June 17th, 2009
SEWA International USA, Cleveland Chapter in conjunction with Cleveland State University (CSU) has arranged an information session on College Admission and Career Counseling at CSU for the Bhutanese through the SEWA project Vinaya Vidya. We are grateful to Dr. Gitanjali Kaul, Vice Provost of CSU for arranging this.
All Bhutanese and SEWA Volunteers are invited to to attend this session.
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DATE: June 20, 2009
TIME: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm (Campus tour will be available)
MEETING LOCATION: Fenn Tower, 3rd Floor, (building FT on attached map)
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland OH 44115
DETAILS:
Bring all your transcripts, certificates, syllabus and any material from your college/university from Nepal/India
Those of you who had submitted transcripts to CSU earlier, bring your evaluated transcripts that were returned to you by CSU.
Wear your walking shoes if you are taking the Campus tour.
Bring an umbrella or wear a raincoat since it may rain.
High schoolers are particularly welcome
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As a prelude and preparation to this event, CSU evaluated the High School and College Transcripts of 36 Bhutanese in the Cleveland area, thus determining the appropriate level of entry for each individual into the University system pro bono. This saved each potential student over $150 - the fee for evaluation by a central authority such as World Education Services, NY.
Representatives from each of the CSU Colleges will speak to the group throughout the morning. This would include the Colleges of Engineering, Science, Social Sciences, Urban Affairs, and Business.
In addition, the Bhutanese will be counseled on career, financial aid, bridge program with Tri-C and CSU, application, enrollment, etc. Students will have the opportunity to even enroll in courses if they so desire or sign up for additional counseling for a later day enrollment. Please pass this information to everyone who is interested to attend. Encourage all - especially those who are in High School now - to attend.
For more information, help with directions or RTA routes to CSU contact:
Sudesh Agrawal (216) 288-8340 agrawasl@sbcglobal.net
Sree N. Sreenath (440) 318-9660 n.sreenath@case.edu
June 11th, 2009
“Project Krishi” for Bhutani Families in Cleveland OH
Report by-Santi Ram Poudel and Sai Kalluru
Seven Bhutanese from families settling in Cleveland started working on agriculture field. Dr. Agrawal and Sai Kalluru on Sunday, June7th, 2009, took them to the field. We reached the site at about 10.30am after an hour drive from Lakewood and we all were given a very warm welcome by the owner of the land.
Mark bought 1000 plants of vegetables including Tomato (two different verities), Green peppers, and Strawberries. We started the plantation in about an acre of land. We planted two rows of tomatoes seedlings to an approximately 100 feet long plot, single row of beans and a row of strawberry. We also seeded green beans and Kidney beans. It took nearly 1hr 30mins to complete the job where the owner prepared the plots and 9 people including Dr. Agrawal and Sai also worked as an experienced farmer.
As the farm is 55 miles from Cleveland, Dr. Sudesh Agrawalji suggested Mark to rent a van to transport the families to the farmland at least 3-4 days a weak. When I was preparing this report on June 10th, mark came with the rented van and took seven farmers back to the farmland to work they work there for six hrs.
Sewa International with landowners is working on making a co-operative society for Bhutani families to share the expenses and profit. We are discussing on the probable issues like the finding the markets for the yields, etc.
The offer seems suitable and all the seven Bhutanese farmers wanted to try in the new arena. All of Bhutani families are excited about the Project Krishi and going back to farmland. The farmers were satisfied with the way the deal was undertaken, as this would be their first experience here at USA. Unanimously they lamented as they will work hard and they won’t expect the result.
At the end each one of us are given with a bunch of flowers as a token of love and appreciation.
Few pictures can be seen on http://picasaweb.google.com/agrawasl/ProjectKrishi
Sudesh Agrawal, Ph.D.
3582 Winchell Road,
Shaker Heights, OH 44122
Phone: 216-283-1832
216-288-8340 (Cell)
Project Mitralaya and Project Vinaya Vidya
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OHIO
BACKGROUND
Project Mitralaya connects one mentor family with one Bhutanese refugee family for friendship. Project Vinaya Vidya focuses on Education and Career Opportunities for the Bhutanese youth. (for pictures please see the attached PDF file).
