Anual report 2015

1. Annual Report
2015

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 2015
24
5/ Origin and destination of
our resources 27
6/ Promotion and awareness
campaigns 29
7/ Acknowledgements
7.1/ Supporters
32
33

4. 01/A letter from Akshy´s chairwoman:
"The Drop of Water"
Raquel Mason Palomeque: President of Akshy
Dear Sponsors, Members and Friends of Akshy,
A year has gone by and I am writing to you again, happy to be able to present the 2015 Annual
Report of our Association. Throughout this year we have worked on consolidating the different
projects, thanks always to your cooperation and support.
We are beginning to see the fruits of our efforts and yours over the years we have worked on these
projects as reflected in particular both by the change of attitude and the progress of our older children
as well as the reaction we can feel among the population in general. In the education programme,
always the basis of our project for the development of the rural villages in India, those children, now
adolescents, who have finished their primary studies in our school, have almost ended the secondary
level. This gives us great pride and satisfaction since we have been able to make drastic changes to
their way of life through education. We share in these life changes through their enthusiasm and
hope for a different future. The loveliest thing of all, however, is seeing how, little by little, the
ethical values we taught them are becoming apparent in their daily lives, making them kind,
respectful and dignified persons.
In the programme for the elderly and disabled, we have been able to alleviate the suffering of
widows, older people and the disabled by means of basic aid and above all through the security they
now feel that they are not alone but protected and can always count on us.
With regard to the women, our talks are gradually becoming more significant to them. Through our
different courses they are learning to come together among themselves so giving them strength and
courage. Their self­esteem improves and they begin to make their own decisions. They come to our
Centre trusting us and share their problems with us.
We continue our struggle with injustice in the caste system as suffered by the "untouchables", through
our talks informing them of their rights, as well as trying to tell them where they can obtain assistance
when these rights are ignored. There is still a lot of work to be done and a lot to be improved but, with
your aid and support, we feel strong and keen enough to carry on fighting for the most vulnerable
community of India's social system that they may have the same opportunities, contributing with our
own "Drop of Water".
I wish to offer my most since thanks to all our sponsors ­ men and women, our members,
collaborators, companies, volunteers who have helped our Association's projects to be put into
practice during 2015.
With all my affection, Raquel M. Mason Palomeque
Akshy4

5. WHAT IS AKSHY?
Our Association
Akshy­India 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 non­lucrative 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
R a q u e l M a s o n ( F o u n d e r a n d D i r e c t o r )
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
l i t t l e o n e s w a s t h r o u g h e d u c a t i o n i n i t s
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
Akshy 5

6. W e g i v e g r e a t i m p o r t a n c e
t o listening to the needs 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
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,
w i s d o m , 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 promote the
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
a s s i s t 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,
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:"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, 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. 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 K a m a l S c h o o l (Lotus
School) is situated in Jaitiya, a
village of 1,700 inhabitants, i n
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
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.
12 Akshy

13. 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.
To this purpose, we have
a n 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
different projects adapted t o
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).
Akshy Association w o r k s
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
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
p a r t o f I n d i a
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 direct
contact with the people a n d
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
a c t i o n 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, etc. for the most
vulnerable children, we also
w o r k o n projects
favouring development a n d
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 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
c h i l d r e n t o v a l u e t h e
importance of respecting and
assisting the
old and disables 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
s o c i a l a n d
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
13Akshy

14. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
The Akshay School in
Amwan, Bodhaya:
I 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 i n a u g u r a t e d
in 2012 where various different
programmes are developed.
At the present time around
155 children a t t e n d t h e
Akshay School in 7 different
classes. We teach up to 5th
Grade, the end of the primary
cycle in India, and follow the
c u r r i c u l u m o f s u b j e c t s
stipulated by the Government.
The Kamal Infant Center,
in the village of Jaitiya:
Opened in 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 J a i t i y a , a r u r a l v i l l a g e
distant from Bodhgaya where
more than half the population
belongs to the "untouchables".
With this Infant Centre our
i d e a i s t o e n c o u r a g e a n
interest in education both in
the children and the parents
in this isolated village. With
regular daily classes imparted
by two teachers, parents begin
to realize that our project is
serious and they become
more interested.
Primary Education Project
Akshy14
W e h a v e t w o p r i m a r y
education schools. T h e
children´s ages range from 4 to
12 years old.
I n t h e C e n t r e a s w e l l a s
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
g r o w u p 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
different activities for the
c h i l d r e n s o t h e y b e c o m e
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.

