Functional literacy visit of SHG members to different line departments like banks, Panchayat, post office, block office etc by Jeevika Ujjain.

Purpose of the class: To give a platform to SHG members of four targeted centers with various government non government institutions those working for the village women’s, SHGs, village development etc like Zila panchyat, post office, bank, employment units etc. For this exposure programme we have invite selected SHG members from each village

Zila panchyat: At first our team went to Zila panchyat where one session was taken by NRLM district programme Mrs. Rupali Shared about the Zila panchyat its way of working and various department in the zillapanchayt.

Canra Bank: From Zilla Panchayat team went to Canra bank. Bank manager welcomed all the members and narrated about the functioning style of bank and how linkage is possible in the bank. Manger also explained the team about new schemes of central government “Jan Dhan yojna” where the bank able to open an individual account on zero balance and provides a debit card and an individual accidental insurance worth Rs. 100000/-. After the v discussion and sharing some of the SHG members showed the interest to open self account. Manager and bank staff helped the members to open account at the same time as a result 32 members successfully opened bank account under new schemes.

Paper cup making units: Third visit was done to the income generation units run by the self help group in Ujjain city. All the members were taken to those units where women are involved in paper cup making. At Bapu Nagar near about 50 women are engaged in paper cup making and each them are earning around Rs. 200 to 250. The main intension was to give chance to targeted women to interact with the women who are engaged in paper cup making and motivate the target women to start the IGP units so that they will be able to earn additional income in their life. Fifty women participants took part the exposure and they have expressed that they have received valuable information about various government institution those working for their welfare.

Expouser visit of PRI members by Sedmap at Jeevika village of Ujjain

100 PRI members came with the SEDMAP team for the exposure. There were taken to Chaprikheda where more famers of Jeevika project are engaged in organic farming and making organic pesticides and manure. During the visit all the participants were shown the demo of the vermin pits which constructed with the help of Jeevika. They asked many questions to our farmers regarding the programe especially in comparison to organic and chemical farming to the farmers. Farmers gave answer to them and even they have shared very well about the organic manuer, Amrit pani and the process how to make organic pesticide and manure. Again there was demand from SEDMAP Bhopal to take their team to Ujjain for an exposure.

Rally on Gram Sabha at Village Durganayak cunducted by Jeevika team ANWC- Bhopal

Jeevika Team ANWC-Bhopal organized awareness programme on Gram Sabha through Rally on 28th of Sep2014 at Village durganayak Gram Panchayt Simpur Block Nasrullaganj District Sehore,

main purpose was of this programme, create awareness about Gram Sabha as well as increase community participation in Gram Sabha,People rise their voice with regard their problem in Gram Sabha and they will get solution through Gram Sabha

people of Village Durga Nayak gained more information about Gram sabha, and they understood importance of Gram sabha, more and more people will participant in up-coming Gram Sabha on 2nd Oct 2014, altogether,

there were 25 women and 15 man participant in Rally, this programme was so successful

Published By Jeevika team-ANWC Bhopal

DBRC COLLABORATES WITH CARITAS INDIA

Read blog of DBRC ( Don Bosco Research Center) written by Ms. Marina D'costa

http://bismumbai.blogspot.in/2014/09/bis-4140-dbrc-collaborates-with-caritas.html

NREGA to be restricted to tribal, backward districts

In changes proposed to the MGNREGA, Union Minister of Rural Development Nitin Gadkari has proposed that the permissible labour to material ratio of expenses be changed from the current 60:40 to 51:49. Even as the current upper limit in expenditure is not being met, the government wants to increase this from 40 to 49 per cent. The change will increase the presence of contractors in the job scheme and squeeze the funds available for wages.

“There was no prior consultation on the labour-material ratio changes and the Minister’s announcement came as a surprise to us. There is no real reason [for the change] when the States are not even spending 40 per cent [on material] right now,” said an official at the Ministry requesting anonymity.

With UPA-II government tightening spending in its last years, MGNREGA allocation was reduced from Rs. 40,100 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 33,000 crore in 2013-14. “Increasing material ratio will add Rs. 8,000 crore in expenses. This means under the current allocation, we will have that much less to spend on wages,” said a senior official.

‘Only in tribal parts’

Mr. Gadkari has also proposed to restrict MGNREGA to the poorer parts of the country. While the Minister made the proposal – which will require amending the Act – last week, the Ministry, since July, has been focusing on implementing the scheme in 2,500 backward blocks under its Intensive Participatory Planning Exercise. These blocks have been identified based on percentage of population below poverty line (BPL), as per the Planning commission estimates of 2013, and a backwardness index prepared by the Planning Commission using the 2011 Census data that uses five parameters – percentage of households primarily dependent on agriculture, female literacy rate, households without access to electricity, households without access to drinking water and sanitation within the premises and households without access to banking facilities.

Going by these parameters, in Tamil Nadu, one of the best performing States in the MGNREGA currently, only 98 of 385 blocks can be identified as backward, while in Chhattisgarh, 105 of total the 145 block fall into this category.

“This will end the universal spirit of the MGNREGA. More material expenses will mean more false bills and more farziwada (fraud),” said Shankar Singh, an activist with Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, Rajasthan.

