Annual Report 2013-14

Bala Vikasa strives for a just and peaceful society in which each individual and each community is empowered and self-reliant; where human dignity, equal rights and equal opportunities are enjoyed by all.

ContentsAchievements of the CDDP 1

Reach of the People’s Development Training Center 2

A Note from the Founders 3

A Note from the President 4

A Note from the Executive Director 5

Model Communities 6

Turning Women into Community Builders 9

Mainstreaming Widows into Society 17

Showing Solidarity with Orphans 20

Health & Sanitation 23

Revolutionizing Education for Rural Poor Students 24

Capacitating Youth Groups to Become Change Agents 30

Water Purification Plants (WPP) 32

Bore Wells 39

Supporting Organic Farmers 40

Promoting Drip Irrigation Technology 45

Enhancing Soil Fertility through Tank De-siltation 47

Bettering the Environment through Planting Trees 51

Promoting Solar Technology 52

Sharing our Learning with Development Agents 53

Summary of Financial Statement 59

Bala Vikasa 10 Development Rules 60

Our Donors 60

Achievements of the Community Driven Development Program

Women’s SHGs Facilitated 6,656 Groups, 18,000 Groups, consisting of 70,310 women members consisting of 200,000 women members

Adult Literacy Beneficiaries 149 41,798

Widows Empowered 7,385 15,000

Orphans Educated 1,003 1,500

Health Camp Beneficiaries 7,595 15,074 Family Toilets Built 775, benefiting as many families 20,368 benefiting as many families

Rural Government Schools Improved 25 schools, benefiting 8672 students 250 schools, benefiting 82,840 students

Youth Groups Facilitated 591 new members in 401 groups 3,655 youth in 401 groups

Skill Building Beneficiaries 144 1,155 Water Purification Plants Installed 71 WPPs, 576 WPPs, benefiting 28,400 families benefiting 252,827 families

Bore Wells and Hand Pumps Constructed 196 bore wells, 6,041 bore wells, benefiting 41,000 people benefiting 180,000 families

Organic Farmers Supported 68 368

Drip Irrigation Kits Donated 30 237

Tanks De-silted 49 675

Acres of Soil Fertilized with Natural Silt 7,275 acres, benefiting 3,984 farmers 98,111acres, benefiting 51,530 farmers

Solar Street Lights / Motor Pumps 86 lights/3 pumps in 11 villages 86 lights/3 pumps in 11 villages

Trees Planted 47,806 500,000

Cumulative Intervention 2013-14

1

Reach of the People’s Development Training Center

2013-14 Cumulative

Number of training programs 17 222

Number of national participants (NGOs & CBOs) 494 7,904

Number of international participants 132 596

Number of NGOs represented 304 1,467

AsiaAfghanistanBangladeshCambodiaChinaIndiaJapanJordanLebanonMaldivesNepalPhilippines

PakistanSri LankaTajikistanTaiwanThailandVietnamYemen

AfricaCameroonCongoEthiopiaGhana

LiberiaNigeriaSenegalSouth AfricaSudanTanzaniaTogoUganda

EuropeAustriaFranceGermany

ItalyLatviaNorwaySwedenUK

AmericaCanadaGuatemalaHaitiUSA

Bala Vikasa has trained development professionals from 25 states in India and 41 countries across the globe.

2

A Note from the Founders

As shown in its Annual Report 2013-2014, Bala Vikasa’s development results continue to astonish experts and agents of change who familiarize themselves with the approaches and methodologies used by Bala Vikasa at the grassroots to foster self-esteem and auto-sufficiency of millions of poor people. Thus, Bala Vikasa development ways are now being followed all over the world, particularly in Asia and Africa, in more than 40 countries.

Bala Vikasa is presently in the third year of implementation of its 2012-2017 program, which is based on an integrated development approach by which a number of model communities are being built and supported to cover all dimensions of development sustainability - economic, social and environmental – while mobilizing all sectors of the community: children, youth, women and men. While carrying out this program, Bala Vikasa is already resolutely looking to the future.

For Bala Vikasa, the future of community development is intimately linked with corporate social responsibility and entrepreneurship. Not only the public and non-for-profit sectors have to be involved in alleviating poverty in society but business has to join in meeting this challenge. Unfortunately, the corporate world, often badly inspired by paternalistic philanthropy, selfish interests and grassroots development ignorance, is not always to the mark.

