Annual report Akshy asociation 2014

1. Annual Report
2014

2. INDEX
"Sometimes we feel that
what we do is only a
drop of water in the
ocean, but the ocean
would be less without
the drop"
(Mother Teresa of
Calcuta)
1/ Letter from Akshy´s
Chairwoman
04
2/ What is Akshy? 05
2.1/ Our Association 05
2.2/ How Akshy was born? 05
2.3/ Objectives and Values 06
2.4/ Our team 07
3/ Where are we? 10
3.1/ Who benefits from our work? 10

3. 3/ How we work and what we
do
12
3.1/ How do we work? 13
3.2/ Integral Programme 14
4/ New projects 2014 24
4.1/ A Project to develop and empower
the woman 26
4.2/ Project for social aid and welfare 27
5/ Achievements 2014
28
6/ Origin and destination of
our resources 31
7/ Promotion and awareness
campaigns
32
8/ Acknowledgements 34

4. 01/A LETTER FROM
AKSHY´S CHAIRWOMAN
Raquel Mason Palomeque: Presidenta de Akshy
Dear Sponsors, Members, Friends and supporting businesses:
Many of you have accompanied us from the birth of Association Akshy (8 years ago!) when we first
opened a little school in the village of Amwan. I was keen to learn how, with your help, we could
develop a project to improve the life of so many people living in infra­human conditions. Now we
have many more friends willing to lend a hand so we have been able to increase and extend our help
further afield.
Ever since 2008 when I decided to come to live in India, I have been able to share the problems of
the dalits or untouchables, getting to know them better and, above all, and most important, learning
to listen to them, to understand why some times everything is far more complicated if they belong to
this sector of the Indian population. Although it has not been easy and we have had to face many
obstacles common to life in the State of Bihar, even so we have advanced and made progress over
these last few years.
My experience in situ has led me to an interest not only in the children but also in the women and
the old people, with special emphasis on the human rights of the dalits or untouchables to ensure
that they are not ignored. As a result, Akshy Association´s plans not only included establishing a
school but also a set of projects essential for the dalit or untouchable community to make any
progress at all. Undoubtedly the school is of prime importance, education being the basis for any
development or progress while, at the same time, it is the link via which we reach the rest of the
population. Now, however, Akshy Association has extended its scope of activity so that part of the very
important aid which you our friends provide is assigned to other people also in need of it.
No words can express the satisfaction we see in the smile on a child´s face or the words of gratitude of
an old or disabled person in need or the happiness in the eyes of a woman. When this occurs I always
remember how this has only been made possible thanks to you placing your trust in us and giving
us your financial support.
The Akshy team has grown over the years; some people have accepted to support our project in a
more direct manner. To these men and women I wish to give my sincere thanks for voluntarily offering
their time and work as well as to all the volunteers who have accompanied and supported us in the
different events throughout the year. For all of you ­ sponsors, members, supporters and businesses ­
we have prepared this 2014 Report, a summary of all that, by your joint efforts, we have managed to
attain. To all of you, therefore, we express our deepest gratitude.
In hopes that you enjoy reading it, once more MANY, MANY THANKS FOR BEING WITH US!
Akshy4

5. WHAT IS AKSHY?
Our Association
Akshy­India consists of a group
of people ­ sponsors, members,
supporters and friends ­ wishing
to contribute voluntarily to
alleviating some of the poverty
and misery in which a large part
of Indian society exists.
We are a non­lucrative NGO
which has as its main objective
the improvement, by means of
our different projects, of living
conditions for the most ill­
treated children, women and
old people in India, known as
dalits or untouchables. I n
c o n f o r m i t y w i t h p r e s e n t
legislation, AKSHY­INDIA is an
N G O r e g i s t e r e d o n 2 1 o f
January 2007 as a non­lucrative
Association in the National
Register of Associations at the
Spanish Home Office, number
588315, CIF V­84965912, and
recognized by the Spanish
A g e n c y f o r I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Cooperation and Development
(AECID) having its seat in San
Lorenzo de El Escorial. Akshy­
India respects the multiplicity of
traditions, cultures and religions
of India, as well as its spirituality
and customs.
How Akshy was born
Akshy­India was started when
Raquel Mason (Founder and
Director) visited Bodhgaya, in the
State of Bihar, in the winter of
2005. She began to recognize
in greater depth the realities of
rural India, the lack of equality
existing among the castes and
the needs of the population,
especially of children. In the
village she visited where dalits or
untouchables live, Rachel was
impressed by seeing a sick child
whose name was Akshay. The
poor boy looked sad, dirty,
uncared for and surrounded by
misery. Rachel found a doctor to
cure him.
She knew its was impossible to
turn away and do nothing. She
had to take action and began to
realize that the only way to
improve the living conditions of
these little ones was through
education in its widest
Akshy 5
sense, offering them in this
w a y a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o
become adults with dignity.
R a q u e l b e g a n t o s e n d
financial aid to cover the first
needs of materials and, in the
s u m m e r o f 2 0 0 6 , a l i t t l e
s c h o o l w a s o p e n e d i n
Amwan. In January 2007,
the Akshy Association was
formally registered and, little
b y l i t t l e , m o r e p e o p l e
interested in offering their
d r o p o f w a t e r j o i n e d , a l l
wishing to help set up what is
today the Akshy Asssociation.
W i t h t h e c o m m i t m e n t o f
sponsors and supporters, the
t e a m b e g a n t o d e v e l o p
d i f f e r e n t p r o g r a m m e s .
Although our Association has
grown and new projects have
arisen, we have always based
o u r d e c i s i o n s o n t h o s e
principles on which our NGO
was founded; Akshy is a
direct, humane association
accessible to all those who
wish to join us.

