR department. Apart from providing induction at the time of joining, new employees are given a mentor to help them in adjusting to the environment in the organization. The initiative is called buddy programme. Buddy is also supposed to educate the new employee about the organizational plan, procedures and policies.

Birthday is another occasion when every

employee is given a special treatment. The last Friday of every month is dedicated to celebration of birthdays of all employees.

Third Saturdays are utilized for staff meetings. Employees from all project locations are invited with a special agenda. It promotes a sense of belongingness as everyone gets an opportunity to provide his/her input for successful running of a particular program. Staff meetings provides a platform for mutual nurturing and learning.

48

The staff meetings are also used as a platform for conducting trainings, sessions relating to health etc. During the year, following activities were conducted:

Ÿ A session on Water Therapy was given by Dr. Balram on 8th December, 2015. Dr. Balram informed the employees how water can heal problems like Diabetes, Blood Pressure, and Thyroid.

Ÿ New year was celebrated with full enthusiasm and fun filled activity was conducted.

Ÿ A Meditation Session was conducted by

Sahaj Yoga on 16th January, 2016.

Ÿ Training session on personality development and communication was also held for the staff members at corporate office.

Ÿ The staff celebrated International Women's Day with lot of enthusiasm. The female employees were given special attention.

Ÿ Foundation Day was celebrated at Deepalaya with lots of enthusiasm and enjoyment. People from all the locations has participated in cultural activities organised for the day.

Irudayam – a moving encyclopedia

Mr. Irudayam R. possesses a name (Irudayam means Heart) that is true to his personality. He is the lifeline of Deepalaya head office in the literal sense. Out of love, people call him Iru or Iru Bhaiya.

He joined Deepalaya on 6 July 1989 as Office Attendant at the age of 18 years. As a fresher with little knowledge of administration, he used to do cleaning, dusting, making tea and other outdoor work. During the last 27 years, he has undergone a sea change and has learnt many th ings. As he gained knowledge, h is performance improved. With his hard work and learning, he has acquired such an incisive understanding about various aspects of Deepalaya's work that he is virtually a moving encyclopedia. Today he is working as Officer Administration in Deepalaya. Irudayam owes his success to Deepalaya and Mr. T K Mathew, Secretary & Chief Executive, who had lot of faith in his qualities.

CRM and HR

49

Mr. Irudayam Raj

1. Mr. Yashpal Thakur

Staff Delhi-Chandigarh-Delhi 1 day 1 1Education Dept. Visit

1,740

2.Mrs.

Bhuwaneshwari Alex

Staff Almora-Delhi-Almora 4 days 2 1 Survey training & staff meeting

3,007

3. Mr. Dilip Kumar Staff Almora-Delhi-Almora 4 days 2 1 Survey training & foundation day

program

1,917

4.Mr. Kailash Singh

BaniStaff Almora-Delhi-Almora 4 days 2 1 2,886

Credibility & Transparency

Details of International Travel made During the Financial Year 2015-16

50

I GB/EC Members

Details of National Travel made During the Financial Year 2015-16

Sl.No

Name Designation Place of Travel Duration No. of visits

No. of Person

Purpose Amount(Rs)

1. Mr. AJ Philip President Kerala-Delhi-Kerala 23 days 3 1EC Meeting 47,651

2.Mrs. Mary Abraham

Member Kerala-Delhi-Kerala 2 days 1 1 EC Meeting 4,032

3. Mr. PJ Thomas Member Chennai-Delhi-Chennai 8 days 2 2 EC Committee 45,975

4.M. Y.

ChackochanMember Kerala-Delhi-Kerala 10 days 2 1 EC Meeting 54,152

III Staff

II Chief Functionary

Total 151,810

Grand Total 164,469

Sl.No

Name Designation Place of Travel DurationNo. of Days

No. of Persons

Purpose Amount

1. – – – – – – – Nil

Total Nil

Nil

Survey training & P.D. Training

5. Mr. Yogesh Lohani

Staff Almora-Delhi-Almora 4 days 2 1 3,109Survey training & P.D. Training

Total 12,659

Less than 5000

Consolidated Report

No board member is remunerated.

