Supporting Gopikabai Sitaram Gawande College
There are approximately 300 districts in India considered “Backwards Regions” due to inadequate infrastructure and severe levels of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and morbidity. Umarkhed in Yavatmal district, Maharashtra is one of those “Backward Regions.” In 1984, a local community group sought to build a college in hopes that education would give them the tools to face their challenges, but only had enough money for the foundation of the first building. SESA’s co-founders, Ram and Sushila Gawande donated the funds to complete the building’s construction. In thanks and recognition, the college was named after Ram’s mother—Gopikabai Sitaram Gawande Mahavidyalaya (GSG College).
Since then, SESA and the Gawande family have leveraged resources in the US including individual donations, Rotary Club grants, and a partnership with Ohio University to foster development projects at both GSG College and the surrounding Umarkhed region.
SESA supported projects at GSG College from 1985 to present include:
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The construction of eight campus buildings
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Clean drinking water infrastructure
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Drip irrigation to 30 acres of college and campus farmland
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Computers & multi-media equipment
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Textbook bank for disadvantaged students
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High-speed internet
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Solar panels that enable access to continuous electricity
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Technology installations and trainings
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English language education resources
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Psychological support services
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Teaching and research trainings
In the Umarkhed region, SESA supported projects include:
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Rotary eye camps restoring eye sight to 240 cataract patients
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58 bore wells & hand pumps
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Community water tank with a pipeline capacity of 10,000 liters
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6 village toilets
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Community health and education projects in 5 villages
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Food security and labor migration research
Get Involved
GSG College provides opportunities not just for the local youth in one of the most undereducated regions of India, but also for those around the world looking to make a difference and get involved. Whether you are a faculty member, a student, an organization or a prospective donor, you can support GSG College in many mutually rewarding ways.
GSG College's key areas of need include:
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Improving English speaking proficiency
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Increasing computer, internet, and technology access and training
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Further developing career opportunities
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Improving and publishing faculty research
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Improving quality of life for the surrounding villages and communities
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Improving the college’s national accreditation status
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Developing alumni relations
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Improving infrastructure such as adding:
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Water filtration systems
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Computers, printers and other technologies
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Building more classrooms, bathrooms, a cafeteria lunchroom, and a walking trail/running track
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Faculty, administrators and researchers are invited to get involved with GSG College in a variety of ways. Possible projects include incorporating a service learning projects into your class syllabus, collaborating on research projects, collaborating on institutional development, conducting workshops, and presenting lectures. Some faculties have done projects with GSG without needing to visit the college while many others have visited the college for periods ranging from 1 day to 1 month. Projects have included health research and training in nearby villages, technology infrastructure development, the establishment of GSG College’s first technology advisory committee, the establishment of the OU-GSG study abroad program, lectures in business and economics, assistance with accreditation, and many others.
If you are interested in getting involved, contact us HERE!
How Can I Get Involved as a Faculty Member, Administrator or Researcher?
Students from the USA can volunteer with GSG College, conduct research, join a study abroad program, organize a fundraiser, or develop a pen pal friendship with a GSG student. Some students have done projects with GSG College without needing to visit the College, and many students have stayed at the College for time periods ranging from 1 week to 3 months. Projects have included English-speaking workshops, career counseling, food security research, technology setup, technology training, video production, tennis coaching, and others.
If you are interested in getting involved, contact us here. To learn more about Ohio University’s study abroad program with GSG College, click here.
As a Student from the US,
How Can I Get Involved?
As an Organization,
How Can We Get Involved?
Organizations are invited to get involved with GSG College. Please tell us about your organization and your ideas for getting involved. Rotary International and various Rotary Clubs have played key roles in making GSG College what it is today. Drs. Atmaram and Sushila Gawande were active Rotarians who engaged Rotarians from around the world to get involved with GSG College. Rotary brought clean drinking water to the College, provided new computers, and established a book bank for students who were too poor to buy their own textbooks.
If you are interested in getting involved, contact us here.
Why Donate?
Located five hours away from any major city, this rural farming region is poor in resources—inadequate sources of food, clean water, health care, and job opportunities—but rich in love. The students are eager to learn. The faculty are eager to teach. The administration is eager to provide the best available resources. When you donate, you will see the tangible impact that even a small contribution can make. If you have any questions, please contact us here.
SESA is a 501(c) registered nonprofit organization