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LITERACY PROGRAM IN ZANGSKAR:
A PROPOSAL
Synopsis of the Project
Introduction
Summary of Goals
Proposed Activities
Beneficiaries
Duration of the Project
Viability
Objectives
Background
Activities: the Seven Components of the Project
Budget
Synopsis of the Project
Name of the Project: Literacy Program in Zangskar (LPZ)
Implementing Agency: Sakyadhita Zangskar (a branch of Sakyadhita International)
Address: Literacy Program in Zangskar
c/o Ms. Murup Dolma
Sakyadhita Ladakh
Leh, Ladakh 194 101
Jammu & Kashmir State
Society Registration Number: Application in Process
Date of Registration: To be supplied
Place of Registration: Jammu
Coordinator in Ladakh:
Ms. Murup Dolma
Sakyadhita Zangskar
Leh, Ladakh 194 101
J&K State
Coordinator in Zangskar:
Sonam Namgyal (Pikongma)
President, Zangskar Buddhist Association
P.O. Padum, Zangskar
Zangskar, J&K State
Zangla Program Office:
Coordinators: Munshi Tsering
Assistants: Sra. Lobsang Palmo, Sra. Stanzin Chozin
Changchub Choling Monastery
Village Zangla, P.O. Padum
Zangskar, Zangskar, J&K State
Karsha Program Office:
Coordinator: Sonam Namgyal
Assistants: Sra. Lobzang Palmo, Sra. Lobzang Chodron
Khachoe Drubling Monastery (Chuchik Shal)
Village Karcha, P.O. Padum
Zangskar, Zangskar, J&K State
Pishu Program Office:
Coordinator: Gen Norbu
Assistants: Sra. Tukje Wangmo, Sra. Tenzin Drolma
Pishu Monastery
Village Pishu, P.O. Padum
Zangskar, J&K State
Liason in Delhi for Further Information on Application:
Sonam Norboo Shurkhapa
A-101, Prince Apartments
Plot No. 54, I.P. Extension
Patparganj, Delhi 110 092
Ph: 246-7046
Fax: 242-1502
INTRODUCTION
Literacy Program in Zangskar is a program to promote literacy efforts
among women from low-income families in undeveloped rural areas of Zangskar.
Women are currently engaged in traditional agriculture work which is insufficient
to meet the needs of the women and their families. These women understand
that basic literacy skills can play an important role in improving the
standard of living of their families and villages.
Summary of Goals
The program aims to promote basic literacy and self-sufficiency skills
among the women of Zangskar, which is one of the neediest areas of the
Himalayan region. to promote gender equity and community development through
providing women with basic literacy skills. In addition, it aims at promoting
leadership and social awareness, healthcare, alternative technologies,
and environmental awareness.
Proposed Activities
LPZ undertakes educational activities to assist women achieve greater
confidence and self-sufficiency. The program consists of seven components:
Basic literacy skills
Intermediate reading skills
Readings in traditional literature
Beginning composition
Readings on healthcare for women and children
Basic math skills
Leadership training
Beneficiaries of the Program
In all, more than 3,600 beneficiaries are proposed to be covered by this
program. Activities will be offered to all women regardless of age, educational
background, or marital status.
Duration of the Project
The project will be spread over a period of 2 years. After two years,
an evaluation will be conducted to assess the achievements of the program
and determine future goals.
Long-range Goals
All LPZ programs are aimed at the empowerment of women through achieving
basic literacy and increasing reading skills. Gradually, activities to
increase social awareness in such areas as women and children's health,
family planning, environment, alternative energy, substance abuse, gender
discrimination, and so on will be introduced.
Viability
The literacy programs implemented by LPZ are expected to achieve literacy
among all women under the age of 60 in the pilot projects in the villages
of Karsha, Pishu, and Zangla by the end of the second year of their operation.
At that time the projects will be evaluated and expanded to additional
villages.
OBJECTIVES
1. To achieve literacy among women in remote and underdeveloped areas
of Zangskar.
2. To organize workshops to formulate the educational needs of women in
Zangskar.
3. To implement literacy projects and additional education projects as
needed to empower women in hardship areas of Zangskar with a view to strengthening
their effectiveness in community development and also preparing them to
participate in future income-earning activities.
