About Project Mala (India)
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, we cover grades 1-5 of the national education
standard. In the three year Middle School course, we cover grades 6-8 and in the
two years of Secondary School we cover grades 9-10.
We are 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
we also provide some training in life sciences cooking, gardening, sewing etc. in
order for them to make the most of their lives within the primitive environment
of their rural village.
Vocational Training
We help the children's rehabilitation after schooling by providing some occupational
skills, including sewing, kitchen gardening and food preservation. We also arrange
visits to local industries, hospitals, post offices, etc.
Other Activities
We try to get all our 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. Our 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 our schools are provided with a breakfast and a cooked midday
meal. At lunchtime they are allowed to eat as much as they want, as in some cases
the child will not receive food at home. Our meals are supplemented with fruit in
season, the majority of which is grown within our own campuses.
Healthcare
The children are examined on enrollment and full health details recorded. We take
care of their health problems throughout their time with us.
Extra Items
We provide the children with school books, stationery, school bags, two sets of
uniforms every year and one sweater at the time of enrolment. We do not yet provide
shoes but we are considering this as most children are barefoot.
Achievements since our formation
- To April 2011 we have enrolled over 6,843 children from 45 villages
- over 5,400 children have completed the three years primary school course
- In 2011 we achieved over 90% average attendance in our schools
- we held four parent/teacher meetings per year in all our schools
- we have conducted two impact studies to monitor the effect of our work on the community
(see independent
reports)
Staff and Infrastructure
From left to right - M. P. Singh (Administrative Supervisor), Mr. Vikash Parasar (Sponsorship Officer I ), Anil K Sahu (Finance & Administrative Officer), Mr. Mukesh Dubey
(Education Officer) & Mr. Abhishek Mukherjee (Sponsorship Officer II )
- The organisation has highly motivated, dedicated and trained staff to teach the
children. Regular in-service teachers training is compulsory. Three community workers
have a close rapport with the parents.
- The head office is at our flagship school in the village of Guria, Varanasi District.
- 6 Primary Schools
- 2 Middle Schools
- 1 Secondary Schools
- Admin Staff : 2
- Teaching Staff : 37
- Sponsorship / Marketing Staff : 2
- Attendants : 30
- Most of the Primary School teachers are not trained teachers but have reached graduation
level in education. In the Secondary School, our teachers are trained/experienced.
We 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.
