Walton College India Study

Abroad

Annual Fundraiser People’s Organization for Rural Development with

Child Rights and You &

Sumangli Ashram

It's the action, not the fruit of the action,

that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any

fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You

may never know what results come

from your action. But if you do nothing,

there will be no result.!

―Mahatma Ghandi

PORD: People’s Organization for Rural Development (PORD) was registered in 1992, and is a child-centric organization with specific focus on issues of girl children. " CRY (Child Rights and You) is a financial support group that helps fund individual efforts that prove to be particularly effective and well-organized. !

PORD came into partnership with CRY in 2007.

Our students went to different villages --- some which had recently been adopted by PORD and where education, health and even basic drinking water were big challenges for the villagers. In some areas where PORD had been active for several years, the difference was noticeable. While problems still persisted, children had better access to education, nutrition, and health facilities.!–Vikas Anand!

PORD and CRY’s alliance is dramatically changing lives in southern India!

PORD is currently working in 2 Blocks in India, namely Madanapalle and Thamballapalle. This

covers 25 slums (11436 families) & 65 villages (4480 families). 23460 children in the age-group of 0-18

are covered under different interventions.

Children perfrom skits speaking out about the issues: child marriage, male-child favortism, child trafficking and more.

Andhra Jyothi (Chittoor) – Sunday - 25-05-2014! !Countryside life has improved! Observation visit to Thamballapalle by American students! !Along with Prof. Vikas of Arkansas University of the United States of America, 20 American students visited Thamballapalle Block under the auspices of PORD organization. They visited remote villages in the Block such as Rekulakunta Thanda, Gundlapalle, Eguva Thanda, Kannemadugu and Ittinenivaripalle along with representatives from Child Rights and You, Bangalore – John, Savio Charles, Suneel and the Director of PORD Lalithamma. They studied the social and economic problems, customary practices and the way of life of people in the villages. They also learnt about social service programmes implemented by PORD in these remote villages. Speaking to media persons, Prof. Vikas said that it is good to see the development that took place in Thamballapalle Block, which was very backward in all sectors 10 years ago, and in the villages which were once in very bad position with only thatched huts. He said that the efforts of PORD in bringing this awareness in these villages which resulted in better social infrastructure facilities in households and in all children continuing their studies are appreciable. He said that still there are some under-developed families and if the newly formed Government and Voluntary Organizations could put efforts, good results can be achieved with such families too. The team appreciated the cultural performances by children. Others who participated in this visit were – Sridhar - PORD Project Coordinator, Narasimhulu, Ramana, Gangulappa, Kanthamma, Nagaveni, Reddemma, Swarnakumari, Radhamma, Prabhavathi, Rafi and Altaf.!

Eenadu (Chittoor) – Sunday – 25-05-2014! !Bad Culture should change: Prof. Vikas Anand! !The culture and traditions of India are honourable, interesting and ideal; there is need to bring change in the areas of social evils, trafficking of girl children and child labour – opined Prof. Vikas Anand from the University of Arkansas, USA. On Saturday, along with a team of 20 University students, he visited Eguva Thanda, Rekulakunta Thanda, Kannemadugu, Gundlapalle and Ittinenivaripalle villages in Thamballapalle Mandal. The students observed various developmental and awareness-creation programmes implemented by PORD organization on poverty eradication, child rights and social evils. The skits enacted by PORD children at Ittinenivaripalle on the issues of trafficking, child marriages, superstitions, abuse, etc. were thought-provoking. The students observed the life-style of Tribals in Ittinenivaripalle and various programmes implemented for farmers and women in other villages. The team also observed the areas of change in people’s lives and compared their current status with their past situation. The students felt that people should aspire for more holistic change and achieve holistic development. They also expressed that all should work to the fullest extent possible towards protection of natural resources. The group witnessed the performances by PORD cultural team and appreciated them.!

PORD/CRY and Walton College News Coverage in India!

The most impactful aspect to what PORD and CRY are doing is teaching others the crucial tool in breaking any negative cycle, whether poverty, social oppression, or likewise, and

that is self-actualization.!–Jillian Thompson

The village visit presented the reality of the struggles villagers face daily to meet basic necessities. I was amazed to see the difference education can make to improve the quality of life, especially in remote areas. –Hope Washispack

I found my experience with PORD to be incredibly enlightening and inspiring. I could really see change in action; it was very clear to me that this organization is having a sizable impact on the communities that it touches. –Andrew Murry

Student Feedback from PORD/CRY village visits!

It was amazing to see how the work of PORD improves the lives of the villagers, especially the quality and accessibility of the children’s education. The village visits gave me a new outlook on how fortunate I am to live in the U.S. and to have so many opportunities provided to me, like an education.!–Meredith Cozby

 The stark contrast between our lives was all too evident. I realize that PORD is set up to help these villages for the long

term and aids them in being self-sufficient.  Seeing this poverty firsthand really inspired me to try to do whatever I can to help these people get on their feet.!

