State level Review meeting - Bihar region

A step towards entitlements for all is started in Bihar through Adhikar Project. With the active participation of project frontline workers Bihar project review happened on 18-19 October 2012 at Sewa Kendra, Patna. All the 3 partners of respective districts Sheikhpura, Rohtas and West Champaran participated in this review workshop. The main theme of this review was ‘strengthening MNREGA implementation’ in their respective area. Case Studies from NACDOR, Development Alternative working on MNREGA & CBOs shared by their representatives.

The resource persons demystify the MNREGA provisions and gave detail information on grievance redressal mechanism. The Rohtas team will demonstrate the Model MNREGA implementation in their respective panchayats.  There will be facilitation centre at Block level in the respective blocks. This facilitation centre will provide services to bridge the gap between poor and marginalized families and Gov. Service providers.  These facilitation centres will be names as ‘SUVIDHA MANCH’. This facilitation centre will be equipped with a computer with internet services. The beneficiaries will avail the service initially free of cost and later minimum charges will be taken. The information regarding entitlements namely MNREGA, IAY, PDS, Pensions etc. will be provided to the poor and marginalized families. The services will be offered not only to the families belongs to project panchayats but also to the other panchayat families also.

2500 families targeted in Adhikar project by 3 partners in 3 Districts, 3 Blocks, 11 Panchayats and 50 villages. The community will be organized in the groups namely SHGs. In the long run these SHGs will be a mechanism at community level to track entitlement status of poor and marginalized. They will help those families in availing there due entitlements. These self-help groups will also do thrift and credit so that they become economically strong.

Significance of Liaising and Networking with Govt Departments

Liaising and networking with various government departments have a pivotal role in realizing ADHIKAR programme with envisaged results. Role of NGOs in materializing various government programmes is again showcases in Harakh Barabanki district of Lucknow. Smt. Indara Devi, Assistant Basic Shiksha Adhikari (ABSA) has been convinced the purpose and expected results of ADHIKAR programme and issued a letter to all school Head Teachers requesting to support Diocesan Social Work Society, Lucknow  for improving the education system in the targeted schools. 
 

“Nai Subah”- A Case Study on RTE

Profile of case

Name of child         :Kalawati

Age                       :13 Years old

Sex                       :Female

Mother’s Name        :Smt. Shiwani

Father’s Name         :Naththaram

Village                   :Dhiraikpurwa

Description of situation before intervention: Kalawati hails from a lower class family in which starvation is a close acquaintance. She had been attending schools regularly till 6^th Standard. Her father looks after family by doing daily labor and her mother engages in household chorus. Unfortunately both parents are illiterate and unaware on significance of education and prospective of education.  Consequently, parents did not give much emphasis on education of their child and she discontinued studies in the age of 11. Gradually, Kalawati has become a helper in household work with mother.

Intervention made: During the baseline survey, ADHIKAR animator Miss Neelam Devi identified this case and shared with all during monthly staff meeting. Then, some animators visited to Kalawati’s house and met with her parents. Staff made an attempt to orient parents on importance of education and its benefits. Fortunately, parents were motivated and convinced through frequent visits by animators. Later, Kalawati had taken to school, where she was studying, along with her parents and discussed on possibility of re enrolment of student under RTE act. Surprisingly, teachers were very cordial and congratulated the good work done by animators. Moreover, teacher has given the permission to re enroll Kalawati in VIII standard of Government Junior High School, Teergaw.

Challenges faced: In the initial stage, her parents were not in a position to even listen to animators, especially mother. Though her father was ready to send Kalawati to school, mother was a little ambiguous on re enrollment due to lack of knowledge and information on RTE.  

How challenges were overcome: Frequent visits of animator with inspiration led parents for a second thought. In addition, exposure of schools by parents made positive in sending their child to school.  

Present status or changed situation: Kalawati has been reenrolled to Government Junior high school , Teergaw in standard  VIII on 12/9/2012 . Now she is   going to school regularly and concentrating on her studies with more vigor and confidence. She has been able to bag many friends that helped her in studies. 

Note: This case study has been emerged from Lucknow diocese