15. 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 f a m i l i e s
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
s h o r t d e l a y i n
marrying them which in turn
enables them to continue their
learning process for a few
more years.
Secondary Education Project
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.
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

16. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
Photo gallery: Education
Akshy16

17. 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 17
Study Revision and Support Project

18. Medical Attention and Preventive Care
18 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 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
p r a c t i c a l w o r k s h o p s 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
i l l n e s s o r h o w a n d w h e r e t h e y c a n
receive free treatment. They are given
information on the most common of their
illnesses s u c h a s m a l a r i a , d i a r r h e a ,
dehydration, sunstroke, burns, tuberculosis
and VIH.
F u r t h e r m o r e , t a l k s a n d i n f o r m a t i v e
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,
the
inappropriate care of babies or pregnancy.

19. 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
of Amwan, Nautapur, and Amway
C o l o n y w h o h a v e b e e n
abandoned by their families and
exist unprotected in subhuman
conditions.
The precarious economies of the
families in rural areas together
with the fact that they belong to
the "untouchable" caste, place
t h e m i n a n
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
m e m b e r s c a n s u r v i v e ,
t h e o l d a n d d i s a b l e d a r e
separated f r o m t h e f a m i l y
circle, relegated to isolation and
e x t r e m e p o v e r t y . W i t h o u r
programme we guarantee that
they can have a roof over their
h e a d , a m e a l e a c h d a y , b e
clothed and attended by a doctor,
i n s h o r t h a v e t h e m i n i m u m
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
a r e c o v e r e d a n d , i n w i n t e r ,
blankets to keep them warm.
T h e p r i m a r y a n d
secondary p u p i l s h e l p i n
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
Akshy 19
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
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.

20. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
Photo gallery: Health an Dada­Dadi
Akshy20

21. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
The Water Pump Project
The shortage of water or
contaminated water are the
m a i n c a u s e s o f g a s t r o ­
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.
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 a v o i d
Illness and gastric problems.
21Akshy

22. 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 opportunity f o r
e n c o u r a g i n g 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
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
and so help in the domestic
economy.
The Sewing Centre Project "Women United" (Mahila
Ekta Silae Khendre)
Akshy22
This project is available 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
w h e r e t h e y c a n m e e t ,
c h a t 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.

23. INTEGRAL PROGRAMME
Photo Gallery: Women
Akshy 23

24. 04/OUR 2015
ACHIEVEMENTS
Following is a short outline of the results of the projects mentioned at the start of the 2015 Annual
Report.
24 Akshy

25. 2015 RESULTS
Education
­ 201 boys and girls have received
primary education, u n i f o r m s ,
medical care, school materials,
etc.
­ 2 5 c h i l d r e n h a v e r e c e i v e d
secondary education.
W i t h i n o u r individualized
attention, we have covered the
following specific needs of our
children:
­ 26 have received daily support
l e s s o n s w i t h a t u t o r a n d 2 7
secondary pupils have received
private classes.
­ 4 children have attended an
academy for English classes.
Preventive Health
­ A Dental Campaign for 223
children, check­up, extractions
and fillings.
­ 223 children were vaccinated
against Hepatitis B.
­ Chickenpox and mumps.
­ 163 children received specific
medical attention when this was
necessary in 2015.
Akshy 25
Dada­Dadi
­ 17 abandoned old people or widows have received
aid through our Dada­Dadi Project, in the form of food
each month, dwellings repaired, beds, clothing, articles
of basic hygiene, medical treatment and someone to
accompany them for cataract operations.
­ 10 older disabled persons have started to receive a
widow's pension from the Government, thanks to
information obtained via our Project.

