Bhikhu Vyas om TUFFs insatser i Indien:
Our
team of V. P. S. S. from Valod & Dharampur convey best wishes when Tuff is
completing 50 fruitful years and celebrating the Golden Jubilee. V.P.S.S. has a
strong bond with Tuff. We feel proud for that. We have as well friendship with
dozens of Swedes for nearly last 4 decades. Fondly but sadly enough I
remember at this moment several devoted friends who have left this
world. This occasion as well reminds me of my chance meeting [First
Contact - 1979] in Bombay with Ake Sandin and Tuff delegation. That was the
beginning of our cooperation. Rest is history.
Let
me thank Tuff for its sustained efforts to provide wonderful
opportunity from day one - without a break. to the kids of our
schools, hidden in deep forest and mountains. More than 10000 kids from
underprivileged section of the society are benefited so far. Dozens from them who
otherwise may not have seen the face of the school have got decent jobs after
completing University Education. About 1000 are doing petty jobs or are self -
employed. A few are now better farmers after finishing their studies.
Some of them have joined like - minded NGOS to serve the poor.
’Operation
One Day Work’ [OODW] is a unique and highly successful concept of Tuff - with
substantial results for Dharampur and many needy communities. To observe
OODW in action in Kumla [from where Tuff began its journey] is a memory
of our life. The outcome of the DAY through voluntary jobs of the students from
several schools provided education to hundreds of kids in this illiterate
society. On account of the impact of our schools and schools from Sister -
NGOS, there are now government schools in each and every village. Since last 10
years about 400 past students have taken up different vocational courses, with
the scholarship [initiated by Tuff] and later on provided by many well -
wishers of the Project. After completing Gymnasium about 200 students have
joined Engineering – Information Technology [IT] – Nursing - Social Studies
-Teachers' Training & General Science. Some 10 past students have joined
Dharampur Project as teachers and workers.
You
may not be aware that this holistic project [2 major fronts : Education &
Livelihood Opportunities] survived for the first 10 years of its life solely on
Tuff [& Sida] support. Of course, help also followed from other sources for
the rest of the years. But the first decade was so crucial, as we never
entertained government aid.
I
cannot overlook deep [so emotional for some activities] involvement of Tuff in
our ''Smile for a while'' Balwadies [Child Centers] program for the kids of
under - privileged Koytas [sugarcane cutters] living around Valod amidst
inhuman living conditions of slum - type camps. The voice of one lady
activist is as if ringing in my ears at the moment. While in a ship [for quiet
planning from Sweden to Finland] she spoke out loudly - when she knew that we
are shifting to far - off Dharampur area; ' Then what will happen to the kids
of our Balwadies? ' I had to console her with a long explanation. Such was the
concern for the poor and neglected. When finally we shifted [1987/88] to
poorer, farther and invisible Dharampur, I fondly recollect that Ake - Gunnar
were witness to this turning point in our social work.
Second
nice program is mango plantation [Mangograms] in Dharampur. It proved
such a grand success on account of the continuous support provided by many a
Tuff members and other kind donors for the last two and a half decades, without
a miss At this juncture I will like to mention those 3 'Mango Girls' who
worked so hard for mangograms [they even visited Dharampur to take a video]
even after leaving Gymnasium. How can we forget one old lady [90]? She asked
the friends and relatives not to send gifts on her birth - day; but instead
send the corresponding money to Tuff, finally to reach us for 'Mango Program'.
What a love! So far 144000 mango saplings have been distributed [at half price]
to poor aboriginal families - making a wonderful impact on the economy in this
vast area consisting of 180 villages and touching the life of over 100000
people. Tons of mangoes are grown, sold and consumed.
With
Tuff support we are privileged to visit Sweden so often. We enjoyed great
hospitality of many families. I will like most humbly to thank them. I am 87
and my wife Koki is 79; so now there are no possibilities for us to revisit our
beloved Sweden. But the memories of those exciting days are ever fresh in our
hearts. The visit by about 100 [may be more] Swedes of our schools and
development programs is a record in itself.
Now
there is great progress in the educational scenario – when we compare with the
situation a little over 3 decades back, when we first entered this dark
zone. Some government schools were there, but hardly few students attended them
and the teachers visited schools only casually. Now every child goes to school
even in the remotest and farthest corner.
Finally,
let me congratulate Tuff and to be specific Swedish Sister Schools for making
above - mentioned progress to happen. The MARCH is on and on. We
foresee a bright future for this block which is now no more backward as
before. We wish Tuff many many returns of the day and success as
eve, in its mission.
