Radio Brisvaani
What is EVF and what does it do?
EVF means Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation and it is non-government organisation. It facilitates sponsorship of single teacher (and so the word Ekal) in tribal and remote villages of India.
Could you please provide some more details about Ekal School?
An Ekal Vidyalaya Class has between 30 and 40 children in the age group of 5 to 14 years, where children are offered 5 years of schooling and primary health care. All the children of a village are taught, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion or sex. The teacher is a specially trained youth (either from the village or from one of the surrounding villages) who was fortunate enough to have received a high school education. The class is often conducted under the shade of a big tree or in a hut. The curriculum includes basic language, science and maths skills. Character building, cultural values, health and hygiene are also integral part of education to empower entire community.
Why NGO instead of Indian Government?
The government machinery is either unable or unwilling to set up schools in these areas. Even if a school is set up in such an area, it is difficult to get and retain dedicated teachers for them. EVF operates differently by selecting teacher from the local community.
How many schools are currently in operation?
More than 54,000 Ekal schools are currently operating in India. Schools are operating almost in every state of India. About 800 schools are sponsored from Australia which provides education to almost 25000 children in India.
What is EVF’s goal?
There are about 100,000 tribal and remote villages in India without any school. EVF’s goal is to sponsor 100,000 schools. EVF Australia’s goal is to sponsor 1000 schools by end of 2017.
How much It costs to Sponsor One School
It costs A$480 per year to sponsor one school.
That is just $10 per week. Many child sponsors donate that much money for sponsoring just a one child. How can they manage with this amount?
That is right. You can educate 30-40 children at the cost of sponsoring one child. Actually local community contributes half the expenses of running the school. The remaining amount is contributed by EVF through school sponsorship from sponsors. Most schools become self funding within about five years Target. Most of the administrative work is done by volunteers dedicated to the cause.
What % of money is spent on administration?
In Australia less than 2% is spent on administration and overall maximum 10% of the donation money is spent on administration. Most of the EVF volunteers not only spend their own time but also spend their own money for carrying out administration work.
Can one sponsor a school in his or her own preferred state?
Although EVF runs schools in almost every state of India, the requirements vary significantly vary from state to state. Some of the rich states are able to raise funds locally. One can select a state where school is to be sponsored and EVF normally tries to meet sponsor’s preference, it may not be possible in every case. One can sponsor a school in honour of their loved ones if full school is sponsored for five years.
Which other countries this organization is running?
EVF movement runs in a number of countries including USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Hongkong.
Is it compulsory to sponsor for all five years?
No it is not compulsory or obligatory to sponsor the school for all five years. Generally we expect sponsors to continue sponsoring school. But if sponsors decide not to sponsor school at any time due to change is circumstances or priorities, it is fine.
Is the donation in Australia tax deductible?
Fortunately all donations to EVF Australia for sponsoring schools are tax deductible. In fact EVF Australia was granted this status only in July 2007 by the Gov of Australia.
What happens after one sponsors Ekal School?
Ekal school session starts in April each year and therefore a sponsor is assigned school in April. Each sponsor is given log in details to see details about his or her school on ekal web site. Annual report is also sent to sponsor every year. Sponsors or others are encouraged to visit their or any other Ekal school whenever they visit India.
What is your final message to our readers?
We are indebted to the people of India for our almost free education that enabled us to migrate to Australia and to have our current status and life style. The best way to pay our debt, and our voluntary HECS (form Australian Perspective), is through a gift of education to unprivileged tribal and rural children of India by sponsoring a school and/or joining the EVF movement. We request everyone to visit web site www.ekal.org (and then go to Australia Chapter) or contact any of our volunteers to find our more and then join this noble project.
[box] Seven Reasons For Sponsoring Ekal School
If you want to serve India – Middle class has progressed significantly during recent times but bottom class has not moved up much in India. This can only happen through education. You can serve India best by sponsoring education of less privileged children.
If you want to serve humanity – The best way to provide long term help to human beings is to sponsor their education. You will be able to serve humanity effectively by sponsoring Ekal School.
If you want to pay back your voluntary HECS – We are what we are because of our education. Most of us had almost free education in India while our children will pay HECS to at least partly repay the expenses incurred by the government. Sponsoring Ekal School or similar project gives us an opportunity to pay back our voluntary HECS to India.
If you want to please almighty God – All human beings are children of God and God looks after all of us. You can serve God better by doing God’s work of looking after God’s other children. The best way to look after some one is to educate them. You will please your God by sponsoring Ekal School.
EVF Project is very cost effective – Just imagine – You are able to change lives of about 30 children for only $480 per year, which works out to $16 per year per child. Compare this with other equivalent projects. Think how much money we spend on education of our children. This cost effective project is in place because of many volunteers dedicating their time and lives for this noble cause.
EVF spends minimum on administration – EVF Australia continues to aim to send almost all of your contribution to EVF India and generally bear local expenses themselves or through other fund raising activities. EVF India spends less than 10% of the money on administration. Compare this with equivalent other organizations, which spend any where from 20 to 50% on administration.
Donations to EVF Australia are Tax Deductible – Your donations to EVF Australia for sponsoring Ekal Schools is tax deductible from 1st July 2007. This not only provides you financial incentive but proves credibility of the organisation and its sincerity. Accordingly when you donate some money to charity, the government of Australia automatically donates your tax to this charity.[/box]
To educate children of poor families is the greatest service to the community, society, country and the world.
So what are you waiting for? Contact any of the EVF volunteer or visit www.ekal.org to get more info and sponsor Ekal School or join the volunteer team.