Salary Slabs Male Staff Female Staff Total StaffPartTime

FullTime

Total PartTime

FullTime

Total

Grand Total

Lowest Paid Employee (Full Time)

Highest Paid Employee/ Head of Organisation

Reimbursement to Board Member

Name Position on Board No. of Meetingsattended

Reimbursement/Remuneration in Rs.

1 – 1 3 – 3 4

5000 – 7499

7500 – 14999

15000 – 24999

25000 – 49999

3

–

–

–

–

–

52

26

22

5

3

52

26

22

5

7

–

–

–

–

–

99

27

34

7

7

99

27

34

7

10

151

53

56

1250000 – 99999

Designation Monthly

Secretary & C.E. Rs. 1,05,000/-

Designation Monthly

Teacher Rs. 7,500/-

4 107 111 10 167 177 288

Nil

Mr. A.J. Philip

Mr. T.M. Abraham

Mr. B.P. Thomas

Mr. Sakhi John

Mr. Mathew Cherian

Mr. P.C. Abraham

Mr. Shaji P. John

Ms. Mary Abraham

President

Treasurer

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

51

5

5

1

5

3

3

5

2

47,651

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

4,032

Mr. Y. Chackochan

Mr. P.J. Thomas

Ms. Annie Mathew

Member

Member

Member

2

2

4

54,152

45,975

Nil

100000 and Above 2 2 2– – –

Mr. TK Mathew Secretary & C.E. (Ex-officio) 5 12,60,000

Financial Summary

52

Financial Summary

53

54

Financial Summary

Financial Summary

55

56

Financial Summary

Financial Summary

57

58

Financial Summary

Financial Summary

59

60

Financial Summary

Financial Summary

61

62

Financial Summary

Financial Summary

63

64

Financial Summary

Financial Summary

65

66

Financial Summary

Milestones

Institutional Care CentreFormal, Non-formal

& Remedial Education

Vocational

Training

from singleparent families &

Orphans

economicorphans

28%

41%

31%Educated

Over

291,351

2 Formal Schools , Several LearningCentres

1,100

12,216+ 1,470

CompletedUniversity

Childrenso far|

Health

DifferentlyAbled

Microfinance

& Livelihood

1,218+ villages

Enterprises Women

Self Help Groups

14,291+

400

7692+|670,239+

Teenagers providedmenstrual healthcare

community based rehabilitated children

Provided healthcare

10,000+ 4,510+

67

List of Donors Supporting Deepalaya

Ÿ Mahindra Education Trust

Ÿ Miracle Foundation

Ÿ Intage Japan

Ÿ Australian High Commission

Ÿ Education Department

Ÿ Asha for Education

Ÿ Give Foundation

Ÿ CAF America

Ÿ Hindustan Unilever

Ÿ Laj Jagdish Foundation

Ÿ Pakhar Foundation

Ÿ Oriflame India Pvt Ltd

Our Big THANK YOU to our individual child sponsors, trusts & foundations!Our HEAP of THANKS also to our volunteers, well-wishers and supporters...

68

Deepalaya Credentials

ü Regional Awardee (Northern) in the Medium Category of the India NGO Award, 2007

ü Regional Awardee (Northern) in the Large Category of the India NGO Award, 2008

ü ISO 9001:2008 Certification

ü Member of Credibility Alliance

Reach usDeepalaya Board Members

NGO Leadership & Excellence Awards by ABP News

India:Deepalaya Human Resource Centre (HRC)46, Institutional Area, D-Block Janakpuri, New Delhi - 110058Phone: +91-11-28520347, 28522623Email: resource@deepalaya.org

UK:Friends of Deepalaya, UK“Delvins” Gaston Street,East Bergholt Colchester,Co7 6SD United KingdomE-mail: chris.tuppen@btinternet.com

Disclaimer & Copyright:All images appearing in the Annual Report 2015-2016 are the exclusive property of

Deepalaya. The images may not be reproduced, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of Deepalaya.

Copyright © 2015-2016

www.deepalaya.org

President

Treasurer

Executive Members

Secretary & C.E. (Ex-Officio)

Mr. A.J. Philip

Mr. T.M. Abraham

Mr. B.P. Thomas

Mr. Sakhi John

Mr. Mathew Cherian

Mr. P.C. Abraham

Mr. Shaji P. John

Ms. Mary Abraham

Mr. Y. Chackochan

Mr. P.J. Thomas

Ms. Annie Mathew

Mr. TK Mathew

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