75 KM Run for Children Education in India

Dear Friends,

I will be running 75 km across 8 islands in Sweden on 6th July to raise funds for a "Play School" for tribal children in remote villages in Andhra Pradesh, India.

As part of Asha for Education, Frankfurt Chapter (frankfurt.ashanet.org), I have been visiting the schools for the past 3 years. I have experienced personally how difficult it is to reach those villages, we had to go by bus/car, later switch to motorcycle and walk last couple of kilometers to visit the schools.

Children between 3 and 8 years of age attend the "play schools". There they learn basics like alphabets, numbers, words etc. through songs and games. Apart from learning the basics of education, these schools are only place for the children to learn about outside world and spend their childhood playing and singing like any other children.

The teachers in the school come from the same community, so they can communicate with children in their own language "kondh". Teachers are paid nominal salaries (honorarium) of about 80 € per month (which is about INR 5500) and they do agriculture in their fields to be able to sustain. Even in such difficult conditions, they are doing commendable work and committed to provide the better future for the children.

Asha Frankfurt has been supporting 5 play schools for the past 3 years. As this year, there are not enough funds to support all the 5 schools, I have taken up the challenge to run a ultramarathon of 75 km and raise funds for 1 school.

Total expenses per year to run a "play school" are 1900:
1. Teachers honorarium - € 980
2. Teachers training/review meetings - € 350
3. Education/stationary materials - € 250
4. Educational/cultural programs - € 120
5. Administration/audit expenses - € 200

Together with your support, we can provide the children a better future and create a just world.

On behalf of the children, thank you so much for your time and support.
Sandeep