Be The SupportProgramme for continued sustenance

Be The Support

Background

• Started by a group of youngsters in Kultali block, situated in the largest island of the Sunderbans, as a club for recreational activities in 1978

• Eye-opener during the devastating floods of 1983 when the club was actively involved in relief activities and interfacing with govt. for relief support and organizing relief camps.

• The 1983 experience exposed the youth to the total lack of apathy and support from their elected representatives to the government – resulting in the resolve to provide better facilities for their vulnerable community.

• Birth of BTS – Initial Focus – Education as a fundamental to empower and liberate people

Be The Support

BTS - Today

Provides integrated development support to the poor disadvantaged people from 6 villages in Kultali Patharpratima islands in • Education

– Patha Bhavan – The School on Basic Education – Strength – 250 students supported to Class VIII – ZERO progressive dropout history.

– Education support for rural dropouts (Girls) & 6 Child Care Centres covering 150 children (3-6 yrs) of rural working mothers.

• Health Care– Rural Community Hospital – OPD Clinic, medicine bank and medical

equipments (X-Ray, ECG & Patho Lab).– Mobile Boat Dispensary for transporting emergency patients to

mainland hospital & providing island-to-island healthcare clinics.

• Livelihood Support– Support local farmers with modern agro-equipments and to minimize

the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers vis-à-vis promoting bio-fertilizers.

– Community grain bank and bio-compost training to maximize bio-farming

– Project on Home nutritional gardening by village housewives to ensure food security & address basic common diseases by the use of local medicinal plants/herbs.

Be The Support

Road Ahead – Key Upcoming Plans

HEALTHCARE

EDUCATION

LIVELIHOOD GENERATION

Rural Youth Training Centre – Vocational –

- Computers / Carpentry / Animal Husbandry / Fisheries

Sunderban Sports Academy

Facility Expansion

- Mobile Boat Dispensary for neighbouring 3-4 deltas

- Solar Lighting & Upgradation of BTS-Rural

Hospital (IPD & Others)

Water & Sanitation (WATSAN) project

Facility Expansion

- Construction of additional 10 classrooms for BTS-Patha Bhavan

- Solar Lights in all education centres

- Ceiling Construction in 2 Childcare centres

-Students hostel (Girls & Boys) construction

Book Banks in 10 project villages covering 2500 children

Tutorial Support Centres – 10 units

USD 200 K

USD 300 K

USD 200 K

Be The Support

BAND OF BANDHUS(Friends of BTS Group)

Be The Support

“Be The Support” Programme

BackgroundFor the last couple of decades, BTS has worked hard and overcome personal and locational challenges (lack of experience in fund raising, remoteness from mainland Kolkata etc) to attract funds and advisory support for its philanthropic missions.

However, with increasing cost pressures and expansion needs, BTS has had to focus significant effort in fund mobilization at the cost of key BTS members’ grassroots involvement – a continuous strife to meet daily expenses while scout more for future plans.

While there have been significant contributions from renowned agencies/individuals, these have been short-term or in spurts.

What we need is the dedicated support to help minimize the uncertainty of sustaining current initiatives and allow more confidence to march ahead with future opportunities from a a band of partners – A “Band of Bandhus” is what we call Friends of BTS Group.

Be The Support

What will be a Bandhu

• A Bandhu will associate with one of the key domains of our developmental work – Education, Health Care or Livelihood Support and act as our lifelong advisory partner.

• A Bandhu will commit a minimal monthly contribution to support the domain of his/her interest for 1/3/5 years.

• A Bandhu will be an envoy in his/her local community and help promote our future projects and identify associations/partnerships for mutual betterment.

• A Bandhu will advise us on improving current programs and plan for the future. He will be expected to participate in annual planning meets in Kolkata/BTS Campus.

• A Bandhu will lead (plan, monitor and ensure quality of output) special improvement projects executed by our team on ground. These projects will be identified during the annual meet.

• A Bandhu will lead to attract/mobilize volunteers for internship, who can participate in grassroots development work for BTS projects

Be The Support

Band Of Bandhus – Key Details

BTS Execution Team

Bandhus

Bandhus

Band

husED

NHC

LG

EDN – Education, HC – Heath Care

LG – Livelihood Generation

How We Will Work Together BANDHUtwa Commitments

As per our current plan, we will accept limited BANDHUtwa commitments in a year.

