PROJECT FOR CAPACITY BUILDING OF SANDHINIKETAN VOCATIONAL TRAIN IN G CENTRE AT ANANDWAN-2013-14

PHASE-1

BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT MAHAROGI SEWA SAMITI, WARORA

Maharogi Sewa Samiti, Warora (MSS), founded in 1949 by the internationally renowned social worker and human rights activist Murlidhar Devidas Amte (popularly known as Baba Amte), is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization empowering over 2 million people afflicted with leprosy and other disabilities such as hearing and speech impaired, visually and orthopedically challenged and socially backward tribal populace through sustained and effective psycho-socio-economic rehabilitation. MSS core belief has always been to give marginalized individuals a Chance and not just Charity by enabling them to engage in economically productive activities thereby regaining their lost sense of dignity. MSS headquarters at Anandwan, a cooperative village located in the drylands of eastern part of Maharashtra State, which practices sustainable rural development and community living. Its achievement has laid stress on humane, non-exploitative self-sufficiency. MSS advocates a location-specific and decentralized development model, which grows organically from the soil and involves the people at every stage of conception, planning and execution. Anandwan provides permanent shelter to over 2500 people with disabilities who work with dignity to earn their livelihoods created by imparting them vocational training at various projects of MSS. Spread on 500+ Acres, Anandwan has diverse kinds of activities including hospitals, orphanage and homes for the aged, workshop for assistive devices, modern agriculture and agro-industries, productive units, formal academic institutions, special schools, vocational training centres etc. All of these are efficiently run by the inhabitants of Anandwan most of them having some form of physical disability. The Anandwan community provides a working example of shared struggle to seek joy through creativity. Over the years, Anandwan has also become an incubation centre where the trainees become trainers, the empowered start empowering. Now these people who are empowered enough to build capacities for others, step out and help other communities in distress such as tribal farmers and unemployed youth in surrounding areas. Thus MSS is all set to become a Health and Education Capital for most of marginalized communities over next 10 years.

The exclusivity of MSS lies in the system where except a select few trained professionals; the organization relies extensively on homegrown talent and expertise in various functions including management, accountancy, architecture, engineering and agriculture. The key of self-management lies in the nonbureaucratic, self-governing culture that pervades MSS where people work with a motivation, born out of a sense of belonging to a shared community. Over last six decades, MSS has grown rapidly to become an internationally renowned institution in the field of social work, housing the largest community of leprosy afflicted and people with disabilities in India and perhaps, in the world.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT SANDHI NIKETAN VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE:

Sandhi Niketan project was established by Baba Amte with the objective of providing Vocational Training and Rehabilitation to Blind, Deaf-mute, Physically and Orthopedically challenged Youth. In 1968 Baba Amte got associated Count Arthur Tarnowsky, a Polish citizen by birth but migrated to England during the Second World War. Though Count Arthur was a polio- disabled person and confined to a wheel chair, his confinement did not deter him from traveling the world over on a mission to see for himself the services provided for the physically disabled in different parts of the world. In 1968, he happened to visit Anandwan and felt drawn to the kindred spirit of Baba. Count Arthur donated a generous amount towards the construction of the present building. Sandhi Niketan Project, came into existence from February, 1970. Count Arthur also established Take Heart foundation to support the activities at MSS since last 50 years uninterrupted. Now the foundation is taken over by his two enterprising sons, Lucian and Sebastian who look after the foundation to newer heights by bringing in more funds, more talent and new vision to the programs. Currently the recurring costs like salaries and training expenses are funded by Government of Maharashtra. The courses are sanctioned by Social Welfare Department and courses are certified by Maharashtra State Board of Vocational Education Examination, Mumbai. Currently there are five courses: Wireman (Tartantri), Basic Fashion Designing and LERS (Licentiate in Radio and TV repairing), Handloom and Handicrafts. Government grant is provided for a total of 85 students every year. This grant is for the food, accommodation and training costs. The maximum strength per trade is 25. Tailoring, Electronics and Wireman (Tartantri) have syllabus decided by the Mumbai Technical Board. Examinations are conducted once every year. Tailoring and Tartantri are 6-monthly courses. The remaining 6 months are used for practicing. There are major problems such as those related to placements of the students such as unavailability of placement support, quality of the government syllabus for assured placements that need to be tacked. We also wish to start personality development, microfinance, matchmaking, counselling and community

support services for the candidates as well as their parents. Gradually we wish to enter research and advocacy areas through evidence based advocacy and providing support to likeminded institutions working for PwDs with common objective.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT:

