Report Summary:

Project overview

Rights of tribal and Dalit women and girl children in India are an issue of great concern. In a patriarchal society like India, women, especially those who are born in the Dalit or tribal communities face life-long challenges. Increasing incidences of gender discrimination &violence, child abuse, social and economic deprivation, and exploitation of tribal and Dalit communities by the other dominant caste communities, calls for an attention and immediate intervention. Sisters of Good Shepherd have been addressing the issues of human rights in Mangalagiri and Amaravathi of Andhra Pradesh, India, through appropriate strategies and strategic interventions.

Components of the project

·         Protection and Promotion of Human Rights of Dalit and Minority Communities in Mangalagiri and Amaravathi

·         Motivation Centers to Ensure Formal Education and Life Skills for the School-going Girls

·         Child Protection through shelter home and “CHILDLINE- 1098” in Guntur District.

Project Goal: Dalits & tribal women and girls from Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh State in India become sensitized and guarded against potential human rights violations and enjoy fundamental freedom.

Project Results: Outcomes and Outputs

Outcomes:

1.    The rights of Dalit and tribal communities are protected and promoted: Total 125 Legal Cases are reported in GSC on abuses and exploitation against Dalit and tribal communities. 72 cases were settled down with the project legal cell service. During the reporting period, 70% programme participants (tribal and dalit) became aware of their rights. The project helped 35 women in applying YSR Cheyutha which is a yearly pension scheme for women who are above 45 years. 16 women received the YSR Chethodu scheme Rs.10,000/each (a scheme for all below poverty line families for starting any small-scale business-like tailoring, petty shop, street vendors and etc.

2.    Improved school retention, increased self-confidence and self-esteem of school going children: Total 8 dropout children were re-enrolled in school and 106 parents from three motivation centers are taking interest and motivating children to attend school. 600 school going children actively participated in different programs organized by the project. At, Mangalagiri, the project helped 3 dropout children admission in 10^th std. These three students are now eligible for higher secondary education.

3.    Children in Guntur District are protected thorough shelter home and “CHILDLINE- 1098”: 166 children were admitted to 10 shelter homes in Guntur district. Out of 166, 42 children are in Good Shepherd’s shelter home ‘Karunalayam’. 543 child abuse cases were successfully resolved through Chldline1098.

Outputs:

1.1. Organized 112 awareness programs on Legal Provisions in which 2667 members participated and increased knowledge on legal Laws & Acts, especially on SC/ST rights.

1.2. 5 seminars were conducted on interfaith dialogue. 98 religious leaders participated in these events. The religious leaders made statement of support on promoting religious harmony and reducing caste and religion-based violence. They shared their commonalities and spoke for promotion of religious tolerance.

1.3. 23 leadership capacity programs were conducted for 1022 CBO members. The main purpose of the meetings was to increase CBO leader’s capacity to take initiative to address human rights issues. The training helped 117 CBO leaders to increase their leadership capacity to address the human rights issues. 31 leaders brought human rights related issues to the concerned authorities.

1.4. 7154 people became aware of human rights, women rights and child rights through 8 International and National events organized by the project. Human Rights, Child Rights, Anti Trafficking, Anti Child Labour, Women’s Day and gender-based violence were the main events.

1.5. 125 people were provided with legal support in which 72 cases could settle with the project effort.

1.6. The project referred 24 cases to various support systems viz; police, child welfare committee (CWC), women and child department and etc.

1.7. Organized 6 Leadership skills and Community Development for VRO, VRA, and Panchayat elected women in 3 Mandals in which, 153 women development workers were trained on human rights. Now, these women actively involve in the community development and support human rights activities.

1.8. The project’s fact finder made door to door visits to find out the allegations and cases are genuine or not. 109 factual of cases are gathered and recorded. The fact finder faced some difficulty during COVID-19 lockdown period.

1.9. All cases were settled down with the effort of the project legal cell and referral services. During the reporting period, no cases were proceeded to the court.

1.10.    Total 125 cases were recorded and maintained with proper records.

1.11.    15 women who have lost their livelihood during Covid-19 were supported to venture out new business activities.

2.1.  8 School dropouts were identified and reenrolled in the school and now they are continuing their education.