Commitment Details

Commitment Period

Avg. Monthly Commitment

Total Period Payout

1 Year US $ 100 US $ 1200

3 Years US $ 92 US $ 3300

5 Years US $ 84 US $ 5000

Commitment payments can be made on a quarterly, half-yearly or annual basis.

Be The Support

Band Of Bandhus – Key Details

Since most of the Band of Bandhus will be located remote to the project, BTS will provide online platform to track, communicate and audit.

Each Bandhu will have a login to the website (to be shortly launched). The following key features will be available –

1.Project Status – This will be a weekly update of the special projects led by the Bandhu. He/She can plan, communicate and resolve issues from here.

2.Notifications/Updates – Monthly newsletters, monthly updates from domain of interest of Bandhu, annual reports, photos, videos etc.

3.Promotions – This will contain all collaterals for new projects – proposals, videos, presentations etc.

4.Audit – A monthly source & use of fund statement will be available for audit. Upfront immediate expense items will be available for easy reference for support.

Be The Support

How to become a Bandhu?

Send us the following key details

1. Name

2. Location

3. Contact Details – Phone email id

4. Domain of Interest – Education / Health Care / Livelihood Generation

5. BANDHUtwa Commitment – 1 Yr / 3 Yrs / 5 Yrs

6. Briefly write to us why you want to become a Bandhu and how do you think we can work together in bettering our service to the people in need?

Our Contact Details

Mr. Susanta Giri+913324277860

missionwelfare@vsnl.net

ANNEXURE

Timelines Initiatives in EducationInitiatives in Health CareInitiatives in Livelihood Generation

Be The Support

1982-83

Registration of Baikunthapur Tarun Sangha (BTS).

1983-84

Pre-primary school (for the community students from poor peasants groups and scheduled caste/minorities families) set up, supported by Lutheran World Servce (LWS) – Kultali Project.

1984-85

A Feeding Centre for poor children suffering from acute malnutrition and hunger set up, supported by Lutheran World Servce (LWS).

1986-88

A Sports Club established for initiating physical exercise and sports culture among the rural youth stars.

1989-91

Cultural initiatives “Sunderban Sangeet O Sanskriti Parishad” and a Music College “SUR-O-BANI MUSIC COLLEGE” started to promote cultural activities especially among rural youth.

1993-94

National Environmental Awareness Campaign (NEAC) organized on waste management. Sponsored by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India.

1994-95

Grain Bank for poor farmers set up to give grain support in their harder/disaster days. Awareness Generation Project (AGP) Among Rural Poor women sponsored by the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) was organized along with the NEAC on Joint Forest Management.

Annexure 1Timelines

Be The Support

1995-96

Regional Resource Agency (NEAC) under the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India certified the organization as “First Splendid Implementor of NEAC Project on the national theme on ‘Women and Environment’ in West Bengal region”.

1996-97

Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India offers FCR Registration 1996 to receive Foreign supports for welfare & development concerns.Science Seminar on “Environmental Preservation,” Sponsored by the Depts. of Science & Technology, Govt. of West Bengal organized. Women participants from NGO levels, Mahila Mandals, Gram Panchayat present to decide future actions relating to environment preservation.A Training-cum-production Centre ‘SWANIRVAR’ set up. 15 poor rural women take initiative as a Self-Help Group (SHG) to promote its activities for women’s self-reliance. Group Savings has led to 246 Self Help Groups covering 3100 women, especially vulnerable women (eg; Tiger/Crocodile widows)

1997-98

A Children’s Park- “Children’s Paradise,” established with financial assistance of SAHAY, Kolkata through BSSK.

1998-99

Project on sustainable Agriculture (Nutritional Gardening by village Housewives) initiated in close collaboration with Development Research communication & services centre (DRCSC) with funds from Christian Aid (UK)Performed as First among the NEAC - 1998 - 99 implementing organization in 24 pgs(s) district in West Bengal under “National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) 1998-99” Sponsored by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India.