This is where Bala Vikasa enters into service! Its knowledge and expertise in grassroots Community Driven Development coupled with its managerial and professional competencies could be shared with the corporate world enhancing the quality of impact of this vital sector for the uplifting of the more fragile strata of society. With this in mind, during its first meeting of 2013, Bala Vikasa’s Board gave the green light to set up on the outskirts of Hyderabad, an Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility Training Center (ESRTC).

Under the guidance of the Board and the able leadership of its Executive Director, this project is well on its way: a detailed action plan with a tight time table has been designed. Physical accommodations, additional staff, new syllabus, fundraising, etc. are now being taken care of. It is hoped that Bala Vikasa ESRTC will become operational by the end of 2015.

While the implementation of the Community Driven Development Program and the building of a new ESRTC going forward, in 2013-14, Bala Vikasa has also undergone a facelift. Its branding has been rejuvenated: its logo and motto have been refreshed; its website has been revamped; the layout and presentation of its publications have been streamlined. This new face – which is the result of an exercise initiated jointly with SOPAR, its parent organization – is another proof of Bala Vikasa’s dynamism and eagerness to remain relevant in fulfilling its mission.

As it can be seen, the fiscal year 2013-2014, has been for Bala Vikasa a year of tremendous accomplishments. These results would not have been possible without the extraordinary dedication and professionalism of the members of its board, of its main office and field staff, of the multitude of people who continue to give their goodwill and support to Bala Vikasa.

To all of you a heartfelt Vandanam!

Bala T. Gingras & André Gingras

&

3

A Note from the President

This has been an eventful year wherein we had so many activities thought over and executed collectively. The basis for such a successful action plan was the inspiration derived from our co-founder Mr. Andre Gingras’ phrase, “Dreaming alone remains a dream. Dreaming together becomes reality.”

One of the major executions we have achieved is buying 20 acres of land at Hyderabad to build Bala Vikasa’s dream project of the Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility Training Center. This is only the beginning. Now we have an enormous challenge to make the project a reality, which requires a huge amount of resources – money, planning and supervision. As the President, I am committed to doing my best to realize this dream. And I expect all the others involved to stand up to the challenge and fulfill their own commitments.

I’d like to thank all the Board Members, Executive Body members, the office staff and field staff for their cooperation in carrying out all the Bala Vikasa programs successfully. Special thanks to our dynamic director, Shoury Reddy, for his excellent leadership. My thanks to Mr. D. Showry Reddy, our General Secretary, who played a great role not only in procuring the land for the ESRTC but also getting the construction plans done. Immense thanks to our Founders, Mrs. Bala Theresa and Mr. Andre Gingras for their contribution to the success of the organization. I also thank Marc Gingras, President of SOPAR and its Board Members, who gave us a wonderful reception when our team went to Canada on a Thanksgiving visit.

Basani Mareddy

4

Bala Vikasa is very pleased to have reached 357 new villages during the year 2013-14 while we continue to work in approximately 2000 villages through our community driven development programs for women and youth empowerment, and water purification. Approximately 1.5 million people are benefiting from our sustained projects in these villages, spread across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and partly in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Approximately 15,000 volunteers who were elected to different project committees at the village level are working with dedication and bringing significant impact in the lives of their rural communities. Bala Vikasa provides regular and required capacity building training programs for committee members to ensure effectiveness in their roles and responsibilities, which contribute to program sustainability and measurable impact among target groups. Bala Vikasa is committed to introducing eco-friendly alternatives to the energy sector. On a pilot project basis, we have initiated the installation of solar streetlights and solar motor pumps for village water supply schemes. The impact of this intervention is already creating high demand for similar projects in the region.

It is exciting to note that the number of countries participating in our PDTC capacity building programs on “Community Driven Development” has crossed over 40. Also this year, PDTC expanded the reach of its overseas program to a third country – Nepal, at which participants from more than 20 NGOs were in attendance.