2.2.  16 children’s peer support groups were formed and each group meets at least once in a month. There are 430 children (boys-196, girls 234) a in 16 children’s peer support groups. During the reporting period, 34 meeting were taken place.  The children used to discuss on child rights, importance of education, Children’s Parliament, Leadership Skills, village issues and etc.

2.3.  1623 school going girls became aware of child rights and girl child rights through National and International events. They were also trained on health, hygiene and leadership skills.

3.1.  165 children in need of care were given care in the 10 shelter homes with all the facilities. Now, 77 children are remaining in the shelter homes.

3.2.  With the support of and by the orders of CWC (Child Welfare Committee) 89 children are reintegrated to their families. These children who were in difficult circumstances; some were rescued from railway platforms, bus stations and public places, shops, hotels, companies and factories. The project rescued them from abuse and violence.

3.3.  5514 people became aware of Childline Public Grievances Redressal System. However, 4 cases were only addressed under the Public Grievances Redress System due to Covid-19 restriction for open house programmes. 

3.4.  112 Awareness programmes were organized on information about Child Protection Mechanisms available under the CHILDLINE-1098. 4931 children became aware of the child protection mechanisms of CHILDLINE.

3.5.  192 children at high risk were provided with professional counselling, psychosocial support and legal services.

3.6.  The project organized 22 network meetings with various service providers like Labour Department, District Legal Services Authority, Women & Child Welfare Department, local NGOs, print and electronic medias and Police for providing legal services to the children in need of care and also to prevent Human rights violations especially against Tribal/Dalit women and girls. Welfare schemes for the Tribal and Dalit were also discussed in the meetings. 157 children at high risk were supported with legal services to settle their issues.

Staff capacity building programs conducted for all HR Staff (30nos) on Project Orientation, human rights (UDHR, UNCRC, and CEDAW, human rights, Good Shepherd position papers, child labor, POCSO and Laws and acts related SC/ST). The staff increased their knowledge and capacity and have been effective in the implementation of the programme. Both half yearly and annual review meetings had taken place; the meeting was an opportunity for the project staff to share their experience and learning to each other. 

Significant Changes

There is increased awareness among the programme participants on their rights especially among girls and women. The community is aware of giving equal opportunity to the girl especially on the education health and nutrition. After joining the HR project, majority of women, now have a platform to express their problems and learn their rights

Number of program participants

PHOTO GALLERY

The project Title “Promotion of rights and improved livelihoods for Tribal adolescent girls and boys”

Location: Mulakalapalli- Telangana

This project, Promotion of Rights and improved livelihood for Tribal Adolescent Girls and boys in 20 Villages is funded by DKA Austria for the past three years. This executive summary highlights the major achievements and the results from this project. This third-year project period is from 01 January to 31 December 2020. The present progress report is for the period of 01 January to 31 June 2020.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

·         Reduce early school drop-out

·         Increase skills and job-seeking capacity of girls already out of school.

·         Reduce discrimination and abuse of tribal girls

Photo Gallery

1.   Covid-19 intervention under economic justice project

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown in India have disproportionately affected the marginalized communities due to loss of livelihood and lack of food, shelter, health and other basic needs.

Amidst several disturbances all around, the sisters and the mission partners of the Good Shepherd in four sites of Economic Justice Project took stock of the situation and plunged into action.

Goal: Contribute towards prevention of COVID-19 infection and reach out to women beneficiaries and their families with essential commodities during the nation-wide lockdown

Objectives

Objective 1:  830 dalit/tribal women educated on the preventive aspects of Coronavirus

Objective 2: Ensured food security to preserve health of the people during covid-19 lockdown

Objective 3: The endeavors of EJ programme participants are sustained

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1: Orientation provided to the Dalit women on the basics of COVID-19 and knowledge on preventive measures of COVID-19 pandemic.

Activity 2: Supply sanitizers and washable masks to 830 individuals and train them to make use of such preventive materials for protecting themselves from COVID-19 pandemic.

Activity 3: Supply of essential commodities among women beneficiaries (680 members from the Economic Justice Project and another 150 non-E.J. beneficiaries).

