AZAD INDIA FOUNDATION

An Organization Committed to the Over all Development of Rural India

Kishanganj district is located in the north-eastern part of Bihar. It shares its borders with West-Bengal on one side and Nepal on the other. It is often described as the corridor between northeast and rest of the country. The population of district according to 2001 census is 12.94 lakhs witnessing tremendous growth rate of 30% in last decade with little development to support the bourgeoning population. About 90% of the population lives in rural areas. The sex-ratio is 940 females per thousand males.

Social:

Most of the villages are scattered over the vast area with distance between two intervention areas being 60-75 kms.Some of the villages are densely populated while others are sparsely populated comprising mainly OBC-Surjapuri Hindus and Muslims. There are few Santhal pockets in between. These villages are relatively peaceful and co-exist together with little evidence of violence based either on religion or on caste. Most of the households are very poor and lead simple life. However being a predominantly Muslim society the people are conservative in their beliefs and ideas.

Infrastructure:

Most of the villages do not have pucca roads, as they are located in the interior part of the district. They become inaccessible during monsoons and floods cutting them from rest of the district. The villages do not have primary health services as most of the PHCs are conspicuously absent or dysfunctional. Incase of an emergency people go either to Kishanganj or to Islampur that is 40-50 kms from the state. The literacy rate is lowest with female rate at 18% and 2% in Muslim dominated rural areas. There are primary schools lacking even basic facilities. The girl dropout level is also high here as they are married off at an early age. Most of the high schools are located in Kishanganj and Thakurganj towns. The huge distance from the villages makes it difficult for the girls to continue with their education.

Economy:

Agriculture is the main occupation and main source of livelihood in the villages. There are hardly any industries that can provide employment to the people. This area has witnessed large scale migration to cities like Delhi, Punjab and Mumbai. There has been growth of large scale tea cultivation. However it is confined to the marginal and big farmers. The poor landless families work as daily wage workers. Many girls who come to study at NFE centres also work at the tea-gardens. The emergence of brick-klins has also seen people working there during lean period. Many farmers have sold their land-holdings to businessmen from Siliguri etc.

Political:

Political orientation along different political parties is present and it has come out in the open during recent elections. All the villages have prominent local leaders and Maulanas/Maulavis who are respected in the community. We have seen during course of our work that without their support it is not possible to work on sexual and reproductive health issues. Women are not politically much aware and dependent on their husbands and families for decision-making.

Status of Women:

The known problems such as prevalence of dowry system, early marriage, polygamy, gender inequality and ignorance among women plague the district. The early age for the females is 15-18 years in rural and urban areas. There is high dependence on husbands for information, knowledge and decisions. The socio-cultural inhibitions have led to low mobility of women. The RCH 98-99 have revealed poor nutrition and health status. About 95.4% children were reported underweight. There is high prevalence of STI/ RTI symptoms among females (35.7% RCH Survey 1998-99).Kishanganj district is ranked 588 out of 590 districts in the country on RCH composite index 1998-99.There is ignorance and indifferent attitude of women towards their own health. The lowest literacy rate among women is also responsible for various myths and misconceptions prevalent about health among them.

Azad India Foundation

Beginning with a small group of committed people,Azad India Foundation was formed in the year 1998 attempting to transform its beliefs into reality. It is an organization based in Kishanganj district of Bihar. It got formally registered in 2001.We started our activities with one nonformal education and vocational training center for women in the village Chhattergach.

In last ten years our activities have broadened in the fields of female literacy,formal education for children,nonformal education,rural employment,income generating skills,SHG formation,community health and awareness programmes on various social issues. The activities reach out to poor and marginalized women,adolescents and disadvantaged and marginalized children from rural and urban areas of Kishanganj district. AIF's journey owes much to the unstinting support of a large number of friends, supporters and well-wishers.

Mission

Our mission is to contribute to the empowerment of the grass root communities for their betterment with active participation of the rural women.

Aim and Objectives

The aims and objectives of Azad India Foundation are varied,yet pointed towards the common goal of making a positive difference to the quality of life. Moreover, in this direction we feel the most important are:

· To work for the eradication of illiteracy and provide quality education to all.
· To help in improving health care services in the district.
· To involve the community in sharing the responsibility of improving its health status.
· To create awareness about the importance of environment and its preservation for good health.
· To empower women through income generating skills.
· To promote SHGs for economic independence of the women.
· To encourage and create awareness among local people preserving their cultural and traditional heritage.

Azad Public School

Education Initiatives

The Azad India Foundation believes that education is true means of socio-economic and intellectual advancement of the society. Every child at least deserves primary education irrespective of caste, religion or socio-economic background.

We believe that a school

· Should maintain quality education and pursuit of excellence in all fields and in life itself.
· Mould the children into responsible citizens of India.
· Channelize youthful energies towards creativity and self-actualization.

A- Aim at quality education with commitment
P- Propagate patriotic, social and ethical values for a responsive citizenship
S- Sensitize children towards environment and create awareness for a green and a better world.

Location

Located in Kishanganj town, Azad Public School is a novel educational endeavor that imparts quality education to the children of the district especially to the children from the rural areas that do not have access to proper schools. APS aims at developing full mental and physical potential of each child. It is our commitment to turn out from the portals of APS, well balanced and integrated personalities with right values. It is a unique center of learning where budding minds are nurtured in a happy, secure and stimulating environment. We have encouraged girl children from the poor sections of the society who are most neglected and denied even elementary education to join the school.

Facilities Provided

The school has introduced contemporary education and training methods. For this purpose an innovative approach involving a mix of classroom teaching with audio-visual aids along with physical and extra-curricular activities has been introduced. The school provides an exclusive ambience for the all round development of the child's personality including aesthetic and moral values, emotional integration and communication skills.

Computer Laboratory

APS has set up a state of the art computer labs with five computers and latest software with Irish Aid. This has helped in giving computer education to the children. APS has introduced computer education right from Class I.

Library

Today APS can boast of a well-stocked library with wide range of books for the voracious readers.

Sports

The school gives equal importance to studies as well as extra curricular activities. APS encourages its students to take up various sports. The school offers a host of games to cater to the potential of each child.

APS Staff

APS staff

The key to quality education is well qualified, trained and motivated staff. Most of the teachers of the school are from outside who stay together with the children and work for their all round development. Azad India Foundation also provides free ships to poor and needy students studying in the School. We have introduced fee concessions to deserving students by way of subsidized tuition fee for different income groups. There is a special concession for girls in all categories to promote education among them. The school is also encouraging the local children who have dropped out of school to join mainstream education again.

A Home Away from Home

APS has its own spacious and well-ventilated building with modern facilities to provide safe and comfortable boarding to the children. Every care is taken to ensure that the boarders lead a regular healthy life. Nutritious, tasty and varied meals are served cooked under hygienic conditions.

Programme Themes

Our Integrated community development initiatives address the following areas.

· Literacy and Education

· Vocational training for income generation

· Community Health and Nutrition

· Awareness Programmes on various issues

· Promotion and formation of Self -Help groups

· Promotion of local culture and tradition

· Preservation of local environment

Source: http://azadindia.org/