Ashram
schools do not mean orphanages. The students in these schools
are not necessarily
orphans. The government has started the Ashram schools for the
education of the Adivasis. The villages are interior and do
not have all the facilities. Every village is bound to have a
Balwadi and maybe a primary school upto 2nd or 4th standard.
But in the remote villages it becomes difficult to get
teachers to go there regularly. So the Ashram schools are more
centralized. But the nearby children are not admitted to the
boarding. They could be day-students. And only two children
could be admitted to a given ashram school from one family.
Every Adivasi has a right to an Ashram school. This is his or
her human right to have a decent education, at least a high
school education.
The government pays for the board and lodge
of the students. A stipend of Rs. 500.00 is given per child
for food. The teachers and even the cooks are paid by the
government. But the Institution must provide other facilities
for these poor children. And these facilities such as
uniforms, books, bedding etc. cost quite a lot. So the
government may pay 80% of the expenses. But the management
must bear the other 20% of the total expenses. These expenses
may amount to 5 to 7 lakh per year. The social wing of
Hindustan Lever supplies this school with uniforms and
exercise books. Even two other schools run by the Jesuits are
also covered by the company. There are also other generous
donors who contribute regularly.
Ashagad Mission was started by the
late Fr. Stanny Miranda,s.j. about 40 years ago. We have taken
40 long years to start a high school here. This mission has
another high school about 15kms. From here which started about
3-4 years ago. This is an Ashram School, but a coed school.
Jivanshara Kanya shala is going to be a girls high school. So
this will be a specific contribution to women’s education. I
am sure the Sisters in charge will be able to give a better
formation to these girls. The Congregation that runs the
school is Franciscan Hospitallers of the Immaculate
Conception. Some of the Sisters have been long enough to know
the culture of the people, Warli Adivasi.
Joseph M.
Pithekar SJ
If you are interested in helping the
Mission you could contact the following persons.
Events
Ashram
schools do not mean orphanages. The students in these schools
are not necessarily