They came.....listened...smiled....and hope was reborn ...

Young people from Dhanrua in Office!

Date: 19^th August

Objective:

1) Connecting with Educated Musahar youth from 6 “Manjhi tola” in Dhanarua Block

2) initiate start of ASF, Setting up ERC, Preparing Tola Education Plan (TEP)

Participants: 13 +one guardian

CSEI Staff: Satya, Govind, Saurabh, Niranjan, Swati, Agyat , Pankaj ,Archana

Training Venue: CSEI office

Duration: 1:45 PM to 5:30 PM

Tola and Participants:

Tola	Participants	Name
Ponaichak	2	Rakesh Kumar, Sitpatiya Kumari
Rohilachak	3	Mamta Kumari, Rakesh, Munna Manjhi
Gosaimath	7	Shailender, Anita, Sanjay, Shravan, Rinki, Tiji, Satendra kumar
Mahuabaug seti	1	Jitendar Kumar

At 1:45 PM 16 youth from the communities arrived at CSEI office, Patna. In the beginning all sat in the circle and introduced themselves. Satya asked all of them, why are we here? And the responses were-

• To gain knowledge of teaching and learning skills – Rakesh Manji
• To share the issues community and school – Shailender

Then Agyat did an energizer – figure catch.

After that Satyendra asked all; “Why do we need to learn? And the responses were-

• To get rid of poverty and have to work hard for it- Shailender

What you want to became?

• To became a social worker- Rakesh manjhi
• Politician- Niranjan
• Teacher- Sitparikumari
• Doctor- Sanjay
• Engineer- Rakesh

Why did we ask?

Satyendra shared his story with all and after that brief them about ASF and shared experiences of ASF members. Then asked what help do they need to start? So we can work on a plan. What changes they want to see in learning style, food and safety concerns. And it will happen only then when you ask and ask and raise your voice for your rights. And how we can create a positive change in 10 people’s life.

After Lunch break we showed them 15 minutes documentary film on Dasharath Manjhi.

Screening of ‘The man of gehlot’ 15 minutes documentary film

Energizer- 50 counting.

What do you want to change in your tola?

We asked them to sit in their tola wise in 4 different groups. And instruct them to write dowm all things you want to change in your tola.

 

Commonalities were:

• Need House, Electricity (Solar energy) and water
• Aanganwadi center, and play activities at center
• Stop selling wine and remove them
• Start own business

• Get Indira Awas Yojna
• Want to change a language tone of people
• Sanitation facilities, toilet facilities
• No Caste discrimination in school –All can sit together in school
• Everyone need to get BPL Ration card, below poverty and Birth certificate
• All tola need to have at least 2 water pumps
• Books for children
• Stop child marriage

What is the reason you did not get these facilities?

Responses: 1. we did not ask for help – Shailender

2. We asked and nobody responded and ignored- Rakesh

3. Fear of Dabang (snag) community – Sanjay

4. Caste discrimination – Anita

Then Satyendra explained about Indian Constitution. Rakesh said that he wants to learn more about constitution so I can give this knowledge to others as well. Satyendra said we will support you in all ways but we want a full commitment from your side. You will study till Bachelors’. If they have any social or financial issue we will support them. 

What do you do after school? The idea behind this exercise was to make them understand value of following aspects:

1. Importance of building environment of education in tola

2. Setting up reading-writing space and culture to energise parents and other children

3. Utilising time in meaningful engagements at the tola

4. Cooperative learning and sharing resources

5. Building sense of solidarity and supports to each other by coming together everyday

When Satyendra asked them, most of them were saying they play and do household work. Once they became a ASF member we will give them training. Before that they have to find a place for a library/Resource centre in tola and we will provide books. Also they can call youth and children from around to join in resource centre. 

ASF building and its functioning:

We discussed a daily tentative schedule for each ERC:

Day- Monday to Friday	Time	Activity
Everyday	4 to 5 / 4 to 4 :45	Play session (KSM)
	5 to 6	Subject –to be decided by youth
	6 to 7	Subject -to be decided by youth

FOUR ACTION/ COMMITMENTS DECIDED:

Action	Timeline	Follow up/ Responsibility
Find students from std 7th onwards from each Manjhi tola and register their name to be part of ASF members	3 days after Rakshabandhan	Govind
Interact with community and importance of setting up ERC and ASF in tola. Add more educated youth if they are willing to became BASF member	3 days after Rakshabandhan	Govind
Organize a Film screening ( on the life Dr. B.R.Ambedkar and Dashrath Manjhi) in each tola (interaction after screening about BASF, ERC and importance of education)	Date to be confirmed by CSEI / GOVIND	GOVIND
Find a place for a Education Resource center(ERC) in consultation with community and other educated youth at the tola and inform at office after 22nd August	3 days after Rakshabandhan	Govind
List of names 75 children of NEG project	26th	Govind

Showed the Science educational material

In between Shailender jumped in and asked to have monthly meeting where all CSEI office staff can come and have interaction with community. They won’t understand and listen when we go and talk to them. And we don’t know what to talk. Agyat explained him, now you will go with all information and talk to them we are doing this to make a change. You have to change their mind with all information you have and believe yourself that you are doing this for all good. They will take time to understand. But you have to take a step if you want change.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Lantern/ Solar light for Resource centre
2. Call Uday /Umesh manjhi for Resource center opening ceremony

We have contact number of all participants we need to call all and fix the date for film screening and meeting.

After the training girls were interacting with us and shared that they don’t wants to go home, they like to stay.

in Peace,

CLAY Team