A holistic rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities will be established at Sandhiniketan vocational training centre, at Village Anandwan, the headquarters of Maharogi Sewa Samiti, Warora, located in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state of India. This centre will focus on empowerment of people with disabilities, with special focus on vocational, psychosocial and economic empowerment of youth with disabilities from low income groups in Maharashtra. It is expected that through the services provided by the centre, there will be substantial value addition to the lives of youth with disabilities, especially in the age group of 16-25 years in terms of direct and positive effect on confidence level, employability potential, physical and mental health as well as possibility to spend rest of the life in dignified way. The centre will operate two service streams- on-campus and off-campus services. On campus services will be mostly for existing trainees and alumni. Off campus services will be for other disabled youth in Maharashtra, coming forward to seek support of MSS. Through on campus services the centre aims at qualitative addition to current training programs as well as starting new programs that will have a potential for industrial placements or earning a decent livelihood through self-employment. The centre also aims at providing value added services such as personality development programs, IT literacy, English speaking courses, Physical and mental rehabilitation camps and extracurricular activities that will not only ensure wellbeing of trainees but also revamp their overall personality. The centre also aims to provide placement related services and loan mobilization support to the existing trainees as well as alumni of Sandhiniketan by providing them right kind of counseling in placement related soft skills, business management and marketing support. It will also work with parents of the trainees for keeping the motivation of families intact. The centre will also arrange job fairs for placement of PwDs with various industries, organisations as well as government organisations. For the trainees, alumni as well as people with disabilities outside Anandwan, the centre will start a community support cell which will provide various types of supports such as independence skill trainings, marital counseling and genetic counseling and child care services. It will also run a dating site for PwDs so that they can interact freely with candidates and experts that will help them make more informed choices about marriage.

The centre also aims at establishing a comprehensive research and advocacy cell for working with in issues related to disability to arrive at innovative programs for enhancing employability potential in youth with disabilities as well as influence government policies and programs through evidence based advocacy. The centre will aim at building cross-institutional partnerships to exchange the best practices with others, learn continuously and create a pressure group for policy advocacy for influencing government and social policies. The centre will work for capacity building other sister organisations working in the sector of PwDs by providing training and consultancy support. Through off campus programs the centre will provide support to PwDs in Maharashtra state by starting a helpline and a website that will provide customized information about various support systems available for PwDs in India, mobilize help through government programs, mobilize financial support for higher education and a pool of all other important information that is not available in public domain easily.

LOCATION:
Registered Office: Maharogi Sewa Samiti, Warora, At & Post : ANANDWAN, Tahsil: Warora , District: Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India Tel: +91-7176-282034, Fax: +91-7176-282134 Pin- 442 914 Email: sheetalamte@anandwan.in , info@anandwan.in

PROJECT PHASES: A. PHASE-1: RESTRUCTURING AND QUALITATIVE ENHANCEMENT OF EXISTING PROGRAMS & STUDENTS ( 1 AUGUST 2013- 31 MARCH 2014)It will run in two subphases:

A.1 Preparatory Phase- Existing Programs: (1 August 2013- 31 October 2014)

Inclusions: a) Recruitment for project b) Industry Analysis c) Job mapping d) Research for educational material and purchase e) Curriculum assessment with the help of experts f) Creation of guarantor pool for mobilising microfinance

A.2. Implementation Phase: Existing Programs: (1 November 2013- 31 March 2014)

Inclusions:

a) Industry tie ups and exposure visits b) Personality development Programs c) Parent-teacher meet d) Microfinance facilitation programs e) Placement services f) Teacher training

B. PHASE-2: INTRODUCTION OF NEW PROGRAMS: ( 1 APRIL 2014- 31 MARCH 2015): B.1 Preparatory research: New Programs: (1 August 2014- 31 March 2014)
Inclusions: a) Recruitment of project coordinator & researcher b) Research questions and advocacy areas c) Research & data collection about matchmaking d) Feasibility study of community support services e) Possibility of partnerships f) Training need assessment for nonprofits g) Research for baseline information for helpline and website

B.2 Review & Proposal Preparation- New Programs: (1 April 2014- 31 May 2014)
Inclusions: Detailed proposal preparation Outcome : A comprehensive 3 year plan

B.3 Project Implementation: New Programs: (1 June 2014- March 2015)

Inclusions: a) Introduction of revamped existing courses b) Introduction of new courses c) Introduction of community services d) Placement related consultancy services to alumni e) Microfinance consultancy services f) Launch of helpline g) Launch of website h) Training program for nonprofits i) Research and advocacy