Source: The Hindu, September 22nd 2014

Exposure Visit At Muaakheda District Hosangabad held by Jeevika ANWC-bhopal

Jeevika team ANWC- Bhopal thought that exposure visit is a best source for providing practical knowledge as well as motivate to people with regards IGP and sustainable agriculture practices.Later

Jeevika team was organized two day Exposure visit to other areas where such programme are successful on 26th , 27th of sep 2014 at Village Muaakheda and Fatepur District Hosangabal,

this exposure was focus on cost effective agriculture practices and to see how success people of our target community are running Income generation programmme in their areas,

Altogether 30 participated in exposure visit

Growth Indicators- Bring interest in the SHG and farmers Club to take up different IGPs,

people are showing interest for adopting organic farming and mixed cropping.

People have awarded about IGP and organic Farming

Migration will have decreased in Jeevika Project Village

published by Jeevika Team ANWC- Bhopal MP

KDSS, JEEVIKA: ORGANISED STREET PLAY ON ORGANIC FARMING

JEEVIKA KDSS, KHANDWA MADHYA PRADESH

NOW A DAYS EVERY PEOPLE TRY TO GET MORE BENEFITS IN VERY LESS EXPENSE. SO FARMERS ARE ALSO GOING IN SAME DIRECTION. THEY ALSO WANT MORE PRODUCTIVITY IN LESS EXPENSE. TO TAKE MORE PRODUCTIVITY FARMERS ARE USING CHEMICAL (PESTICIDES) VERY MUCH IN THEIR FIELD. THE DEPENDENCY HAS INCREASED ON THESE PESTICIDES BECAUSE THE ARE EASILY AVAILABLE IN THE MARKETS AND NO NEED OF LABOUR FOR MAKING. THE SCENARIO IS THAT DANGEROUS DISEASES INCREASING DAY BY DAY. THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE ARE LIVING GETTING POLLUTED.

SO KEEPING THESE THINGS IN MIND JEEVIKA KHANDWA ORGANISED A STREET PLAY ON ORGANIC FARMING IN PROJECT VILLAGE DONGALIYA. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THIS ACTIVITY IS TO INCREASE AWARENESS ON BAD EFFECT OF CHEMICAL FARMING ON HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS. HOW WE CAN USE OF DOMESTIC MATERIALS FOR AGRICULTURE PURPOSE INSTEAD OF CHEMICALS? THROUGH THIS PLAY THEY ALSO TOLD COMMUNITY (FARMERS) HOW THEY CAN TAKE MORE PRODUCTIVITY IN LESS EXPENSE AND THEY CAN ENHANCE THEIR LIVELIHOOD STATUS.

IN THIS ACTIVITY ALL JEEVIKA STAFF MEMBERS WERE PRESENT.

LOKESH RANJAN

PROJECT COORDINATOR

JEEVIKA

KDSS, KHANDWA

Capacity building program for PRI members on local- self government and leadership development Organised By JEEVIKA PROJECT ANWC-BHOPAL

Jeevika Team ANWC-Bhopal has been organised training on Capacity building program for PRI members on local- self government and leadership development on 22nd Sep-2014,at Village Nadan Panchay Hall,

Especially main purpose was to reorganize and capacity the PRI members for the smooth running of local self government for the development of the community of this training,and There were altogether 25 PRI members participants, from 4 Panchaya namely Alipur, Fangiya, Brijish Nagar and Guradi Block Ichhawar, District Sehor MP.

Mr. Ajay Patel from BGV Samiti NGO was the resource person. During the training, he explained to the PRI members to recognize their roles and responsibilities.

He emphasized more on Gram Sabha and rights of the gram Sabha, on what grounds Gram Sabha will be held and what not. He motivated the PRI members to be a role model for the development of their villages.

After this training PRI members seemed look motivate and from this training they gained more knowledge about Panchayti Raj Vyavasatha and they will move in right way for developing Theirs Gram Panchay.

Published By Jeevika Team ANWC-Bhopal

HOW MANY OF US LOVE TO GO TOILETS? AND HOW MANY OF LOVE TO GO TO SCHOOL? AND HOW MANY OF US LOVE TO GO TO BOTH?

HOW MANY OF US LOVE TO GO TOILETS? AND HOW MANY OF LOVE TO GO TO SCHOOL? AND HOW MANY OF US LOVE TO GO TO BOTH?

IN INDIA …IN VILLAGES EITHER YOU WILL FIND SCHOOLS ( ONLY SCHOOL BUILDING) OR YOU WILL FIND SCHOOL BUILDINGS WITH CLOSED (LOCKED TOILETS). BOTH WOULD BE OPEN IS A RARE CASE.

ON AN AVERAGE 80% ( FACTUAL DATA) OF RURAL PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO TOILETS. FOR BOYS THEY DO IT ANY WHERE. WHAT GIRLS DOES-THEY JUST STOP COMING TO SCHOOL.

CONCERN IS HAOW MANY OF OUR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES /PROJECTS ARE TOILET INCLUSE OR TOILET PROMOTIVE PROJECTS? IN HOW MANY PROJECTS WE HAVE TOILET POLICY?

In 2nd week of Sept 2014, I was part of the JEEVIKA PRABHAV season four ( It’s our JEEVIKA project review cum learning cycle meet for three days with entire team of 7 partners and community members) 2nd day field visit group in Kalapatha village. While interacting with community I saw a school in outskirts of village and in curiosity went there and found hardly 14 students in entire school of till 5th standard. It was satellite school. A cute little girl, aged 12 years, studying in 5th standard in Kalapatha village (Khandwa, MP. JEEVIKA Project village) satellite school hardly comes to school, the reason she shared in her innocent voice is she has to hide herself from boys every time she has to go to toilet! In her house there is hut based toilet, but in school its locked!

