Anual Report 2017 for Akshy association

1. Annual Report
2016

2. INDEX
"A veces sentimos que lo
que hacemos es una
gota de agua en el mar,
pero el mar sería menos
si le faltara una gota"
(Madre Teresa de
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/ Objetives and Values 06
2.4/ Our Team 07
3/ Where are we? 11
3.1/ Who benefits from our work? 11

3. 3/ How we work and what we
do
13
3.1/ How do we work? 14
3.2/ Integral Programme 15
4/ New projects 2015
25
5/ Origin and destination of
our resources 30
6/ Promotion and awareness 32
7/ Acknowledgements
7.1/ Supporters
34
35

4. 01/A letter from Akshy´s
chairwoman
Raquel Mason Palomeque: President of Akshy
Dear Friends of AKSHY,
I take great pleasure in presenting the 2016 Annual Report which has been prepared to describe for
you our work throughout the year. In 2016 we achieved one of our goals in education: one of our
"untouchable" girls finished her secondary education. This gives me enormous satisfaction since, on
looking back, I now realize that all the work we have done, with your cooperation of course, has been
so worthwhile.
In spite of the difficulties we encounter each day, we still consider education the principal objective of
our project for a positive change in the "untouchable" or dalit community. We have given special
support to the women, informing them of International Women´s Day so they become aware of the
struggle involved in a country where women suffer considerable discrimination, preparing them in
workshops so they can contribute with their own earnings to the family economy and, at the same time,
be more respected.
With our programme "Give Smiles" and thanks to the generosity of children and adults who have opted
to share their presents, we have been able to improve conditions for abandoned grandparents, provide
water and electric lighting where there was a lack of it as well as provide health care for the little ones.
Children and young people in Spain helped us by taking part in or supporting events of solidarity in
their schools such as races or marathons. It is really good news that young people also are showing
interest or taking an active part.
This past year we arranged for electric lighting to be installed in a poor quarter not far from our Centre
in India by means of two solar panels so they´re no longer in complete darkness. In addition, a brand
new decision, we have extended our "frontiers" as far as Burma where we have built a small
kindergarten for the Karenni community who have returned to their homelands from the refugee camps
where they were living.
For yet another year, and with your assistance, we were able to help in alleviating the sufferings of
many people by giving them basic necessities and, at the same time, the tools with which in future
they can attempt to improve their own living conditions.
My dream is that one day no dalit boy or girl in India will suffer discrimination because of their origin
or caste, that they will drink for the same fountain, go to school, have jobs that do not humilliate them
and be respected as any other human being. In the meantime, we shall keep on planting the seeds
which one day, without a doubt, will grow into this change. And this change will become a reality
thanks to all of you, your support and trust in our work.
I send my thanks to all sponsors, members, collaborators, companies and all AKSHY´s team in Spain,
as well as the volunteers who have generously given us their precious time and helped us in our 2016
achievements.
My affection to all, Raquel Mason Palomeque
Akshy4

5. WHAT IS AKSHY?
Our Association
Akshy India consists of a group of people
sponsors, members, supporters and friends
w i s h i n g t o c o n t r i b u t e v o l u n t a r i l y t o
alleviating some of the poverty and misery in
which a large part of Indian society exists.
We are a non​lucrative NGO which has as its
main objective the improvement, by means
of our different projects, of living conditions
for the most illtreated children, women and
old people in India, known as dalits or
untouchables.
In conformity with present legislation,
AKSHYINDIA is an NGO registered on 21 of
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
Agency for International Cooperation and
Development (AECID) having its seat in San
Lorenzo de El Escorial. AkshyIndia respects
the multiplicity of traditions, cultures and
religions of India, as well as its spirituality
and customs.
How Akshy was born
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 sense,
offering them in this way an opportunity to become
adults with dignity.Raquel began to send financial
aid to cover the first needs of materials and, in the
summer of 2006, a little school was opened in
Amwan. In January 2007, the Akshy Association
was formally registered and, little by little, more
people interested in offering their drop of water
joined, all wishing to help set up what is today the
Akshy Asssociation.With the commitment of sponsors
and supporters, the team began to develop different
programmes. Although our Association has grown
and new projects have arisen, we have always based
our decisions on those principles on which our NGO
was founded; Akshy is a direct, humane association
accessible to all those who wish to join us.
Akshy 5