Activity 4: Supply cattle feed to women beneficiaries of EJ project who engaged animal husbandry

2.    Project Proposal TITLE: COVID-19: Responding to the emergency needs of the marginalised and AFFECTED COMMUNITIES in  3 states of India (G01/EME/0420/04)            

LOCATION:

1. Good Shepherd Convent, Ward No. 2, Bhatera Chowki, Balaghat.

2. Good Shepherd Convent, Gundge Road, Karjat.

3.  Good Shepherd Convent Foundation, Deepabhavan, No: 6 Veteran Lines, Pallavaram.          Tamil Nadu

4. Good Shepherd Convent, Nochipatii, Ayothiapattanam, Salem, Tamil Nadu.     

PROJECT PERIOD

15 April 2020 to 14 July 2020

ACTIVITY DETAILS

The project implemented the following activities to responding to Covid-19 at four sites;

1.    Distribution of food and essential materials for survival during the lockdown period

2.    Organising awareness and information programmes on the spread and impact of Covid-19

3.    Motivating target groups to practice preventive measures to protect and safeguard from contacting Covid-19

4.    Counselling and guidance to the target group to cope with the situation arising due to Covid-19

At all four sites, the primary focus during the lockdown was to provide food materials because the majority of the beneficiaries had lost their livelihood. GSS, after getting permission from their respective local administration had distributed the essential food materials and hygiene kits to 1140 families. 48 awareness and information programmes were organized on Covid-19 safety measures and government Covid-19 packages. This helped 1140 family members to practice preventive measures to protect and safeguarding oneself and others from contracting virus and also obtain the benefits of public distribution system (PDS)

Counselling and Guidance were given to the target groups in order to cope up with the situations which were arising due to Covid 19. This was provided to 711 people especially children, pregnant women and lactating mothers and elderly persons. The project also received support from the professional medical personnel to help the people to overcome their fear and anxiety on Covid-19 through their motivational talk, counselling and psychological support. During the distributions, all four sites followed the Government’s directions i.e; social distancing, wearing mask and frequent hand washing/sanitizing. The site wise details are mentioned below;

TARGETED BENEFICIARIES                                                                                             

Enter below the project’s Actual data for this project

3.    Covid-19 Prevention and Protection among the Unorganized Workers in India

Report Summary

Summary during the Reporting Period of the Project

Based on the key activities and objectives planned for the project, the table below summarizes the key results achieved during the reporting period.

RESULTS

Through the relief work, the project has witnessed some changes among the community within this short span of time. Some of the achievements are mentioned below;

Increased knowledge on preventive measures, Improved hygiene and sanitation: The 1795 children and 1682 women, and 1515 men were repeatedly educated on the need of personal and community hygiene in order to contain the spread of the virus. Various awareness programs were conducted fort the people in smaller groups that helped the community to become aware of risks associated with COVID-19 and started practicing preventive measures. Every community member reported that they had begun washing their hands frequently and wearing masks before getting into public places and followed Government’s directions. Project staff and volunteers confirmed that hand washing and wearing mask despite not having previous culture, was widely adopted in every community they worked with.

Photo Gallery

Domestic Workers Welfare Association- Nagpur

Nagpur Unit is part of National Domestic Worker’s Welfare Association which works in 20 states

1130 Women are already registered in this movement.  This year 800 new women have taken membership in the union. They build their self-confidence &self-esteem to live with respect and dignity through the following activities.

·         Regular visits to the families in the slums

·         Celebration of important local and national festivals

·         Observation of important days like International Girl Child Day, Human Rights Day.

·         They have registered as a Multipurpose Co-operative to take up economic activities.

·         Livelihood training like cooking, housekeeping, care of the sick and elderly to earn supplement income are conducted.

·         50 women have taken up alternative income generation programme due to Covid-19.

International day of the girl child 11^th October-2020

·         Distribution of posters to the schools and other institutions on child safeguarding prior to the actual day

·         The children presented a skit on how a girl child is treated at home and the video was sent and it was presented on 11^th October during the province celebration. Many parents and children were present for the celebration of international day of the girl child. It was a great opportunity to present the problems girl child face at home and in the society.

·         Competition for children on negative impact of Covid-19 on children and their families

Human Rights Day celebration on December 10^th

·         Stood in 4 traffic signals of Nagpur city   to create awareness on various rights by the staff and domestic helps.

Trainings were organized for youth and women on

·         Child Safe Guarding

·         Cybercrime and online sexual abuse for the youth

·         Christmas celebration with Inter religious leaders

·         Concept of Cooperative Society and Savings, life skills and livelihood skills like soap, surf and phenol making and care of the elderly to the domestic helps during Covid-19 for the domestic helps.