The Undergraduate Indian Student Association (uISA), and Case Oxfam in conjunction with SEWA BRE project organized a Holi function on Sunday March 22, 2009 morning, at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OHIO for the Bhutanese. As a part of Project Mitralaya, uISA along with SEWA invited a representative of each Bhutanese family in the Greater Cleveland area to come and meet with family of the Sewa volunteers. In addition, for Project Vinaya Vidya, uISA arranged a program to educate the Bhutanese youth on the educational process and opportunities from community college (associate degrees and vocational training) to four-year university education.
uISA volunteers, more than ten in number - did a fantastic job managing all the arrangements: registration, audio/video, room layout, etc. There were three High Schoolers from Aurora (Cleveland suburb) who volunteered. Sai Kolluru and Apurwa Kaushik decorated and laid out the registration area.
SEWA Project Mitralaya and Project SEWA Vinaya Vidya events on Case Western Reserve Campus were by any definition a very grand success. Detailed report of each project is given below.
PROJECT: Vinaya Vidya Report
Seventy Bhutanese youth attended the SEWA Vinaya Vidya program. There was a ~25 strong contingent from Akron (a Cleveland suburb) trucked in by SEWA volunteers (Prof. Surinder-ji Bharadwaj, Anil-ji Gupta, and Manju-ji Rastogi), and the International Institute of Akron – the local resettlement agency for Akron. Cleveland Bhutanese arrived by public transportation.
• The program started with a Shanti Mantra and Saraswati Vandana at 10:00am by the Case Students.
• The program was introduced by Devesh Menawat, President of uISA.
• Sai Kolluru, Case Undergraduate (Freshman - Mechanical Engineering) did a terrific job in presentation, organization and interaction with the youth. He focused on college preparation for high schoolers initially. He then went on to discuss the preparation that is needed for those who have had one to three years of college back in Nepal.
• Two Faculty counselors Mr. Angel Bethancourt and John B. from Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) gave a presentation on the Tri-C programs as well as answered questions. They discussed the free English and Math evaluation and placement (from basic mathematical operations till differential equations) program, foreign student transcript evaluation, financial aid, career counseling program, and related program details.
• Prof. Sree Sreenath gave a presentation on the basics of enrolling in vocational, associate degree and four year colleges for the Bhutanese. He exhorted the youth to think five and ten yeara into the future while acknowledging the immediate needs of survival. Apurwa Kaushik, Case Undergraduate (philosophy and pre-law) had prepared a presentation on what sample careers are available, what they pay, how long of a study, program structure (courses to be takne), what the cost is,etc. The focus was community college education that leads to certificate programs such as (paramedic, firefighters, etc.) as well as associate degree programs (accounting, dental hygienist, nursing, etc.).
• Program ended with a vote of thanks and a prayer by Dr. Aadityan and the Bhojan Mantra.
• The room was filled to capacity - standing room only. Comments from the youth were that such a program filled in a need. They do realize the enormity of their challenges in this difficult economy.
• Lunch was pizza which was adequate and more than filling.
• After lunch about 25 youth from Cuyahoga county were enrolled on-line on the Tri-C system thanks to uISA volunteers at the Biomedical lab.
PROJECT: Mitralaya Report
The Mitralaya program - in the adjacent room - was attended by ~30 people including family representatives from both Clevelanders Asian-Indian and Bhutanese communities. Sudesh-ji Agrawal and Dr. Aadityan made presentations on the SEWA projects related to BRE. Discussion with families was overseen by Manju-ji Rastogi – Coordinator for SEWA Sakhi (Women’s issues) project, with the families discussed their mutual experiences. SEWA guidelines for Mitralaya Family interaction was distributed.
Abhijit Kaushik, Case undergraduate (economics and finance) gave a presentation of a microenterprise (house cleaning business) project, which resulted in a donation of a 4year old Volvo van for the project by the International Institute of Akron.
Prof Surinder-ji Bharadwaj summarized the Mitralaya program. A collector’s pocketbook edition of Srimad Bhagawad Gita was presented to all families on behalf of SEWA International.
