Project Mala

Helping Children in India

Mounts Bay Rotary sponsored 4 primary school children at schools in India operated by the charity "Project Mala".

About Project Mala 

Project Mala seeks out working children in remote villages of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India and gives them quality education in four R's - reading, writing, arithmetic and respect (respect for others and the environment as well as self-respect in personal hygiene good manners).

In the three year Primary School course, Project Mala covers grades 1-5 of the national education standard. In the three year Middle School course, it covers grades 6-8 and in the two years of Secondary School it covers grades 9-10. 

It is governed by the National Institute of Open Schooling who provide certification at grade five level and grade eight level so children passing out can progress into further education. In addition it also provides some training in life sciences, cooking, gardening, sewing etc. in order for children to make the most of their lives within the primitive environment of their rural village.

Vocational Training

Project Mala help childrens' rehabilitation after schooling by providing some occupational skills, including sewing, kitchen gardening and food preservation. It also arranges visits to local industries, hospitals, post offices, etc.

Other Activities

It tries to get all its children to reach their full potential in whatever they do best. Not all children are academic but they may be good at sport or art. The aim is to make their school days happy and enjoyable through a range of academic, sport and cultural activities.

Nutritional Meals (Breakfast and Lunch)

All the children in the schools are provided with a breakfast and a cooked midday meal. At lunchtime they areallowed to eat as much as they want, as in some cases the child will not receive food at home. These meals are supplemented with fruit in season, the majority of which is grown within Project Mala's own campuses.

Healthcare

The children are examined on enrollment and full health details recorded. Project Mala takes care of their health problems throughout their time in the project.

Extra Items

Children are provided with school books, stationery, school bags, two sets of uniforms every year and one sweater at the time of enrolment. Project Mala does not yet provide shoes but are considering this as most children are barefoot.

Achievements since formation

• over 6,843 children have been enrolled from 45 villages
• over 5,400 children have completed the three years primary school course
• over 90% average attendance has been recorded in the schools
• four parent/teacher meetings are held per year in all the schools

Staff and Infrastructure

The organisation has highly motivated, dedicated and trained staff to teach the children. Regular in-service teachers training is compulsory. Community workers have a close rapport with the parents.

The head office is at the flagship school in the village of Guria, Varanasi District.

Most of the Primary School teachers are not trained teachers but have reached graduation level in education. In the Secondary School, the teachers are trained/experienced. Project Mala hold professionally run teacher training courses twice a year. The Social Workers are the liaison between parents and schools.

The schools have all been newly built and have large classrooms to accommodate 50 children. Each school has a sports field, dining hall, kitchen facilities, sick bay and library.