Distribution of food materials during Covid-19

Sisters responded immediately to the people who were stranded from neighboring states especially the construction workers. We connected them to NGOs – Gurudwar, provided packed food and also distributed relief materials. We provided food grains and pulses to 800 families of unorganized workers like daily laborers, construction workers, vegetable and fruit vendors, and domestic helpers and to the elderly people from our neighborhood with the support received from National Domestic Workers Movement, Mumbai.

v  500 Families were supported with Sanitary Kits at Garratola, Balaghat & Nagpur (Sanitisers, Sanitary Pads, Soap, Masks & Bleaching Powder with the support received from NMSSS

v  220 Blankets were distributed during winter to the poor families.

REPORT ON CHAINPUR COMMUNITY   2020-2021.

More than one-fourth of Jharkhand’s land area is forested. Chota Nagpur is rich in sal, a valuable hardwood.   Here people are living in the remotest area and it is very conducive for young girls to be victims of trafficking as many of them are literate and the families are very poor.  It is in these areas that the NGO Shrijan foundations and PHIA Foundation, (Partnering Hope into Action) both of these organizations are based in Ranchi and Gumla.  Their staff gave us detailed information of their work and made us aware of the situation in different villages and the formation of Watch Committees.  These committees give the information of missing girls and, the staff go into action to rescue. We are networking with them.

On the 11^th October. 2020, we celebrated International Day of Girl Child.  Posters on SAFE GURARDING GIRL CHILD was released by our Chainpur DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police) Mr. Kuldeep Kumar. The other guests were the Principal of Barway High School and Mrs. Olivia Kanta, the Panchayat Leader, Mr. Kuleep spoke so much about how in the interior villages, the witchcraft and superstitious belief exists which is the cause for many abuses and rape.  We accompanied the social workers of the NGO; AROUSE to the different villages and joined them in their meetings with the people of the villages.

International Women’s Day Celebration

We had the international women’s day   in Good Shepherd Convent, Chainpur, Gumla dist.  Chief Guest, Miss Shrithi Shankar, the Project Coordinator of PHIA Foundation, Ranchi was the resource person. There were sixty women who attended this celebration. Our students performed a short play, the reality of the society and sang a song to our mothers.   She touched on human trafficking gave many incidences, superstitious beliefs, and women mutilation or rather girl mutilation.   This was a rare topic, but just stretch on what it is and is done in certain communities, without mentioning it.

There were a few questions and interactions, the difficulties that the mothers face in their families.   It is the man of the house who is the main cause.  Sometimes they are helpless.  We parents have to be an example for our children.   It was very interesting the way they put forth their thoughts. I was a grand success. We ended the celebrations by distributing refreshments.

Annual ACTIVITY REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2020-2021, BAHARI, ASSAM

The seed of our Good Shepherd presence is planted for the first time in North East at Barpeta district, Bahari Village in Assam. For the people of Bahari it is wonderful to experience the group of religious sisters for the first time. The main target group of people that sisters work with are; Assamese, Bengalis, Muslims and Biharies. The main focus is on women and children especially girl children. At present we are engaged in Education Ministry in the diocesan school of Bongaigaon, Family visit and Social Services according to the needs the of the people. The people and children are happy with the presence of Good Shepherd Sisters and they too feel happy and satisfied to share their mission and charism of Jesus the Good Shepherd to our people here.  

Education Ministry:

Good Shepherd Sisters collaborate with St. Don Bosco English Medium School Bahari, which belongs to Bongaigaon diocese. The parents and children are very happy to have our presence and bring up this school to the standard with integral development.  Sr. Thomasy was the Headmistress of the school and Sr. Nisha was teaching in the school. The Parents and the children are very grateful to her for the love and care. Her innovative ideas, skills and hard work brought around development in the children to be the better citizens of our country.

 This year Due to COVID-19 Pandemic the classes were mostly conducted online except few months. Though sisters, teachers and students missed the physical class in the school still sisters gave their best in teaching students through online zoom, video as well recorded classes on Whatsapp and students were kept occupied with their classes and studies. It was a different experience of teaching students online. Sisters used their creative ideas to teach the children.