4. To create awareness and solidarity among women and enable them to articulate
their problems and needs at the policy level.
5. To help develop an infrastructure to improve the health and well-being
of women and children in Zangskar.
6. To develop a database on the education and health needs of women in
Ladakh
7. To develop networks for exchanging information and skills between women's
groups in Zangskar.
8. To develop links with governmental and other organisations/programs
in Zangskar and internationally.
9. To help organise groups of women to help gain access to governmental
and other schemes and facilities that may be available to them.
10. To organise workshops and training programs to help women become aware
of their rights and of local and outside facilities available to them.
BACKGROUND
This literacy program addresses the needs of women from low income households
in Zangskar, Zangskar, a remote and barren Himalayan region located in
the northernmost part of India. Zanskar is a mountainous area, with small
villages located in narrow snow-covered valleys at heights of 12,000-20,000
feet. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and dairy farming are the main occupations
of the people. Due to long, harsh winters, these occupations cannot adequately
meet the people's basic needs. Women do a major share of the agricultural
and animal husbandry operations. In spite of their unending labor, however,
the high-altitude fields are not producing enough to meet the needs of
their families, and inclement weather reduces their planting and harvesting
opportunities. Many men leave the area in search of cash incomes, engaging
in tourism and other occupations in Leh and other areas. Many women remain
at home and labor alone, under great stress, to provide sustenance for
their family. Although Zangskar is increasingly affected by a cash economy,
income-generating activities for women are extremely limited. To benefit
from economic development in the region, women need access to literacy
and basic education tools. As educational opportunities become available
to children in the region, women's literacy becomes increasingly important,
also.
ACTIVITIES: THE SEVEN COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM
Literacy and related training by experts will be offered to the women
in three different villages in Zangskar over a period of two years. Trainers
will conduct classes in literacy on a daily basis, scheduled to accommodate
women's daily life activities. Specific activities are scheduled as follows:
1. Basic literacy skills
Classes in basic literacy skills, including learning the Tibetan alphabet,
conjoining the letters, and recognizing simple words.
2. Intermediate reading skills
After learning the alphabet, the conjoining of letter, and recognizing
simple words, classes go on to read simple Tibetan language textbooks
(I to IV).
3. Readings in traditional literature
Having completed Tibetan language textbooks I to IV, classes learn to
read and understand simple passages in traditional Buddhist texts.
4. Beginning composition
In this phase, after practicing reading simple passages in traditional
literature, classes begin writing simple sentences, including writing
notes and simple letters.
5. Readings on healthcare for women and children
In this phase of the program, classes use simple texts on women’s
and children's healthcare to improve the students’ reading skills
and develop their awareness of healthcare issues affecting women’s
and children’s lives.
6. Basic math skills
In this phase, classes are conducted to help women develop basic skills
in arithmetic, focusing on addition, subtraction, simple multiplication
and division, that are useful for managing household expenses and simple
commercial activities.
7. Leadership training
The final component of the program consists of leadership training programs
to empower women and help them develop skills in communications, conflict
resolution, and social awareness.
BUDGET: ESTIMATES FOR THE 5 COMPONENTS
The project budget includes salaries for staff training, tea and lunches
for students, evaluation of program, books and supplies, and communications
and postage.
Salaries for Staff Training 150 Women in Three Villages (per year)
3 Teachers @ $120 ea./mo for 10 mo. $3,600
3 Coordinators @ $80 ea./mo for 10 mo.) 2,400
6 Assistants @ Rs. $60 ea./mo. for 10 mo.) $ 3,600
Total $ 9,600
Tea and lunches for 150 students
Lunch (150 students @ $ .60 ea./day for 200 days) $ 1,800
Two teas (150 students @ $ .30 ea./day for 200 days)$ 900
Total $ 2,700
Program Evaluation
Travel expenses for team of 3 evaluators $ 600
Salaries (3 evaluators @ $ 120/mo for 1 mo.) $ 360
Total $ 960
Books and supplies
Textbooks (150 students @ $10) $ 1,500
Pens and notebooks (150 students @ $3) $ 450
Tables (150 @ $5) $ 750
Cushions (150 @ $2) $ 300
Transport $ 150
Total $ 3,150
Communications and postage
Fax $ 110
Phone $ 85
Postage $ 80
Total $ 275
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