6. W e g i v e g r e a t i m p o r t a n c e
to listening to the needs of
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
t h a t s t e p b y s t e p w e c a n
increase our projects.
We work with values: ethics,
wisdom, responsibility and
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.
WHAT IS AKSHY?
Objectives and Values of
Akshy
O u r a i m t o i s p r o m o t e t h e
development of the most ill­
treated rural communities in
India, with special emphasis on
the untouchables, by means
of education and 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 in the obtaining of
a more equitable society with
the same opportunities for this
ostracized sector of India,
k n o w n a s t h e d a l i t s o r
untouchables.
Akshy6
O u r a i m i s t o educate for a
meaningful life to develop the
i n d i v i d u a l ´ s p o t e n t i a l f o r
reaching happiness and personal
excellence, in turn contributing
to the welfare of others, to an
improved society and to a more
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 browse
website:
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
" H i e v e r y b o d y ! M y n a m e i s Rosa. I d i s c o v e r e d
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: " W h e r e v e r p o s s i b l e I h a v e a l w a y s
helped children in difficult situations b u t w h e n a f r i e n d
explained how her daughter wished to improve the life of dalit
children in Bihar, India, it sounded a wonderful idea and one in
which I wanted to cooperate with my translations into English"
8 Akshy
Namaste! We are Juana and Jose Angel. We were put in touch
with Akshy through our friends Diego and Pilar. We fell in love
with the project, discovering the smiles and happiness of
children who are now able to go to school every day, as well
as the loving care taken of the elderly and families. This moved
us to take action (helping with sponsorship, fairs, markets,
solidarity suppers, etc.) together with other members of Akshy,
our goal being to make a dream come true for part of the dalit
population in India

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".
"We are Roberto and Diana. We learned about Akshy through a
friend who travelled to India. From the very start it seemed to us
a special project where, while being small or perhaps because it
is small, one knows that the work being done is extraordinary.
For this reason we wanted to help by becoming members and
contributing with our knowledge of web design. Besides, we
still cherish the idea of going as volunteers once our children get
a little older..."
Akshy 9

10. Our Team
"We are Enrique and Maribel. We learned about the AKSHY
project during an organized trip to Amwan where we were able
to see in situ the good work being done by Raquel for the boys
and girls, for women and for the most needy old people.
Although Akshy has only scanty means, it manages to make
dreams come true, bringing human values and education to
very poor rural populations. Our visit truly made us more
conscious of the important task being undertaken and since
then we are members and collaborators, helping especially with
market stalls and the general organization of activities wherever
we can.
"Hello! We are Alexis and Ana. We had the good fortune to be
able to visit India in 2016 and while we were in Bodghaya,
were lucky enough to meet Raquel and hear of the AKSHY
School. We were most impressed by the impract Akkshy was
having and how it is certainly changing life for the dalits. We
wanted to join in with our own grain of sand so since then, we
help by fund finding, getting new sponsors and trying to give as
much as we can. Thank you, AKSHY, for letting us join your
team".
Akshy 10

11. 02/WHERE DO WE WORK?
The Akshay Educational Centre is
located in the village of Amwan, 4
kms. from Bodhgaya, a city in
the North of India belonging to
t h e S t a t e o f B i h a r , t h e m o s t
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.
The Kamal School (Lotus School)
is situated in Jaitiya, a village of
1,700 inhabitants, in the district of
Gaya, where more than half the
p o p u l a t i o n a r e " d a l i t s " o r
untouchables; among them are
some 200 children of school age.
Given the poor conditions of the
l o c a l r o a d ( i n M o n s o o n t i m e s
completely impassable) and its
distance from the main highway,
t h e v i l l a g e i s o n t h e w h o l e
isolated.
In 2016 we started to work in the
s e t t l e m e n t o f Dashrath Nagar,
situated on the banks of the river
Phalgu, a few kilometres away from
the town of Busanda.
11Akshy
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.)...)