AID GIVEN TO THE MIGRANTS IN BRICK INDUSTRY DURING

COVID-19 LOCK DOWN:

During the lockdown in March 2020 Good Shepherd identified the migrant brick labourers from the owners and visited the spot. They also contacted the circle officer and the local police officials to get the details. These migrants are from different parts of our country like West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and from different districts of Assam. They are daily wage labourers working under the middle-class brick Industry owners. Due to sudden announcement of COVID-19 lock down, they were unable to travel back to their respective places. Sisters identified around 65 families and provided them Rice, dhal, oil, wheat flour, sugar, tea leaves and salt. Sisters had followed the rules and safety measures ordered by the government maintaining the social distancing. The people were happy to receive this aid. Sisters at Bahari, Assam are very grateful to Sr. Pushpa and the Councillors for taking this great effort.

CAMPAIGN ON OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN- 3^rd December, 2020:

 The International Girl Child Day on 11^th of October 2020 with the theme on “Our Voice Our Equal Future. “On this occasion of this Good Shepherd Sisters organized an awareness programme on the rights of the children.  We conducted one day campaign on “Our Responsibility in Safeguarding Children.” The children are the future of our society, at the same time they are vulnerable. Therefore, as adults it’s our responsibility to safeguard their rights and giving them their due.

Five government and private Schools were selected, among which four Assamese and one English Medium School. The Principal, Head Masters, staff and students were extremely glad, eager and enthusiastic to know the rights of the children and their safety.  They became aware of “what is child abuse”. Nobody should deny the child right to: Education, Recreation, Good Environment, Save Water & Food, Love & Care, Speak, and Play & Grow in freedom.  The school authorities and staff were motivated not to do any harm to the children and to provide a child safe environment in the institutions and the communities. It made a great impact to treat all children equally and not to discriminate them, based on caste, creed, colour or gender.

About eight hundred children and the staff benefited from this campaign. The children were fascinated, motivated and happy to identify their rights. The school faculties were incredibly cooperative and supportive.

INTERNATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY CELEBRATION

MY VOICE=OUR EQUAL FUTURE

The International Girl Child Day was commenced on 4^th October, 2020 by the students of Good Shepherd School, Chennai and Karjat. Our Don Bosco School Children had the opportunity to part take in this celebration on online platform. There were 20 girls and boys from class IX and X, gathered for the program. Due to COVID-19 situation many children couldn’t participate.

The Children who participated in the drawing, poem and essay writing competitions and won the prizes by the CEIN province level were given the cash prizes and honored them. It was a great encouragement for the other children to come out with their potentials.

On 11^th of October 2020, the real day of International Girl Child Day was celebrated on online platform for all children and their parents from class VI to X. The participation was good on the online. Fr. Felix welcomed the children for this celebration and spoke the equal rights of the girl children. Sr. Arokia spoke about the importance of the girl children and the theme on “Our Voice Our Equal Future”. Sr. Nisha displayed the video dances, speeches and the poems which were prepared by children on Girl Child. Sr. Thomasy appreciated the children’s excellent performances and talents and thanked everyone for these beautiful events.

Conclusion: We strongly believe in the empowerment of people with whom we work. They have the capacity to develop themselves. All our interventions help them to develop their hidden potentials. We thank our programme participants who co-operate in all the activities and believe in their own self help.  We are ever grateful to all our donors who generously contribute for the upliftment of the poor and the marginalized, our partners from GSIF, AP MDO, our sisters, collaborates, mission partners and staff who are part of the process.  We remember gratefully all the duty bearers for extending their support to the organization.

Annual Report 2020 to 2021

Society of the Good Shepherd Sisters,

Public Society Regn. No. 2384/2000

Regd Office: c/o. Montfort Bhavan, 11-6-862,

Red Hills, Hyderabad – 500 004.

Admn Office: 21, Mecosabagh Christian Colony,

KadbiChowk, Nagpur440 014.

Tel:  0712 2554811

Email id: gscngp@gmail.com

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SOCIETY - 2016

We are happy to present our Activity Report for the Year 2016. We are happy to see the development of tribals, children, youth, women and men every year.

 Our main focus was on Education, Health and Nutrition, Community Organisation and livelihood Intervention with the determination to extend the involvement in community realities.

 Educational Programmes:

In Garratola regular coaching classes were conducted for childrenCultural competitions were organized at Festivals, Independence Day, Chidren’s Day and other notable days and festivals .

