Ratings of JEEVIKA-HARIT PRAYAS-ANKUR for Dec 2013 are OUT!!!

This month based on the reports received ANWC-Bhopal & (JEEVIKA) & Pragati-Jhabua (JEEVIKA), tops the chart, whereas Kripa Ujjain( JEEVIKA) & JCSS-Jhansi (HARIT PRAYAS) & IDSSS-Indore (JEEVIKA) on 2nd and JDSS-Jabalpur (JEEVIKA) and RCDSSS-Ajmer (ANKUR) are on 3rd. Ratings are based on the reports received and along with the reports other materials ( as case studies, photographs, beneficiaries list etc. ) received.

By Caritas India team

Big Hug to unknown hero Vishwa Raj Singh!

ना तो यह ...आम है...ना तो यह खास है...

इनकी अपनी अलग पहचान हैं..

I have few questions: How many of us do not want to get good salary? How many of us do not want to stay in cities? How many of us do not want to be with our family? Probably good number of us! But with JEEVIKA programme of Caritas India at Jhabua (MP)-there is project Coordinator-Vishwaraj ( 27 years, basically from Rajasthan), did his engineering (B.Tech) and then Masters in Business Economics from Delhi School of Economics (Department of Business Economics, University of Delhi-South Campus)- one of the most prestigious college of economics in India.

He could have easily gone to bigger corporate sector, could have been easily earned double or triple of what he earns through JEEVIKA, could have easily stayed in bigger cities…..but he has chosen path of development…he is passionate about it…and finds Caritas India JEEVIKA –a platform to not just for project implementation, but a platform for bringing social sustainable change at community level….he wakes up early in the morning.. …and visits villages and spends time tribal community in Jhabua…and enjoy being with them….and now people are happy with the sustainable change JEEVIKA is bringing in Jhabua…..

I am just writing this because there are many real ‘heroes’ like Vishwaraj who give their most of luxury of their life to be with people …we know many policy makers…we know many who are focused in media…..but very few or hardly we know heroes like Vishwaraj….it’s all we need to recognize such heroes…

also this all the charm of Caritas India initiatives...which generates passion for 'people be with people'

My big hug to such heroes!

By Vinod Pandey -Caritas India

Unsung hero Sumit Rathore !

शायद गुमशुदा हो ज़माने की निगाहो में.... पर किसी को क्या पता ...तुम लगे हो दिन रात ज़माने को सजाने में....

In my programme team -every one is hero in his or her own way! My team gives me energy, and synergy to work..I love and respect their 'being quite common...but making difference style of working'....i feel good amount of things I learn from them...I also feel they are the oxygen for the entire work we do....and I think my professional identity goes with my organisation..my team ( with whom I work) and these unsung heroes...lets know them!

Today just sharing about one more unknown hero-who is probably unknown to a larger scale but is quite known to people of Ujjain...Mr. Sumit , about 28 years old, Project Coordinator in Caritas India JEEVIKA programme at Kripa Ujjain. A a passionate man, who devotes his 75% of time ( even in winter season- he starts day quite early in the morning) in field and being with community...not just think to finish programme and close files, but believes in sustaining programmes in the form that community could own it!

Recently I was in Ujjain and we had 3-4 village visits -What I found interesting was -people were able to connect with summit, not only with programme per se...but they feel him as some who could sit with them and listen them ( probably not to give solution to everything, but makes them feel that shares their grief and doubles their joy)

The amount an passion and knowledge he has, he could be easily settled somewhere in some other big programme, but its the commitment towards his organisation and charm of JEEVIKA-which keeps him vibrating to work beyond programmes!

...a big HUG to summit! and I really like his passion and commitment to bring out change!

Let's know some of these unknown heroes -who really not only bring development, but strengthen development practices !

Give a big hug such all unknown heroes!

शायद गुमशुदा हो ज़माने की निगाहो में.... पर किसी को क्या पता ...तुम लगे हो दिन रात ज़माने को सजाने में....

By Vinod Pandey -Caritas India

Employment to tribal women@ JEEVIKA Indore

Out of the ten tribal girls whom we have selected and trained were send for further training have completed it at Pithampur, and two of them have been employed with Pratibha Syntax at a monthly salary of Rs.5800 initially.

Major Achievements@ JEEVIKA Kripa Ujjain in Dec 2013

• Forty one youth joined with the JEEVIKA project through the formation of three youth clubs at Aslana, Khemasa and Rakthanakhedy village.

• Two children parliament were formed at Bodani and Baskhedy village and thirty nine children are joined with the Jeeviak project.

• Two SHGs were formed at Bhuchakehdy covering twenty four members.

