Getting water, made easy

http://ruralindia.blogspot.com/2008/07/rollable-water-container-innovation-for.html

“”It appears that these two ideas are considered in inventing the following water container Q-Drum (patented) in order to fetch water. Of course, it is apparent that this is a natural invention considering that “Wheel” was the human’s first scientific invention in transporting goods. Cost of this container is unknown.

Coming to its design or technical aspects:

The Q-drum is user friendly and the uniquue longitudinal shaft permits the drum to be pulled using a rope run through the hole. There are no removable or breakable handles or axles. And it is manufactured from Linear Low Density Polyethylene through either rotational or blow moulding and has a high compatibility with foodstuffs and water. It’s durability has been proven by Kaymac Rotomoulders via a 3 metre drop-test filled with water as well as extensive actual use in rural areas of South Africa and Angola.With the Q-drum, even a child can pull 50 litres of water over flat terrain for several kilometres without undue strain, and could shift the burden of water collection away from adult women to children and reduce the existing burden on the children at the same time.”"

Kids Xperimenting!!

Some fun ideas here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2008/may/02/sciencecourse

Mobile library for Corporation Schools

Students of 10 Corporation schools in north Chennai await their turn once every week for a bonanza of books, courtesy a mobile library project started a couple of months ago. The van packed with story books, educational material and general knowledge compact discs (CDs) has become so popular that other Corporation schools want the library to visit them too. A. Narayanan, the man behind the innovative project, talks to Kannal Achuthan.

NGOs and others of interest

1. Siksha Foundation – underwrite annual, renewable, need-based scholarships and loans for students in developing countries.
2. Pratham Books is a non-profit trust that publishes high quality books for children at affordable prices and in multiple Indian languages.
3. The Global Fund for Children’s mission is to advance the dignity of children and youth around the world. GFC pursues its mission by making small grants to innovative community-based organizations working with some of the world’s most vulnerable children and youth, complemented by a dynamic media program that, through books, documentary photography, and film, highlights the issues affecting children and celebrates the global society in which we all live.
4. Magic Bus – To impart life skills (emotional, physical, social and spiritual) that promote resilience, and psychological and emotional well being of the children.
5. Jeeva Jyothi – Jeeva Jyothi was founded in 1994 primarily with the objective of protecting and promoting the rights of street and working children in north Chennai. The initial focus was on elimination of child labour and child beggary.
6. Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group – Chintan addresses issues of sustainable consumption and environmental and social justice.
7. Going to school in India – story books, multi media projects for children  (sounds fun!!)
8. Dasra – catalyst for social change – Dasra’s mission is to strengthen the effectiveness of the non profit sector through the application of best practices to maximize the investment of social investors and ensure lasting impact for the end beneficiary.
9. Barefoot college – The Barefoot College is a place of learning and unlearning. It’s a place where the teacher is the learner and the learner is the teacher. It’s a place where NO degrees and certificat.es are given because in development there are no experts-only resource persons.

Tailoring

http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/13/stories/2007061309050100.htm

ERODE: Textile garment exporters in Erode are looking for 30,000 and odd tailors who will be given `quality’ training in imported sewing and cutting machines. Garments worth about Rs. 150 to Rs. 200 crore are exported to the U.S. and other European countries annually. The sudden surge in the value of the Indian rupee and the fall of the US dollar have affected export of garments. But still the exporters have a good number of orders which they will have to execute. However, what bothers them now is shortage of proper tailors. Erode Textile and Garments Exporters Association secretary S. Sivanandhan told /The Hindu/ : “We have very limited number of tailors and we have bulk export orders. So we have decided to provide training to men and women in tailoring. The Erode district administration has arranged for stipend to the trainees.” He said already 1,500 persons had been given training in cutting, stitching and other works related to garment production. Each of them was given a monthly stipend of Rs. 600. After the training a few joined garment exporters. He said in association with the district administration again  2,000 persons would be given two months’ training with a stipend of Rs. 600. He said: “If the trainees are keen on learning the methods of garment export, we will give them separate training in the export system. Those who show good performance will get minimum Rs 300 every day.” He said they could be absorbed in garment manufacturing units near their place in all seven taluks. Those who cannot afford higher education after Plus two can join the training. Application forms can be had from the Erode District Women Development Corporation Office, Poomalai Building, Kumilankuttai, Erode and the office of the Erode Textile and Garment Exporters Association, Chennimalai Road, Erode.

Self Help

The Design Store – Indian Crafts Foundation (ICF)
- Banana fibre bags
- Sell them in crafts council exhibitions, boutiques, etc
- ICF sells them for you the first year
- Get designers to give some really good designs and teach them to make it
- Terracotta jewellery
- KVIC – Khadi Village Industries Council – register with them
- At first, men are happy with the income
- As time goes, women get a sense of self, then you can teach them to save for themselves

Community College in Chennai

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/17/stories/2007111759860300.htm

“The Corporation, in association Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, had launched courses at the College in business process outsourcing, customer relations and sales and hospitality services to provide job-oriented training for youth from economically weak families. They were taught communication and life skills. Of the 105 students who enrolled for the courses, 85 students are soon to take up jobs. “The jobs are at the entry level and on an average, the monthly pay is Rs. 4,000,” said R. Shanmugasundaram of Dr. Reddy’s Foundation.