26. 2015 RESULTS
­ 200 women have learnt how
to sign their names during the
writing course so that they can
p l a c e t h e i r s i g n a t u r e o n
important documents.
Talks
Between 30 and 200 people
usually come to our talks,
depending on the topic to be
discussed. En 2015:
­ 20 talks were given on the
rights of the Dalits (DDHH)
­ 3 0 o n t h e social
p r o g r a m m e s o f t h e
Government which the Dalits
can access.
­ 25 talks on the importance of
education.
­ 10 on the disadvantages of
the dowry.
­ 15 of the dangers of child
marriages.
­ 20 on hygiene
­ 5 talks to the young people of
our school on adolescence.
"Love and
Compassion are
needs, not luxuries.
Without them,
Humanity cannot
survive"
Akshy 26
Project Women
­ We have 285 women taking
p a r t i n t h e p r o j e c t f o r
microcredits i n 4 d i f f e r e n t
villages
­ W e h a v e g i v e n personal
loans to 10 persons who only
pay 1% interest so that they
c a n c o v e r n e e d s s u c h a s
urgent medical problems, the
repair of a dwelling after a fire,
a cesarean section, as well as
helping them to start their
o w n b u s i n e s s e s ( t h e
purchase of seeds to grow
vegetables, sewing materials,
the purchase of materials for
making bracelets, etc.)

27. INCOME 2015 74.449,89 euros
Sponsor´s quotas 54.139,00 euros
Donations 13.239,76 euros
Bazaar 4.895,00 euros
Events 1.175,00 euros
Others 1.001,03 euros
05/ORIGIN AND
DESTINATION OF
RESOURCES
27Akshy

28. 05/ORIGIN AND
DESTINATION OF
RESOURCES
28 Akshy
EXPENSES 2015 49.513,01 euros
Project management 4.561,80 euros
Education project­ Akshay School­ primary 20.617,83 euros
Education project­ Secondary Education 7.163,52 euros
Education project­ Kamal School 3.579,03 euros
Health care project 2.463,55 euros
Social project 5.042,45 euros
Women project 2.247,16 euros
Maintenance 1.035,98 euros
Bazaar 1.621,95 euros
Bank charges and refunds 1.179,66 euros

29. 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 in
various scenarios (town halls, universities, companies, yoga centres, etc.), prepare reunions in
p r i v a t e h o u s e s , h o l d photography 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".
29Akshy

30. PUBLICITY AND AWARENESS
Events held in 2015
Cultural Events
On May 8, 2015 the proceeds from the Rusinol theatre company's performance in Madrid were
donated to the Jaitiya school so that the pupils could continue their studies.
In the Culture Hall of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Laurent Toussaint's photography exhibition
"Todo lo que no se da se pierde" was held; the exhibition shows the day by day life of our projects in
India.
Festivals
We have taken part in the eighth edition of Bollymadrid, a festival held in Madrid to bring Indian
culture closer to those living in the capital city.
Also in San Lorenzo de El Escorial we attended the Solidarity Saturday in which we had a market
stall and talked to those interested about our projects.
30 Akshy

31. PUBLICITY AND AWARENESS
Eirene Editorial has published
the book "Figures from the
A l t a r p i e c e " b y t h e p o e t
Pazcual Izquierdo. From the
sale of each copy, one euro
will be donated to our projects
in India.
We have opened a new web
site with lots of multimedia
contents in order to promote
awareness in internet and the
social networks. Furthermore
w e h a v e i n i t i a t e d v a r i o u s
crowdfunding campaigns o n
different internet platforms for
specific objectives.
A charity dinner was held in
the restaurant Ecocentro. 50%
of the takings that night were
destined for the Kamal nursery
school project.
"Empathy is the only
ideology capable of
changing the
world""
Akshy 31
Conferences
W e v i s i t e d t h e Ecole
Maternelle Francaise Pomme
d'Api to talk to the pupils about
how the children live in that
part of rural India where we
work. It was an awareness day
with yoga and a solidarity stall
in favour of our NGO too.
Raquel Mason, in the course
of one of her visits to Spain,
t o o k p a r t i n a m e e t i n g o f
friends at Lux Mundi, Malaga,
where she told them about the
Kamal nursery school project.
Otros
There are friends who now
share their birthday or other
special occasion presents
through "Give the Gift of a
Smile".

32. Thank you for belonging to Akshy
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!
32 Akshy
07/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

33. SUPPORTERS
Akshy 33

34. 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/