Annexure 1Timelines

Be The Support

Timelines

1999-00

A Childcare centre, Sishutirtha for 25 infants of rural working mothers established with financial aid from Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) through W.B.Social Welfare Advisory Board.

2000-01

Another childcare centre, Green Buds for 25 infants established with assistance from CSWB.A condensed course of girls’ education for rural dropouts initiated with aid from CSWB, New Delhi.The Cyclone-affected school building of BTS-Path Bhavan (Basic education Prog.) constructed with financial support from Irish Aid, Embassy of Ireland.

2002-08

BTS-PathBhavan Ground Floor (Northern Side) Construction Completed and started Class V-VIII (BTS-High School),Agro-Resource Centre Workshed completedConstruction of BTS-PB (Ist Floor) , Library Room, Computer Training Centre-Room SID(School Infrastructure Development) for 3 govt-aided schools ; BTS Hospital OPD Building Construction Completed2 Child Protection & Care Centres constructed & operationalCommunity Homoeo Clinic Set upA speed boat and a vehicle for essential services have been afforded.

Annexure 1

Be The Support

Initiatives in Education (I)

Patha Bhavan – The School for Basic & High School Education

Location - BTS Campus (on-going), since 1983 Project description• Patha Bhavan is the education center of BTS, its first venture into development support for the people

of Kultali. • In 1983, the first educational project was initiated through a primary school in Baikunthapur with

assistance from Lutheran World Service. • The school for pre-school education was later upgraded to the primary level and came to be known as

BTS-Patha Bhavan. • Presently, there are 250 students in Eight(8) classes (Class Preparatory - Class VII) and the level of

attendance is over 90 percent, girls outscoring the boys.• 13 trained teachers & 1-Non Teaching Staff are engaged in teaching & serving and they are sent

for regular orientation lessons. • Parent involvement is encouraged; teachers regularly undertake counseling for parents on “JOYFUL

LEARNING” for the children and visit their homes. • The school administration keeps track of the progress of each and every student. Efforts are on to

improve the course curriculum and teaching methodology• Embassy of Ireland (New Delhi) has supported the construction of 3 rooms of the school building, which

was totally destroyed by cyclone, Asha Seattle & WAH-2004 helped a lot to complete its Construction of Ist Floor for Additional Classrooms, Children’s Library & Computer Centre.

Annexure 2

Be The Support

Initiatives in Education (I)

Achievements– 250 rural kids have been enrolled for basic education through Joyful learning process.– The new concept of learning JLP (Joyful Learning Process) is motivating parent-groups.– Mainstreaming to BTS-High School Section & nearby high school has been done after completion of Class

IV education.– Presently of the students enrolled in BTS-High School, they are benefiting from games & sports, skill

development efforts.

Limitations– Health-care of children.– Sanitation problem in their families due to non-existence of Sanitary Latrine.– Classroom electrification by solar lights (as there is no electricity).– Lack of Room accommodation for kids in PB-High Schools (Class V-X) – Need for more than 7 rooms

Resources utilised– Monetary – Embassy of Ireland [Asha for Education (USA)].– Non-Monetary – 6 NGO member at management level 7 at Adm. Level.

Socio-economic status of Beneficiaries– Below the poverty line (85%)– Socially Backward, SC, ST & minorities.– Daily wage labor, agricultural labor, netting & fishing in the rivers, prawn seed collection, vending one

their source of earning daily breads.

Annexure 2

Be The Support

Initiatives in Education (II)

Condensed course of Education for Rural dropout girls (VII & VIII)Location & Duration - BTS Campus in 2000

Project Description 22 rural dropout girls from extremely poor families are under the condensed course of education. This course is bridging the dropouts to the mainstream process

Achievements– 22 rural dropout girls are benefiting through the course - Vocational training like Embroidery & Tailoring for

skill development.– Creating new scope of higher education defying social taboos like sending girls to co-ed school

Limitations– Classroom accommodation, Teachers Honorarium, Vocational Equipment & Support, Educational Aids &

materials.

Resource utilized– Monetary – CSWB (New Delhi)– Non-Monetary – 3 NGO member 7 people at management 22 parents at implementation level.– Non-Monetary Govt. support – Local self Govt. (Panchayat).