This is not the issue of Kalaptaha only, but in most of the cases in primary schools in India. Nearly 1.9 lakh schools don't have girls' toilets or their toilets are "dysfunctional", according to a DISE (govt agency) report of 2013-14. That's 17 percent of all schools. Then, there are about 1.7 lakh schools that have no boys' toilets or toilets are un-useable. That's 15 percent of schools. A couple of decades ago, when the deplorable state of education began to be noticed, the importance of toilets was highlighted, and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) — the government’s flagship programme for universalisation of elementary education — included a specific provision for separate toilets for girls and boys. But soon after, a shift in focus to learning outcomes made toilets a dirty word as far as education was concerned, so much so that the emphasis on infrastructure, and toilets in particular, was held almost responsible for taking attention away from “learning.”

As mandated by the Right to Education Act, all children are required to spend six hours in school every day. During this period they would want to use the toilets. Irrespective of how and where they relieve themselves when at home, if the school does not have a functional toilet, they will need to go outside the school for their “bio-breaks.” The reality is that if they do leave the school, they are unlikely to return. Or if they are not allowed to leave, which is often the case for fear of the outcome mentioned above, they could end up soiling their clothes, for which they are likely to be penalised. A quick look at the complaints received by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (during 2010-2011, for instance) reveals that many complaints of corporal punishment were made because of this reason. Corporal punishment, like lack of toilets for girls, is a reason for dropouts. In addition to all children needing toilets in schools, the teachers also need them. They are required to spend even longer hours in school to complete non-teaching work as well as prepare for classes. The lack of adequate toilets often necessitates the locking of toilets by teachers for their exclusive use. Among poor working conditions for teachers in schools, the lack of toilets is one, and probably contributes to teachers’ less than desired rate of attendance. " Also, toilets are essential for girls who are having menstrual periods. Lack of toilets is also a big issue with women teachers. Working long hours without toilet facilities can be trying,"

Building toilets alone is not going to be sufficient - without water and daily maintenance they will be useless. In most rural primary schools there is a hand pump in the middle of the premises and water has to be carried to toilets at the periphery. Although there is no data on water for toilets but the stipulated hand-wash facility near the toilet was not available in 55 percent elementary schools and 42 percent secondary or higher schools, as per DISE. Since there is no budget for appointing a cleaner, maintenance becomes a huge problem, ultimately leading to the toilet being locked up.

Now concerns is that-What need to be changed-the attitude towards usage of toilets? Or understanding the importance of toilets in schools? On one side we increase number of schools and on another side attendance also falls?

What we are doing through JEEVIKA for the said issue?

· In Shivpuri included school toilet construction in village development micro-plan ( facilitated by JEEVIKA team)

·In Umariya SHG members visit every week to school and interact with school management on toilet and maintenance of it

·Formation of Youth groups in Khandwa who would be involve in strengthening school sanitation programme

·Including Farmers club and SHG effectiveness indicator-as opening and maintenance of School toilets .

Just think on the issue. Will building toilets help in bringing down girls' dropout rate?

Caritas India team memeber

Farmers Are Following Cost Effective Agriculture Practices Through Effort by Jeevika

Village Name: Suakheda

Panchaya: Jamali

Panchayat : Jamali Farmer club Name: Phool Farmer’s Club

Work Profile: Farmers are following Cost effective agriculture practices,

Context:

Suakheda is situated in Ichhawar block of Sehore district of MP.

Tribal community live in this village and this village is surrounding by the Forest.

Tribal community of the village are not aware about their different livelihood options and Government schemes launched by the Government.

Most of the people of Suakheda village migrate to the other City on an average of 3-5 month in the year, They also not show much of interest in cultivation due to lack of resource and high cost in cultivation.

Description:- When Jeevika project started, people did not aware about their right and government scheme as well as they did not show interest to participation in Gram Sabha. Maximum farmers did not cultivate in their land because they faced loss from soyabean crops.

In the month of June 2013, Jeevika team did motivational talk with the farmers of Suakheda and Team also organised workshop & training on cost effective agriculture practices, as well as team continue follow-up of programme. After much discussion some farmers agreed to follow agriculture practices in last season.

They follow the mixed cultivated and cultivated corn (Makka) Seeds by use the SRI method. After this effort they got good results from corn crop compare to soybean crops.

Now farmers understood the importance of mixed cropping and cost effective agriculture practices, in the month of July 2014, 90 farmers of JEEVIKA project cultivated corn seeds through SRI method in 150 Akkad field.

They are also using bio tonic and bio pest in their 80% of Farmland.

They are looking happy and satisfied. The Farmers also will save money from the crops.

Analysis/Results: 1. 90 Farmers now following cost effective agriculture practices.

2. Famers are showing interest in traditional cultivation

3. They are using natural available resource at local level in making bio tonic and pest.

4. They are creating eco-friendly environment in local area.

5. Each farmers will have been got profit up to Rs. 5000-7000

6. Farmers will busy in cultivation, so because of this, theme will have work in all half year, so they will not migrate to out -side.