12. 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.
12Akshy
Who benefits from our work?

13. 03/HOW WE WORK AND
WHAT WE DO
W e h a v e a n integral programme w h i c h c o n s i s t s i n d i f f e r e n t p r o j e c t s , s t a r t i n g
with education and health awareness and finishing with environmental awareness.
All our projects are directed to the most needed sector of the Indian society.
13 Akshy

14. rate of literacy, dignify the
position of the woman within
i n d i a n r u r a l s o c i e t y a n d
encourage attention to the old
and disabled.
T o t h i s p u r p o s e , w e h a v e
a n integral
p r o g r a m m e composed
of different projects adapted to
t h e a r e a i n w h i c h A k s h y
o p e r a t e s : B o d h g a y a a n d
surrounding villages in the
State of Bihar (North East
India).
A k s h y A s s o c i a t i o n works
directly on its projects in the
field in India w i t h n o l o c a l
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
a c t i v i t y . I n t h i s w a y
m a n a g e m e n t c o s t s a r e
r e d u c e d . E a c h p r o j e c t i s
supervised from start to finish,
ensuring correct handling in a
part of India where corruption is
rife.
We obtain first­hand information
from direct contact with the
people and this helps us to
m a n a g e t h e p r o j e c t s
correctly a n d a l s o r e m a i n
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
i s a l w a y s f o c u s e d
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
of wellbeing which could be
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
w o r k o n p r o j e c t s
favouring development and
the health of the community in
w h i c h t h e y l i v e . T h e s e
children, once taught to read
and write, will contribute to
improve the living conditions
of those around them. For this
reason we place very special
e m p h a s i s o f t h e education
of girls. T h e y a r e t h e
future mothers who will be in
charge of transmitting to their
s o n s a n d d a u g h t e r s t h e
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
e d u c a t i o n . I n t h i s
connection, Akshy´s education
p r o g r a m m e 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 healthy
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
c h i l d r e n t o v a l u e t h e
importance of respecting and
assisting the
who have no protection.The
relevance of our project is
s o c i a l a n d f o r
c o m m u n i t y i n t e g r a t i o n ,
deriving from education as the
instrument of change.
The establishing of schools
creates a strong bond between
t h e p o p u l a t i o n a n d o u r
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 and so be able to
act by laying down a base or
structure which will make it
possible for both the women
and their children in the future
to enjoy improved social and
e c o n o m i c o p p o r t u n i t i e s ,
p e r h a p s b e i n g a b l e t o
generate their own source of
income, t h u s b r e a k i n g
d o w n t h e v i c i o u s c i r c l e
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
14Akshy