6. WHAT IS AKSHY?
We give great importance to
l i s t e n i n g t o t h e n e e d s o f
individual persons, respecting
their traditions and customs,
trying to understand the difficult
conditions and circumstances in
which they exist.
We are committed to continue
supporting them regularly and
seriously, and this encourages
them to trust us in our work so
that step by step we can increase
our projects.
W e w o r k w i t h values: ethics,
w i s d o m , r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d
altruism which, being universal,
can be shared by all persons
regardless of their age, culture,
race or religion, and are based
on the Programme of Universal
Education.
Objectives and Values of
Akshy
O u r a i m t o i s promote the
development o f t h e m o s t i l l ­
treated rural communities in
India, with special emphasis on
the untouchables, by means of
education a n d improving the
status of women, informing
them of their rights, defending
them, assuring and watching that
the appropriate laws are applied.
We work to alleviate extreme
poverty, fight injustice and assist
i n t h e o b t a i n i n g o f a more
equitable society with the same
opportunities for this ostracized
sector of India, known as the
dalits or untouchables.
Akshy6
Our aim is to educate for a
meaningful life t o d e v e l o p
the individual´s potential for
r e a c h i n g h a p p i n e s s a n d
personal excellence, in turn
contributing to the welfare of
others, t o a n i m p r o v e d
s o c i e t y a n d t o a m o r e
peaceful world. The values
and attitudes stated in the
Universal Education Act and
which we take into account in
our programmes are essential
to the honest character of our
project. For more information
on the programme, please
b r o w s e w e b s i t e :
http://educacionuniversal.org/

7. Our Team
"I am Raquel Mason, the Founder and Director of the Akshy
Association. I have lived in India since 2008 and I manage
our projects in the field with the help of both the team in Spain
and that in India. I wanted my life to have true meaning. I am
convinced that we should feel universal responsibility within
ourselves towards others also living in this world. For this
reason, I gave up my comfortable life in Spain to follow my
dream of a more fair world. Every success here gives me
happiness"
"My name is Catalino Giraldo but everyone knows me as Tino
and I am a member of the board of the Association. I became
acquainted with this project through my wife in 2009. I was
pleasantly surprised by the work being done and made up my
mind to collaborate and involve my work colleagues as well. I
think I´m getting there! My trip to India to see the work being
done by our Founder Rachel with the scarce means at her
disposal made me even more enthusiastic"
Our team consists of people wishing to help others by giving up some of their free time
to assist voluntarily in our enterprise.
"My name is Diego; I am the secretary and responsible for
events. My relationship with Akshy commenced as a member in
2011 and since then a solid friendship has been built up with the
Association and the values it represents. In 2013 on a trip
organized by Akshy, I visited the project in India. Seeing the
school and walking around the village of Amwan made me
understand at once the reasons for Akshy´s very existence"
"Namaste. I am Ana De las Heras. Some years ago I went as a
volunteer to the Akshay Educational Centre. The pupils gave me
lessons on life that I could never have imagined and, since then, I
cooperate whenever I can in the area of communications"
Akshy 7

8. Our Team
"Hi everybody! My name is Rosa. I discovered this NGO
through a workmate who is very involved in works of charity. I
began to attend Akshy meetings now and again and met
Rachel. My husband Tino gave me a surprise present with the
trip to the Centre in India and I began to fall in love with this
incredible project which is being carried out with such scarcity
of means but which has motivated me to continue working for
Akshy in any way I can"
"I am Julia and my commitment to Life has led me to lend a
hand in the Akshy projects, helping with accounts and its little
markets in favour of the neediest people in this part of India"
Hilary Lunn:"Wherever possible I have always helped children in
difficult situations but when a friend explained how her daughter
wished to improve the life of dalit children in Bihar, India, i t
sounded a wonderful idea and one in which I wanted to
cooperate with my translations into English"
Silvia: "I think it´s very important to collaborate with an NGO such
as Akshy which helps by offering hope for the future to children
who, otherwise, would be excluded from society. This help is
reciprocal, when we give some of our time and work to a project of
this type, we feel we are fulfilling what should be the social
responsibility of those with sufficient resources to live a dignified
life in the place where they were born. I am in charge of the
website."
8 Akshy

