2006 NEWSLETTER

This last year has been our best in terms of donations received. We're not quite sure what's contributed to this but one factor is probably the DVD: Planting Seeds for Change. This is the DVD that was mentioned in last year's newsletter as then being on its way to us. It's a 31 minute film on Bodhgaya and the Prajna Vihar School and it captures well the atmosphere of the both Bodhgaya and the school. We're happy to send - free- a copy to anyone who wants one. Just let us know.

The school itself has been going well and the directors have been developing patience - of necessity - in their dealings with the complexities and leisurely pace of Indian bureaucracy. The school is also continuing to expand and there's more about this in the school article.

Some of you sent in donations for drought relief, which was being administered by Sister Jessie. This was sent over separately from our annual program funding and used mainly for rice - large quantities of rice - and blankets. Sister Jessie has reported that the rains this year were quite good and that drought conditions around Bodhgaya have eased.

If you are planning on going to India, one of the benefits of spending time with Sister Jessie and her program is that it is a way to get right off the tourist trail, see how a grass roots program can work and help in a practical way. We've included in this newsletter a report from a young Danish woman who did just that. Some volunteers stay for much shorter periods that the two months in the report.

Sister Jessie's program has grown over the years and she has invited a group of nuns from Orissa to assist her and eventually take over management of the boarding school, the homeopathic clinic and the proposed new school building. She will continue her work in the more remote schools and villages. There's a letter in this issue from Sister Jessie with some of the details.

One of the factors that does seem to help donations coming in is our policy of having all the monetary donations sent over to India for use on the projects we support. No (as in zero) percentage of the donations is used for any administration costs here. The printing of the newsletter is a donation, the postage is paid by committee members and we have very few overheads. We think this makes us stand out a bit from the crowd (!).

Thank you to all who've helped in some way in the last year or earlier. If you have a look at the teacher salaries in the article on the PV school, you'll see how far our money can go over there.

Victor von der Heyde

PRAJNA VIHAR SCHOOL 2005-6

At a glance: 530 students enrolled (2006) ; ages 4-15; up to Class VIII (new Class IX starting 15 July 2006); priority given to students from very poor families who would not otherwise receive an education; Hindu, Christian and Muslim teachers; Buddhist, Christian and Hindu members on the Board of Directors, funding predominantly from people in the Insight Meditation and Buddhist communities; 12 teachers; subjects taught: English, Hindi, Maths, Science, Social Studies, General Knowledge, Ethics, Drawing, Craft, Dance.

The school is going well and there have been a few new developments. The school buildings are slowly being expanded: in addition to the two new classrooms that were built in 2004-5, the decision was made in January this year (2006) to build another extra classroom on the first floor. This will cost around A$5900 and address the problem of having two classes taught at different ends of the one room.

Teachers at the PV School have in the past been paid less than teachers at other schools in the area and we have fortunately been in a position to increase the salaries. The new rates are 3000 rupees per month for teachers (A$88) with a two month bonus (A$176) per year, and 5000 rupees per month (A$147) for the principal, also with a two month bonus per year.

After finding the best way to get through the various bureaucratic hurdles to do with appropriate registration of the school as a legal entity, a process which took many years, we were finally in a position earlier this year (2006) the apply to regularly transfer funds from overseas directly to one of the school accounts. This is known as the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) application. We are hoping that this will be approved in the next few months. This would make the accounting arrangements with the school much more straightforward.

There was a report recently on some of the old students who were in the first intakes of the school in the early 1990s. For poor and generally low caste kids, some of them have done very well. One is doing further study to prepare for medical school entry, two are studying Chinese at the Shanti Niketan University in Kolkata, one trained in electronics and works in that area in Chennai (Madras), one got qualifications in marine engineering, one is studying Japanese at the Indira Gandhi Open University and others have jobs in hotels. It is hard to imagine that kids would be in these sorts of positions if it were not for the PV School. In general while many of the boys continue their education, it is unfortunately not so common for the girls.

There is still the drainage problem next to the school - this has been a problem for years - and at times the school looks from some angles like it is in the middle of a lake. There has been a commitment from the head of the local government body (the Gaya District Commissioner, who came and inspected the area) to have the problem fixed and while we're not holding our breath, it could well happen.

At the beginning of the year there were discussions between the principal and teachers as to how many new students to take in. There were lots of applications and this is partly because there are a many poor people trying to get their kids into a school and partly because the school has a good reputation. In the end the teachers and principal decided to take in considerably more than they had before. This has resulted in very large class sizes which have proved a little difficult. Next year the numbers taken in may not be so high.

