Scrdo

Sparsh, Community & Resource Development Organisation was started in 2001-the aim-to provide basic education to underprivileged children.

Around 2005, Sparsh started operating from Barpa, a small village in the Aurangabad district of Bihar (India)some 175 km from Patna. The nearest railhead is some 60 km away at Gaya. Somehow development has overlooked this village and the surrounding ones in Aurangabad district. No electricity, no roads, no transportations, no hospitals, even the primary school has no teachers.

Barpa and the surrounding villages have a population of around 15,000. More than 60% of these live below the poverty level. More than half of the population between the age group 5-15 years do not have any access to basic education.

A group of young enthusiasts decided to impart free education to all the children in Barpa and the surrounding villages under “GYANODAYA”. Like all endeavours planned by youngsters- this too was high in enthusiasm and almost next to nothing in terms of resources. Personal contacts were tapped – funds trickled in. 2005 saw the school starting off in Barpa with 20 students and one teacher- cut to 2006- the number of teachers have increased to 3 and students to 150. 2006 also saw the addition of a new initiative- regular health check ups for the students. The project is now attraction of local media and NGOs alike.

External links