About US
We are a non-profit organization devoted to providing education for poor children in India.
Efficiency Goal
OPEN is a completely voluntary organization. All volunteers are unpaid. From 2003-2008, we have disbursed Rs 77,60,928 in project expenses, with Rs 68,256 in overhead expenses, which is an efficiency of 99.13%. We will maintain our efficiency at 95% or better.
Mission
To provide access to primary/secondary school and college education for poor children in India, based on need and merit. To ensure that education is actually related to the real life need of making a living. To act as a unifying force for people of like mind. Out of many, one.
Why this mission: In a free society, the standard of living for all depends on educating and empowering all citizens.
How we propose to fulfill our mission: Accomplish two or more projects every year - infrastructural (building classrooms etc), individual (providing school fees, books, uniforms), or both, at government schools. Attempt to increase the general knowledge, vocational training, and physical education curricula at our partner schools.
How do we fund projects in India: We ask our partner schools to get quotes from several vendors for projects that they would like funded, and pick the best combination of price and quality from the lot.
How we select partner schools for our efforts: We talk to individual school principals and teachers and attempt to find leaders who are highly motivated in improving the lot of their pupils, and who take ownership of their schools. Local educators who look at their work as more than just another job are of huge significance in making sure that our efforts and money are not wasted.
Expenditure mix: We plan to spend roughly 1/3rd of our funds on infrastructure, 1/3rd on scholarships, and 1/3rd on vocational training, coaching classes etc. These proportions will evolve as we better understand what works and what doesn't.
How we fund these activities:
* By raising money from friends and people of like mind.
* By organizing fund raising events among the general public
How we make ourselves accountable to our contributors:
* By keeping our contributors informed with thrice-yearly updates.
* By publishing year-end financial summaries of contributions received and monies disbursed. By the recognition that without contributors, the organization withers.
What we do not do: We do not promise to make children smarter or more educated. We only help provide access to education. We want to keep children in school, but they still have to learn themselves.