Published by Jeevika Team AMWC- Bhopal

Ratings out for Caritas JEEVIKA & ANKUR programme for AUG 2014!!!

Find out who topped the chart!!!

For Aug 2014 based on the reports received JEEVIKA Kripa Ujjain-JEEVIKA (Fr. Sunil Kg-Summit and team with scoring 40 out of 50) Topped the chart ( this highest marks till date in rating), followed by JEEVIKA-IDSSS-(Fr. Simon-Jaydeep and team with scoring 37 out of 50) and ANKUR RCDSSS-Ajmer ( Fr. Jerish-Ms. Neha and team with scoring 37 out of 50) on 2nd position and JEEVIKA KDSS-Khandwa ( Fr. Sebi –Lokesh and team scores 36 out of 50) & JEEVIKA-ANWC-Bhopal ( Fr. Toppo-Bhagat and team with scoring 36 out of 50) on 3rd position. From entire Caritas India team Congratulations to all teams for the hard work and innovation!

VERMI COMPOST UNIT : FOLD ABLE ? YES POSSIBLE WITH CARITAS INDIA JEEVIKA@ IDSSS INDORE

An innovative method of vermin compost preparation with the use of Tarpaulin sheet has been initiated at Khurda cluster by selected farmers on trial basis. The method consist of making vermin pit with the help of tarpaulin instead of bricks and cement. The farmers also accepted and contributed towards the purchase of sheets. The vermin used for production are of Australian origin. 1 Kg seeds of vermin cost Rs. 500 for each pit. Each pit can produce up to 22 quintals of rich quality compost in three months. The market value of the compost is Rs. 24 per KG. We have already helped to install 10 units at Khurda cluster with the provision of placing 1.5 Kg vermin seeds in each pit. Additional and very essential element of vermin compost is vermin wash which will be collected and used effectively with the help of this unit.

BY JEEVIKA IDSSS INDORE TEAM

WATER IS VITAL FOR LIFE: READ HOW JEEVIKA MAKES IT AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY IN INDORE

At Naharkhodra village of Khurda cluster, the installation of drinking water supply tank has already been done by 15th August. It became possible because of the active participation and raising voice through application by the SHG women of the village in the GRAM Sabha meeting of Naharkhedi Panchayat.

by jeevika IDSSS INDORE TEAM

Key mile stones in Aug 2014@JEEVIKA ANWC-Bhopal

o234 People of our target Community actively participated in Gram Sabha: On 15th of Aug 2014, Gram sabha was held in their respective Gram Panchayats. About 234 people actively participated. In the Gram sabha, people of Dhaikheda village, demanded for a Hand pump, employment under MGNREGA .and People of Village of Alipur submitted their demand application for toilet construction under the TSC.

oBenefits from different Government Schemes: Seven women benefited from Janani Suraksha Yojna:7 Women, of Jeevika project Village have been benefited from Janani Suraksha Yojana i.e. received Rs. 1400/- each. Altogether, it comes to Rs.9,800.00. This scheme includes provision of facility of institutional delivery to women with a view to bring down MMR and IMR. A village woman is given Rs.1400 and an urban woman Rs 1000 on delivery at government hospital. All the services during the delivery are given free of cost. The motivator for institutional delivery is also paid Rs. 600 in the rural areas and Rs.200 in the urban areas as incentive. So far, 42 women have benefitted from this scheme. oTwo Indira Awas approved by Indira awas Yojna Grameen and Panchayat department.They amount to Rs. 1,40,000/

oFour HHs of JEEVIKA Target village now have Job card in own custody.

oJeevika team facilitated the five women of Village Kosami and Baglikheda for register their name at Anganwadi centre, registered woman will take benefit from ICDS and take counseling on health care during pregnancy.

o100 farmers of JEEVIKA Project villages adopted cost effective agriculture practices, especially in this month they used bio- tonic and bio -pest repellent in the corn crop (Makka). And soybean crop in their farm Land.

oTwo Self Help Group Namely Ganga and Jamuna SHG of Village Baglikheda has been linked with Narma Jhabua Grameen Bank Nasrullaganj. they will take benefit from Bank and bank also selected to both group for giving grant of Rs.40,000-60,000/

oJeevika team held camp on bank orientation along with Narmada jhabua Grameen Bank Nasrullaganj and 30 people of Village of Baglikheda has been opened their account in Bank.

oJeevika team linked with Resham Sanchanalay Yojana 15 farmers of Kosami, Veerpura village benefitted from Resham Sanchanalay Yojana approved by Development and mobilize Programme. From this Programme, each farmer got Rs10,5000.00/- and many other provisions are there under this programme.For deeper understanding og this programme, workshop on plantation of resham was organized and exposure visit to the place where Resham cultivation going on and also, opened a bank account for the concerned farmers by Resham Sanchanalay Yojana.they amount is Rs.15,75,000.00/

o40 people of Village Alipur has been submitted theirs demand apliication to Sarpanch of gram Panchay Alipur during the Gram Sabha for toilet construction under the TSC

By JEEVIKA ANWC-Bhopal team

Spectacular Achievement of Jeevika KRIPA in the Field

                                               Jeevika KRIPA in the Field

Exposure  Visit of PRI

                                     

Women Farmers in Krishi Mela at KVK

Visit of SHG to bank

Jeevika Kripa Achievement for the Month of August

1.      (100%) total 16 Farmers clubs are formed or restarted. 

