Vibha walk/run has been one of our biggest fund-raisers over the years, raising awareness and funds across the nation. Started in Atlanta in 1998, this has become a tradition in several cities. We realized the need for better branding of this event - representing the spirit of this effort.

The Dream Mile is the new name with which we will be organizing the walk/run event A few miles for a million dreams is the spirit with which we encourage you to participate.

In this issue, we also bring GORD (Gandhian Organization for Rural Development) an organization that is making an effort to reduce the drop-out rates from the public schools in India.

The Dream Mile - A New Identity for the Vibha Walk

With seven action centers across the country organizing the Vibha Walk in 2006, it was time to unify the race brand to make it a nationally recognized name - and thus emerged its new identity - The Dream Mile.

In an effort that began in January 2007, volunteers from multiple action centers came together to create a unique, meaningful and eye-catching brand for the race. The team began by conducting a contest inviting entries for the race name and tagline. The contest attracted very high quality submissions, and after several rounds of deliberations, the team chose 'The Dream Mile', created by Balaji Rajam, a Bay Area volunteer. Along with the associated tagline - 'A few miles for a million dreams', the new brand effectively depicts both the nature of the fundraiser and Vibha's underlying mission of
helping children fulfill their dreams.

All action centers will be using the new brand in walk related publicity this year onwards, starting with the Bay Area in July. The marketing team is working closely with the fundraising team to create a consolidated Dream Mile website, which will be launched in the coming weeks. Our volunteers continue to work zealously to make The Dream Mile a respected brand and an event that all Vibha volunteers and supporters will be proud to be associated with.

Together, we can do much more!
Dream a little! Do a Little!

Project Profile

Development of Schools in Somapalle, Mulakalacheruvu, Burkayalakota (GORD), Gandhian Organization for Rural Development
Chitoor, Andhra Pradesh

Over the last three decades, there has been a sea change in the effectiveness of the public education system in India. The schools are the same, the teachers are the same, the students are also the same, by and large. The amount of money spent by the Government has only gone up. But, what is missing is a sense of community ownership, pride and recognition. As a result, and combined with the onslaught of private schools, the public school system got caught upon in a vicious downward spiral and degenerated into a state of abysmal expectations.

However, several efforts are being made, often by people from within the local community, to turn things around. GORD (Gandhian Organization of Rural development) in the Chittor district of Andhra Pradesh is one such effort, that Vibha has been supporting for the past four years. (In an earlier edition, we presented another successful project in this category called Sikshana).

GORD was started in Mulakalacheruvu village in 1984 serving the needs of the community in the rural areas that is economically and socially backward. The main objective of the organization is to enhance the social and educational standards of the people.

The strategies adopted are

1. To strengthen the educational system within the region
2. To start labour oriented and Income Generation Programmes to benefit the Agriculture Labour in non-agricultural season
3. To start Water Conservation Programmes by constructing rain water harvesting structures and soil conservation methods to enhance crop yields
4. To bring more area under green cover through waste land development programs with the involvement of the local people of the area.
5. To strengthen the Self Help groups at the village level.

Vibha supported the first school in Mulakalacheruvu in 2003 when GORD approached us for additional funds to construct the compound wall (to augment the funds generated locally and with the matching grant from the state government). GORD has a practical and participatory approach to enhance the quality of the schools that will result in the reducing the drop out rates of children. By providing supplemental teachers, lab equipment, sports equipment, computer education, and the minimal facilities (toilets, water), and by taking the students on excursions the organization is bringing the excitement back to the school. Looking at the positive changes at the school, the community also is reacting positively and developing a sense of ownership by catering to the needs of the school.

The headmaster of the Burrakayalakota ZPHS (Zilla Parishad high school) was excited speaking about the excursion "I have always wanted to take my students for an excursion. It happened in the year before my retirement. This is a god sent opportunity for these children to venture out of their habitations for the first time in their lives. This injects inspiration and motivation to them and they also feel a sense of equality compared to their urban counterparts".

The supplemental teachers for math science resulted in a noticeable change in the pass percentage and the number of marks scored by the students, enhancing the confidence of the students, resulting in declined drop-out rates.

The additional games equipment provided has inspired the students of another school - Devalacheruvu. The school team won a trophy in the state level hockey tournament organized by Andhra Hockey Association. One girl named Madhavi won semi-final trophy in interstate Throw-ball tournament held in Kolkata and another girl represented the school in long jump in a meet held in Bangalore. The local team won a trophy in the district level volley-ball tournament and held in Madanapalli. The excitement in the village was visible - the Sarpanch of the village has provided permanent electricity to the school to facilitate late evening practice.

But, the best intervention that caught the attention of the students, the parents and also the district education officials is the introduction of the computer facilities in these schools. Initially started in one school, Vibha is now supporting these facilities and the teachers in three schools. Upon the request of the District Education Officer, training is provided to teachers and students from nearby schools as well.

The success of the intervention has caught the attention of neighboring villages and more and more schools are showing the willingness to participate voluntarily. GORD is an excellent example of bringing the public schools from the depths of despair back to centers of learning and excitement.

If you would like more information on GORD - Gandhian Organization for Rural Development, please contact us at projects@vibha.org.

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Phone: 408-997-9992 | Fax: 775-593-1061

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Vibha is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit, non-religious, non-political organization that seeks to restore to underprivileged children their basic rights to food, shelter, health and education - in short, a future.
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