There is room for improvement in the facilities and support for the teachers. Some of the items on the teachers' wish-list in January this year were:

(a) a teacher training program at least once a year
(b) teaching aids (maps, charts of animals, birds, flowers)
(c) more limits on the number of students per class
(d) a science lab, and
(e) being able to offer classes up to Class X (currently Class VIII is the highest)

From the 15th of July this year (2006) there will be for the first time a Class IX. This was partly a response to requests (or pestering in the words of the Principal) from Class VIII students, partly a wish from the teachers and it was made possible because we had the funds.

Teachers also wanted the students to have a more substantial playground. We're hoping this will happen by the end of the year.

In the past teachers had hoped to arrange a study tour for some of the senior student and in February this year, this finally happened.

Thirteen students aged around 14 years old went with the Principal, Sister Bindu and three other teachers to Kolkata (Calcutta) on short study tour. Kolkata is about 500 kilometres away. The trip was enabled by one particular donation. Even though Bodhgaya is not far from the Gaya railway station, it was the first time many of the students had been on a train. After the trip they wrote about their experience, and here is the translation.

We consider ourselves very lucky to get an opportunity to visit Kolkata. We went from Gaya on 25th February by the Poorva Express. We reached the Howrah station in Kolkata in the evening and went to the Bengal Buddhist temple by taxi. There we were given rooms to stay. After having our dinner at a restaurant we went off to sleep. Next day after breakfast sister took us to the zoo. We were amazed to see all the different animals, and birds and snakes. We saw most of them for the first time. We saw snakes which were poisonous and snakes which were not poisonous, big birds which could fly, and even animals which could swallow a human being. The world is such a marvellous place! In front of the giraffes we felt ourselves very small. We were very happy to meet our ancestors, monkeys. Even though we didn't want to leave, we had to, because we were going to visit the Science City in the afternoon.

We got inside the Science City by a lift, and in that you could get an all round view of the whole place. First we went to the space theatre, where we heard about the seasons, and how much they effect our lives. Then we went into a mirror maze where we saw ourselves in different shapes. In some glasses we saw ourselves without heads and in some without a body. The different mirrors are made of concave and convex lenses. It was wonderful.

From there we went to a place called Evolution Park. It had animals of the past like dinosaurs and huge reptiles and showed the life style of early man, how he walked, ate and lived amongst the wild animals.

After that we went for a boat ride on the River Hooghly. The boat had a special provision for orchestra. From the river the famous Howrah Bridge looked beautiful, adorned with lights. The next day we went to see Queen Victoria's memorial by metro. It was the first time we had been on the metro. The memorial is a historical place, and we were told of the British rule in India. We had many photographs taken in the garden. From there we went shopping. Due to lack of money we purchased only few things but we enjoyed looking at the shops and the crowd. Though the city is thickly populated, the traffic rules and other rules are well maintained.

The roads over there are very clean and the people are educated. The tour was a learning and enriching experience for us. Bodhipala Bhante was a great help for us. He arranged everything for us to make our stay and tour comfortable. We are grateful to Sr.Bindu and all those who have arranged and made this trip possible for us.

Victor von der Heyde

The MGA

Dear Friends of the Massihi Gyanoday Abhiyan

The vision of the Massihi Gyanoday Project is to provide education to the people of the lowest caste in Dobhi and its surrounding villages. It is my hope that one day the people will be able to educate them selves and in turn be able to increase their standard of living to include health care and economic livelihood. It is law that all people are entitled to a government provided education, however, many of the children of the lower castes are sent out of the government classrooms. This project has been created to remedy this injustice in society.

To my amazement the project has flourished over the past 15 years and the community is already seeing its benefits. For example, the parents of the girls in the residential school program have agreed to regularly send their children to the ashram for vocational training. Previously, the parents were suspicious of the project's intentions, and currently, the parents trust the project.

The project addresses health related, economic, and educational needs of the people. The homeopathic clinic operates bi-weekly and provides medical assistance to up to 130 local people. Various members of the villages have volunteered and taught others how to manage livestock such as cows, pigs and chickens. Most importantly, the people learned how to manage their income and keep savings. As well, educational services are being provided to 55 villages in the surrounding area.
International volunteers and I have taught local teenagers and young adults, mathematics, English and Hindi who in turn teach students in the villages. There is also a residential school program that has provided vocational training for physically challenged girls of the lowest castes.