2.      (81.14%) 284 Farmers had adopted the organic pest at their agriculture land. And also started to seed treatment practices. During the reporting month 40 farmers have using the vermin compost in soyabeen crops.  

3.      93.71%) 328. During the reporting month 47 farmers received the soyabeen and makka seeds from agriculture department.

4.      (143.75%) (69) Women groups are formed.

5.      (96.81%) (242) SHG women adopted income generation programme. 100 SHG members got skill training for making paper cup in reporting period. Total 5 members started the paper cup making units.

6.      (9.33%) (14) Youths are self –employed.

7.      (14.00%) 28 RTI has been filed till the reporting time.

8.      (199.87%) (1489) member participated in Gram Sabha of our target household.

9.      120%) (16) Micro plan developed and submitted in the panchayat 12 micro plan submitted in Gramsabha meeting in August 2014 and approved by Gram Sabha

10.  (47.65%) (507) HH have tapped government schemes.

11.  99 household member of our household got job under the NAREGA.

12.  (100%) 12 information centers were established at all targeted panchayat. With support of PRI and CBO members.

Health Awareness Rally By Jeevika Team ANWC- Bhopal

Jeevika Team Asha Niketan Welfare Centre Bhopal organised  rally for health awareness of tribal community at Villages Namely Dhaikheda and Bharala Pathar 70 women and man were present there during the rally, this programme was very impact-full, Jeevika target community awarded about Health caring. Please watch this video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbNd-6lwiyE#t=35   

Cariats India JEEVIKA programme is sustainable Programme: Most Rev Bishop of Khandwa DIOCESES ALANGARAM AROKIA SEBASTIAN DURAIRAJ

Most of the time we talk about ‘change’ and ownership of the programme . Here is one good example, where not just community but entire dioceses owns programme. In an exclusive interview to Caritas India Most Rev Bishop of Khandwa DIOCESES ALANGARAM AROKIA SEBASTIAN DURAIRAJ said that Caritas India JEEVIKA programme is sustainable Programme watch his entire interview at: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=517219548421988

Whereas on the other hand Dioceses Director of Khandwa social work –KDSS Fr. Sebi said in the interview that : HE HAS NEVER SEEN PROGRAMME LIKE JEEVIKA IN HIS LIFE ( watch his interview at: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=516492481828028 )

There are other two important interviews where a resource person (Ms. Marina D’Costa from DBRC) in JEEVIKA PRABHAV Season 4 shared that JEEVIKA is Passion for change (watch video at: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=517469295063680 ).

In another video a field Coordinator from JEEVIKA shared that he finds him self valued after joining JEEVIKA and able to see different between change and no change process (watch video at: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=517587075051902 )

In this way Caritas JEEVIKA is not just bringing change in lives of rural communities but also strengthening ownership in dioceses and in general public!

KAshmIR floods: Loss of relations and emotions!

Dear all,

100 died, 200 died, 1000 died, 100000 died, millions of people lost….no houses..no food…no medicine…..what does this all means when disaster comes? Just material loss…or more than material loss…? Loss of relations…loss of emotions….I have no idea it would be re-gained or not… but my own story says not..!!!!

Hope all well with you all! Unfortunately everything is not going so well in India. In last one year we have seen 6 major disasters: Uttarakhand cloud burst, Odisha Floods, Andhra floods, Bihar Floods, UP floods and now Kashmir Floods…no idea how many more disasters we have to witness…but the good part in all these disasters Caritas India has not just played the role of a relief agency, but a role of agency being with community and feeling the pain of disaster.

Last year I was supposed to go for relief work in Uttarakhand, and my mother called me ( she was trying to call number of times and my phone was in silent mode and finally after her 11 missed calles I called her) and the first thing she said in Bhojpuri (my local dialect) ‘Vinod deka o uttarakhand mein dekahtar na..ka hil ba..is disaster dard deta hein ‘ means Disaster gives pain and there not only the loss of resources, but huge irreplaceable loss of emotions and relations. Further on I had pen down few lines on it and understanding the pain of disaster. While writing on Disaster I felt that , it’s easy to even re-construct, re-build, re-do losses of materials, but what about human emotions-are we able to re-gain it? Still question in my mind and still no answer….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on9zOWJRrz4 Almost 12 days back when I saw a sudden news of Kashmir flood , for me ( who has born in Kashmir) is bit shocking, because almost 100 years back my grandparents had left Kashmir because of militancy and settled on the Bank of Ganga river. And for Kashmir we keep on hearing news about how many died in militants attack, how many killed in Kargil war, how many bomb blast and...we hardly heard about flood in Kashmir and flood which has taken hundreds of life. Flood which has made millions of people homeless… was surprising and shocking for people like me and thinking when there will be everything good in this beautiful valley of Kashmir? Ya allah when …when ….

Latest report (news) states that Jammu and Kashmir is battling one of the worst floods in decades with rivers in the region in spate due to days of incessant rain. Over 200 people have died and thousands are stranded across the state, including Srinagar. The Army, IAF and NDRF are doing a massive round-the-clock rescue and relief operation, with 86 aircrafts and 30,000 troops.