SEWA Volunteers: Anil Gupta, K.C. Gupta, Jamuna Mysore, Manju Rastogi, Hira Foetedar, Shobha Sreenath, Surinder Bharadwaj, Abhijit Kaushik, Apurwa Kaushik, Sai Kolluru, Aadityan Kulshreshta, Sudesh Agrawal, and, Sree Sreenath.
Case Volunteers: Devesh Menawat, Partha Majmudar, Rahul Gole, Nikhil Bansal, Lahiri, Sabina Chandiramani, and Neeraja Krishnaswamy
Aurora High School Volunteers: Brandon, Mackenzie and Mandava.
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SEWA, Cleveland Chapter, had been eschewing an idea to create a Job Placement Agency whose sole purpose is to provide placement to our Bhutanese friends. SEWA Volunteers have been canvassing known ethnic and mainstream businesses (restaurants, grocery stores, etc.) along with other members of the community at large.
EARLY SUCCESSES: Sewa International Volunteers, over the last week have been able to find jobs for six Bhutanese who live on the East Side of Cleveland. One full time, two part time and two weekend jobs in a Fast Food Restaurant, and one full time job at an Indian Grocery Store.
To increase the effectiveness, we have decided to take a formal approach and start an agency. Today we had a meeting with SEWA Volunteers at Great Northern Mall Food Court to address the Job Placement issues of our Bhutanese friends. The agenda for the meeting is enclosed.
Two of our Sewa International Volunteers Sign Up: Namita of Westlake (Undergraduate student at CSU in Finance) and Apu Kaushik (Undergraduate student at Case Western in Prelaw and Philosophy), have enthusiastically signed up to take start such an agency. Sarah Elswick, Pialy Bannerjee, and, Ashruta Patel have indicated interest, but were unable to attend today's meeting.
Today Shangri-La Job Placement Agency (name shamelessly hijacked from Dr. A's suggestions) was born. The following tasks were agreed upon - names of Volunteers appear when appropriate:
Create a database of Employers through known directories from ethnic associations and personal contact referrals. Once created this database will be managed by the group members. Namita + Sudesh-ji + another Volunteer (needed)
Provide help in Resume prep, Interview prep, job and dress etiquette, etc. (Volunteer needed)
Create a Database of job seekers. First version of this database is ready. (Sreenath/Santi Ram-Cleveland/Bhim Dungana- Akron).
Create a "script" and talking points (Apurwa + Sree).
Canvass Employers, job banks, newspapers, and hiring ads for jobs (Input from SEWA and Community Volunteers)
Match known jobs to skill sets/abilities of Bhutanese. (Volunteer needed)
Set up Interviews and followup. Namita + Apurwa + Two Volunteers (needed)
Get feedback after hiring from both Employers and employees. (Two Volunteers needed)
Though there are details to be worked out, we have started a Google Group Jobs for Bhutanese. Access will be by invitation only. All of you who are recieveing this mail have been invited. If you did not recieve an invite, send me e-mail and I will add you on. Use common sense when sharing data on this group with Employers and others. Respect the privacy of data of our Bhutanese and the Employers.
We will be having periodic Teleconferences to discuss various issues and for smooth functioning of the group. If you have any questions do not hesistate to contact me.
SHANGRI-LA AGENCY PROMISE TO VOLUNTEERS: We promise instant gratification- in line with the credo of the modern world. As a Volunteer, you will be paid in terms of Gross Happiness Index (GHI-pun intended) as follows:
One unit of GHI for each Employer contact, and, three units of GHI if they increase the Gross Employment Index.
Sewa International, Cleveland Chapter volunteers (working with Swayamsevak Sangh) have started
"Shangri-La Job Placement Agency" to help our Bhutanese Sisters and Brothers in the Cleveland-Akron Area. Eleven Bhutanese have found jobs through their efforts since this effort started in the last four weeks.
In conjunction with Makar Sankrati Celebration, SEWA is putting together two Seminars for our Bhutanese friends: one on Job etiquettes, and, the second on Financial Matters (Dr. Raj Pillai).
