Shadhika Newsletter Archive
July 28, 1998
Dear Friends of Shadhika,
My annual pilgrimage to India took place in March this year -- an unfortunate choice. I don't remember when it was ever as hot as this time. As usual, I split my time between Paripurnata and my family. At Paripurnata I met with the residents, ex residents, even some of their families. I also sat in on a couple of Board meetings, met with individual board members, as well as some ex-Board members.
First let me summarize administrative and funding news.
While the project is on track and on the whole progressing very well, there are concerns. Staff salary levels are low, and this not only causes some morale problems, but is the reason for losing good people to industry and other agencies. A psychologist and a social worker quit recently. Funding promised by the West Bengal Government four years ago (10 rupees per month per resident) has still not materialized. Bread For The World promised to continue financial support as the major donor to the project for at least two more years. Major efforts are under way to find local corporate donors. A couple of schools are raising money for recreational programs. I am making contact with the International Rotary club for a contribution anticipating that it will then be easier to get a local branch of the Rotary Club to match the grant.
Now about the program. A few new activities have been introduced. Since the residents turn over in about a year, it is challenging to produce salable articles like children's clothing, embroidered saris, cushion covers, etc., of consistent quality. Nevertheless, we did well this year. Paripurnata succeeded in selling many items made by the residents. We received a loom as a donation, and a volunteer is teaching weaving. Soon they should be able to produce hand woven table cloths, napkins, dish cloths and the like. When the Center sells something made by a resident, she receives a small percentage of the proceeds as an incentive toward better quality. The plan is to raise seed money to help individuals start their own businesses.
Some of the women are being trained as cooks so they can either start their own little cooked food business or work for families. There is an independent cottage industry run by two women in the same building where Paripurnata is located. One of our residents is working there on a part-time basis and learning valuable skills.
The ex residents who are living independently or in a working women's hostel meet for an hour and a half every two weeks with a facilitator to share their experiences and learn from each other's successes and failures. I sat in on two such meetings and was very pleased to see how well friendships had developed among residents as a result of an active support group. It was impressive to watch one woman - formerly considered a "hopeless case" - encourage another to stay at the place where she is living and offer her help if needed.
Halfway house staff maintain close contact with ex-residents and are available to trouble shoot when adjustment problems develop. They are also available for family members to help them cope with ex residents.
Paripurnata is taking women from prison who are kept in other parts of west Bengal. (Just because the law had finally changed the problem did not disappear right away.) They are also getting requests from a couple of mental health facilities to house patients before they are released into the community. Occasionally families are also requesting help with their family members.
As several residents had property taken or alimony denied from them illegally, during this past year we started a program to rectify this with the help of lawyers who serve on the Board of Directors. I have a heart-warming story about one resident which I will tell you about at our yearly get-together in September.
Of course, there are problems as well. A few women are having a difficult time adjusting to the world outside. Interestingly, those who had returned to their families are having the hardest times. They need continued support, and with limited staffing there is no way new programs and continuing liaisons can be maintained simultaneously. The cramped conditions also limit Paripurnata's ability to stay on top of existing and new challenges.
On the whole both current residents and past residents are very happy with the program. The staff have grown a great deal both as a result of experience and of specific training. Increased visibility has paid off in small ways: visitors from abroad have donated valuable equipment and materials. A British group gave a VCR and some videos, and a small fund to rent movies. My son's significant other, who was with me in India, was quite distressed seeing the office staff struggle with manual typewriters and carbon paper. She very generously donated funds for a computer system and for training someone to run it, so that some of the residents can be taught to be computer literate.
As you see, success breeds new challenges. Having the program work well only means we need more funds to keep it growing and improving. To that end, please hold September 20 for our annual fund raiser. You will get an formal invitation in early September as a reminder. We are planning something new this time: a silent auction to give a boost to the results. We have pledges for several exciting and valuable items, for example, a long week-end at Tahoe with dinner at GarWoods for two, an Indian dinner for 6 at the Stangls, Cooking classes, a day and a half's worth of construction work by contractor Jim Whitman, possibly bed and breakfast for four days in the south of France for two, golf lessons by pro Charles Conway, etc. So be there and bring your check book...
Best regards,
Juthica Stangl