The MGA project has expanded and it has now the potential to reach many more people in need and to increase the standards of service. To achieve these goals, I have decided to share the responsibilities of the project with a group of sisters from Orissa, the Hand Maids of Mary. These are members of the Society of St Theresa.

The Hand Maids of Mary have moved into the ashram and by mid next year will take the full responsibility for the management of its daily chores. They have also agreed to continue the residential school program for the girls and manage the homeopathic clinic. Education and health care are the areas of strength and resource within the Sisters supporting congregation.

The Hands Maids of Mary have greatly developed the vision of the project. Improvements in all services will take place. We would like to have a school built in the field in front of the ashram. Then to have a vehicle purchased for a mobile homeopathic clinic.

The Sisters have set up supporting financial structures and hope to receive the BDA's ongoing support in realizing the project's expanded goals. One project the sisters and I have launched, and would like to commence by next year, is the building of a new school.
In May 2007, I will focus on my core work with the volunteer teachers in the village schools as my heart remains intricately tied to the local students and their needs. I will take up residence in a smaller dwelling where I can have more time for contemplation.

With love and Blesings,
Sister Jessie

Note: The BDA have made contact with the Hand Maids of Mary and we will watch this development with interest.

Drought Relief News

The MGA is very thankful for the BDA's generous support. The assistance and funds have worked well in providing for the shortfall in food and basic necessities caused by ongoing drought in Bihar.

The size of your response called for two separate activities. The first involved the delivery of five tons of rice to ten of the worst-hit villages. It took all of our staff and many of the students. It was conducted on the day we normally have prayers and celebrations to mark the birth of Gandhiji. Transporting and distributing the rice proved a very different way to celebrate this year.

Our next mega distribution was to 500 parents of our children in fifty-five villages served by the MGA. Because it would have been difficult to carry supplies back to their villages, up to thirty kilometres in some cases, we provided money for local purchases. A blanket was also provided to each family.

May all people who have contributed to these events, be merited by this big Puja/Seva.
Thankfully this year the rains have been more substantial. Hopefully, the wide spread food shortages of the last few seasons will not be repeated. If significant feed can be harvested, then hopefully we can start replacing roofs that are missing due to insufficient straw, and distributing cows to support the needy families.

Due to the better season we are also planning an annual Mela fete, the first function conducted with the Hand Maidens of Orissa. Participants will include children from all the 55 centres around Dobhi. They will be able to display their good works produced throughout the year. The fete will be held at the Dobhi Ashram on18-20 December.
You are all welcome if your time permits.

Thanking you again on behalf of the poor people of Bihar and the MGA at large. May all be blessed and be rewarded with love.
Jessie

Volunteering in the Gyanyoti Ashram

A number of people have expressed interest in going to India to work with Jessie. But they would like a better idea of what to expect. The following is an account from two young volunteers from Denmark helping Sr Jessie in Dobhi, Bihar.

Hello Kim
I thought I was writing a potential volunteer. But this is even better. I did not know about the BDA, and the fact that the group supports Sister Jessie. I am very glad to hear you do.
It sounds really good that you might send Australian people to help out in Bihar! Especially, as the need for volunteers at the ashram seems quite urgent to me. If they could come regularly it would make an enormous difference.

Anyway, I will attempt to give you and supporters of Sr Jessie some impressions of what it was like as a helper with Sr Jessie.

We lived and worked in the ashram from the middle of January to end of March.
She has room enough and could accommodate a maximum 4 people in the ashram
It was not ideal, that we only stayed in the ashram for 2 months, because it was hard for Jessie to really benefit from such a short stay. It took a while before we got used to it and learned the routines and customs. It would have been better if we could have stayed a little longer. It also would have helped if she knew there was someone to continue the work after we left.

So news of volunteers coming regularly seems like a very good idea to me! What does Sister Jessie say about it? Well, she has not had more than two volunteers at a time. This makes it hard to start new initiatives.

However the projects and the responsibilities she gave us would never be bigger than something she knew she could not follow up and do herself when we left.

I will now attempt to answer your questions one by one.

What would I be expected to do?
We were actually not expected to do anything when we arrived. It was mainly up to us to decide what we might be able to do.
In the beginning we found it hard to really be useful when it came to teaching and helping in the clinic.
So when we were still having the new India "look" and were adapting to the place, we would mostly be helping out with cleaning, gardening, cleaning the cow shed, milking the cow, cooking and whatever was to be done. So if nothing else, it will always be helpful for Jessie to have helpers to get those day-to-day things done. If we did not help her, she would most probably have to do those things herself!