Caritas India is one of the first civil society organization tried to reach in Kashmir valley, unfortunately our officer who has initially reached Shrinagar , has not able to go out of Shrinagar airport, because of excessive flood situation and had to return back. Soon Caritas India had constituted another team-with a base in Jammu to support of relief operations and now Caritas team is in Kashmir valley –not just engaged in relief work , but also sharing emotions and sentiments of affected people. In times of emergency, despite best efforts, many people feel left out. In Caritas, we believe in adding value to what the government is doing with an aim to minimize the gaps between people and available resources. This is the way of Caritas working !

I request you all to please follow every day updates about Kashmir floods on Caritas India facebook (https://www.facebook.com/caritasindia ). Every day or better we can say every third or fourth hour we are updating about Kashmir floods. Purpose is not to share what Caritas Is doing, but share the challenges and making public in comfort that Caritas is in ground with God’s blessings and try to minimize the havoc about Kashmir floods in general public.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=843831505641000

Let’s do not just read this mail, but think from a point of Kashmiri how each one of us as an individual and organizational could make Kashmir not just beautiful, but a happy valley and families like my family would one day happy to return back to valley!

Vinod Pandey

JEEVIKA Marathon: Run to eradicate malnutrition!@12th Sept at Khandwa

With vast forests and several of India’s famous game parks, Madhya Pradesh is geographically the second largest state in India and has a population of about 72 million (provisional figure, Census 2011). There are a large number of tribal communities here and almost 40 per cent of the state’s inhabitants live below the poverty line, many in rural areas where they subsist on tiny farm plots. It’s estimated that two thirds of children in Madhya Pradesh are malnourished. In fact, malnutrition rates for children under five are higher here than in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Inextricably linked with high rates of child malnutrition is the large number of new mothers and infants who die shortly after birth. The state’s maternal mortality rate of 335 per 100,000 live births is higher than the national average and ranks fourth in India.

With the objective to address above concern seriously and sincerely Caritas India under her innovative development initiative Caritas JEEVIKA in Madhya Pradesh has organized a mini marathon in Khandwa district on 12th Sept 2014. Purpose of Marathon was to generate public awareness on issue Malnutrition and accentuating basic practices to zero down Malnutrition in Khandwa. Fr. Simon (DSSS Director, IDSSS-Indore) did flag of for the marathon.

Winners of Caritas India JEEVIKA Marathon: Run to eradicate malnutrition @Khandwa!

Women: 1st : Resham (Khandwa); 2nd: Prakash (Ujjain)

Men: 1st: Anil (Jhabua); 2nd: Shukhram (Khandwa); 3rd:Rajendera (Ujjain)

In marathon people from 8 districts of Madhya Pradesh , Caritas Team members from New Delhi-Mumbai, Staff of Don Bosco Reasearch center-Mumbai, Sraff of Drishti Organisation-MP, and communities from 14 villages have participated.

With CARITAS JEEVIKA in 7 tribal pockets of Madhya Pradesh Caritas India is strengthening options for local sustainable livelihood through means of addressing ‘food security’. JEEVIKA has started in Oct 2012 with 100% baseline survey and in last 19 months able to address food security needs of more than 8000 farming families and 90% reduced malnutrition deaths amongst Korku tribes in JEEVIKA project villages of Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh.

Innovative vermin compost unit@JEEVIKA IDSSS Indore

An innovative method of vermin compost preparation with the use of Tarpaulin sheet has been initiated at Khurda cluster by selected farmers on trial basis. The method consist of making vermin pit with the help of tarpaulin instead of bricks and cement. The farmers also accepted and contributed towards the purchase of sheets. The vermin used for production are of Australian origin. 1 Kg seeds of vermin cost Rs. 500 for each pit.

Each pit can produce up to 22 quintals of rich quality compost in three months. The market value of the compost is Rs. 24 per KG. We have already helped to install 10 units at Khurda cluster with the provision of placing 1.5 Kg vermin seeds in each pit. Additional and very essential element of vermin compost is vermin wash which will be collected and used effectively with the help of this unit.

IDSSS-JEEVIKA Team

Hedaawaadi Plantation preparation process@JEEVIKA Jhabua

Agroecology is the need of the time where farmer tries to understand the nature of the farm. He himself tries to adopt some nature friendly activities. Hedaawaadi is one of those where he plants trees like mango, Tic-wood, mahuwa, neem, gova (jam), Jamun, ber, kher, badam, anwala, babul, leman, behada etc. These are the multi-users trees. Many farmers are turning to this practice. This is because they want to utilize the available land in food production. They want to protect the trees that are already on the boundaries of the field, giving shadow, fruits, firewood etc. The leaves fallen from the trees are decomposed into manure to be used in the field.

The very concept of Hedaawaadi is the natural practice of the farmers of the area but because someone in blue moon came and introduced the idea of “Waadi”. Every tribal family love to have plants on the boundaries of the field. Pragati picked up this traditional and communities’ own practice and had many discussions with community for the promotion of this. They agreed and put into practice. The initial talk with individual and with groups motivated many farmers and they began to make necessary arrangement for the promotion and adaptation. Organization through donor provided plants as incentive to promote their plan of action. Now situation is that community members themselves started digging pit for the plant and asking the cluster coordinators for technical assistance like distance between the plants, type of plants, its’ variety, whether hybrid or traditional one etc. Organization had community interaction for the promotion of this activity. List is made and plants are sorted out. So far 1200 pits are dug for plantation. It was also noted that all the family members are involved in this activity. This is an indication for the approval of sustainability aspect with regard to Hedaawaadi activity. Community members began digging the pits in the month of June onwards and few even May months too. It was very interesting to see Mr. Vanaben who by self took a lead, identified the place for the plantation motivated even siblings and children for the plantation. There is tremendous zeal seen and even observed among the community members.