In Mangalagiri and Amaravathi in Andhra Pradesh

In Mulakalapalli, Telengana State

In Nagpur – Coaching Classes  conducted for the Slum Children, Capacity building and personality development was conducted for young women and Domestic Workers

Jan Shakti Sanchalan Garratola has achieved its goal by its intervention in bringing about holistic development in the lives of the Birsa Block Tribes.

The activities during the year were:-

Education:- 543 Primary school going children have been regularly attending the coaching centers in 15 target villages. The weaker children were given special attention to improve in their studies as well as participate in the extracurricular activities.  This year the parents contributed in kind 2kgs of paddy which was given to teachers as their monthly salary. 41% of children have received distinction, 49% of the children have scored above 75%, 10% scored second division. 

250 Anganwadi children were encouraged as they were given opportunities of explore their talents by organizing sports and picnic.

Children’s Parliament:- There are around 773 members in 26 clubs. Every group has 8 leaders to lead the group and each leader understands his/her roles and responsibility in fulfilling them systematically. The project created a platform to discover oneself through sessions focusing on Personality Development, Public Speaking, Capacity Building which encouraged building confidence.

 Vocational Trainings for Boys: - The project had helped five boys complete the driving course. 

Grahini Tailoring Centre for Girls:- 15 young girls have completed their Grahini Training and were given Sewing Machines. Girls have begun earning Rs. 130 to 200 per day by stitching clothes in their villages. Seven girls after the sewing course were earning and learning and they completed their B.A. Different trainings and sessions were organised from time to time to enhance their talents and capacity. Training on housekeeping and cooking were also conducted for the girls.

Community Based Organisation:- There are 26 children’s groups, 8 youth groups, 43 self help groups and 26 farmers groups in 16 target villages. Regular input sessions and trainings were conducted to organize and strengthen the groups. The Village Development Committee plays an important role in implementing the project activities. People’s participation is given importance for planning and implementing of income generating activities and they feel the need of their involvement in the project. The CBOs of every village are preparing to take over the role of the project to work towards community development.

Women’s participation has increased and they are given more opportunities in the decision making process. SHG federation has been formed with 21 members to take over the project programmes, but they need regular guidance to take up the responsibility.

Panchayati Raj Institution:-  The women’s participation in the gramsabha has increased, during the year 119 women attended the meeting and 56 women have availed of various government schemes.

Economic Programme:- One of the main objectives is economic development of the Birsa Block tribes. During the year 589 families have been supported through income generating programmes. Their contribution to the activity has enhanced the income of the family. The programmes were goat rearing, piggery, cycle repair shop, crop varieties, group farming, kitchen garden, fishery, poultry, vegetable vending, petty shop etc. During the year 25 women and 5 men were taken for exposure programme to another agency, where they could interact with the women who are the members of SHG and Federation.

Watershed Activities:- 58 farmers covered the watershed activities in Land Levelling, Farm bunding and repair of farm bunding in 76.3 hectares, the increase in the crops has been consumed by the family during the 12 months. 667 families are assured food security of having two full meals. The farmers were given training on organic farming which led to a decrease of 35% of the use of chemical pesticides and promote organic farming.

Qualitative and quantitative changes that have taken place since the inception of the Project:

a)      85% increase in income and food security through farm and non-farm based livelihood from base year.

b)      70% increase in income for the households.

c)      90% increase in months for which food security is ensured for the target households.

d)      88% households from target group covered for soil and water conservation and managements practices (687 families covered)

e)      507 farmers increased water management practices in target villages.

f)       29% increase in agricultural productivity (second crop) in target villages.

g)      70% households from target groups covered for horticulture/plantation.

h)      44 % reduction in seasonal migration against 50% in 2009. 

ACHIEVEMENTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIVITIES:-

Ø  70 houses who did not have electricity supply have been illuminated by solar lanterns. Children were excited and are happy to complete their school homework and mothers cooking in the evenings

 Ø  The project has purchased 40 low usage wood stoves with solar energy and distributed to the families

Ø  Training on cropping methods with Crop  rotation, intercropping and  agro-forestry and weed and pest management

Ø  The community believes in the green finger of the children in their vicinity. According to the monitoring report 85% of the plants have been well taken care of by the community.

