Baseline Report Marýs Matriculation Hr. Sec. School (Non Governmental Organization) 2013

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1 Baseline Report (Non Governmental Organization) Correspondent: S.T. B Anand Principal: Sharmila Anand. Address: 19 A, Veppanchalai Street, Tindivanam , Villupuram District Tamil Nadu, India Phone School: , [email protected]; [email protected]

2 "Education is not only produced by the word, but is present in all our actions, feelings and attitudes. It is the right of every human being, especially our children. Through education, freedom and identity is achieved, thereby permitting choose own way in building our lives. Hence the need to encourage the improvement of the quality of education in order to achieve further growth as a society, where everyone can be part of networks of knowledge and build a more prosperous humanity in all areas of development. " Anonymous. 2

3 With love to my family in India, Anand and Sharmila. Thanks for teaching me that when people act with nobility, humility, love, perseverance and determination, can pierce all the mountains. God will always guide your way. Viviana González Herrera, BA in Geography. University of Concepción, Chile. Volunteer Mary's.December March. 3

4 A. BACKGROUND OF THE ORGANIZATION Mary's Matriculation Hr. Sec School is a nonprofit organization. Its primary mission is to provide quality education to poor children. The organization works for the development of children and adolescents in Tindivanam, and in the rural villages surrounding the town. Mary's Matriculation Hr. Sec School, is located at 19 A, Veppanchalai Street, Tindivanam Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. Picture 1. Location of Mary's Matriculation Hr. Sec School. Source: Googlemaps 4

5 The St. Mary s Educational Society was registered as a Non-Profit organization in 1997.It established a school named Mary s Matriculation Higher Secondary School, of which the motto is: "Every child deserves an education, regardless of their social status, religion, caste and color." The main concern of Mary's Matriculation Hr. Sec School is that all children, including their families, have access to better educational opportunities in order to improve their standard of living, which in most cases is extremely poor. We currently have 900 students studying from preschool through secondary school. This school does not receive contributions from the Government of Tamil Nadu, India. Therefore, it becomes necessary to charge a fee to resolve administrative costs, staff The school provides complete free education to 55 children who live in extreme poverty. These children come from both Tindivanam and the outlying villages. Without the help of Mary's Matriculation Hr. Sec. School, these children would be forced to work without being able to qualify for higher education. It is necessary for the other students to pay their dues, however, many of these children are also from families who depend on unstable income. About 30% of children are full feepaying students and have defaults on their payments for considerable amounts of time. Currently, 45 people work at Mary's, and are paid according to their activity level and qualification, etc. Among them are the correspondent, Mr. STB Anand; the principal of the school, Mrs. Sharmila Anand; teachers; administrators; supporting staff; drivers; security guards and cleaning personnel. The continual delays of the fees affect the timely payment of staff salaries. B. DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION This NGO aims to enable children and adolescents from Tindivanam and the surrounding area to receive a quality education, with an emphasis on English instruction. The families of beneficiaries also indirectly learn the language, since children practice their lessons in their respective houses. Because of this, both students and their parents can benefit from the future to find better jobs, overcoming the barriers of poverty and language imposed on them every day. Measurable Results Of the students who complete their secondary education in Mary's Matriculation Hr. Sec School, most go on to study at colleges. Last year, 55 of the 65 graduates were accepted into universities. Of the students who do not complete high school, most fail to reach the standard level 10 (most basic level of education in India, completed at the age of 14). However, finishing level 10, girls from poor families are paid by the Government for 5

6 marriage, which is vital to the survival of poor families. This is all possible from the generous efforts of Mary's School. On several visits by the author of this document, it was possible to walk through Tindivanam, Siruthambur village, Anandamangalam village, and other surrounding villages. The author can confirm that the level of education in the students is high, including their English language skills, espeically compared to children who attend other public and private establishments. The children of Mary's work as interpreters in their villages where the native language is Tamil. In some homes, the children are even able to teach their parents some basic English. Thus, Mary's provides children and adolescents education and training in vital skills and qualifications necessary in directing the course of their own lives, rather than just subsisting in the situation into which they were born. C. DESCRIPTION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT Mary's School conducts classes in two places- Block A & Block B. In Block A, children from preschool to std 5th (primary school) study. Block B is located on the same street, adjacent to the first block, where children from std 6th to secondary level attend classes. This NGO, established as a private school, receives no funding from the government of Tamil Nadu, India. Today, the government has legislated many new restrictions so that Mary's School cannot function normally. Under the new legislation, all classes from basic to secondary level must be conducted in a single place and not two as it is now. In order to renew the license, they must expand Block A and hold all classes here. Figure2. Primary Block Source: Photographs taken by the author of the document. 6

7 Figure 3. In the Secondary Block work different levels: from VI to XII standard. XII level is terminated as secondary education. Figure 3. Secondary Block Source: Photographs taken by the author and editor of the document. Firgure 4. Narelle Block, the newest addition to Block A, is currently being constructed but the project is very underfunded. Fundraising will take place along with the building. Figure 4. Narelle Block Source: Photographs taken by the author and editor of the document. 7

8 D. AROUND THE VILLAGE OF THE PERIPHERY WITH MARY'S STUDENTS Figure 5. Most of the children studying at Mary's live in rural villages on the outskirts of Tindivanam. Some of the villages are located quite a long distance from the school. And many of them have to find the alternative means to go to school because the buses are very crowded during peak hours of the morning. Figure 5. Children from rural villages, daily have to travel long distances to attend school. Source: Photographs taken by the author of the document. 8

9 Figure 6. The living conditions of the inhabitants of rural villages are poor; many of the families of the children studying in Mary's live in huts. The kitchen and bathroom are outdoors. When the rainy season arrives with monsoons, many become homeless and destitute of help. Yet the rain is necessary in this area, as it is the only source of obtaining water and the main resource for agriculture and other activities such as animal husbandry. Figure 6. People in rural villages Source: Photographs taken by the author of the document. E. MARY'S INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS. Figure 7. Year after year, Mary's receives volunteers from different countries- university students who come for short or long periods for internships (including the author and editor of this report). The main duty of the intern is to reinforce English learning with the students. Mastery of the English language is extremely necessary for Mary's students, creating futures and overcoming poverty for themselves and their family. Figure 7. Mary s Volunteers 9

10 The following list details the countries of the volunteers and interns: Africa (Mauritius), Asia (China, Japan, Singapore), Europe (Germany, Hungary, Sweden, Holland, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Netherlands, Turkey), Oceania (Australia, New Zealand), North America (U.S.A.), South America (Chile). Figure 8. In mid-2009, Mary's received a substantial donation that helped launch the expansion of the main block of the establishment. This was a great help, as it allowed the construction of three new classrooms for primary school children. Currently Mary's needs to finish the work "Narelle Block", which is a project that includes the construction of two floors, corresponding to 6 classrooms in total. The lack of new donors has prevented the completion of this project. As of June, construction of Narelle Block has recommenced, without funds, due to parental concerns. Figure 8. Narelle Block 10

11 Source: Photographs taken by the author and editor of the document. 11