9. Our Team
"My name is Pilar, I have been collaborating with Akshy
because I need to do something for other people. I know my
help is very small for so much poverty, but it is also true that
with you and with many other people many important things
are being done. I feel good collaborating with this small and
close association in the north of India. When I visited the school
in Amwan I reaffirm myself that love has no boarders."
Isabel Porres: "My work in the NGO started 3 and a half years
ago. I have travelled twice to Bodhgaya to share with teachers
and students different educational new tools, showing how it is
also possible to learn playing and having fun. With the idea
of reaffirming my work I made tattoos and solidarity jewellery to
be able to buy material for equipping classrooms".
Nerea Daza y Alejo Izuzquiza: "What you don't give, is lost. If
there is something which we have learnt collaborating in Akshy's
communication projects is, exactly, that there is no bigger
satisfaction that the one you obtain giving what you have to
those who need it. As advertisers we hope to have contributed
(and hope to contribute) with our drop in the sea"
Akshy 9
Marie Conesa; "Since a long time I have been thinking in
wanting to do something useful during my holidays and that is
how I met Raquel, a woman who was doing something with her
live, for the live of others...For me it was an open door towards a
world, which I would have never found by myself. I don't know if I
contribute a lot, but I know that it does enrich me personally to
help these people with such a different way of living. I
collaborate as a designer in the Sewing school and with
whatever other things I can help"

10. 02/WHERE DO WE WORK?
T h e Akshay Educational
Centre is located in the village
o f Amwan, 4 k m s . f r o m
Bodhgaya, a city in the North of
India belonging to the State of
Bihar, the most backward state
in the whole of India, with the
lowest literacy and per capita
income rates. The population
lives mainly from its agricultural
activity with no industry or any
other alternative means of work.
T h e Kamal School ( L o t u s
School) is situated in Jaitiya, a
village of 1,700 inhabitants, in
the district of Gaya, where more
than half the population are
"dalits" or untouchables; among
them are some 200 children of
school age. Given the poor
conditions of the local road (in
Monsoon times completely
impassable) and its distance
from the main highway, the
village is on the whole isolated.
10Akshy
Who benefits from our work?
Akshy works in India where 220 million people suffer hunger and one third of the infant population
weighs less than average. 44% of Indian children are under­nourished and 80% of those between 6
and 35 months old suffer anemia. The State of Bihar is situated to the North East of India, 450 kms.
West of Calcutta and is the state with the highest population at 83 million in habitants.
It is also the most backward State in the whole of India, with an annual per capita income in
2008/2009 of 235 euros (that of all India for the same year was 646 euros). 53% of the population is
illiterate (41% men and 67% women), of which 95% are dalits or untouchables. Owing to the dire
poverty and social inequality, the State is submerged in economic chaos. It inhabitants are often
forced to emigrate to other states to earn 200 rupees per day (2 euros approx.) in temporal jobs
(harvesting, the construction sector, etc.)

11. 15% of the population of Bihar are dalits who own less than 2% of the cultivated land. In Bihar´s
rural villages the caste system is still in force and there is significant discrimination with regard to
these people.
Akshy´s aim is to give particular support to the weakest, ostracized caste, the dalits, who live in
extreme poverty and suffer as both social and financial outcasts.
The dalits or untouchables are the members of a caste born with the "untouchable" stigma as a
result of the impurity or uncleanliness of their traditional occupations.
They represent a community of some 170 million people in India. In Bihar there are almost 13
million dalits who have to face being ignored, discriminated and suffering violence from the
dominating castes which do not allow them to possess one of the basic human rights, their own
personal dignity. The Indian Constitution prohibits "untouchability", meaning that the superior
castes cannot oblige the dalits to take the unclean jobs but road sweeping, corpse removing, toilet
cleaning etc. are still carried out by them.
The dalit children have to sit apart in schools; in police stations no one listens to them and they are
treated badly; social workers refuse to visit dalit homes; access to the houses of other castes is
refused them and they can never sit at the same table to eat; in coffee bars they have different cups
and other utensils. In some towns they are not allowed to enter the temples or cremate their
deceased in the town's crematorium. They must keep their head down, work longer hours with lower
wages and take insults and physical punishment. Their women are raped by their bosses as a form
of punishment or humiliation.
We work in the districts set aside expressly for the "untouchables", in the villages close to Bodhgaya
such as Amwan, Nautapur and Amwan Colony, as well as in remote rural villages which become
isolated during the Monsoon season such as Jaitiya and Laxmipur. These village districts have no
sanitary infrastructure or access by road. The dwellers there live in mud and straw huts, with one or
two rooms for the whole family, no bathroom, light or running water; they have to share water
pumps with the other neighbours.
11Akshy
Who benefits from our
work?

12. 03/HOW WE WORK AND
WHAT WE DO
We have an integral programme which consists in different projects, starting with education a n d
health awareness and finishing with environmental awareness.
All our projects are directed to the most needed sector of the Indian society.
12 Akshy

