Partnership with CHILDS
Project Profile
CHILDS (Vathsalya Vanam) is an orphanage located in Andhra Pradesh, South India; specifically, it is located in Madanapalle (Chittoor District), a town of 200,000 people. It was started in April 2002 by P. Nageswara Rao, a veteran journalist of 16 years, a former teacher in a child labor school, and yoga instructor. It currently serves 36 children but its mission is to take in three times more after the purchase of 2 acres of land from the local government and the construction of its new building are complete- projected by December 2010. A playground, mud huts for meditation and a guest house will be built in addition to the 2 story orphanage-school. Nageswara Rao teaches yoga and meditation which are helping the children to live virtuously. Presently, there are 2 full-time teachers and one part time teacher but the goal is to have 5 full-time teachers with each specializing in a given subject- English, math, science, etc. Learn more at http://sites.google.com/site/childsorphanage/
The Collector of Chittoor District, Mr. M. Ravi Chandra, recently said “I am with you” and has agreed to provide teachers and funds for food; these efforts are finally being made by the government and will go a long way; however, there are still some needs to be met, as are described below.
Contact info: Mr. Nageswara Rao
Address: 2-282-A5, P & T Colony
Madanapalle, Chittoor District
A.P., India 517325
Tel: (91) 08571-200708
Mobile: (91) 944070703863
Email: childsorgmpl@yahoo.com
Need for material resources
Total costs for the orphanage at present amount to about 26,300 INR or about $525 USD per month. This does not take into account the cost of acquiring the 2 acres of land at $2,000 USD each nor the cost of construction of the new site. In addition, costs will go up at least 3 times given that the capacity of the orphanage will increase three-fold starting in 2011.
Books
CHILDS has a need for childrens books (aged 8-15) and is in the process of building up a stockpile which will then be put in a library at the new location.
Clothing
Presently, the cost of clothing (2 pairs per child and per year) totals 1500 INR per year, or $30. These are locally stitched so all that would be needed are funds.
Please note that upon moving to the new location, the needs and the types of needs for funds will change drastically. For example, 3,000 INR ($60 USD) is spent per month on firewood for cooking but this will be replaced by gas at the new location.
Construction
The design is complete and it calls for 2 floors to fit 2 separate dormitories for girls and boys, a dining hall and classrooms. This is clearly the highest foreseen cost and any financial help to build rooms will be much appreciated. Cost estimates are being created now.
Need for Volunteers
CHILDS will open its doors to volunteers from other countries to do extra-curricular activities and simply just to interact with the children. Food and accommodation will be provided and in line with Omprakash’s philosophy, no fees will be charged. They will be able to stay in the guest house at the site. Skills like teaching English, origami, juggling, gardening, carpentry are sought. Prospective volunteers should email their resumes (CVs) and a brief explanation of what activities they would like to hold. The children speak Telugu and know little English, so the language barrier should be kept in mind; nonetheless, the volunteer and the children will have a rewarding experience.
In addition to volunteers who interact with the children, there is a need for volunteering to help with the administration to help in preparing reports, writing letters and updating information/files on the kids. Realistically, one to two volunteers at a given time could help with both sets of tasks- teaching and administration.
Other info
http://picasaweb.google.com/Brinco2719/OrphanageSri?authkey=Gv1sRgCOjky6a3ip-ETA&feat=email#