June 03,
June 03, 2009
Namaste,
Here is a brief report of
Here is a brief report of the current state of the SEWA International projects. We are thankful to Shiva Vishnu Temple (Dr. Darshan Mahajan-ji, Ajit Patra-ji, Kishore Shah-ji, and Manhar Shah-ji) for hosting the Volunteer Training and the Job Fair on Dec 14, 2009. Project Sakhi (women's issues) will be reported later.
SEWA Volunteers: Dr. Aadityan, Hira and Pat Fotedar, Venu Madhav, Sreedhar Nair, Venu Gopal, Swathi and Sudarshan Sathe, Jamuna Mysore, Sudesh Agrawal, and Sree N. Sreenath.
I. Project Karmayogi
A number of activities are taking place in this regard.
I.A. Employment Inventory of current Bhutanese cohort in Cleveland Metro Area
Cohorts can be divided into the following categories:
Educated Seeking Employment (39 people)
Vocational skills - carpentry, masonry, etc. (4 people)
High School - 12th grade (5 people)
College (1 or 2 yrs) - (8 people)
Nursing (1 person)
Bachelor degrees (3 year) in Science, Arts, and Business (8 people)
Masters degrees (2 people)
Unknown Education- less than high school /some seeking employment- (26 people)
Enrolled Students in Grade School (18)
Data not available (11)
Currently 38 have found employment. Data above is highly variable since some jobs are seasonal.
Priority for employment is being given to families whose US Government aid is running out (having been in the country for 4 months +) and those with no family member currently employed.
I.B. Employment Related Activities: Successes and Concerns
RESUMES: Sewa International volunteers worked with the Bhutanese to help them put together resumes of 24 people. The qualifications ranged from Grade 10th pass, to vocational (carpentry, masonary) to B.B.A (commerce), B.A., BSc. (Physics-Hons. ) to MSc (Biophysics) .
TRAINING: One of the local Business Owners had his staff in the motel he owns trained four people in housekeeping services (vacuum cleaner, use of chemicals, safety, etc.)
JOB FAIR - INDIAN BUSINESS OWNERS
On Sunday Dec 14th, Shiva Vishnu Temple, under the directions of Kishore Shah-ji, Dr. Darshan Mahajan-ji, Ajit Patra-ji and Manhar Shah-ji organized a Job Fair inviting Asian-Indian Businesses to employ qualified Bhutanese. Of the sixteen who were present eight of them found employment - two in a construction firm, four in hospitality industry (Motel) and two in service industry. Transportation to the temple was provided by Catholic Charities and SEWA volunteers.Pictures of the event can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/33428882@N04/sets/72157611341153624/
One of Sewa International volunteers arranged interviews for six persons at a quick service restaurant - fast food (Subway). Five were offered employment with one person full time, two part time and two students (weekends). Training began on Tuesday Sec 16th.
There are some families with head of households with low marketing skills - no knowledge of English or Hindi (only Nepali). These are older (~50+) people and we have a challenge finding opportunities for them. We are talking to Restaurant owners (back room operations) and Indian Grocery stores.
A Nursing Assistant Training Opportunity has been identified and the Bhutanese can take advantage of getting a $800 fee waiver.
II. Project Vahan
One car has come up for donation to the Home Cleaning Services project. Car worthiness is being evaluated.
III. Project Mitralaya
One new family arrived on Dec 4th and are housed in South Euclid. Contact has been established and SEWA volunteers have visited the families.
List of volunteers has been collected. Some attended the Catholic Charities workshop (see below). We are planning a meeting soon with interested families.
IV. Catholic Charities Workshop- Volunteer/Mentor Training at Shiva Vishnu Temple
One Sunday December 14th, SEWA Intl. in conjunction with Shiva Vishnu Temple, Cleveland, organized a "Volunteer/Mentor Training Workshop." The Workshop was opened by Mr. Ajit Patra (Shiva Vishnu Temple). The Workshop was attended by 25 volunteers including four youths. Conducted by Stacy Dever and Tom Mrosko of Catholic Charities, the three hour workshop gave a comprehensive look at where the Refugees originated, their journey into the US, and services provided by Catholic charities and procedures for becoming a Volunteer/Mentor for a Bhutanese family thru Catholic Charities.