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. 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.
We are governed by the National Open School who provide certification at grade five level and grade eight level so children passing out can progress into further education. In addition we give instruction in personal hygiene and respect for others and care of their environment. We also provide some training in life sciences 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 make their school days happy and enjoyable through sports 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. In most cases children have not been immunized which we, therefore, arrange. Children with serious problems are provided with additional medical services.
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
Since our formation
- we have enrolled over 6,000 children from 45 villages
- over 4,100 children who have completed the three years primary school course have been streamlined in Government secondary schools
- we hold regular parent/teacher meetings 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), Dr. Dimple Gupta (Education Officer I ), Anil K Sahu (Finance & Administrative Officer), Mr. Hariom Dubey (Sponsorship Secretary) & Mr. Mukesh Dubey (Education 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 at Guria, Varanasi and eight schools are supported by
- Finance and Administrative Officer
- Two Education Officers
- Two Teachers Supervisors
- Sponsorship Secretary
- Three Social Workers
- 32 academic and vocational teachers
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31 Support staff
- 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.
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