• One farmers club was formed in the Baskhedy villages joining 12 farmers in this reporting period.

• Four RTI was submitted to collect the information regarding panchayat level beneficiaries list of old age pension. Project has received list of beneficiaries of eight villages.

• 5 SHGs were linked with Bank in this month.

• One disabled peoples group was formed at Jairampura.

• 18 SHG members took loan worth Rs. 103450/- form SHGs to start different IGP units.

• 19 household members’ benefited from different government scheme like widow pension, old age pension, JSY, MAY etc.

• 1 Nadep pits constructed in Harniyakhedi by a targeted farmer.

• 16 applications have been submitted to Janpanth Panchayath during this reporting period for the government scheme like Widow Pension, Old age pension and BPL.

• Seven Jeevika households have received the approval of Mukhyamantri Awaas Yojna through the intervention of cluster coordinator.

• Three farmers received organic pesticide with subsidy worth Rs. 9714/- from agriculture department

By JEEVIKA Kripa Ujjain team!

...story of change@JEEVIKA Ujjain

It is not money ………but lack of information, interest, motivation, and hard work put people behind the development …… but earnestness leads people to initiate the Empowerment ……

When the project started its implementation team found that it was really a hard task to make the people aware that organic farming is must to regain the quality of soil, food and in larger extent climate. While we did organize the meeting people agreed with the concept and the idea but in practice they were not realistic. There were many reasons for them to explain. They have told us that chemical farming is giving more yields to us and organic farming will reduce the yield. Almost 100% of the farmers in the area are involved in chemical farming. Other difficulties were high price of bricks, cement and labour. So farmers are not ready for the organic farming.

Mrs. Rukma Boban is a stake holder in our project. She is very active and participates in all the activities of Jeevika project. Her family is having two begas of land and she helps her husband in agriculture. One of the trainings organized in her village was very interesting for her. She attended the meeting very carefully. She wanted to construct a organic pit but she was not having money with her. Project was not helping any farmers fully to construct the organic pit. She expressed her willingness to make the organic manure. She had made organic pesticide two three times. It was noted by the cluster coordinator. So the cluster coordinator took the issue to the coordinators who intern advised cluster coordinator to motivate the women for constructing the zero cost Ukehda . She accepted the suggestion and prepared the Ukheda . She covered the cow don and other related things which was kept in the field as useless with the yellow mud late she made some holes with bamboo on the covered things. It is expected that with in threes month organic manure will be ready. Otherwise if all these materials kept open then it will take next three years to become manure. Another problem is that this substance also breeds sickness and dirtiness in the area. She had to spent one full day and to do hard work for the same but she was successful in her endower. It was great success for the project because project was lacking behind for the construction of the organic pits. Project feels that this type of initiative from the farmers will motivate other farmers to adopt the same system in their agriculture life too.

By JEEVIKA Kripa Ujjain team

Major achievements in JEEVIKA at Pragati-Jhabua@ in Dec 2013

2 trainings have been organized for Right entitlements and government schemes awareness, at Maanpur and Rojiya,

3 Social Audit Trainings have been organized for raising awareness about social audit process during Gram Sabha, at Chota

Julwaniya, Saagwani and Devka, 14 Gram Sabha Awareness Sessions have been conducted at various project villages to increase villagers participation in respective Gram Sabhas,

6 MNREGA Pathshala have been organized by CCs to raising concern about MNREGA scheme and its proper implementation,

6 Farmer Club Meetings have been conducted on agricultural activities (like crop diversification, mixed cropping, organic farming etc.), RTI and government schemes,

9 SHG Orientation Programs have been conducted on women empowerment, mal-nutrient, maternal and related issues,

Staff’s skill building workshop on CBO formation, concepts of FGD and PRI/PLA and RTI,

Follow-up of 8 VICs for proper functioning of VICs,

Micro-planning of 3 villages for PRI strengthen and proper implementation of all schemes with community support at Saagwani, Chota Julwaniya and Maanpur,

5 Social Audit Teams have been identified and their training will be organized next month,

Follow-up of Agriculture Department for Rabi season crops and additional guidance,

10 model farmers, for Khariff Season, have been guided for pre-harvesting practices,

Follow-up of 5 schools for ensuring quality education and mid-day meal,

Follow-up of gram sabha applications, at panchayat level,

10 RTI Applications have been submitted by villagers,

4 New SHGs have been made in new wards of project villages,

On farm agricultural practices by community, using Halma technique,

Follow-up of model farmers and hedawadi farmers, Jeevika Newsletter has been published,

