'We link the heaven of dreams, to the land of facts'. That is the motto of Fundación Intervida, a non-governmental, non-profit, apolitical and completely independent organisation that promotes development in the world's poorest countries, operating with the best interest of children in mind. Aptly, Intervida means 'in between life'. Says Manish Shroff, Institution Relation Officer, "We act as a bridge connecting people with access to resources to those who do not have the resources; we link the sponsor and the children."

Founded by Eduardo Castellino in June1993, the Spain-based Fundación Intervida has several fundraising branches in Italy, Japan and the United States, and carries out development projects in countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa. Intervida's principal objective is to alleviate the suffering and improve the terrible living conditions of thousands of children and their families in some of the most poverty-stricken areas of the world.

"Humans in the state of infancy are the most vulnerable population on the planet. Their physical, moral and intellectual development is even more compromised when their access to basic and indispensable resources is limited," explains Shroff. Intervida attempts to give each child the best possible beginning in life; a basic, decent education and the opportunity to develop his or her own potential in order to contribute significantly to society. "Our dream is to give each child a childhood free of misery, and to ensure that development reaches all."

The Pune urban development project was initiated in June 1998. Working with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), the organisation has sponsored 77, 000 children in 173 schools. It provides educational assistance and distributes kits comprising school bags, notebooks, pencils, erasers, lunch boxes, water bottles and scholastic workbooks. Intervida is also engaged in providing drinking water, improving the conditions of school lavatories, and repairs and maintenance of school buildings, in addition to sometimes building entire schools such as the PMC School in Tingre Nagar.

Some of the novel concepts promoted by Intervida include the Bal Sabha or Child Council, which helps in developing a sense of responsibility in children, and the bank programme which helps inculcate the habit of saving. All students in senior classes maintain accounts in the ABN Amro Bank in the name of the school. Intervida initially deposits Rs. 20 in each account, with the child contributing to it every month thereafter. This system also discourages absenteeism; Rs. 2 is deducted from the Rs. 20 if the child shows poor attendance. The amount deposited by the child is returned when he or she leaves school.

Since household constraints prevent many children, especially girls, from attending school, the organisation conducts schools in the vicinity of their homes. It also runs basic and advanced balwadis, schools for children on construction sites, and what they call the Intervida Utkarsh Shikshan Kendra, which is a continuation of the balwadis. Other on-going activities of Intervida include teachers' training, self-help groups, adult literacy, leadership camps, awareness programmes, artwork campaigns and tuition classes.

The organisation conducts several activities to bolster personal, communal and environmental health, including cataract operations, a vocational training school, and OPD for children with cerebral palsy. Rural development of the Velha Taluka and Panshet Dam region is also a core activity.

Intervida's funding comes primarily from sponsorship programmes supported by individuals and corporations. "So far we have had sponsors only from the western world but now we are looking at corporate houses and NGOs on home soil to also contribute and make this task more achievable," informs Shroff. Providing hope and joy where there is none is the mission at Intervida. Sums up Shroff, "We don't just dream of a better world, we build it!"

Sr.No 26/1/2, Plot No. A/4, Koregaon Park, Pune-411 001, Telephone: 26136995, 26053775, 26055547, 26054143. E-mail: intervida@intervida.org.in

Ritika Ramtri Kumar