STAFF REQUIREMENT
The project has secured funding upto Phase B.1 (ie. of Preparatory research-new programs). The outcome of this project will be two fold- we shall be able to qualitatively enhance existing programs and shall be prepared to make a fresh proposal after April for new programs. This as a long term project, lasting more than 5 year's period. Hence we need to prepare a detailed plan which is not possible without doing adequate research of ground realities. Till proposal preparation phase we need following people mentioned. A. Phase-1: ( 1 August 2013- 31 March 2014)- Restructuring and qualitative enhancement of Existing Programs & Students a) Project coordinator- 1 Responsible for hiring project staff, overseeing project development and operation, Analysing the data and making conclusions, establishing and maintaining links with local industries. Overseeing finance and accounts. Required in proposal preparation and implementation phase Post- Full time Fees- 25,000/- PM ( Has a fixed component of Rs.20,000 per month and a variable component of 20% i.e. Rs. 5000 PM depending upon performance) Qualification: MBA/ Masters in Social Work from reputed university with atleast 2-3 years experience in disability field

b) Training and Placement Officer: 1 Responsible for establishing and maintaining links with local industries, visiting and analysing requirements, conducting workshops with trainees and alumni. Post- Full time

Fees- 20,000/- PM Fees- 25,000/- PM ( Has a fixed component of Rs. 15,000 per month and a variable component of 25% i.e. Rs. 5000 PM depending upon performance)

Qualification: MBA in HRM/ Masters in Social Work with disability specialisation from reputed university with experience in placements of people with disabilities

c) Research Assistant: 1 no. Responsible for doing primary and secondary desk research for assessing feasibility of new programs, resource mapping and establishing connections with stakeholders. Specific tasks: Identifying research questions and advocacy areas; Research & data collection about matchmaking services; Feasibility study of community support services; Exploring possibility of cross-institutional partnerships; Training need assessment for nonprofits working in disability field; Research for baseline information for helpline and website Post- Full time for 8 months Fees- 25,000/- PM ( Has a fixed component of Rs.20,000 per month and a variable component of 20% i.e. Rs. 5000 PM depending upon performance) Qualification: MBA / Masters in Social Work from reputed university with experience in disability field, strong research and networking skills.

f) Personality development trainer cum English Teacher : 1 no. Responsible for continual engagement with students for teaching etiquettes, manners, enhance their English speaking capability and improve overall smartness for job. Post- Full time Fees- 5,500/- PM

Qualification: Bachelors in English literature/ expert in grooming

FACILITIES AT ANANDWAN:
Anandwan is a cooperative village carved out of barren land by crippled social outcasts like leprosy afflicted people, people with disabilities and sections of marginalised tribal communities. It is a 465 acres green complex located 1 km from Warora town in Chandrapur district, on the East side of NH7. Anandwan is a very well-connected place housing several educational institutions, hospitals, banks, post office, canteen, production units and all the best facilities such as internet, good quality food and logistics arrangement. Anandwan and Warora town both have good staying facilities. If accommodation is made available inside the Anandwan campus, the project staff is required to pay a certain monthly amount towards lodging and boarding charges which will be decided upon type of accommodation and conveyed upon recruitment. There is a common dining hall that provides very good quality vegetarian meals and breakfast. Indoor sports material, internet facility and other basic needs are available on request. Anandwan totally and completely discourages addiction of all sorts, including consumption of alcohol, tobacco or cigarettes. Candidates with such addictions will not be preferred. If any project staff is found practicing such addictions, MSS reserves all the rights to terminate the contract without notice. To maintain communal harmony and promote secularism, Anandwan strongly discourages discrimination based on caste and religion; though people may practice their own religion privately. Currently 2500 people are rehabilitated at Anandwan with their families, out of which 97% suffer from some kind of handicap. All of them work hard and earn their living through dignified work. The professionals are Home-Grown with most of the in-house infrastructure and facilities developed and managed by these uneducated differently abled soldiers. Hence some adjustment in terms of skill expectations is required on behalf of project staff. It is also expected that the project staff respects people for their achievements. Though most of the residents are leprosy afflicted, they are 100% cured, and their past disease is not communicable. To break the stigma related to leprosy and disability, Anandwan residents invest a lot in maintaining cleanliness of premises, tree plantations and in creation conservation of water through voluntary

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labour. The project staff is expected to participate in such community activities to keep it a clean and safe place.. Anandwan also receives over 1 lac national and international visitors including experts from various fields so there is a great chance of interaction with variety of people. Interested candidates are supposed to apply to D. Sheetal Amte on sheetalamte@anandwan.in with a complete application containing Cover letter Resume detailing academic achievements and project accomplished Snapshot of their work such as research papers/ dissertation/project achievement Statement of purpose

IMPORTANT DATES:
Interview dates: 23-25 July, 2013 at Anandwan Joining Date: 1 August 2013 Contract ends on: 31 March 2014 Contract renews on: 1 April 2014

REPORTING TO:
PROJECT DIRECTOR AND MENTOR
Dr. Sheetal Amte Chief Development Officer, Maharogi Sewa Samiti, Warora, Cell- 9822465834 Email: sheetalamte@anandwan.in

PROJECT IN-CHARGE
Mr. Ravindra Nalgintwar Superintendent, Sandhi Niketan Vocational Training Centre

Email: ravinalgintwar@gmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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