As time went by, we and Sister Jessie both had some ideas and we started out by teaching very basic English in the local school. Soon we would also be teaching the teachers and potential teachers some English. The other work was to help out in the homeopathic clinic by registering the patients.

It was a great challenge to communicate with the patients and writing down their Hindi names with English letters. But as we learned a few Hindu phrases and they got used to us it became a bit easier.

After a month we decided to take about 10 young girls to the ashram and give them a short but intensive course of handicraft, Hindi, math, English and art. We knew very little of Indian knitting and sewing but did all we could to teach some simple art and English. In that way, Sister Jessie had some extra help with the classes. But the most important help was probably the way we could give her a break from the responsibility of being in charge of 10 girls and taking care of them.

We never learned good Hindi, but after 2 months we were able to communicate with the girls who had also learned a tiny bit of English. That was essential to our stay, because people in the area don't know English. So I would say that it would be helpful to spend some time on learning a bit of Hindi when you arrive. But again, nothing is expected of you!

What skills do I need?
We do not have any particular skills when it comes to teaching and assisting in the medical clinics. We actually only speak English as a third language, and have only just finished 13 years of school. To do something like this it was very important to have a whole lot of courage, a lot of patience, a great sense of understanding, a great flexibility and the capability of adjusting. And finally the most important skill is the motivation to share your love with the children and people who need it.

What guidelines does Jesse work by?
I think that is a question for her to answer. As far as I know there are no rules in the ashram.

How long a stay would be appropriate?
As I wrote, the 2 months of our stay might have been too short. I would suggest the ideal stay would be from 3 to 6 months. It takes a lot of energy to adapt, and only after knowing the place (and maybe some Hindi) would you be a great help.

How do I provide for myself?
You need to be aware that there is no electricity in Dobhi (the village) and all water you need is to be pumped up from the ground with a pump. This was no problem to us, even though we had never been in India before or tried anything like this. You need to adjust totally to the way of living to be of help in the Ashram.

We both found the experience very special and it was really great to live there. We felt very safe inside the ashram, even though it seemed a bit unfriendly around the village. You will live in a nice room with a bathroom and a small kitchen and with vegetables and rice from the local market and the garden you will be able to cook for yourself.

Is it appropriate to suggest a program?
I think that is very appropriate!
Sister Jessie was very interesting to talk to, and for most of our spare time we talked to her and learned incredibly about India. She was a great source of knowledge and inspiration for us, and we enjoyed her company very much.

As for the project, which you have probably already read a lot about, I will just say that the spirit and the ideology are beautiful. But the work is not easy and there is a long way to go to get the people of the area enlightened. So I hope you feel like helping Sister Jessie in helping the people. It is really needed, and it will be a great experience for anyone. It is nice to hear what a beautiful thing that the BDA is doing.

Take care,
Rie Poulsen

FINANCIAL REPORT
Pamela Grayson

Thank you to all our donors … including those who give of their time or expertise. After due debate, the Committee has agreed to simplify the Treasurer's Report and we will no longer include the names of individual donors.

A dissection of the funds received this year:

Anonymous	$ 800.00
Dharma Cloud – by donation for room use & Meditation Nights	$1,799.60
Dharma Gatherings - Teachers, Managers & participants	$1,270.00
Dharma Teaching services by 2 committee members	$4,139.25
Direct Credit deposits to Bank A/c	$ 450.00
General	$3,148.80
Newsletter response	$5,464.88
Sangha communities/groups	$1,957.00
St Aidans Anglican School Students' activities	$ 522.40
Drought Relief remitted	$3,000.00
Drought Relief – later	$ 100.00
Interest earned	$1,249.91

It's difficult for me to put this into words. Every donation is special. This year, however, income exceeded all expectations. It was $23,901.84 including the $3000 for the special Drought Relief drive. The resources and generosity of some new and recurrent donors saw 13 major donations of between $500 and $2,000 each. The deserving children of India have been blessed.

Our commitment to India is a minimum of $9,000 each year. $5,000 was sent to Sister Jessie for drought relief .. comprised of $3,000 direct donations plus $2,000 from BDA discretionary funds. $3,500 also went to Sister Jessie for her education and ancillary projects. Pragya Vihar School has again required that the yearly commitment of $6,000 remain here until requested.

All moneys received are recorded and allocated as specified by donors. Should any surplus to a particular project be held, it is trackable to that project. Donations were specified as:

Pragya Vihar School $ 3,320.88
Sister Jessie                  $ 1,150.00
Drought Relief $ 3,100.00
Discretionary $15,081.05

Thank you all
Pamela Grayson
Treasurer