ABOUT US
Who we are?
The Catalyst is a not-for-profit society registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961. The whole range of activities that it is involved in is based in the village of Amlasole, a hilly tribal village in the district of Jhargram (erstwhile Paschim Medinipur) bordering the state of Jharkhand. The primary focus of its activities is the education and health of the students enrolled in Kendgora Adarsha Shikshayatan, Amlasole (a primary school run by the local C.B.O. Amlasole Birsa Munda Gram Unnayan Committee) from nearby villages. The school-related activities actually started in the year 2006 when some members of this society involved themselves as individuals to garner external support for the smooth functioning of the school, but since its official registration in the year 2014, the activities got momentum. A residential hostel for students (of this school) from the most backward families came into being in 2014 and activities got diversified and more inclusive that ultimately enhanced its primary focus.
A brief pre-history
It was in the year 2009 when Mr. Bhaskar Pal, the Block Development Officer of Binpur II block visited the school and that marked the beginning of effective interface between the local government and the villagers. The then District Magistrate took the initiative and the basic mid-day meal for the school children, supported by the Government, also started around that time. The year 2010 is another significant year when the village households got electricity. Initially, that is since 2005, the school used to be held in two thatched mud-built rooms on a space donated by a village individual, which was later on registered and owned by Amlasole Birsa Munda Gram Unnayan Committee. In 2011 a brick-built structure came up on the same piece of land, courtesy the local M.L.A. of that time. In the same year sanitary toilets (the first of its kind in the whole area) were made within the school campus (courtesy a philanthropic group from U.K. on request from some individuals who later formed The Catalyst). It was noticed that infrastructure in some families was contrary to effective education and supporting the children from those families became so paramount that it gave birth to the idea of having a hostel; and the hostel with 15 students could be finally realized in 2014 on a piece of land donated by two individuals.
Journey since 2014
- The hostel with 15 students, one warden and one cook began its journey in 2014. One TV set and one desktop computer were there for use by the students. Tutorial classes were arranged, teachers from outside used to visit at least twice a month to monitor their progress. The system is still continuing.
- In 2015 the hostel was formally inaugurated by Sri Gurucharan Munda (an elderly local, who donated his land for the hostel). On that day Sri Sarbadoy Saha, the then B.D.O., came as the chief guest; many dignitaries from Medinipur, Kolkata and Jhargram also graced the occasion by their presence. In the same year a crèche came up in the school with two attendants – this move was necessary in order that the older siblings could attend their classes instead of staying at home and attending their younger ones. Students staying in hostel were involved in cultivation of cabbage, tomato etc. inside the hostel premises. Interaction with villagers went up to a new height with guardians taking part in the decision-making process involving the school and hostel.
- Students are given new uniform to wear at school – a process which has been continuing since 2009. Excursions are sometimes arranged for both the students and the staff of the school – a practice since pre-2014 days.
- Picnic and sports are regular annual affairs of the school.
- In 2016 an important decision was taken to continue with needy but interested students in the hostel, even when they were in other school after graduating from Kendgora Adarsha Shikshayatan.
- Doctors and Paediatricians are periodically being taken to Amlasole for health check-up for the villagers (in particular, the children)
- Special arrangements are made for the hostel boarders to train in local culture (song, dance, use of musical instruments). The students took part in dance programme in places away from Amlasole. Artists from Jhargram and Kolkata were once (in the year 2017) taken to Amlasole to perform; rendition by local artists was also part of the programme.
- In 2017 an exhibition was organized, where local participants came with their handicrafts, the students were also guided to produce some excellent models. Some students were involved with electronic circuits and they showed wonderful skill. Special guests from Kolkata and Jhargram came to encourage the students, in particular. It was a grand success.
- In 2019 some teachers and sky-watchers came from Kolkata. Using telescope they tried to involve the students in watching celestial objects in spite of cloudy sky; one teacher showed them a foldscope and trained them in its use for observing micro-objects.
- Agricultural scientists (like Sri Dinabandhu Karmakar) interacted with the villagers and also gave hands-on demonstration in the field to emphasize on the System of Root Intensification.
- The plantation program was organised by The Catalyst, in Kendogora Adarsha Sikshayatan School, in Amlasole village on 20th July 2019. It was organised to spread the message to the villagers and their children so that they realize the value of the plants and other lives in the forest, which are providing villagers sustenance and also to discourage them from tree felling. Around 100 forest plants were planted by the Teachers, Students and others.
- From 2014 to 2019 there had been hectic activities for the villagers, namely training in mushroom cultivation, training in bike repairs and poultry farming. For ladies there were training in tailoring and food processing.
Our Mission
To support the hapless tribal communities in and around Amlasole so that one day they will consider this support redundant.
Our Vision
Near vision: Children are equipped with the basics of Bengali, English and Mathematics. They are thoroughly aware of the basic hygiene. Ladies are aware of their sanitary hygiene.
Distant vision: People of Amlasole and nearby villages have reached a stage where they can sustain themselves with relative ease.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
Ms. Rina Brown
Mr. Anirudha Roy