13. literacy, dignify the position
of the woman within indian
rural society and encourage
a t t e n t i o n t o t h e o l d a n d
disabled.
To this purpose, we have an
i n t e g r a l p r o g r a m m e
c o m p o s e d o f d i f f e r e n t
projects adapted to the area
in which Akshy operates:
Bodhgaya and surrounding
villages in the State of Bihar
(North East India).
Akshy Association works
directly on its projects in the
field in India with no local
c o u n t e r p a r t , p e r s o n a l l y
developing and managing
the activity. In this way
m a n a g e m e n t c o s t s a r e
reduced. Each project is
supervised from start to
finish, e n s u r i n g c o r r e c t
handling in a part of India
where corruption is rife.
W e o b t a i n f i r s t ­ h a n d
i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m d i r e c t
contact with the people and
this helps us to manage the
projects correctly and also
remain faithful to our own
values.
WHAT WE DO
How we work?
Aware of the fact that the
future of a country depends
on its schools, our mode of
action is always focused on
education. We believe that
this is the best way for those
m o s t i n n e e d t o r e a c h a
m i n i m u m s t a n d a r d o f
wellbeing w h i c h c o u l d b e
perpetuated in time.
Firstly, we develop the area of
child education. In addition
to providing schooling, food,
medical attention, emotional
support, e t c . f o r t h e m o s t
vulnerable children, we also
work on projects favouring
development and the health
of the community in which
they live. These children,
o n c e taught to read and
write, w i l l c o n t r i b u t e t o
improve the living conditions
of those around them. For
this reason we place very
s p e c i a l e m p h a s i s o f t h e
education of girls. They are
the future mothers who will
be in charge of transmitting to
their sons and daughters the
i m p o r t a n c e o f a t t e n d i n g
s c h o o l a n d r e c e i v i n g a n
education. In this connection,
A k s h y ´ s e d u c a t i o n
programme a t t e m p t s t o
convince the children of the
importance of developing
b e h a v i o u r a l a n d h e a l t h y
habits which will endow them
with the dignity due to them
as human beings.
We believe, therefore, that
the care and education of the
boys and girls will not only
dignify future generations but
will give a position of greater
relevance to women and also
teach the children to value
the importance of respecting
and assisting the
old a n d disables who have
no protection.
The relevance of our project
is social and for community
integration, d e r i v i n g f r o m
education as the instrument
of change.
The establishing of schools
c r e a t e s a s t r o n g b o n d
between the population and
our Association, at the same
time giving rise to a trust in us
which draws us nearer to the
women and old people.
This also allows us better
access to their problems, to
see more easily their needs
a n d s o be able to act b y
l a y i n g d o w n a b a s e o r
structure which will make it
possible for both the women
a n d t h e i r c h i l d r e n i n t h e
future to enjoy improved
s o c i a l a n d e c o n o m i c
opportunities, perhaps being
able to generate their own
s o u r c e o f i n c o m e , t h u s
breaking down the vicious
circle of poverty.
As will be explained in later
chapters, our prime objectives
are to improve the conditions
of the dalit boys and girls
through education, raise their
rate of
13Akshy

14. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
The Akshay School in
Amwan, Bodhaya:
It was started in 2006. The
boys and girls attending our
school are the first generation
of the "untouchable" caste to
become literate in Amwan.
The school is located in our
E d u c a t i o n a l C e n t r e
inaugurated in 2012 w h e r e
various different programmes
are developed.
At the present time around 155
children attend the Akshay
School in 7 different classes.
We teach up to 5th Grade, the
end of the primary cycle in
India, and follow the curriculum
of subjects stipulated by the
Government.
The Kamal Infant Center,
in the village of Jaitiya:
O p e n e d i n 2013 a n d a s o f
today has 38 children in two
c l a s s e s . T h e s c h o o l i s i n
Jaitiya, a rural village distant
from Bodhgaya where more
t h a n h a l f t h e p o p u l a t i o n
belongs to the "untouchables".
With this Infant Centre our idea
is to encourage an interest in
education both in the children
and the parents in this isolated
village. With regular daily
c l a s s e s i m p a r t e d b y t w o
teachers, parents begin to
r e a l i z e t h a t o u r p r o j e c t i s
serious and they become
more interested.
Primary Education Project
Akshy14
W e h a v e t w o primary
education schools. T h e
children´s ages range from
4 to 12 years old.
In the Centre as well as the
official subjects, they
l e a r n t o e x p r e s s
themselves, to take part in
the programme of ethical
values, h a v e a n
opportunity in the plastic
a r t s , v a l u e t h e
environment and grow up
w i t h d i g n i t y , I n o u r
Environment programme
w e i n c l u d e d i f f e r e n t
activities for the children so
they become aware of the
importance of living in
surroundings free from
plastic rubbish and filth.
They are also taught the
i m p o r t a n c e o f n o t
wasting but taking care of
their natural resources.

15. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
in their studies by daily sessions
in the Akshay Educational
Centre.
It must be mentioned here that
the secondary education of our
girls represents a true challenge
i f w e b e a r i n m i n d t h e
traditional obstacles of child
marriages a n d w o r k i n t h e
home. The fact that girls can
have access to secondary
e d u c a t i o n i s e x t r e m e l y
important since, while being
really hard to get them to the
primary level, access to a
secondary school signifies a
drastic change a n d e f f o r t s
which must be given their full
due.
V e r y f e w f a m i l i e s o f
"untouchable" girls a l l o w
t h e m t o c o n t i n u e w i t h
secondary studies once they
complete primary; they have to
take charge of the housework
or prepare themselves for
marriage.
With the support we provide for
secondary education, the girls
and their families accept a
s h o r t d e l a y i n m a r r y i n g
them which in turn enables
them to continue their learning
process for a few more years.
Secondary Education Project
Education of girls
represents a true
challege, if we bear
in mind the
traditional obstacles
of child marrieges
and work in the
home
Akshy 15
W e f i n a n c e Secondary
Education for those children
who wish to continue once
they have completed Year 5
Iin the Akshay School and
when their parents agree.
W i t h o u r h e l p t h e y h a v e
access to more advanced
studies.
At present we are paying
secondary education for 21
pupils at various schools in
Bodhgaya. T h e y a r e n o w
mixing with boys and girls
from all different castes.
Their academic life is in
different surroundings but
t h e y c o n t i n u e t h e i r
education in ethical values
a n d environmental
awareness as well as support

16. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
Photo gallery: Education
Akshy16

17. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
In the Akshay Education Centre
private classes and study hours
a r e p r o v i d e d e a c h d a y f o r
children at primary level who
need extra help as well as for
those with special educational
needs.
The primary school children with
learning problems receive help
in private classes with a teacher
in the afternoons.
Once the children complete their
primary education, it is important
that they have support and
encouragement to continue their
studies with tutors t o g u i d e
them.
W i t h o u r Support Project,
the children can continue
their secondary education
and receive help in daily
private classes during which
the teachers can clarify
d o u b t s a n d r e v i s e t h e
subjects studied at school.
By means of this project the
children/adolescents reach
a better understanding of
their subjects and can
enter their exams adequately
prepared.
The primary
school chlidren
have more
learning
problems
Akshy 17
Study Revision and Support Project

18. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
Nutrition Project
Many children have only
one meal per day and
most of them are
suffering under­
nourishment
The nutritional needs of the
boys and girls are of vital
importance.
Many of them have only one
meal per day and most of
t h e m h a v e a n unbalanced
diet w h i c h h a s a c l e a r
repercussion in inadequate
growth and development.
For this reason, our Nutrition
Project provides a meal each
day in school for all students.
We introduced this project so
that the children could have
a full, balanced daily meal
since we had seen that many
of them were suffering under­
nourishment and a lack of
vitamins.
Eating the appropriate food
not only helps to strengthen
t h e m w h e n f a c e d w i t h
illness but also increases
their intellectual capacity.
Each day we make sure they
receive a portion of rice,
legumes and vegetables with
a hard­boiled egg t w i c e a
week to cover their protein
and vitamins needs.
18 Akshy

19. Medical Attention and Preventive Care
It is also of vital importance that the children have access to qualified medical attention. Since
their families cannot afford to pay for a doctor and medicines they have resort to witch doctors or
rural medical men with no qualifications and this often causes an aggravation of the illness even
to the point of death.
We have a nurse who provides first aid and also explains to parents how they should
administer the medicines to their children.
We finance visits to qualified doctors and the relevant medicines, vaccination campaigns,
every day sickness care and first aid, as well as giving informative health talks in school
hours to stress to pupils the importance of hygiene or tell them about changes during
puberty and other typical matters of adolescence.
Preventive healthcare. We hold talks and practical workshops for the village communities
we visit in which health representatives inform them of how to prevent illness or how and
where they can receive free treatment. They are given information on the most common of
their illnesses such as malaria, diarrhea, dehydration, sunstroke, burns, tuberculosis and
VIH.
Furthermore, talks and informative activities are arranged with regard to problems caused
by child marriages, alcoholism, under­nourishment, the inappropriate care of babies or
pregnancy.
19Akshy
INTEGRAL PROGRAMME

20. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
This project is designed to meet
our objective of reaching out to
other sectors of society as well
as to the children, in such a way
that the Akshay Educational
Centre act as a pilar of support
for the weakest members.
I t i s d i r e c t e d t o t h e a d u l t
c o m m u n i t i e s o f Amwan,
Nautapur, a n d Amway Colony
who have been abandoned by
t h e i r f a m i l i e s a n d e x i s t
u n p r o t e c t e d i n s u b h u m a n
conditions.
T h e precarious economies of
the families in rural areas
together with the fact that they
b e l o n g t o t h e "untouchable"
c a s t e , p l a c e t h e m i n a n
a t r o c i o u s l y vulnerable
position.
When families have nothing to
s p a r e , i n o r d e r t h a t o t h e r
members can survive, the old
a n d disabled are separated
from the family circle, relegated
to isolation a n d e x t r e m e
poverty.
W i t h o u r p r o g r a m m e w e
guarantee that they can have a
roof over their head, a meal
e a c h d a y , b e c l o t h e d a n d
attended by a doctor, in short
have the minimum necessary for
survival.
We build or repair their huts so
they have a roof, give them
doors so they feel safe, bunks so
they do not have to sleep on
the ground, clothes so their
bodies are covered and, in
winter, blankets to keep them
warm.
The primary and secondary
pupils help in developing this
programme by attending to the
old and disabled. In this way
they learn solidarity, respect for
older and weaker persons or
t h o s e w i t h p h y s i c a l
impediments, to be generous
with their time, to open their
hearts and be kind.
The "Dada­Dadi" Project of attention to the old and
disabled
Akshy20
In addition they also receive
medical care and medicines
when they are ill and aid
with cremation expenses at
the time of death.
Twice a month they come to
our Centre where we give
them a special meal.
We listen to them and stay
with them so they can tell us
their needs. They also join
o u r s t u d e n t s i n
celebrations h e l d i n t h e
Centre.

21. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
Photo gallery: Nutrition, Health and Dada­Dadi
Akshy 21

22. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
The Water Pump Project
The shortage of water or
contaminated water are
the main causes of
gastrointestinal
problems in the
population
T h e shortage of water o r
contaminated water are the
m a i n c a u s e s o f gastro­
intestinal problems in the
population.
Many villages have to share
a water pump among over
200 inhabitants.
We build water pumps in rural
villages of this area and show
the people how to maintain
them.
Our plan is that they have
clean water t o d r i n k , f o r
personal hygiene or cooking
a n d s o avoid Illness a n d
gastric problems.
22 Akshy

23. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
The groups are mixed, married
w o m e n a n d young
adolescents together so that
they share space and activity.
Women from different castes
also join and this is a fine
opportunity for encouraging a
feeling of unity and integration
among them regardless of the
caste to which they belong.
The women´s course lasts for six
months on an everyday basis
and when completed and the
final exam passed they obtain
a diploma. They all learn to
make clothes for their family.
L a t e r t h e y c a n t a k e a n
advanced course where they
are taught other techniques,
s u c h a s t e x t i l e p a i n t i n g ,
embroidery, making uniforms,
bags, purses, tablecloths etc.
all of which give them the
opportunity to receive payment
for their work and so help in the
domestic economy.
The Sewing Centre Project "Women United" (Mahila
Ekta Silae Khendre)
Akshy 23
This project is available for
all women ­ adults, young
girls and adolescents ­ in
t h e v i l l a g e s o f Amwan,
Nautapur a n d Amwan
Colony t o l e a r n a t r a d e
( e v e n h a v e t h e i r o w n
workshop in the future) or
simply learn to sew or make
clothes for their families.
The workshop is also a
p l a c e w h e r e t h e y c a n
meet, chat and share their
experiences and problems.
T h e w o m e n w h o a r e
illiterate have some basic
classes first so they can
follow the course.

24. 04/NEW PROJECTS 2014
Project for developmment and raising the status of the
woman
on the loan sometimes at a rate
of 20%.
B e i n g illiterate t h e y a r e
cheated and find themselves
bound to this lender in such a
way that, not being able to pay
the debt, they have to work for
h i m f o r y e a r s , e n d u r i n g
exploitation to the extent of
slavery. Furthermore this type
of debt is inherited by their
children.
We lend urgent personal loans
with no interest to women who
find themselves in difficult
financial situations so that they
do not have to fall into the
hands of the lenders.
W e h e l p w o m e n t o s e t u p
groups among themselves
where they deposit a sum of
m o n e y e a c h m o n t h ; t h i s
teaches them how to save and
hold a reserve for unexpected
situations. Also if
t h e y o p e n t h e i r o w n small
businesses they will have our
help and that of he group.
Helps for widows or
abandoned women:
W e g i v e s u p p o r t t o t h o s e
widows who are left alone on
the death of their husbands
with no help from the family of
t h e h u s b a n d o r t h e i r o w n
parents, or to women whose
husbands have left them.
There is no kind of pension
and they are obliged to bring
up their children on their own.
We admit the children in our
school, help them with basic
needs (food and clothing for
the children) while we prepare
them and shows them what
steps they must take to open
their own business, and are
guided by us until they can
become fully independent and
not require assistance.
24 Akshy
We would like the women to
b e c o m e a strong g r o u p
based on the idea of "unity"
as this could help them to
face problems both on the
social level as well as within
their families. They could
also contribute to their
domestic economy and, as a
result, be more respected by
t h e i r f a m i l i e s a n d
neighbours.
Microcredits:
This programme is for the
dalit or untouchable women
of all the villages where we
work.
I n s i t u a t i o n s w h e r e t h e
children are ill, the husband
o u t o f w o r k a n d a n
u n f o r e s e e n e x p e n s e
arises, they are forced to
borrow money from a lender
who obliges them to pay
interest

25. The social care and welfare project
We visit the villages nearby as
well as those more isolated to
inform them of the programmes
the Government is developing
for the "untouchable" or dalit
c a s t e . I n s p i t e o f t h e
G o v e r n m e n t ´ s a t t e m p t s t o
improve the conditions of these
p o o r p e o p l e v i a s p e c i a l
programmes for them, they are
not too successful in rural areas
because the information does
n o t r e a c h t h e m o r t h e
inhabitants, being illiterate,
have no knowledge of how to
access the programmes. We
talk to them about the aid
which they are entitled to
claim and of which they are
totally unaware.
W e h e l p t h e m t o f i l l o u t
applications, a c c o m p a n y i n g
them in some cases ­ widows or
disabled­ to the relevant offices
t o c l a i m t h e i r w i d o w ´ s o r
disability or old age pension,
even though the amounts are
small.
W h e n t h e r e i s a danger of
working in centres where they
are exploited, especially if they
are taken to other States. In
such cases they can apply for
help.
Information on how to avoid
child labour.
We hold workshops for women
from isolated villages and give
them general talks on their
r i g h t s a n d t h e s o c i a l
programmes available to them.
W e t a l k t o t h e m a b o u t t h e
importance of education, child
marriage problems, why they
s h o u l d p u t a n e n d t o t h e
tradition of paying a dowry
when they get married,etc.
There alre also workshops o n
hygiene, pregnancies, child
care, how to save money, what
Individuals with personal
problems ­ by regularly visiting
the villages in which we work
we can detect those who need
to join one of our programmes
for assistance to the old and
infirm, or the school or medical
care, etc.
Akshy 25
to do when faced with abuse
or domestic violence, when
they are being exploited in
their work, if, because of
b e l o n g i n g t o t h e
"untouchable" caste, they
are being badly treated,
women´s rights, e t c . W e
encourage them to form
women´s self­help groups.
Talks to the young people of
our Association so that they
can understand the problems
inherent in belongingto the
dalit or untouchable caste
and how to consider and
solve them Ther are also
talks on adolescence.