Selection of Model farmers-Model creation is one of the ways to create an interest among the community members for quality seed production and for demonstration for other to adopt that activity in the time to come. This encourages them to take a lead if one wants to achieve final result. This process has impressed community in general and individual in particulars. Staff made regular visits in their respective area. They made keen observation on the interested farmers and guided them for better results if fields are made ready and quality seed is chosen for cultivation.In this process organization collected quality seed of the maize and given to the 18 farmers in the Jeevika area along with the organic manure. The process of sowing was that farmers has to put organic manure first and then to put the seed. Purpose is that as the seed start sprouting the roots would get immediately the needed nutrient for growth. Growth of the plants would be healthier. This was a new way for them. Older farmers were happy to see and made other to do it for the quality seed generation. At manpura village around 10 people came and helped Mr. Mukesh in sowing the maize seed. Children were very keen in watching and doing the farm work. This demonstration educated around 15 community members at a time. This process would be monitored and growth would be documented at the interval of 8 days each. The progress would be noted and photographs would be taken. Such demonstration would lead to healthy and quality production, less attack of insects to the plants and this process is cost effective in future. Here the health of the soil is increased.

Small seed cultivation process-Cultivation practice is undergoing many changes in the modern world. Machines are often being used in agriculture these days. This leads to market economy and leads to cash cropping pattern. Which is good but this practice is costly in reality. This is also called as industrial farming. It very fast harms the soil.Climate change is becoming big issue these days. Delay in rains is causing problem in cultivation. But interestingly the small farmer though are worried for livelihood but those who are used to with the practice of small seed cultivation are happy because they do not need much rains to come in their field for production. Small seed cultivation starts only mid august. Small crop need only one or two rains and that also not very heavy. It grows in less rain. There is no insect attach on it.According to Dr. Oliver De Schutter,’ small-scale farmers can double food production within 10 years using ecological methods. He further says, Agriculture must be redirected to environmentally sound, socially just production methods to address the food and energy crises, hunger, poverty and climate change. Farmers would be the best promoter of clean environment if organic practice is adopted. Climate friendly cultivation is the adoption of traditional seed cultivation. At least 150 farmers have adopted small seed cultivation this in Jeevika area. This has begun in the very small way. Farmers have sown 50grams to 5 kgs of small seed this year. These seed would be preserved for the next year after the harvesting is over and would sue next year in the larger way.

Follow-up of MNREGA Pathashala-Staff members are visiting the Jeevika area on daily basis. Visits are made on the basis of planning. Organization has set up pathashala for the community where they come and get the necessary information on panchayet level programs and activities. This is place where community sits together and shares the information. Staff visited Pathashala and checked the available materials there. Community is ready the news paper and the krishak dut magazine.

Model farmers’ details-Selection of model farmers was going on since long. Staffs were continuously monitoring farmers during community meetings and house visits. They observed and made situation analysis of each of them and then only they were selected.

I am Mangilal Charel. I have agreed to cultivate maize seed given by organization. There are 7 members in my family. I have 8 bighas of land. This is only livelihood option I have. I am from Sagawani village. I associated with organization from October 2012 and got information about the organization and Jeevika project. I had taken part in the launching program at Meghnagar. I had cultivated cotton. Maize, rice last year. I attended meeting organized by Pragati. I had even gone for an exposure last year. There I was instructed about plantation and low cost cultivation practices. This year I have decided to cultivate small seed like kuri, bhadali, bawato and vegetables as well. I have a wormy pit and cattle shed. I am getting organic manure now.

Sunil Vesta Ninama is from hamir faliya. He is very cooperative. He is regular for the meeting at the village level and even informs the community about it. He even writes report at times when needed. He is involved in the program from the very beginning. I have acquired knowledge and information from the meetings I attended time to time. Land which I have is sloppy and stony. I have planted maize, udad, groundnut, small seed and vegetables. Pragati staffs make regular visit to our area and guides us. Recently we participated into a rally for the promotion of traditional seed. This has created a great impact on the community. Youth found very interested in seeing the traditional small seed and came to know its utilization. His house is close to anganwadi at Hamirfaliya.

Mr. Kalsing Singadiya is from Devaka village having 10 bighas of land and there are 7 members in the family. Family believes in family farming. I have participated in the meetings organized by the organization. I did not realized that there are natural resources available around me but I did not care for. Now the time has come to revisit and re-do with all we have. I am cultivating maize, udad, tuwar, kuri, bawato, bhadali, guwargum and seasonal vegetables.

Mrs. Vana Singadiya from Devaka Panchayet is associated with Pragati and had attended meetings arranged by organization. She is very active women, very happy in doing the work both in the field and at house work. She and her husband both together dug the pits for plantation. She got constructed the wormy pit and even started getting manure from it. There is an open well close to the house and close it she is planning the plantation and there is wormy pit closer. I am rearing cattle which are an asset for my family. My family is very cooperative. We work together for the livelihood and also now adopting the small seed cultivation pattern which was lost since years and a time has come to begin it again.

