Invitation from: Rakesh Dear all,
BHUMI (www.bhumi.in) is a "Center for Learning Leadership" fuelled by a vision to bring about large scale, holistic and sustainable transformation. We firmly believe large scale development is a governance agenda and competent leadership is critical to fulfilling this agenda. We work in four domains viz., 1.Education, 2.Livelihoods, 3.Health care and 4.Water, Environment & Sanitation - with an idea to develop models of transformation that are owned by the communities we work with and the models are scalable and replicable. Individuals from within the community; desirous of learning and demonstrating leadership for change are meant to take on such holistic transformation projects, work with limited resources and bring about change. In the process they groom and develop themselves into competent leaders. BHUMI has recently adopted 10 schools in partnership with ASHA Silicon Valley in Kosigi (Kosigi Initiative). These 10 schools have primary schools in Thandas (tribal hamlets), middle schools in small villages and one High school which is about 10 kms from Kosigi (mandal HQ). These schools have pretty poor infrastructure; the roofs are ready to fall, children have no toilets or drinking water facilities etc. The Zilla Parishad High School is the biggest school in the area, with a strength of 507 students in classes 6th to 10th (the school strength has increased by over 100 this academic year as a result of our initiatives at the school). To ensure retention of students in the school and improve enrolments, especially girl children, BHUMI believes, there needs to be improvement in three main areas: Improvement in school infrastructure in terms of classrooms and teaching aids; Ensuring quality education through adequate teaching staff at the school; Ensuring appropriate mentoring to enable the children in understanding the value of good education. BHUMI has taken first steps in this direction through providing the school with Science Kits and distributing uniforms and stationery for the children. Further, BHUMI would like to focus on infrastructure improvement through construction of toilets which would ensure that the school children will have cleaner, safer and a better learning environment motivating the thousands of children engaged in child labour to go to school. Towards this BHUMI had planned for the below activities for this August 15th, 2008 on the Independence Day eve. 1. Construction of 8 toilets in technical collaboration with Sulabh International. (Rs. 2.25 lakhs - Indicated budget by Sulabh International) 2. Install a motor for the bore water to ensure clean maintenance of the toilets. (Rs. 25,000/-) 3. Meet the event expenses of transporting volunteers to the village and meeting their food and other expenses. (Rs. 50,000/-) 00:00 hrs 15th August, volunteers of BHUMI & villagers of Gundumal and students of the school residents will start a marathon construction activity at Zilla Parishad High School, Gundumal that will last for 12 hours - through FREEDOM UNDER CONSTRUCTION initiative. We will assist, the skilled labour, in excavations and by the end of the 61st Independence Day we would have built part portions of the toilets for children of the school & a brighter future for the 507 kids of the school. (The construction would then be completed with help of hired labour from the village). Freedom Under Construction - is our way of demonstrating our will to write a better destiny for our nation - better than the one we inherited. At BHUMI, Independence Day is an occasion for celebration unlike any other. It is a time for us to revisit the enthusiasm and pride we felt as children, when we saluted our national flag. Over the years, the enthusiasm waned, responsibilities of adulthood clipped our wings of desire and clouded our sense of idealism. But a glorious nation need not be a long forgotten memory - it is a product of our collective action as a society. And what occasion could be more fitting than Independence Day to work together towards building a better nation? The last two years we have invested our efforts in building classrooms for children from Rasoolpura Government School. We had about 1500 volunteers that participated in the drive last year. Freedom Under Construction 2007 http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/16/stories/2007081659500300.htm http://bhumi.in/media/eenadu.pdf This August 15th we need your support to make this initiative a success. You can help - either by contributing or by volunteering or by doing both. How can you support this initiative by contributing through funds: BHUMI has largely been self funded organization, most of our expenses are met from our savings and individual donations; we request you to contribute as much as you are capable, to help us meet the construction expenses. Mode of PaymentProcess Online TransferFor all contributions within India, credit them directly to Account number : 024505001673 Account Name : BHUMI Bank: ICICI Bank, Mehdipatnam Branch, Hyderabad. How can you support this initiative by Volunteering: Participants interested in becoming a part of the Unique Independence day celebrations can join the activity by dropping a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] - to get registered. Alternately you can directly reach the venue and get registered on the spot. VenueZilla Parishad High School, Gundumal, Kosigi Mandal, Mahboobnagar About 150 Kms from Hyderabad WorkConstruction of twin pit toilets as perfected by Sulabh International (http://www.k4rd.org/ruraltech_pit.htm) TimingsMidnight Aug 14th (00:00 hrs Aug 15th) to 12pm Aug 15th ( 12 hour Marathon construction Drive) Pick upBuses will be made available to transport volunteers to the site and back. Pick up point - Mehdipatnam Buses leaving for Gundumal: 19:00 hrs on 14th August and 07:00 hrs on 15th August Buses Travelling Back to Hyderabad: 10:00 hrs on 15th August and 14:30 hrs on 15th August. Food Food will be provided for the volunteers onsite Let's celebrate our national festival together, and reaffirm our faith in our ability to rebuild a glorious nation one day. For any further queries you can get in touch with Mujeeb Khan (9399984242) / Rakesh (9885419012); Regards Rakesh Reddy Dubbudu BHUMI www.bhumi.in weblog: http://rakesh-will-do-it.blogspot.com/ +91 9885419012 There are only two options, Either 'you Change' or 'Change the system' I chose the second one!!!!
