Slightly more than ten years ago, almost entire communities of indigenous peoples in the remote areas of Waghodia, Sankheda, Dabhoi, Chhota Udepur, Kawant and Naswadi in the state of Gujarat (India) were illiterate. Illiteracy was the root cause that these peoples remained poor economically and socially. No other NGOs had taken up any kind of advocacy or service delivery projects for their issues. In spite of months of research and interaction with the elders and opinion makers of about 15 villages in this vicinity, it was proving to be a tough job to convince parents to be concerned about their children’s education. They would not part with their children for whatever reasons.
10 years later, Devkrupa Ashram now provides educational, health, boarding, occupational, and recreational services to 540 of these indigenous children besides countless community development programs for the indigenous farmers in these areas to achieve self-sustenance.
Who do they benefit?
Devkrupa Ashram provides primary and secondary education to the less fortunate children of poor laborers and those displaced by the Narmada Dam Project, maintaining a philosophy of helping every child it comes across to pursue education; irrespective of caste and religion. The beneficiaries include those residing in the talukas (provinces) of Waghodia, Sankheda, Dabhoi, Chhota Udepur, Kawant and Naswadi in the state of Gujarat (India), stretching across a length of about 240 kilometers. Devkrupa Ashram set up in 1997, on a 16 - acre plot, provides a safe boarding and an eco-friendly environment for these children. The trust strives towards the upliftment and empowerment of the poor and the voiceless in the vicinity of Waghodia within a secular framework contributing silently but effectively towards shaping a strong nation.
How far have they come in serving the community?
After a year of serving the indigenous communities of Waghodia, Devkrupa Ashram erected a temporary shed with the aid from the diocese of Baroda. In June 1998, 20 boys from 4 different villages were the first to be admitted to the boarding. Following a positive change of attitude among the villagers, the need of having a permanent structure to house the children becomes imminent. With help from Manos Unidas (a funding agency), the present ground floor of the boarding was constructed to accommodate 250 children. The number kept rising every year and now in 2008-09, we have 540 children. In the academic year, 2007-08, we started a primary school, about 300 meters, away from our campus. In the following year, we started Std. VIII after getting the necessary permissions to start the Secondary school and we shall be upgrading each class every year.
What do they aim to do?
They aim for these tribal farmers and poor laborers to achieve self-sustenance in 20 years time. Their primary goal is to shelter, clothe, nourish and educate the children of the tribals, bonded laborers and Narmada displaced peoples of the talukas of Waghodia, Dabhoi, Sankheda, and Naswadi.
Why?
The majority of their beneficiaries are migrant laborers as well as the peoples displaced by the Narmada Dam Project. Coming from different cultures and backgrounds, they find adjustment difficult. Their sole aim is to earn their livelihoods; and even though menial jobs are available, their earnings are meager. Education for their children is not a priority for them. Only awareness can bring a true change.
It is indeed important and necessary to have their own school and boarding to cultivate and provide an ideal atmosphere for pursuing education.
School:
In June 2007, they started a primary school in our campus. In the following year, we started Std. VIII and every year one class will be added. The school and the boarding for the girls are in an adjoining campus primarily taken care by the Sisters.
Water availability:
Devkrupa Ashram has three sources of water to meet everyday requirements. Water from the river is used for irrigation whereas water from an open well is used for domestic purposes. They also provide hygienic and laboratory tested drinking water sourced from a bore well that is 300 feet deep.
Farm Produce:
The children are provided 3 meals of nutritious homegrown food a day. The institution’s farming supports most of their basic meals. Crops such as maize, and wheat; vegetables such as potatoes, onions, cabbages, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, radish, drumsticks, spinach, aubergine and cucumber; spices such as chillies and fruits such as mangoes, papayas, bananas, gooseberries, custard apples and sapodillas are grown. The farm also cultivates fodder for their cattle. The ashram rears animals like cows, goats, fowls, rabbits, ducks and geese.
Recently, a friend of the ashram donated the resources to build a children’s park with assorted playing equipments like swings, slides, climbers and others.
What are their immediate plans?
• Construction of an additional floor over the existing boarding to accommodate more children.
• Putting up a football ground, volleyball, basketball, and badminton court.
PERSON IN CHARGE:
Fr. Alex Britto, an Indian, the first to stay in this interior place, has spent the last 18 years of his life living and working in the tribal belt of South Gujarat (India), enthusiastically sharing the joys and sorrows of their lives. He started this mission, ten years ago on an area that is failing. This mission that began with a barren land has grown tremendously. He leads a simple life and uses God given talents for the betterment of the poor. His persistence and hard work won the confidence of the people not just to accept and implement his ideas to educate their children, but also for community development and welfare programs in the villages. He started off with 20 children (1999-2000) and now about 540 children (2008-09), including 63 girls are under the care and guidance of the institution.
What are their community programs?
In order to help the people meet their basic needs, they have carried out many income generation projects such as
Food-For-Work, Pre-Water Shed programs, as well as many others. The institution also educates the people about various social evils that are destroying their families and societies besides creating awareness of the importance of education, modern agricultural equipments/techniques, good hygiene, development of water resources, and also creating income generation schemes to the communities here.
What are their routine needs?
• Educational aids, note-books, text books, stationeries, arts & crafts materials.
• Dormitory bedding materials (mattresses, pillows, blankets, linens)
• Towels
• Uniforms
• Informal clothing
• Footwears
• Edibles like grains, cereals, pulses, oil, sugar etc.
• Computers
• Furniture (new or old) like tables, chairs, benches, cupboards
• Library and reference books
• Fans
• Entertainment in the form of community games, toys, films on DVD
IF YOU ARE TOUCHED AND WILLING TO BE PARTNERS, JOIN DEVKRUPA PARIVAR:
To carry out this task of leading the children and the community to self-sufficiency and self respect, they rely on generous hearts and hands to come forward and join them in this noble task.
VOLUNTEERSHIP:
Basic boarding and lodging facilities are available for volunteers who wish to do service through educational programmes/workshops/projects. Please contact them with your proposals.
Devkrupa Ashram,
Vejalpur,Waghodia,
District Vadodara
Pin-Code 391760
Gujarat, India.
Contact no: 91-2668 -290095
Mobile: 91-0942 7348787
Fax No: 02668 - 263352
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