15. The Akshay School, in
Amwan, Bodhaya:
t w a s s t a r t e d i n 2006.
The boys and girls attending
o u r s c h o o l a r e t h e f i r s t
g e n e r a t i o n o f t h e
" u n t o u c h a b l e " c a s t e t o
become literate in Amwan.
T h e s c h o o l i s l o c a t e d i n
o u r E d u c a t i o n a l C e n t r e
inaugurated in 2012 where
various different programmes
are developed. At the present
t i m e a r o u n d 1 5 5
children attend the Akshay
School in 7 different classes.
We teach up to 5th Grade, the
end of the primary cycle in
I n d i a , a n d f o l l o w t h e
c u r r i c u l u m o f s u b j e c t s
s t i p u l a t e d b y t h e
Government.
Kindergarten for the town
of Kareni
We have opened our frontiers
and this year have assisted in
t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a
kindergarten for the Kareni
children who after many years
living with their parents in
refugee camps in Thailand
have been forced to flee and
are now returning to Burma.
T h e i r t o w n s h a v e b e e n
destroyed, they have to start to
r e b u i l d t h e m . T h e
kindergarten give the parents
the opportunity to walk the
miles they have to go to work
on the land, knowing that their
children are in a safe place.
INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
The Kamal Infant Center,
in the vilage of Jaitiya:
Opened in 2013 and as of
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 r u r a l v i l l a g e
distant from Bodhgaya where
more than half the population
b e l o n g s t o
the "untouchables". With this
Infant Centre our idea is to
e n c o u r a g e a n i n t e r e s t
i n education b o t h i n t h e
children and the parents in
this isolated village. With
regular daily classes imparted
by two teachers, parents
b e g i n t o r e a l i z e t h a t o u r
project is serious and they
become more interested.
Primary Education Project
Akshy15
Education in Dashrath
Nagar:
A study group was started,
called Saraswati, attended by
the children of the slums of
Dashrath Nagar. Classes are
given for six months to show
the population the importance
o f e d u c a t i o n . B e i n g
nomadic families, itinerants,
traveling to and from their
respective villages in other
p a r t s o f t h e d i s t r i c t , i t i s
impossible to give continuity
to their children´s studies. By
means of this Study Group it is
hoped that we can impress
upon them the importance of
education so that in the future
these children can be sent to
school.
We have two primary education schools. The children´s ages range from 4 to 12 years old. In the
Centre as well as the official subjects, they learn to express themselves, to take part in the
programme of ethical values, have an opportunity in the plastic arts, value the environment and
grow up with dignity, In our Environment programme we include different 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 importance of not wasting but taking care of their natural resources.

16. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
i n t h e i r s t u d i e s b y d a i l y
s e s s i o n s i n t h e A k s h a y
Educational Centre.
It must be mentioned here that
the secondary education of our
g i r l s r e p r e s e n t s a t r u e
challenge if we bear in mind
t h e t r a d i t i o n a l o b s t a c l e s
of child marriages and work in
the home.
The fact that girls can have
access to secondary education
is extremely important since,
while being really hard to get
them to the primary level,
access to a secondary school
signifies a drastic change and
efforts which must be given
their full due.
V e r y f e w families
of "untouchable" girls allow
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
t o t a k e c h a r g e o f
the housework or prepare
themselves for marriage.
With the support we provide
for secondary education, the
girls and their families accept
a short delay in marrying
them wich in turn enables
t h e m t o c o n t i n u e t h e i r
learning procces fot a few
more years.
Secondary Education Project
Akshy 16
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.
With our help they have access
to more advanced studies.
At present we are paying
secondary education for 21
p u p i l s a t v a r i o u s s c h o o l s
i n Bodhgaya. They are now
mixing with boys and girls from
all different castes. Their
academic life is in different
surroundings but they continue
t h e i r e d u c a t i o n i n ethical
values and environmental aw
areness as well as support

17. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
Photo gallery: Education
Akshy17

18. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
In the Akshay Education Centre private classes and study hours are provided each day for 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 to guide them.
With our Support Project, the children can continue their secondary education and receive help in
daily private classes during which the teachers can clarify doubts and revise the 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.
Akshy 18
Study Revision and Support Project

19. Medical Attention and Preventive Care
19 Akshy
INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
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
q u a l i f i c a t i o n s a n d t h i s o f t e n c a u s e s
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
t o s t r e s s t o p u p i l s the importance
of hygiene o r t e l l t h e m a b o u t c h a n g e s
during puberty and other typical matters of
adolescence.
Preventive healthcare. We hold talks and
p r a c t i c a l workshops f o r t h e v i l l a g e
c o m m u n i t i e s w e v i s i t i n w h i c h h e a l t h
representatives inform them of how to prevent
illness o r h o w a n d w h e r e t h e y c a n
r e c e i v e f r e e t r e a t m e n t . T h e y a r e
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
p r o b l e m s c a u s e d b y c h i l d
marriages, alcoholism, under­nourishment,
t h e i n a p p r o p r i a t e c a r e o f b a b i e s o f
pregnancy.

