Scholarship for High School and College Students

The West Bengal State Human Development Report shows that almost 84 % of the students drop their education and do not reach the tenth grade. In order to minimize this problem, that often arises out of poverty, a scholarship program for tribal students of High Schools and Colleges has begun with support from Gruppo India, of Italy. During his last visit to Raiganj, Brother Colombo S.J., and R. Puthumai, the Director of SWI made an understanding that Gruppo India would support the students for High School and College Education, including technical education as well. Following this, Gruppo India sent about Rupees One Hundred and Seven Thousand to SWI. And SWI has already put in its part with 60,000 rupees. More than 125 students have benefited from this program for this year. We acknowledge gladly the sacrifice of many people in Italy and Europe and the support of Gruppo India, and Brother Colombo. Your valuable money will continue to support more and more students. We hope to expand this network to more students. We welcome your contribution by way of donations and gifts to Social Welfare Institute and to Gruppo India for this purpose. You may avail of the list of students, their present grade and the amount allotted to them and the purpose, by clicking on the following : Scholarship List 2007

Learning Together.... Walking Together !

A team of Visitors from Madhya Pradesh graced SWI on 25th May and 27th May! A team of academicians, educationists and teachers involved in Joyful Method of education and initiators of the same in Madhya Pradesh, India were in SWI on 25th evening on their way to Darjeeling. On 28th noon they returned to SWI and stayed at our training centre. They spent about five hours a section of our Staff, and some from RCHSS and UBP, our Inter-Agency Group partners, on some the participatory methods they use to develop children's skill and community involvement. We are grateful to Mr. Jude Henriques, UNICEF Program Communication Officer, W. Bengal for arranging for their visit to Raiganj ! Ms. Manasi Garain and Sr. Philo, along with their team made all the arrangements wonderful, for stay, food, logistics, and the inter-active session. It was an enriching experience to share the thoughts from different parts of the country.

Children's Immunization - We Need Help !

With great sadness we received the message that UNICEF is withdrawing its programs relating to children's immunization program from West Bengal ! The news has come as a great shock to many. SWI is UNICEF's partner from February 2004. The recently published Human Development Report of the State notes that Malda district scores last in the Human Development Index and the other two districts of North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur stand in the 13th position on a scale of 17. That means, SWI covers the most vulnerable and most backward districts of West Bengal. It is very unfortunate that UNICEF has decided to withdraw its support. Imagine, we alone covered over 150,000 children of the most poor people of tribal and various ethnic groups who struggle to make their both ends meet. This withdrawal will also affect over 250 Staff who were dependent on this project for their minimum source of income. Imagine, the Social Mobilizers (volunteers who worked in 10 - 15 villages) earned just Rupees 300 ( 5 US $) a month for working on 8 to 9 days a month. Well, they served more as volunteers. Now, we need some immediate support. We have sent a proposal to Manos Unidas. As this project is extremely urgent, will someone come forward to help us, please! You may view the Project and the Budget by Clicking on : Project Proposal - RI 2007 -08, and Budget - RI 2007 - 08

Christian Children's Fund at Malda

The Christian Children's Fund is expected to begin its involvement in the District of Malda. Social Welfare Institute will partner in this exercise which will strengthen the developmental programs, specially in one of the most under-developed Panchayats in West Bengal. SWI for its part, has chosen Dhumpur Panchayat in Habibpur Block of Malda district as its target area. The project is expected to commence shortly.

Human Development Index and SWI

Towards the end of 2005 SWI had begun a journey with the Panchayat and Rural Development Department of the Government of West Bengal in preparing the State Human Development Report (HDR) and specifically the Malda District HDR, through various workshops, analysis and studies at the people level. Puthumai, Ms. Bimala Baru and the Staff at Harishchandrapur II Block of Malda were directly involved in the process. The District HDR were released by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal State, His Excellency Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, in the august presence of Ms. Maxine Olsen, the Resident Representative of UNDP and the Minister in Charge of Development and Planning, Mr. Nirupam Sen. Fr. Puthumai was also an invitee at the special program organized by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department at Nandan, Kolkata. SWI would continue to be part of the exercise and build strong linkages in order to strengthen the arms of the Government. Importantly, Malda district scores the lowest in Human Development Index among all the districts of West Bengal.

At the Partners' Meet

The Annual Partners’ Meet of Catholic Relief Services, West Bengal State is held at Seva Kendra, Kolkata on 17 & 18, May 2007. Social Welfare Institute was represented by R. Puthumai A. Nazarene, Ms. Barnali Roy and Mr. John Hembrom. The SWI team gave a brief presentation on some of the Star Self Help Groups in Raiganj. You may watch the same by clicking on SWI – CRS Partners’ Meet Presentation.

Thank You Sr. Rosily

Sr. Rosily T, who was the Administrator of our Training Centre, popularly known as the D.D.C., at Chotparua has been transfered to Allahabad to teach in a School there. A warm farewell was extended to her by the present group of tailoring students, and the Staff of SWI and DDC. We thank Sr. Rosily for her dedicated and edifying service to all at DDC. We will surely miss her love and affection. We wish you all the best sister and we pray for your future ministry at Allahabad. Sr. Rosily will be leaving Raiganj on 15 May 2007. Sr. Philo, the successor to Sr. Rosily has arrived DDC on 14 May. Sr. Philo was the Headmistress our supported school at Bangar, in North Dinajpur District. We welcome you sister into the SWI family and we assure you of our support. Thank you Sr. Rosily and a Hearty Welcome dear Sr. Philo !

Job Vacancy

There will be an interview for the Posts of the District Coordinators (2) and Supervisors (5), Documentation Officer (1) for the new CBDP project launched recently. The interviews are scheduled for 9.30 a.m on 24 May 2007.

Qualifications for District Coordinator : Minimum of Bachelor Degree with at least one year experience in CBDP in a senior position not less than that of a Block Coordinator.

Qualification for Supervisor : Minimum of Class XII with one year of experience in CBDP, or / at least two years experience in CBDP programs as Animator or Supervisor.

Qualification for Documentation Officer : Minimum of Bachelor Degree with experience in documenting and editing. Knowledge of English (both spoken and written) is a must. Students with ICSE (Higher Secondary) also will be considered if they have experience in documentation.

An application can be filed at SWI with Mr. John Hembrom on all working days between 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. before 20 May 2007. Application forms can be downloaded by clicking on Job Application Form.

Demise of Mr. Dham's Mother

Announcing the sad demise of the mother (aged 85) of Mr. R. N. Dham, the project coordinator of Routine Immunization project supported by World Vision and CRS in 12 Panchayats of Malda District, West Bengal. She had been ill for over six months and bed ridden. Social Welfare Institute is grieved by the sad news. We offer our hearty Condolences to Mr. Dham and his family! The funeral rites according to Hindu customs will be held in a family ceremony. May her soul Rest in Peace !