Socio-economic status of Beneficiaries– Below the poverty line (85%) Socially Backward, SC, ST & minorities.– Daily wage labor, agricultural labor, netting & fishing in the rivers, prawn seed collection, vending one their

source of earning daily breads.

Annexure 2

Be The Support

Initiatives in Education (III)

Child Care / Pre-School Centers (CCSs/PSCs)Location & Duration – 2 in BTS-PB Campus & 4 in remote villages of Kultali & Patharpratima since 04-05

Project Description – CCSs/PSCs are the day care initiatives for protection & caring of children in the 3-6 age group, of rural

working mothers.– Enrolment of 150 children across 6 centres in 4 villages– 2 trained centre mothers to nurse the children in a joyful environment– Basic healthcare provided by clinic doctor of the ISM (Homoeo clinic)– Nutritional mid-day meal provided along with playing/sleeping facilities

Achievements– PSC children have been mainstreamed in local high schools, after graduating from Class IV– Rural working mother have been motivated to start own small savings through SHGs, a microfinance

project by BTS.

Limitations– Healthcare of children & their mothers (Emergency Modern Care)– Sanitation problem in families due to non-existence of sanitary latrines– Classroom electrification by solar lights to run Nighttime Learning Centres (NLCs)

Resource utilized– Monetary – CSWB (New Delhi) & VIBHA-USA

Socio-economic status of Beneficiaries– Below the poverty line (85%)– Daily Wage Labour / Working Groups– Socially backward SC/ST Minorities

Annexure 2

Be The Support

Initiatives in Health Care

BTS-Rural Community Hospital (RCH)Location & Duration – On the BTS campus. Started as a village health clinic in 2001 and upgraded as RCH since 04-05

Project description – – Aim is to have an effective health care system on the island setting up a Community Hospital– Started OPD Clinics with funding from Embassy of Ireland.. – A revolving medicine bank, medical investigation (X-Ray/ECG/Patho Lab) and OPD rooms constructed.– MIVA Holland have funded buying a speed boat and vehicle, which is being used for transporting

emergency patients to the hospital on the mainland & running Mobile Boat Dispensary funded by ICA-USA.

– Lilabati and Phanindranath Memorial Trust of Kolkata have helped start a village homeopathic clinic but Vibha-USA is supporting the Clinic for CCC children and their families and other community people in need..

Achievements: – OPD Started for community people in need.

Limitations: – BTS is in urgent need of running cost of the hospital to continue the healthcare services to people of the

island without a hospital - Funding required to run OPD/IPD activities in the days to come– Lack of electricity is preventing them from storing essential medicines such as Anti Venom Serum…lack

of Solar Systems for Hospital Electrification.

Resource utilized: – AID-Austin, ICA-USA, MIVA-Holland, Embassy of Ireland-New Delhi. Lilabati and Phanindra Trust of

Kolkata – Supported as per quantum of funding decided.

Annexure 3

Be The Support

Initiatives in Livelihood Generation

Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) and Agro Equipment Support (AES):Location & Duration – On the BTS campus. In 2002-03 Embassy of Ireland funded the construction of a ceiling-less building, which will host the Agro-group meetings, Trainings and keeping the agro-equipment

Project description – To support local farmers with modern agro-equipments and to minimize the indiscriminate use of fertilizers.

Achievements– Bought agro-equipment like 1 power tiller, 2 pump sets, 5 paddy thrashers which are rented out (much

lower rate than in the market) Funded by PPI-USA (Seattle) & Embassy of Ireland– Forming community grain bank (Dharmagola) where people can form a cooperative and keep a stock of

food grains. Cooperative members can take out food grains on loan and return by a year. It helps in disaster days.

– Home nutritional gardening promoted through group instructions– Training to prepare and use bio-compost in lieu of chemical fertilizers/pesticides

Limitations – Demonstration Farm-Land is highly required along with a farmer’s school of learning /ATC.

Resource utilized – Funded by PPI-USA, Embassy of Ireland.

Socio-economic status of BeneficiariesBelow the poverty line (85%), Socially Backward, SC, ST & minorities.Forest Fringe People under Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve.

Annexure 4

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much

Won’t you come, Bandhu?