 Ø  65% women are involved in protecting the community’s natural resources specially excess use of water and fuel for cooking

 Health Programme: - With the help of the project for health, we were able to help 2000 sick people. We were able refer them to other hospitals as far as Nagpur for the further treatment. Timely health Camps were organized with the help of Doctors from Balaghat and Birsa and about a 1000 people were attended to.

Health Awareness programme: Health awareness programmes on HIV/AIDS, T B, Reproductive Health Problems of women, were organized for women and young adolescent girls. Besides talks on the above topics, awareness was created through Street plays, Songs, Posters in 20 villages, which helped the people understand the dangers of the sickness in a clearer and better way.

Health Workers Training: 30 Health workers were trained during the year. They were given training on Herbal medicines and how to make them., They were also taught how to identify sickness and bring them to the Dispensary and were further referred to the Hospital, if needed.

Herbal Medicines/Herbal Garden: With the help of the health workers Herbal medicines were made for cold and cough, malaria, scabies, massage oil for pain, balm, Iron Tonics, cough syrup, Tonic for TB.

Also a small Herbal garden is made with about 50 plants which are taken care of and we have made medicine from them.

Ante natal and post natal camps were organized twice during the year and iron supplements and vitamins were distributed to 500 mothers. Some of them, 50 mothers, had to be referred to hospital as their cases were special.

Milk Co-operative in Mangalagiri and Amaravathi – Andhra Pradesh

100 families - 50 families each in Mangalagiri and Amaravathi - owning milch buffaloes were identified by the staff. Each of these families receives fodder for livestock. Before supplying this awareness programmes were conducted on Capacity Building, life skills, group dynamics and functioning of Self Help Groups, initiative and strengthening of co-operative structure and initiation and strengthening of men’s support groups. Exposure visits were organized to existing dairy co-operatives to learn about dairy farming and co-operative structures.  

Cultivation of Cotton

50 selected farmers were given support to buy cotton seeds and were given training of like skills, capacity building, health, agronomy process exposure visit to a model agricultural farm, initiating and strengthening SHGs and men’s support group. These 50 farmers will in turn help another 50 farmers in the coming year.             

Prison Ministry

Being the second capital of the state of Maharashtra Nagpur houses a Central Jail with an accommodation of about 2000 inmates. Hardcore criminals are assigned to this jail for incarceration. Our ministry is initiated to extend to the inmates of this prison to both women and men by visiting the prison once a month. We are planning to offer skill training, value education, counselling, motivational talks and health programmes.We conducted dental check up for the Women prisoners on 25^th September 2016. Dr. Nithin gave a short talk on health and Hygine.

Empowerment of Women Domestic Workers

We reach out to the women in Nagpur which are very far away at a distance of 5 to 30kms away from our centre. They are not recognised as organised workers and so they are exploited and are paid very low salaries. We conduct sessions for them on Leadership, Personality Development, Savings, Health and other topics. Through continuous representations to the Government we have succeeded in getting them recognized as unorganised workers through rally and Dharna.

We have registered about 1500 women with the Government and are helping many more to understand the need for registering themselves in order to get the benefits due to them from the Government. They are also able to voice the injustice done to them by their employers and can solve their own problems as a group. They have become aware of the need of educating their children and some have even sent them for higher education. Their children are poly technicians, teachers, health workers, computer educated and doing well for themselves, which has given them dignity.

We are grateful to all our benefactors who generously contributed to in our efforts to reach out to the people and make them worthy citizens of our country.

Sr. Cecilia Goveas

Secretary

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SOCIETY FROM 1^st APRIL, 2014 to 31^st March, 2015

 It is with great pleasure that we share the report of our Activities. We were able to complete the yearly planned programmes successfully in the target areas. This has helped in the development of Tribals, children, youth, women and men.

 Our focus was on Education, Health and Nutrition, Community Organisation and livelihood Intervention with the determination to extend the involvement in community realities.

 Educational Programmes:

In Nagpur and Balaghat about 100 children were helped to complete another year of studies. Regular coaching classes were conducted for the children

Cultural competitions were organized at Festivals, Independence Day

Capacity building and personality development was conducted for Domestic Workers

 JSS, Garratola has striven to bring about holistic development in the lives of the Birsa Block Tribes. The activities conducted during the year were:

Education: - 543 Primary school going children have been regularly attending the coaching centers in 15 target villages. Every child has been given special attention to improve their studies and extra-curricular activities. 27% of children have received distinction, 59% of the children have scored above 75%, 13% scored second division. Parents feel good about the performance of the children.