3 staff meeting cum training sessions have been organized,

MNREGA work, for new Pond formation, has been started at Rojiya, 50 villagers have been employed there,

“Samasya Nivaran Diwas” has been organized at Pragati Office, Meghnagar, for project beneficiaries, in presence of newly appointed MLA Kal Singh Bhabhor,

8 new farmers have been identified and motivated for vermi-pit formation,

Where there is a will there is a way...story of change@JEEVIKA Umariya

Village- Sundardadar

Maha Laxmi Swasahayata Samooh

Sumitrabai is the member of the mahalaxmiswasahayatasamooh. She was an ordinary housewife with no value at home. She used to be busy in domestic work and caring children. When she heard about the jeevika team that they are uniting the women with formingself help group she also wanted to join the group and asked her neighbor who had already joined the group. Jeevika team members introduced her with other women of the group and asked them to let her join the group also. She joined the group as every member agreed for it. As the time progressedshe developed her skills by joining the meetings of the SHG every week and got the confidence. She has some land where she wished to start the agriculture. As she wished jeevika team supported her to start cultivation in her field. After two months she prepared her field for cultivation and started sowing vegetables at her land. She worked hard and covered the entire field with vegetables which resulted in healthy production. In this way she was able to earn livelihood to contribute for her family in a healthy manner which resulted in improving her economic as well as social status. She is now confident and capable to talk with other people without hesitation and helps the other also.

By JEEVIKA JDSS-Jabalpur team

...story of change@JEEEVIKA Shehore

Group Name:- Sapna SHG

Village Name: Bharela Pathar

Work Profile: Villager did not get employment under MGNREGA

Description: SHG is the backbone of unity. So, we promote SHG formation in our target villages. In the Jeevika project, SHGs are working as volunteers. For that matter, all CBO members extend their help for any field level project activities. Their active involvement in the project activities has propelled to bring change in their attitudes. Take for example the Sapna SHG which is having 11 members, takes up many village issues for discussion in their meetings and try to find solution to the problems. They extend support to each other.

People of Bharela pather were without work. So, they migrate to other places in search of work. These people did not know about the employment under MGNREGA. When they came to know about the employment under MGNREGA through the awareness programme conducted by Jeevika project, Sapna SHG was very curious to know more about it and the process that need to be followed to get work. After having come to know all about MGNREGA, the Sapna SHG had a meeting along with other people of Bharala pathar and on the spot took decision to submit application in the Gram Panchayat. After 5 days, all people of Bharala pather submitted their demand application in writing to the Secretary of Gram Panchayat, Dhaikheda. When they found that the Gram Panchayat of Dhaikheda is not responding to their application, the SHG members raised their voice to get the Job in the Gram Panchayat, they succeeded in getting the job. Now, people of Bharala pathar are working under the MGNREGA. Now, we are happy to see smile on their face.

Result: They succeeded in their demand to get work under MGNREGA

Future Plan: Hereafter, the people of Bharla Pathar will WORK together for the common issues

By JEEVIKA ANWC-Bhopal team

....story of change with JEEVIKA!

“Rojiya” is a hilly village and situated about 10 K.M. far from Thandla (nearby town). It is one of our Jeevika Project Villages. Initially, when Jeevika project started, village was in very bad condition. Since it is a hilly village, people didn’t have any water resources other than personal wells and those wells were also not sufficient to fulfill their annual water requirement. Rainy water were forced to flow towards nearby comparatively low villages, which also enforced community to take only one crop and migrate for rest of the year.

In January, 2013, Jeevika staff did micro-planning, at Rojiya, and identified the requirement of public pond, as water resource. We applied it at village level Gram Sabha and sanctioned by local PRI. After completion of pond, villagers understood the importance of attending Gram Sabha, which helped them to make their life much easier. Now they got some water for irrigation also. In August, 2013 villagers themselves applied for another pond, which has been sanctioned in December, 2013, by PRI, Rojiya. PRI has sanctioned a pond, worth of Rs. 5,00,000 /-, which not only solve the problem of water and soil management, but also give some local job opportunities to villagers.

Jeevika feels a true PRI strengthen at Rojiya, where villagers themselves understood their concerns and try to solve by community led process. Villagers always thank Jeevika staff to identify their problems and guide them for proper sustaining solutions.

By JEEVIKA Pragti-Jhabua team

“Samasya Niwaran Diwas” Organized for Project Beneficiaries@JEEVIKA Jhabua

“Samasya Niwaran Diwas” has been organized at Pragati Office, Meghnagar for project beneficiaries, in presence of newly appointed MLA Kal Singh Bhabor, Dilip Singh Bhuriya and other local leaders. Our purpose to organize this event to increase the influence of Jeevika Project in project villages and give project beneficiaries a chance to direct interaction from their political leaders. Although Pragati Office is 10 K.M. far from project villages, but we wanted to organize it at our office, so that community feel attachment with project and, in future, can own the project.