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
C e n t r e a c t a s a p i l a r
o f support f o r t h e w e a k e s t
members.
I t i s d i r e c t e d t o t h e a d u l t
communities
o f A m w a n , N a u t a p u r ,
and Amway Colony w h o h a v e
been abandoned by their families
a n d e x i s t u n p r o t e c t e d i n
subhuman conditions.
T h e precarious economies o f
t h e f a m i l i e s i n r u r a l
areas together with the fact that
t h e y b e l o n g
t o t h e "untouchable" caste,
place them in an atrociously
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 and
disabled are separated from the
f a m i l y c i r c l e , r e l e g a t e d t o
isolation and extreme 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
h a v e 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
c l o t h e s s o t h e i r b o d i e s a r e
covered and, in winter, blankets to
keep them warm.
T h e primary and secondary
pupils help in developing this
programme by attending to
the old and disabled. In this
w a y t h e y
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
i m p e d i m e n t s , t o b e
generous with their time, to
open their hearts and be kind.
"Dada​Dadi" Project of attention to the old and disabled
Akshy 20
I n a d d i t i o n t h e y a l s o
receive medical care and
medicines when they are ill
a n d a i d w i t h c r e m a t i o n
e x p e n s e s a t t h e t i m e o f
death. Twice a month they
come to our Centre where we
give them a special meal.
W e 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
c e l e b r a t i o n s h e l d i n t h e
Centre.

21. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
Photo gallery: Health and Dada­Dadi
Akshy21

22. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
The Water Pump Project
T h e s h o r t a g e o f w a t e r
or contaminated water are
the main causes of gastro­
intestinal problems in the
population.
Many villages have to share
a water pump among over
200 inhabitants.
W e build water pumps i n
rural villages of this area and
s h o w t h e p e o p l e h o w t o
maintain them.
O u r p l a n i s t h a t t h e y
have clean water to drink,
f o r p e r s o n a l h y g i e n e o r
c o o k i n g a n d s o avoid
Illness and gastric problems.
22Akshy

23. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
T h e g r o u p s a r e
mixed, m a r r i e d
w o m e n a n d y o u n g
adolescents together so that
t h e y s h a r e s p a c e a n d
activity.
W o m e n f r o m d i f f e r e n t
castes also join and this is a
f i n e o p p o r t u n i t y f o r
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
an advanced course where
t h e y a r e t a u g h t o t h e r
techniques, such as textile
painting, embroidery, making
u n i f o r m s , b a g s , p u r s e s ,
tablecloths etc. all of which
give them the opportunity to
receive payment for their
work a n d s o h e l p i n t h e
domestic economy.
The Sewing Centre Project "Women United"(Mahila
Ekta Silae Khendre)
Akshy23
T h i s p r o j e c t i s a v a i l a b l e
for all women ­ adults, young
girls and adolescents ­ in the
villages of Amwan, Nautapur
and Amwan Colony to learn
a trade (even have their own
workshop in the future) or
simply learn to sew or make
clothes for their families.
The workshop is also a place
where they can meet, chat
a n d a n d s h a r e t h e i r
experiences and problems.
T h e w o m e n w h o
are illiterate have some basic
classes first so they can follow
the course.

24. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
Photo gallery: Women
Akshy 24

25. 04/OUR 2016
ACHIEVEMENTS
Following is a short outline of the results of the projects mentioned at the start of the 2015 Annual
Report.
25 Akshy

26. ACHIEVEMENTS 2016
Primary Education
­ We continued to give primary education to 200 children from the towns of Amway, Nautapur,
Amway Colony and Jaitiya.
­ Primary education was also given in the Akshay School and the Kamal Nursery Centre.
­ The children have been given all their school materials free, as well as the uniform and
medical attention and have taken part in different activities.
Secondary Education
­ 20 adolescents have followed their courses in different centres in Bodhgaya, being supervised
daily by our staff, so ensuring they are successful in their studies
­ At the same time they have taken part on Sundays in different activities held in our Centre, such
as conversation in English, debates, watching educational films, contests, etc.
­ In the afternoons they have had support classes to consider their school studies in greater depth.
Akshy 26
Higher Esucation
One of our girl students who studied in our school
finished her secondary studies and she received
Matric diploma. Now she started high school under
our continuous support and tutelage.
It is the first time that a dalit girl from Amwan
village community finishes secondary studies in
english medium and with a such a high score of
82%.