Students trained in hospitality have found jobs in restaurants, hotels, fast food outlets such as McDonalds and service apartments such as Star City. Those trained in customer relations and BPO services have been employed as tele-marketers, sales assistants at showrooms and marketing agents of bank and credit cards. The community college has invited applications for its next  batch. Candidates aged 18 – 25 years who have studied up to class 10 may apply for the  three-month training courses.The fee is Rs. 500. For details, call the community colleges’ co-ordinator at 25384510 ext. 201.”

Funding sources

*Center for the Continuing Education of Women* (CCEW)
330 East Liberty 998-7080
Allow about 2 weeks for decision Criteria: Will only fund groups and activities that are
designed to promote the understanding of women’s issues. Special Instructions: Must
submit a project description and budget in writing. Maximum; $25-$100

*Rackham Student Government*
102 Rackham 763-5271

Criteria: Will not fund food, prefer to fund graduate related events. Does not usually
fund travel or honoraria expenses. Special Instructions: Must file a RSG funding request
form, and must go to an RSG meeting (meetings occur every two weeks) Maximum: To be
determined.

*Michigan Campus Compact* (MCC)
www.micampuscompact.org Criteria: The Youth to Youth grant program will award fifteen
grants in the amount of $1,000 each ($15,000 annum) to help college students who create
and implement service projects to positively impact disadvantaged youth. Students will
apply and carry out the grant with an advisor. For more information call or email Kristy
List of MCC at (517) 492-2424 or klist@connectmichiganalliance.org Maximum: $1,000.

* Student Initiative Grants from the Ginsberg Center*
The Ginsberg Center invites proposals from MSA registered student
organizations that are involved in service and social justice work.
The proposals for the Winter 2008 grant cycle are due on Monday,
November 26 at 10 a.m.

The Winter 2008 grant cycle supports projects that occur between
1.1.08 and 5.15.08. Funding is provided by The Ginsberg Center with
support from The Ron and Eileen Weiser Fund.

Information and an application can be found at
http://www.umich.edu/~mserve/students/initiative.html

* GRANT SUPPORTING PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AMONG NON-TRADITIONAL GROUPS
Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs/William Monroe Trotter
Multicultural Center Community Building Grant*

The Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs/Trotter Multicultural
Center (MESA/Trotter) is pleased provide it’s first funding program
aimed at building partnerships between graduate, undergraduate and
community organizations. The Community Building Grant invites
proposals from MSA-recognized undergraduate and graduate student
organizations for initiatives that will advance the Center’s mission
to engage students, faculty, and community members in learning
together to understand and appreciate the diversity represented at the
University and join others in working toward community and social
justice.

Student groups may apply for funding in amounts up to $1,000. Funds
may be used for project costs such as: hosting, printing, copying,
materials, supplies, vehicle leasing, guest speaker honoraria, guest
speaker travel expenses, guest speaker lodging, catering/food, and
community partner support.

FUNDING CYCLES
We have 6 funding cycles each academic year. The 6th funding cycle is
intended to support programs that will be implemented in September.

Round
Call for Proposals Announced
Proposals Due to Trotter  Center     (1443 Washtenaw) by 5:00 P.M. on
Funding Decisions Announced

1
October 5
October 26
November 2

2
October 29
November 23
November 30

3
November 26
December 17
December 21

4
January 3
January 25
February 1

5
February 4
February 15
February 22

6
March 3
April 4
April 11

AWARDS
Because the Trotter Multicultural Center is not only a funding partner
but also a capacity-building partner, a Trotter Center or MESA staff
member will be available throughout the duration of the project to
discuss issues to students and to help them problem-solve.  The staff
member will also work with students to develop an evaluation tailored
to the organizations event/proposal.  Awardees will also be required
to attend one of the Partnership Capacity Building workshops listed
below:

Web: http://mesa.umich.edu/

NGOs of interest

Prérépana (Kannada for Inspiration) – works with 8 urban slum communities in the city of Mysore. PRE is funded by the N. Rangarao Foundation and is essentially NR Group’s CSR initiative. PRE is run from a central location in Mysore, namely the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement Center. SVYM is the parent organization of PRE.

When you visit a Pudiyador…

Ideas on what to do:

• Science workshop (using our Science kit)
• Movie night for children
  • Sound of Music
  • Gods Must Be Crazy
  • Born Free
  • ??
• Health campaign
  • How to brush teeth properly
  • How to avoid contact with germs
  • Health and hygiene for little women
    
  • How to treat minor injuries (sprain/bruise)
  • How to care for someone with a fever
    
• “What would I do if I had Rs. 1000?” workshop