Many PRI members, SHG and Farmer Club members have been participated at this event and shared their problems and achievements with leaders. Problems, like late payment of MNREGA, improper functioning of PDS, Mid-day meal payment to SHGs, FRA and Fake Gram Sabha Proceedings, were in focus and community raised their concerns about it very strongly. MLA and other leaders listened their problems carefully and promised to take action, as soon as possible. Mr. Dilip Singh Bhuriya informed villagers about “PESA Act” and requested villagers to participate in PRI system. He also warned people that it is their ignorance, which destructed the shape of this system. Their ignorance about PRI and grass-root governance gives us chance to do corrupt practices. Villagers understood the concern and praised leaders for their innocent and true guidance.

Meanwhile, villagers have been told about organic cum traditional farming and health issues. They have been motivated to take leadership and lead a movement in their own villages.

One positive thing has been seen through this program is increased women participation. Beyond all expectations about 50 % participants were women. Not only us but leaders also noticed this positive change, about women leadership. Villagers seemed excited about event and promised to increase direct participation in project activities.

By JEEVIKA Pragti-Jhabua team

Micro Planning at Project Villages@JEEVIKA Jhabua

January is a month of Gram Sabha. To utilize this event and raise people participation at Gram Sabha, Micro-plannings have been organized at 3 project villages, Saagwani, Chota Julwaniya and Maanpur. Our purpose of conducting this micro-planning is to aware villagers about village problems and their possible solutions. We ensured maximum participation at this event, so that community participation has been achieved, and true picture of village can be identified. We also ensured that participants from all community sections and wards participate in this event, to achieve inclusive participation of village.

In this process, we used various tools, like social mapping, transit walk and wealth ranking. Villagers have been divided according to wealth ranking and prioritization of village level activities has been done, so that villagers demand can be fulfilled on time. Villagers seemed excited about this event and motivated to sanction all activities in 26th January, 2014, Gram Sabha. About 70 to 80 people participated at each micro-planning, to get effective results.

Caritas India JEEVIKA is a Caritas India and Caritas Spain supported programme in 7 tribal pockets of Madhya Pradesh and being implemented by 7 local partner organisations in 104 tribal villages. For more on JEEVIKA log on to www.jeevikacaritas.blogspot.com or log on to www.caritasindia.org

by JEEVIKA Pragti-Jhabua team

IMPACT OF JEEVIKA: MNREGA sanctioned at Rojiya @JEEVIKA Jhabua

MNREGA work has been sanctioned at Rojiya, for pond formation. A pond has been required from last few months, to overcome the shortage of village water resources. Last year, villagers, at Rojiya, applied for another pond and that was also sanctioned by local PRI and has been completed in time. Villagers are using that pond for irrigation practices. Jeevika project played a very important role to sanction that pond. Now villagers have understood the importance of MNREGA and PRI governance, which enabled them to sanction this pond themselves.

PRI, Rojiya identified shortage of village water resources and sanctioned this pond, worth of Rs. 5,00,000 /-. It was also necessary because Rojiya is a hilly village and water just flow towards adjacent villages, due to low ground level, which not only creates water shortage but also increases soil corrosion.

About 50 villagers are working here. This new pond construction has reduced migration a little-bit, as compared to last year.

By JEEVIKA Pragti-Jhabua team

RTI and Social Audit Training at Project Villages@JEEVIKA Jhabua

Having January Gram Sabha in mind, RTI and Social Audit Training have been organized at 2 project villages, Maanpur and Rojiya.

RTI is very important for social development. RTI provides a right to know more about administrative procedures and other public related information. Awareness about RTI must be spread throughout the village level. In this training, we ensured people learn about the concept of RTI, RTI procedures, RTI application, etc. Total 24 participants participated in this training session. Training was completely participative and practical based; in which community also write some RTI applications, so that the purpose of RTI training can be fully utilized. We motivated the participants to spread this information in their community or village-level. 10 RTIs have been submitted during this event by villagers, about their respective concerns. Training on social audit has been conducted at various panchayat levels. 2 trainings on social audit have been organized this month. 34 participants have been attended this training. In this training, we ensured people could easily understand the concept of social audit, its procedure and related issues. We conducted training in such a way, so that people could be better motivated to conduct social audit at their village level. We told them to make social audit committee and ask about it during 26th January, 2014, Gram Sabha. Villagers completely understood the importance of social audit and promised us to conduct social audit at their village level. We also motivated them to analyze the situations and condition of various village level resources, so that better result can be produced from village-level social audit. We also told them to conduct social audit of Jeevika Project at village level, for better understanding of this process. Communication material has also been developed on social audit, so that they can use it during their social audit procedure and do it more efficiently. People, at every village, were very happy after getting this information.