27. ACHIEVEMENTS 2016
Boarding school
Sometimes the poverty of these people is so extreme that we feel we must take action going beyond
our normal work. This is the case of two children whose families could not take care of them with such
dire straits, not being even in a position to give them sufficient food. With the consent of the parents
w e h a v e p l a c e d t h e m i n a private boarding school where they study, have their meals,
accommodation and support classes from a tutor. We have seen an important positive change in
them, physically, also their behaviour and the way they have settled into the school.
The Saraswati Study Group
A study group called Saraswati was
started in slums of Darshat Nagar.
Classes are given for six months to show
t h e p e o p l e t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f
education. Since they are nomadic
families, travelling to and from their
own villages in other parts of the District,
it is impossible to give continuity to the
children´s schooling. By means of this
Study Group we hope to impress upon
parents the importance of emsuring
t h e i r c h i l d r e n receive regular
education. There are 25 boys and girls
in the group.
Akshy 27
Education in Burma
We have opened our frontiers
and this year have helped to
build a school for the Karenni
children.
The Karenni were forced to flee
and have been living for many
y e a r s i n refugee c a m p s i n
T h a i l a n d a n d o n l y n o w a r e
r e t u r n i n g t o B u r m a . T h e i r
villages had been destroyed so
they are starting to rebuild them.
O u r nursery school a l l o w s
parents to leave their little ones
in a safe place while they walk
miles to work in the fields.

28. ACHIEVEMENTS 2016
Preventive Health Care
­ 183 children from the Akshay School and
those in Secondary education have received
specific medical attention when necessary,
including medicines and specialists.
­ We have had 27 boys and girls given the
three relevant injections for vaccination
against Hepatitis B.
­ 2 0 2 h a v e r e c e i v e d h o m e o p a t h i c
vaccinations for chickenpox and mumps in
prevention of these illnesses as well as
general health protection for the children.
­ Hygiene materials were shared out in the
Akshay and Jaitiya schools; at the same
time we held talks on different aspects of
hygiene.
Dada­Dadi
­ 16 old people abandoned by their families or with no family, widows or disabled, have
been given assistance through our DadaDadi project. They have received from us every two
weeks enough to food to cover basic needs.
­ We have repaired the roofs of their dwellings with tiles instead of straw to avoid Monsoon
rains seeping in. They were given a bed each so they did not have to sleep on the floor, as
was the norm up to now.
Akshy 28
­ On two occasions they have been given new
clothes, saris, blouses, trousers and shirts, as well
as sweets at Festival time.
­ We have taken all the necessary steps so that
those taking part in this project collect all pensions
due to them from the Government.
­ Through us they have also received free medical
attention. Urmila Devi had a cataract operation in
a clinic and we took charge of all arrangements
etc.
­ We have talked to these people too on the
importance of hygiene to avoid illness.