26. 05/OUR 2014
ACHIEVEMENTS
In addition to continuing the projects mentioned earlier in this report and the new projects
established, following are the most noteworthy of our activities.
26 Akshy

27. OUR 2014 ACHIEVEMENTS
The Sewing Center
D o n a t i o n s b y t h e Boutique
Atelier for the financing of this
centre.
50 women have completed the 6
months course during this year
and a new "advanced" course
b e g a n , g i v i n g w o m e n t h e
p o s s i b i l i t y t o l e a r n n e w
techniques and improve on the
previous year in order to make
other garments which may bring
them financial profit.
T h e p u r c h a s e o f a sewing
machine for a woman who can
now provide for her children by
her sewing work, thanks to the
Lux Mundi association.
Medical Care
We have taken care of all the
c h i l d r e n i n t h e p r i m a r y a n d
secondary schools as well as the
old and disabled giving them
first aid and paying specialist
doctors.
W e h a v e p r o v i d e d vitamin
complexes for 191 children in
our primary schools to alleviate
under­nourishment and anemia
in our pupils as well as to avoid
future illness.
All the primary school children
have been vaccinated against
chicken pox.
Specialized medical attention for
an old lady who had suffered
serious burns.
Vaccination against Hepatitis B
for our primary and secondary
s c h o o l c h i l d r e n a n d t h e i r
teachers ­ a total of 223 persons.
Our boys and girls have taken
anti­parasite t a b l e t s o n t w o
occasions this year to cure gastro­
intestinal problems.
A n appendicitis operation for
one girl student.
"50 women
have completed
the sewing
course during
this year"
Akshy 27

28. OUR 2014 ACHIEVEMENTS
Akshay School
W e admitted 30 children with
ages between 4 and 5 years old
in our pre­nursery B Group at the
start of the new school year i n
April.
Kamal Infant Centre
Classes in the Kamal school
w e r e h e l d i n t h e v i l l a g e ´ s
community building and were
being constantly interrupted.
This year we rented a small
building with two rooms for the
school so pupils can study i n
peace.
A f u r t h e r 2 0 untouchable
children were admitted to
this school thanks to the
support of Condor Blanco of
Chile.
We distributed uniforms t o
40 children in the Kamal
school.
"20 new pupils
are enrolled in
Kamal Infant
Centre"
Akshy28

29. OUR 2014 ACHIEVEMENTS
Social Programme
We obtained pension books so
1 0 old ladies could collect a
pension.
A self­defense c o u r s e w a s
i m p a r t e d t o 2 5 w o m e n t o
protect them and increase their
self­confidence, establishing a
mutual support group for help
through feelings of unity.
Talks with young girls on their
problems.
W e o b t a i n e d a d i s a b l e d
pension book and care a n d
c o n t i n u e d p h y s i o t h e r a p y
treatment for this person for 5
months.
Talks in the villages to the dalit
communities on their rights as
citizens to avoid them being
trodden upon and cheated.
The Construction of Water
Pumps
A new water pump was built in
the village of Nautapur where
80 people had to share one
p u m p . T h i s n e w o n e w i l l
guarantee drinking water and
clean water for cooking and
w a s h i n g . T h a n k s t o t h e
donation of Zahara Susi and
family.
"A self­defense
course was imparted
to 25 women to
protect them and
increase their self­
confidance"
Akshy 29
"Dada­Dadi": aid for the
old and disabled
We built a hut for Upendra
a n d G a h a n i , a d i s a b l e d
couple who had no home
and lived without a roof over
their heads.
T h e roofs o f f o u r h u t s
belonging to old or disabled
persons were repaired with
new materials and straw.
We gave "chapoys" (Indian
beds) to all individuals in this
programme so that they do
not have to sleep on the
ground.
W e p r e s e n t e d saris t o
w o m e n a n d clothes and
s h i r t s t o m e n o n t w o
occasions.
Blankets were handed out in
winter.