By JEEVIKA Pragati-Jhabua team

Zindabad-ज़िंदाबाद –why we should be Zinadbad in 2014?

Zindabad…Zindabad….this is an interesting (because it gives speed to blood circulation) word and its amazing using it ...and indeed one of the most powerful word to create passion and enthusiasm….but when look back the usage of this word Zindabad…its seems everywhere its Zindabad…everyone Zindabad…there is no doubt that it cannot be possible , but sad part is that it has mere became a slogan…and like others slogans it could be also used….we often forget that it’s not mere a slogan, but a ray of life ...a way of life…and indeed something to create life….it’s the word to empower…not just for the power…it’s a word to mobilise people for cause…not just to socialise people…

It’s the same word which has been used with all empowerment during freedom fighting period and it’s the same word still many of us are using….purpose has now changed ….and for sure understanding of Zindabad has changed!

Some of the impact through Caritas India programmes are ‘Zindabad’ in 2013 are:

Zero farmers suicide in Bundelkhand, and entire MP project villages of caritas India programme

Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation seeks Caritas India LIFE-Rozgar Dhaba model for National Urban Livelihood Mission

Campaign on food security and Hunger –One Human Family food for all

Response to disaster/Cyclone/flood/drought in Uttarakhand, Orissa, Bihar, Mahrashtra and AP

Caritas India stands for upliftment of Musahar Community-In Bihar

100% Solar village in Indore-MP through Caritas India programme

100% CFL electrified village in Sagar-MP through Caritas India Programmes

Consultation on National Food Security Act and Land Acquisition Act

Windows-North East: Caritas India initiative to reduce opacity between mainland and North East India

Consolation on violence against women-Badla Nahi Badlav

Initiation of Bank Corporate supported programme-ANKUR in Rajasthan

SHGs managing Midday meal in school through Caritas India supported programmes

100 stories from MP tribal pockets on ‘sustainable livelihood’ in the form of compendium –Pehchaan

1st village 100% practicing organic cultivation through Caritas India programme in Bundelkhand

Social Audit of programme in Bundelkhand Increase in tribal farming population in MP ( in programme area) through Caritas India programme

Initiation of Peace clubs and dialogue and sharing with Pakistani students and Indian students (school)

400+ media coverage of caritas India programmes ( highest covered development programmes in India)

Blogs of all major programmes and updated on regular basis

Initiation of Volunteer programme and base of 400+ volunteers

Review meeting of programmes in villages (in Bundelkhand)

Inclusion of other stakeholders in CMDRR through Disaster Risk reduction

Appreciation by Panchayt for bring change in village in MP

Appreciation by CM of UK for disaster work on Uttarakhand

Reached to 317 districts and 2.2 million people in 28 states of India

But now 2013 is going to an end…we need to understand and revive ‘Zindabad” probably in the form that …no one will go to sleep without food- and for that we would be Zindabad….in villages and in cities proper sanitation facilities for women-and for that we would have Zindabad….not only my house, also our society…our road…our country would be clean…for that we would be Zindabad….we respect women and zero cases of violence against women and for that we would be Zindabad!

Now think could it be possible to take Zindabad…more than just mere a slogan!

ज़िंदाबाद...ज़िंदाबाद..ज़िंदाबाद...पर कैसे हो हम ज़िंदाबाद?

सिर्फ़ नारो में...या चुनाव के बाज़ारो में.....या फिर हक़िक़त में किसी बदलाव के सात हो हम ज़िंदाबाद!

कोई भूखे पेट ना सोए-तो ज़िंदाबाद है हम...

हम जिसे लक्षमी, दुर्गा, मदर मेर्री, झाँसी मानते है..हर घर की महिला की इज़्ज़त हो..तो ज़िंदाबाद है हम...

देश मेरे बड़ा सही...लोग ज़यादा सही...पर हर घर में शौचलया हो...तो ज़िंदाबाद है हम...

सिर्फ़ मेरा घर नही..मेरा देश भी साफ- सुथरा हो-तो ज़िंदाबाद है हम...

-विनोद पांडे Let’s see how we can revive actual meaning of Zindabad….let’s use this word to bring change…..let’s use this word to empower…. Wish you all a Zindabad 2014!