Hi Ratan,
Thank you for clarifying the 'problem' in detail. I get a good
understanding of how things look on-field right now and why there is
opposition for full scale deployment of this program.
I would suggest that the group keep FDP very simple right now. There are
a lot of ideas floating, which is very good but there are a lot of unknowns
too ... the unknwowns being
a. How much expense is needed per month (currently estimated to be Rs.
25K)
b. Should a "huge" amount like Rs. 25K be spent on a cause that is
unknown?
c. Can the expense be reduced?
* If it can be reduced, does it mean we do this once in a while?
d. Who is the deserving candidate/group for this program, so that our
commitment doesn't get wasted.
e. Which orphanage do we approach?
* How reliable is the orphanage?
Here's what I suggest we do ...
1. Prepare list of orphanages, SC/ST orgs and old age homes in the area.
2. Then add static credibility to this list i.e., without spending time
to visit the orgs, see if we can do some research via people we know,
internet, newspaper/magazine articles that give or take away credibility to
these orgs. This would give us a list smaller than #1 above.
3. Visit the "most" credible and "most" deserving orgs from list #2 and
see how they are setup, operated and what are their needs.
4. Then propose to the group which org seems to be doing good, where our
contribution would serve as an addendum to the work they are doing. Let us
NOT contribute to orgs where we are the only ones contributing.
Once we start contributing to this org, let us see how it goes i.e.,
* how often do they need groceries?
* how well do they manage the groceries?
* what is the quality of the food?
* are the residents of the org happy?
* what improvements can our group bring in?
Based on the lessons learnt, we can partner with more orphanages/old age
homes/SC/ST orgs in the future. For the present, keep it simple.
Lets not get our hands too muddled by hiring people to cook, setting up
infrastructure and all ... this is like we setting up our own school for
educating students or setting up our own hospital to treat patients ...
that's not what our group can afford to do, especially given that it is full
of busy professionals who are generous with their time.
As Suresh.E suggested, our group should follow the approach of
identify->verify->sponsor->support .... this is a simple yet powerful
approach.
Cheers!
Karthik
On 19 Apr 2007 01:20:19 -0700, Ratan Kumar Singh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Prasanthi,
In the MoM, Chaitanya had expressed clearly that we do not oppose the
project, but we could not see a way where we are really making a difference
by distributing one time food to people in a week 9assuming we are doing it
every week).
ITS THE PROBLEM OF VOLUNTEERS AND TIME, BOTH.
About needy people, you have mentioned about so many govt run orphanages &
SC/ST schools. My question is, have we found out one such school where food
is needed? We have to ascertain such a school, no. of inmates, the role of
other sponsorer/govt and our scope of work and then about the budget.
Problem you have mentioned as the MANAGERS and their ability. Thats why it
was suggested in previous mails that we have to go for surprise checks to
see the quality of food they are serving.
About the duration, you have mentioned that if everyone wants then we can
take this up every weekend. I think many members thought it can be taken up
in a more regular basis like daily. But to implement it on daily-basis, we
have to find out schools/orphanages, may be with less number of inmates, say
about 20-30 members and then ascertain whats their present sponsorship and
where we can fit. If fund is low and requirement is high, then we can take
up the project subject to availability of budget. For one 15-yr old, a plate
of meal will cost max Rs.10 when prepared in a lot. So for 2 meals a day
and a tiffin, it would be Rs.25 per head. Assuming 30 such inmates are
there, 25 x 30 x 30 = Rs.22500, say Rs.25000.
As we have not yet seen any such orphanages/SC/ST schools, we are not so
keen and we (people who say NO) feel that once in a week FDP is not at all
making any difference. Hence it may be taken up as an individual interest
like celebrating b'days with food in some orphanage or may be during some
festival(say during Sankranthi, we will sponsor one good meal for the
inmates of any such school).
That is the EXACT problem for not taking up/not showing interest in FDP.
The ideal way you have suggested is to identify a person and help him to
build up a hotel sort of thing is ideal in an ideal way. Finding a person
who would be interested to start a business in our fund (and can you guess
how much it would be for the lease rent and advance for a hotel room even if
it is smaller one? or are you suggesting about a BANDI?), finding him a
place and infrastructure, is not that easy. Finding a school/orphanage would
be more easier.
But anyway, you have given a new idea. So if you know anyone, we can talk
to him and see the feasibility.
Hope your question got answered.
Ratan
------------------------------
Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
Check out new cars at Yahoo!
Autos.<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48245/*http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html;_ylc=X3oDMTE1YW1jcXJ2BF9TAzk3MTA3MDc2BHNlYwNtYWlsdGFncwRzbGsDbmV3LWNhcnM->