–Meagan Halligan

We had the opportunity to ask the children what they wanted to do when they grew up.  One girl responded that she wanted to be a

high ranking officer in the police force.   Our representative from the PORD

program mentioned that the position she was seeking was one that was highly

competitive, dominated by males and was also a position of power.  Knowing that

PORD was giving this girl the confidence to seek out such a career, was not only rewarding to hear, but I was able to see

PORD’s impact in person. -Darren Quinn

PORD is helping these people gain their personhood and independence by ensuring the government programs and facilities that are available to everyone are known and utilized.  This is a slow path towards change, but the impacts are far reaching.!–Sara Leritte

Thanks to the help of PORD, these remote Indian villages are getting assistance and aid in order to get toilets, water and education that is severely needed in order to survive and continue in the development of the country. !–Sherri Copeland

Mrs. Susheelamma started Sumangalis Seva Ashrama in 1975 when she and her daughters were deserted by her husband and family. With only a few rupees in hand, she set out to shelter and empower women and children who have nowhere to turn. The ashram’s vision is a society where the elderly may live in comfort and dignity, where children receive loving care and guidance, teaching them to be responsible, self-reliant adults, where women are empowered and all have the right to a healthy life.

Sumangli Seva Ashrama today: •  Houses over a hundred orphaned,

deserted, or neglected children •  Provides children with shelter, nutrition,

education, and medical attention •  Is a sanctuary for women and the elderly,

providing them with vocational training and medical attention

•  Provides workshops in women’s empowerment, health education, and vocational training

Sumangli Ashram!

Goals for the future: •  Establish a high school and vocational institute •  Build a residence for the elderly equipped with medical

facilities •  Build short-term residence for women to find refuge,

seek counseling, and receive vocational training

Walton College representatives present refrigerator to ashram– made possible by

last year’s donations.

After being given a warm welcome of traditional song and dance from girls at the ashram, WCOB students and Fern Jones thank the

girls by freestyling to “Happy Feet.”

The Sumangli Ashram, based on the outskirts of Bangalore in Karnataka State, takes a direct approach to helping the girl child. Run by a woman who herself was abandoned and left destitute by her husband and family, she committed herself to making a difference to others. The girl child is less welcome in many parts of India. When families have limited means, education and health nutrition are prioritized for the male child. \This Ashram adopts these unwanted or abandoned girls, raises them with love and provides them a minimum of high school education so that the girls can take care of themselves. !!The Walton College has worked with this institution for years and is warmly welcomed when we visit. The girls over there fondly ask about students from previous trips and make it a point to call the hogs when we visit. We have been slowly contributing funds that are placed in fixed deposits, such that the interest earned from them pays for the food given to the girls. !–Vikas Anand

I’m so thankful for my time at the ashram. Having seen the destitute situations throughout such a large percentage of the rest of the country made the ashram’s efforts all the more impactful on me. Susheelamma has created a home for everyone from young girls to elderly women that otherwise would have minimal access to the amenities provided on a daily basis. Meals, education, love, and family are provided for those who would otherwise have few or none of these. –Liz Parker

Seeing the girls of Sumangli Ashram was an extremely moving experience in more ways than one. It was humbling to come to grips with some of the situations the girls had come from. The amazing and inspiring part of those stories was the extent to which the ashram had become a home where previously none existed. The women working at the ashram and the donors who support it financially create opportunities for girls who truly would not have them otherwise. The ashram creates it’s own ecosystem of kindness and good behavior by realistically assessing the needs of those it serves, and meeting those needs with fervor and positivity.!–Jon Nichols

Student Feedback from Sumangli Ashram visit!

Visiting Sumangali Ashram was a high point of my experience in India. The girls at the Ashram are not only able to experience a stable living environment that provides shelter - they are provided with an opportunity to grow and develop into a contributing member of Indian society.!–Sawyer Dunnigan

Going to Sumangali Ashram was an amazing experience for me. I saw how girls my own age are living after being tossed into the streets by their own family. Just seeing how happy these girls are living with just the things provided for them in the orphanage made me appreciate everything I own very deeply.!–Namu Anand

It was wonderful to see a place where young women are able to grow and learn in a stable and strong community.  –Joseph Post

Visiting the orphanage was a great experience for me because Sumangali Ashram had such an amazing story, and I could see that her efforts were making a real impact for the girls that were staying there. My favorite part of our time there was seeing the girls dance because they had such joy on their faces, which I loved to see. –Michaela Bauer

How you can support!

*For more information on CRY and their work with PORD, check out their website, here!

If you would like to make a donation, please contact:!!

Dr. Vikas Anand $ OR$ $Dr. Alan Ellstrand!Dept. of Management $ $Dept. of Management $ $!

Office: WJWH 519 $ $ $Office: WCOB 402A!(479) 575-6232 $ $ $ $(47() 575-6145!

VAnand@walton.uark.edu aellstrand@walton.uark.edu ""

*Cash and Check donations are both accepted. !-If supporting through Check donation, please make payable to Vikas Anand or Alan Ellstrand.!

!*Unless you have stated otherwise, the donation will be split 60/40 between PORD/CRY (60) and Sumangli Ashram (40).!

Note: PORD/CRY donations are tax deductible—donations to Sumangli Ashram are not.!

Tax receipts will be provided by CRY America.!