 250 Aganwadi children are encouraged as opportunities were created to explore their talents by organizing drawing and games competitions. The attendance in the school and Early Childhood Centers has increased to 95%.

 Vocational Trainings for Boys:- The project had helped two young men to complete the driving course and three young women in computer course. One of the young men got a job and the rest are continuing their graduation.

Grihini Tailoring Centre for Girls:- 18 young girls have completed their Grihini Training and were given Sewing Machines. Two girls are already settled in married life just after completing Grihini course and other girls are earning about Rs. 130/- to 200/- per day. Seven girls after completing the course are continuing B.A. studies while stitching clothes at home. Different training programmes and sessions are organised from time to time to enhance their talents and capacity. Training on Housekeeping and cooking also was conducted for the girls.

Health Programme: - The people are well aware of the services of Primary Health Centres and are able to avail the service through Village Health Workers and ‘Asha’ the midwife.

 Community Based Organisation: - There are 26 children’s groups, 8 youth groups, 43 self help groups and 26 farmers groups in 16 target villages. Regular input sessions and trainings are conducted to organize and strengthen the groups. The Village Development Committee plays important role in implementing the project activities. The people’s participation is given importance for planning and implementing of income generating activities and they feel the need of their involvement in the project. The CBOs of every village are preparing to take over the role of the project to work towards community development.

Women’s participation has increased and they are given more opportunities in the decision making process. The women who are in the local government are raising their voice for equality and justice. Women have been prepared to form a Cooperative Society. 

 Income Generating Activities for Women

Panchayati Raj Institution:- Session on PRI was conducted at village level. There were about 85 participants and 89% of the people attended Gram Sabha this year. Awareness on the importance of attending Gram Sabha has spread.

Economic Programme: - One of the main objectives is economic development of the Birsa Block tribes. Every group has benefitted out of income generating programmes such as goat rearing, piggery, cycle repair shop, mushroom cultivation, crop varieties, group farming, pump sets for irrigation, kitchen garden, fishery etc. Micro enterprise activity has made our youth, women and men to take up activities like poultry, vegetable vending, petty shop etc. During the year 45 women have been taken for exposure programme where they could interact with the women who are the members of Cooperative society. Besides these farmers, 587 families have benefitted by the income generating (on farm and off farm) activities this year.

 Watershed Activities: - 102 farmers benefited from Repair/Farm Bunding and Land Levelling land treatments on 92.44 hectares.  The increase in the crops has been consumed by the family throughout 12 months. One check weir dam has helped the farmers to stop water getting wasted and diverted water to the field.

 Climate Change

The rural marginal farmers are the most vulnerable to the impact of Climate Change as they fully depend on the rain water which affects their health and livelihood. The vulnerability will create low standard of living where women and children are deprived of their rights. They are not able to either address or cope with the impact of the changing climate. To some extent the people are adapting to mitigation actions such as forest protection in every village, Watershed Activities and Plantation Programme with the help of CFCD and Panchayat.

 The project focus is on plantation, plastic free nature, saving natural resources by using Solar Lanterns, Promotion of improved stoves (low use of fire wood) etc. The children have formed 15 Eco Clubs and they organize rallies to create awareness in the community.

 Trainings on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation through Natural Resource Management were organized in 16 target villages with adults, SHG members, youth and children. Farmers are well aware of the change taking place and its impact on their crops. This year the people and children planted 8500 fruit and shady saplings.

 In Nagpur the focus is on Domestic Workers and their children. We have around 1000 women in our Association for whom we conduct Personality Development Programmes, Health Awareness, Legal Awareness and other training programmes. Of the 1000 women, around 750 are registered with the Government in order to avail of the available schemes and facilities. They have become self reliant and are able to manage their families single handedly. They are also able to voice the injustice done to them by their employers and can solve their own problems as a group. They have become aware of the need of educating their children and some have even sent them for higher education. Their children are poly technicians, teachers, health workers, computer educated and doing well for themselves, which has given them dignity.

 We are grateful to God for his guidance and protection and we extend our thanks to all those who co-operate in our efforts to reach out to the people and make them worthy citizens of our country.