30. OUR 2014 ACHIEVEMENTS
Photo Gallery
Akshy30

31. 06/ORIGIN Y DESTINATION
OF RESOURCES
31Akshy

32. 07/PUBLICITY AND
AWARENESS
We have various promotional activities directed towards the different types of public (from children to
adults) aimed at making them aware of the needs of the poorer countries.
We propose alternatives for reconsidering and contemplating generosity and compassion and
stimulating a social and humane conscience. We give talks on the present and historic situation of
India as also on the particular needs of Amwan and its community. We do this in order to have
children and adults become more aware of the importance of the most universal of human values:
education and respect.
To carry out this work of awareness and information we organize presentations and workshops i n
various scenarios (town halls, universities, companies, yoga centres, etc.), prepare reunions in private
houses, hold photography exhibitions on Akshy and India´s reality, arrange charity concerts and
suppers in the houses of friends, take part in different solidarity fairs and give interviews on the radio,
all aimed at making the general public more aware of what happens "there" with a better life "here".
32 Akshy

33. PUBLICITY AND AWARENESS
Events held in 2014
Festivals
W e t o o k p a r t i n
t h e Bollymadrid Festival in
Madrid (a festival of Indian
c u l t u r e ) , w h e r e w e g a v e
information on our Association
and projects.
W e p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e
Solidarity Saturday organized
by the Excellent Town Council
o f S a n L o r e n z o d e E l
Escorial, offering information
on our projects and new plans.
Conferences
A presentation o f o u r
Association was also held in
t h e E c o l e M a t e r n e l l e
Francaise Pomme d´Api, a
French nursery school. Our
volunteers Ana, Debla and
Jorge brought the two cultures
t o g e t h e r b y s h o w i n g t h e
children in the French nursery
school how children live in
India.
We took part in a round table
discussion e n t i t l e d "Infancy
and Human Rights in India"
organized by India House,
Valladolid, together with the
Vicente Ferrer Foundation and
t h e C o l o u r s o f C a l c u t t a
Foundation.
Press
Fundación Reale Interview
Elle Report
Cutura Events
W e h e l d a p h o t o g r a p h y
exhibitions with photos by
Laurence Toussaint in the
Casa de Cultura in Alcalá
de Henares and the Palazzo
Reale in Madrid, the latter
with the Collaboration of the
Fundacion Reale. The photos
show the different projects we
a r e p r e s e n t l y w o r k i n g
o n . C e r t a i n p r e s s m e d i a
reported on our exhibition
and interviews.
A n a u d i o v i s u a l
exhibition and talk was given
by Isabel Porres in the CEIP
C o l l e g e S a n L o r e n z o
Ezcaray, in Logroño on the
life of the children of our
Association.
A solidarity performance was
given by the Rusiñol Theatre
Group in the Catalan Circle.
Others
Isabel and Ana made certain
trinkets to sell among friends
and family, their profits going
t o w a r d s t h e p u r c h a s e o f
teaching materials f o r t h e
s c h o o l s . I s a b e l a n d
Ianire also did voluntary
India, supporting the teachers
in our primary school with
n e w m e t h o d o l o g y a n d
physical education activities.
Giving Presents of your
Presents is how Thiago gave
h i s p r e s e n t s , m a k i n g i t
possible for 29 children in
India to have jerseys and
scarves for winter.
A charity dinner i n t h e
Ecocentro Restaurant in
Madrid.
L a u r e n c e a n d I s a b e l
collaborated with their work
on a fabulous photographic
file on our different projects
for showing at exhibitions.
They also did a number of
videos of the projects which
h a v e b e e n u p l o a d e d o n
Youtube and Akshy´s website.
T h e veterinary scientists
Diki and Kathleen gave a talk
in the Akshay School on
"Compassion for Animals".
33Akshy

34. Thanks for support us
We wish to offer our gratitude to all the sponsors, members, supporters, companies, associations and
friends of the Akshy Association who have taken part with their generous help in the different projects
which were carried out during 2014. In the month of December 2014 the Akshy Association had 201
sponsors and members.
Businesses, supporting associations and private persons:
Fundacion Reale (Madrid) collaborating in our projects for Nutrition, School Revision and
Support, Care for the Old and Disabled (Dada­Dadi), House of Shelter and Sewing Workshop.
Atelier Concept (Madrid) collaborating with the Sewing Centre "Women United"
Condor Blanco Association in Chile, collaborating with the Kamal Infant Centre
Eirene Editorial, Ecus Education in Madrid and Lux Mundi in Malaga, collaborating in
various of our Association´s projects
Antonio Viñuela Alonso and Fernando Estevez collaborating in our Health Care and
Prevention Project
Zahara Susi and family collaborating with the photographic archive and project videos
Other supporters: Asociacion Cultural Tierno Galvan, Rotary Club Uruvela, Town Hall of San
Lorenzo de El Escorial, helping and taking a part in different events
34 Akshy
08/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

35. SUPPORTERS
Akshy 35

36. Office in Spain:
Asociación Akshy
Patriarca San José, 2bis­1ºD. 28200. San Lorenzo de
El Escorial, Madrid
Telephones: 91 2420721 / 619792834
Office in India:
Akshy Educational Centre Amwan Village
Bodhgaya. 824231 Distt. Gaya. Bihar
Telephones: +919771531061 / 8521156842
www.akshy.org
https://www.facebook.com/pages
/Asociación­
AKSHY/122724824406799
https://twitter.com/akshyindia
https://plus.google.com/1082741967795434996
17