29. ACHIEVEMENT 2016
Others Achievements
­ A water pump was installed
in the village of Jaitiya but
more pumps are needed for
this community. By building
this one, besides the children
of our Kamal School, some 20
families now have access to
water for drinking, washing
dishes or clothes as well as for
personal hygiene.
­ The installation of 2 solar
panels to bring light to the
slums area of Darshath Manji
Nagar. This area being a
good distance from the city
has no electricity so at night it
is in complete darkness which
leads to increased insecurity.
With these panels at least the
people will have some light
in their roads.
­ W e h e l p e d to repair the
access to Amwan i n t h e
M o n s o o n S e a s o n . W i t h
c o o p e r a t i o n f r o m t h e
inhabitants of Amwan who
worked as labourers and Akshy
providing the required sand
and rubble, we were able to
arrange that, during the last
Monsoon, t h e v i l l a g e h a d
a c c e s s , w a s n o t
incommunicated or isolated
by water.
Akshy 29
Project for Women
­ The women taking part in the
microcredit programme have
b e g u n t o u s e t h e m o n e y
saved: to purchase seeds or
doors for their dwellings, pay
medical expenses, repair their
roofs or start small businesses
without having to go to the
moneylender for a loan.
­ A f t e r a t t e n d i n g sewing
classes for six months, 15
women have been awarded
the Sewing Certificate which
gives them the right to work.
­ 18 women took part in the
Henna Course (Mehandi), an
Indian tradition whereby the
women paint their hands and
feet for special celebrations.
By learning this technique
they too can also earn some
extra money for their families.
­ 20 women attended a Beauty
Course l a s t i n g 2 m o n t h s
during which they learned to
cut hair, make­up, remove
unwanted hair and make a
bride ready for her wedding
day (a job taking 3 hours).
Thanks to this course they can
n o w b e c o m m i s s i o n e d b y
neighbours and friends and so
earn some money.

30. 05/ORIGIN AND
DESTINATION OF
RESOURCES
30Akshy
INCOMES 2016 72.291,52 euros
Sponsor´s quotas 54.317,00 euros
Donations 16.846,45 euros
Bazaar 289,00 euros
Events 1.175,00 euros
Others 659,00 euros

31. 05/ORIGIN AND
DESTINATION OF
RESOURCES
31 Akshy
EXPENSES 2016 65.599,84 euros
Education project ­ Akshay School 31.008,77 euros
Education project ­ Kamal School 4.257,07 euros
Education project ­ Secondary Education 14.086,78 euros
Health care project 3.552,03 euros
Dada­Dadi project 3.044,89 euros
Women project 1.255,82 euros
Bazaar 242,00 euros
Maintenance 2.589,86 euros
Bank charges and refunds 4.662, 62 euros

32. 06/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
h o u s e s , h o l d p h o t o g r a p h y exhibitions o n A k s h y a n d I n d i a ´ s r e a l i t y , a r r a n g e
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".
32Akshy

33. PUBLICITY AND AWARENESS
Events held in 2016
Events and festivals
EThis past year with the help of our collaborators we have had a variety of activities in Spain, among
which were the organization of a dinner in the Madrid restaurant Ecocentro and two children´s
races, one in the Primary School El Romeral, in Molina de Segura, Murcia and the other in the
Secondary School Encomienda de Santiago de Socovos, Albacete. where a Solidarity Day was held
for the benefit of our projects in India.
We also visited the Pintor Rosales College in Madrid and the infant school Pomme de´Appi in both of
which we gave talks on our work to increase the children´s awareness.
As we have done these last few years, we took part in the Solidarity Saturday held in San Lorenzo de
El Escorial, Madrid, with a stall in the solidarity market.
In addition, we set a new action to work through the Dohelping platform seeking to obtain funds for
the Kamal Nursery School.
Give Smiles
More and more people are willing to share their birthday, wedding or First Communion presents
with the children, the women, the elders or disabled in India. Thanks to this campaign´s donations
we can finance different actions there.
33 Akshy

34. Our gratitude
If you have read our Report to the end, you will appreciate the fact that we have been able to develop
a considerable number of different projects in India.
None of these would have been possible without the enthusiasm and financial support of each one
of you who believe in our projects and have collaborated with us. In situ, we have enjoyed the
company of volunteers who have come to share part of their time with us and have held some very
interesting workshops.
On returning to their respective countries, they have continued helping us, spreading the news to others
of the work we do in India. In Spain too we have a group of volunteers always ready to lend a hand
when needed.
We wish to devote these last few lines to our sponsors, members, collaborators, companies, associations
and friends of the AKSHY ASSOCIATION since without them, none of this would be possible. As our
leitmotiv says: "At times we feel that what we do is merely a drop of water in the ocean, but the ocean
would be less without that drop". Thank you all!
34 Akshy
07/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
https://twitter.com/akshyindia
https://plus.google.com/