 Aid Program Report 2001 The 2001 aid from Think the Earth Project was applied to the "Child Link" Program. "Child Link Program" aims to provide aid on a community basis so that children in the communes may attend schools, or to decrease the number of undernourished commune children. By providing aid, Save the Children Japan (hereafter referred to as SCJ) creates a link to the children who represent that specific region. In 2001, the "Child Link" Program was applied to regions in Nepal and Vietnam. *The following is a report illustrating the links the Think the Earth project was successful in creating with the children of the communes. |
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| Nepal: Anita Kumari Ram from the commune of Khariyani The Danusha region where the commune of Khariyani is located is in the Tarai Highlands in southeast Nepal close to the Indian border. The Hindu caste system is still deep-rooted in this area, and majority of the population in this farming commune belongs in the poorest of the castes. As a result of the dire poverty children have no alternative but to work, parentÕs do not regard education for their children, especially that for girls since womenÕs status in society is low, is important, and there are not enough teacher nor of sufficient quality. For such reasons, there few children of this region attend schools. SCJ cooperates with the commune officials, grade schools, and parents to implement a "program so that all children can attend school." < Committee to improve school education > Teachers from the school(s), representatives of the commune officials, representative of the inhabitants from the lower castes, representatives of the fathers and the representatives of the mothers comprise the committee that was established to improve the school education. Out of 180 children between the ages 5 and 14, 65 children did not attend schools, therefore, a program was implemented where "classes for children not attending the school were held," "volunteer teachers were assigned," and "scholarships were provided to children from poor or lower caste families." As a result, 17 children completed the classes and 14 children transferred into the local grade school. Scholarships were provided to 22 children, and part of the budget was used to increase the size of the school. SCJ has continued such activities in the year 2002 by placing importance on increasing the quality of the education and to enroll children unable to attend schools. *Anita who attends school with the scholarship is now in third grade. "Before, the school was a small shack with a thatched roof so I didnÕt like going to school much. But now, I like the schoolÉthe commune chief says that it would be better if more girls went to school. I am happy I get a scholarship and receive a school uniform, but I think it would be better if everyone could receive them. The new roof to the school isn't in place properly yet. The bathroom is important to everyone." |
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Khariyani Child Link Program Accounts for 2001 Expenses Local Program Fee: JPY 2,088,000- Operation Management Fee: JPY 696,000- |
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| Vietnam: Trang from the commune of Vinh Thinh The site of the Child Link Program 2001, the Vinh Thinh Commune of Vinh Loc District has a population of 8653, with 1918 households. Most of the people from the commune live on farming activities, but because the land is very lean and droughts and floods occur very often, the region is very poor. The sanitary situation of the commune is of very poor quality, and mothers often make mistakes rearing their children therefore many of the children are malnourished. SCJ strives to do away with child malnourishment while cooperating with the government administrators and the people from the communes and making the best use of the local peopleÕs wisdom and customs. < To improve nourishment > To improve nourishment, activities such as "measuring weights of the children to grasp their situation and providing advice to mothers," "periodical check ups for pregnant mothers," and "growing vegetables in the family gardens to obtain nourishment" were conducted. In May 2001 when SCJ first began taking weight measurements, 39% of all children were malnourished, however, by March 2002, this percentage had decreased to 27%. *Unfortunately, Trang, who received aid from Child Link passed away in February 2002. Not having been able to receive enough food or nourishment, TrangÕs body was very weak from the beginning, and she caught a cold and suddenly passed away. Activities in Vinh Thinh will be continued to save children like Trang and to prevent such deaths. |
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Vinh Thinh Child Link Program Accounts for 2001 Expenses Local Program Fee: JPY 954,000- Operation Management Fee: JPY 318,000- |
| [ Nepal ] |
 Stereotypical commune scenery in the Tarai region |
 Literacy school for children not attending schools |
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 Anita and her friends |
| [ Vietnam ] |
 Mothers participating in the training |
 Measuring weight |
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