Mr. Walsing is from Rojiya, having 7 bihgas of land. He has an open well, 7 cattle. He used to cultivate the small seed when he was a boy. Now am 60 plus. I have decided to lead the younger generation for low cost agriculture practice. I will guide the households close to my house. On every rainy season I begin sowing the seeds and then sons takes over. I am happy that Pragati is reorienting the community with what was lost. This year the rain has come late but unfortunately we do not have much of the small seed with us. We got 50-100 grams of seed which may produce 1-2kgs or more and this would be sufficient for the next year cultivation. We will preserve it in a safe place and use next year.

Mrs. Manna Damore is from Hamirfaliya has 7 bighs of land. There are 8 members in the family. Mrs. Manna has participated in the meetings arranged by organization and had gone for exposure last year. It took long time for her to understand the process but she is now ready. She is cultivating maize, tuwar, udad, groundnut, small seed and vegetables. There is anganwadi (sub-anganwadi) close to her house.

Mr. Mukesh khadiya from Manpura village, having around 8 bighas of land. They are five members in the family. Mukesh believes in family farming. This is clear from a photograph where even neighbors came to see the new process and even all participated in the making demonstration field while sowing the maize seed. Mukesh used to cultivate even today cash crop like chili (mirchi), tomato, soyabean, cotton etc. He participated in the Jeevika meetings arranged at his faliya, anganwadi. He willingly came forward for having a demonstration field. He is ready to give field for more demonstration especially for the cultivation of small seed.

Mr. Simon Narsing Damore is from chotajulwaniya, having 7 members in the family. He has 10 bighas of land. He is cultivating soyabean, cotton, maize, tuwar, udad, jwar, mung, kodra and vegetables. Maize is the main food of the community. Families cultivate it for the consumption.

Mr. Ditta Dalsing of Thetham village is very keen in community mobilizing programs. He participated in community awareness programs a number of time. He does agriculture but what strike him most was the importance of ‘KODRA’. Family use to cultivate some 25 years back but had left for there was easy available of fodder from the market. He request for seed. Organization provided seed. He was to have that seed and did the sowing. This crop is very good for health. This increases strength and increase blood in the body. This need to be promoted for it will reduce malnutrition issue in the area.

BY JEEVIKA Pragati Jhabua team

Opportunity …… Empowerment ….. Gender Equity ….. Gender equality@JEEVIKA Ujjain

In our all the projects we do emphasis on gender equity and gender equality. Of course this is the trend of the time. Such movement we can notice from legislative body to down at panchayaty level. Yes, Kripa is speaking about Mrs. Mamta who is living in Bodani Village. Bodani village comes under Gattiya block in Ujjain district situated 25 KMs away from Ujjain city. She lives with her husband and two children. She is from poor family but did her studies till 8th standard. In the initial stage of the project implementation cluster coordinator used to visit the village to mobilize the people to form the SHGs. One of the visit cluster coordinator came in contact with Mrs. Mamata. Cluster coordinator shared with her about the concept of the project and how it will help the people to come- up in their life. Mamta showed great interest to join with the project. She collected 13 women for the formation of the SHG and formed Pavitra group. Group members made her the president of their group. It was a boost for Mrs. Mamta and she found that people like her. She asserted that she should do something for others. Mrs. Mamta was very active in all the activities of Jeevika. She and her husband also attended the meetings on organic farming, making vermin compost and organic pest. She motivated her husband to prepare the vermi pits. Now they are making vermi compost.

Now husband brings her to the meetings and take care back to the home. Husband considers the opinion of his wife. Cluster coordinator shared the concept of income generation progrmme and how SHG can help the group’s members to start the IGP units by giving the loan form it. Some of the women expressed that if IGP unit is going in lose then we will lose the money. Mrs Mamta showed courage to take the risk and her husband stood with her. She took Rs. 5000/- from the group and purchased a paper cup machine and started IGP units. Currently she is earning around Rs. 250/- to Rs. 300/- per day by her won effort. She also showed the community that if we have courage we can do anything positive. When Jeevika wanted to give the skill development programme to women then team asked women what trade they would like to learn. Seeing the success of Mrs. Mamata women demanded for the paper cup making. Team decided to give training to women on paper cup making. Mrs Mamta agreed to be the trainer for the trade. Now she gives training to the women at Bodani and Harniyakhedy. Her husband takes her by motor cycle to training centers to give the training. There is a very good mutual understanding among them and they respect each other. Jeevika team has noticed a good relation and coordination among them. Today she helps her husband by earning money and husband respect her. Her role in the community is increased. She has role in decision making in the house as well in the group.

By Kripa Ujjain JEEVIKA team

July 2014 ratings out!!!

This month based on the reports received JEEVIKA-IDSSS-Indore(Fr. Simon-Jaydeep and team with scoring 38.5 out of 50) and JEEVIKA KDSS-Khandwa ( Fr. Sebi –Lokesh and team scores 38.5 out of 50) tops rating chart, followed by JEEVIKA-ANWC-Bhopal ( Fr. Toppo-Bhagat and team with scoring 38 out of 50) on 2nd position and by JEEVIKA Kripa Ujjain-JEEVIKA (Fr. Sunil Kg-Summit and team with scoring 35 out of 50) and ANKUR JSKS-Dausa (Fr. Lawrence-Prabha and team with scoring 35 out of 50) on 3rd. On behalf of entire Caritas India team Congratulations to all teams for the hard work and innovation!