Review cum learning workshop for ADHIKAR staff

Caritas India North Zone office has organized two days review cum learning workshop for ADHIKAR staff of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarkhand and Rajastan partners on 6-7 February at Meerut Seva Samaj. Mr. PU Francis- Zonal Manager, Mr. Sinu Mathew & Mr. Kumar (SOs) facilitated whole process in which 10 coordinators and 24 animators actively participated and learned new skills on facilitation as well as role of various community based structures under Right to health, Education, Food and Work in improving the situation of rural areas. Mr. Ashok Sinha- Consultant enlightened the group by providing information with pragmatic approach in addressing various aspects of rights.

Rev. Fr. Borgia, Founder Director of Meerut Seva Samaj inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp followed inspirational speech stating that social work should not be taken as a job and should be coupled with kindness and concern for the suffering people to realize the actual meaning of social work. Rev. Fr. John Chiman, Executive Director of MSS addressed the gathering with special focus on relevance of ADHIKAR in the present scenario where marginalized are being exploited due to lack of knowledge on their rights. Mr. P.U Francis expressed the significance of review meetings through which cross learning and capacity enhancement of staff take place. 

Mr. V. K. Srivastav,DDM of NABARD- Meerut  shared with participants on various programmes in which NGOs can be associated with NABARD. He also extended collaboration of NABARD through SHG formation, Financing agriculture through JLG, Farmers' club programe, Farmer technology transfer fund, capacity building adoption technology, rural innovation fund, non formal sector, SHG or farmer club federation and producer organization development fund.

Mr. Aloknadh chowdary, Chief Medical Officer, Meerut enlightened the group with  various health entitlements available for the poor and marginalized people and he requested the participants to play a mediator role between  people and government. Also he distributed a leaflet on various health entitlements that will help staff members to disseminate information in the community on their rights. 

All ADHIKAR team presented their progress, challenges,learning and plan of action by using audio visual aids in Result Based Management frame that created a platform for realizing the participants on how to improve the quality of programmes and how to address the issues/challenges through appropriate strategies. Moreover, partner-wise evaluation led by Caritas India team broaden the horizon of proper planning and effective project implementation. 

A demonstration on facilitating sessions in the community on various topics by Animators with the support of Coordinators were the highlight of this learning workshop. Topics dealt by the group members were various health and education entitlements, roles and responsibilities of VHSC, VHND functioning, Social Security Schemes, formation & functioning of farmers' club and linkages with Government and Non Governmental organizations. As per the evaluation, it was worthwhile and informative. Moreover, animators could  ease their stage fear. In addition, clarity on functioning of various community level structures emerged as an output of this session. It was also stated that they learned from others how to tackle the obstacles and challenges in the field and how to prepare the systematic presentations.Mr. PU Francis introduced  grading system, to ensure qualitative reporting and documentation at partner level, based on 10 parameters and awarded points to each partner, according to their performance, during the review meeting.

While summarizing, Mr. Sinu Mathew appreciated the hard work of ADHIKAR team and for their active participation throughout  meeting. It was suggested that more concrete effort is required to strengthen networking with government departments and motivated them to change project mode to campaign mode.Facilitating the process of conducting Grama Sabha in the operational areas also highlighted. The programme was concluded with vote of thanks by Mr. Vimlesh- Coordinator of Lucknow diocese.