More Than a Plan
I spent a couple of days last week working in the state of Gujarat with the Self Employed Women's Association, a union that represents nearly 1 million members in 7 Indian states. These women are part of India’s unprotected labor force. They work in the markets, on the streets, in fields, in forests, on riverbanks, or in the desert. Key to their economic empowerment is their ability to place their children in childcare programs where they receive “proper” care. Here, more than anything that means their children get a nutritious meal.
More than 3,500 children up to 6 years old are being served in 98 BalSEWA centers. Their mothers earn about 30 rupees a day (38 rupees = $1) and pay 30 rupees a month for the childcare. Their fees don’t cover the costs, and just last year, the union had to close down an additional 69 centers because it lost government funding. I’m developing a 3-year sustainability plan to help keep the remaining centers operational.
During the meeting, we worked our way through a process. We discussed vision, mission, and objectives. We delved into opportunities that hold promise of increased revenue. Could we run a viable business selling cloth books for children? Could we establish a training unit and then provide consulting services to nonprofit organizations, factories, and others seeking to start up early childcare programs? Could we find wealthy families who would adopt centers? What sort of partnerships could be forged with corporations in the area that have social responsibility agendas? How do we approach those corporations without CSR plans? How do we tell the BalSEWA story in the media and elsewhere in a way that draws attention and support? How do we elevate the needs of these children when so many in the area are so poor?
As I looked around the room at the childcare workers and BalSEWA staff, I saw their passion. It was then that the process gave way to something more. It hit me that this planning was unlike any I had done before. When centers close, many women have to leave their children home alone or stop working. Some mothers take their children to work and leave them alone on the side of the road all day. The children are no longer likely to have a nutritious meal, and there are kids here who are seriously malnourished. There are no safety nets; no government schemes.
The meeting had started with a prayer in Gujarati asking for help in the work we were about to do. It was intense, and so is the work ahead.
Lights, Camera, Action!
We went out to dinner last night at a local cafe that serves South Indian food. We enjoy going there because the waiters are patient with us. We never have any idea what we’re ordering, but we’ve come to trust them, and they get a good laugh every time. Even though we forget from time to time and use our left hands when we eat (a real no-no here), they are kind to us.
Last night was especially fun because of the couple seated at the next table. They spoke English and suggested items on the menu to order. Turns out that they are writers who develop scripts for a soap opera in Hindi that airs three nights a week on a major channel here. They brought us up to speed on the storyline of the soap, which we quickly returned to our flat and watched. They also invited us to visit the set to see the filming of the next episode. This is going to be fun!
More than 3,500 children up to 6 years old are being served in 98 BalSEWA centers. Their mothers earn about 30 rupees a day (38 rupees = $1) and pay 30 rupees a month for the childcare. Their fees don’t cover the costs, and just last year, the union had to close down an additional 69 centers because it lost government funding. I’m developing a 3-year sustainability plan to help keep the remaining centers operational.
During the meeting, we worked our way through a process. We discussed vision, mission, and objectives. We delved into opportunities that hold promise of increased revenue. Could we run a viable business selling cloth books for children? Could we establish a training unit and then provide consulting services to nonprofit organizations, factories, and others seeking to start up early childcare programs? Could we find wealthy families who would adopt centers? What sort of partnerships could be forged with corporations in the area that have social responsibility agendas? How do we approach those corporations without CSR plans? How do we tell the BalSEWA story in the media and elsewhere in a way that draws attention and support? How do we elevate the needs of these children when so many in the area are so poor?
As I looked around the room at the childcare workers and BalSEWA staff, I saw their passion. It was then that the process gave way to something more. It hit me that this planning was unlike any I had done before. When centers close, many women have to leave their children home alone or stop working. Some mothers take their children to work and leave them alone on the side of the road all day. The children are no longer likely to have a nutritious meal, and there are kids here who are seriously malnourished. There are no safety nets; no government schemes.
The meeting had started with a prayer in Gujarati asking for help in the work we were about to do. It was intense, and so is the work ahead.
Lights, Camera, Action!
We went out to dinner last night at a local cafe that serves South Indian food. We enjoy going there because the waiters are patient with us. We never have any idea what we’re ordering, but we’ve come to trust them, and they get a good laugh every time. Even though we forget from time to time and use our left hands when we eat (a real no-no here), they are kind to us.
Last night was especially fun because of the couple seated at the next table. They spoke English and suggested items on the menu to order. Turns out that they are writers who develop scripts for a soap opera in Hindi that airs three nights a week on a major channel here. They brought us up to speed on the storyline of the soap, which we quickly returned to our flat and watched. They also invited us to visit the set to see the filming of the next episode. This is going to be fun!
posted by arr at 8:19 AM
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