Bala Vikasa was able to succeed in achieving all the set targets for the year 2013-14 despite the political upheavals in the state of Andhra Pradesh surrounding its bifurcation, as well as the elections for local, state and central bodies. This was possible only because of Bala Vikasa’s reputation in society and the kind support and encouragement from local leaders, bureaucrats, media and the public.

We proposed nine programs to be included in the manifestos of all the new political parties of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, based on our own successful models of community development in aspects of water purification, renovation of irrigation tanks, solar pumps and streetlights and widows’ empowerment. We are extremely happy to see that some of the points we proposed have become high priorities for both governments.

Our special thanks to our Founders Mrs. Bala Theresa Gingras and Mr. Andre Gingras who continue to play a very inspirational role in the organization through their dedication, professionalism, wisdom and values. We thank our funding partners SOPAR and DFATD (Canada), Frank Water Projects (England), Novara Center Onlus (Italy), Kadoorie Charitable Foundation (Hong Kong,) SOPAR-Bala Vikasa (USA) and School For Children (Italy) for their generous financial contributions and constant support. We also thank in a special way all our local individual and corporate donors for their confidence and cooperation with the organization. Last but not least, we greatly appreciate the General Body and Executive Body, the field and office staff and partner organizations for their commitment and professionalism which has made Bala Vikasa stand out as an exemplary organization in community driven development.

S.Shoury Reddy

A Note from the Executive Director

5

Program SummaryOver the last two decades, Bala Vikasa has been constantly facilitating the creation of model communities – that is, communities which are self-reliant and where every individual is empowered and lives with dignity. This is possible through an Asset Based Community Development Approach, a methodology which suggests a paradigm shift of focusing on local assets rather than focusing on community needs to initiate the development process.

MODEL COMMUNITIES

In 2013-14, Bala Vikasa has taken a focussed and consolidated approach to the creation of model communities, essentially through inspiring people, especially youth to take charge by: recognizing their assets; forming teams of leaders to implement and manage various developmental activities; constantly building these leaders’ capacities and mentoring them through regular trainings, and designing strategies to overcome challenges faced along the way. In this way, Bala Vikasa steps back and fulfils the role of a facilitator, which communities step forward to work together for progress.

6

Program ActivitiesA. Training Promising Youth Leaders as Development Agents

In April 2013, Bala Vikasa identified 18 promising Youth Group Leaders and designated them as Development Agents. Their main tasks are to encourage, coordinate and facilitate villagers to participate in development activities. As a result of these activities, the youth have established a good rapport with the communities, developed leadership abilities and deepened their understanding of community driven development.

To strengthen the capacities of the 18 Development Agents to act as facilitators for the Village Development Committees, Bala Vikasa organized regular monthly trainings. During the reporting year 12 training sessions were organized. There was on average 98% attendance. The trainings emphasized the articulation of learning experiences and enabled knowledge/skill sharing in planning, implementation and monitoring systems. Each development program was reviewed and actions allotted for follow-up in a participatory way. These trainings imbibed commitment, honesty, leadership, strategic management and instilled confidence.

B. Training Village Presidents (Sarpanch & Upa-sarpanch)

Village Presidents from 100 villages were invited for a three-day training program on the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach in August, 2013. 231 Presidents and Vice Presidents participated, and were motivated and encouraged to drive their community development and make their village a model one using this approach. Some of those in attendance were from non-model communities but came because they were curious to know more.

C. Organizing Grama Sabha Meetings & Forming Village Development Committees

Bala Vikasa encouraged the village presidents to hold Grama Sabhas (public meetings) to involve all community members in development planning and initiatives. Grama Sabha meetings were held successfully in 51 villages with the participation of 18,930 community members during November – March 2013. The responsibility of organizing the logistics of the meeting as regards announcements, mobilizing people to attend, arranging the microphone, etc were shared between the Panchayat and Development Agents. Professionals, village elders and Gram Panchayat members all attended this meeting, making it a fruitful and truly democratic initiative.

The objective of these meetings was to educate villagers on the ABCD way. Village Development Committees were formed after discussing their roles and functions, and highlighting the importance of shared responsibility and individual contribution. The eligibility for becoming a Committee Member was based on traits like honesty, development knowledge, experience and leadership skills, and there was strictly no discrimination based on caste or religion.

Eight Committees were formed for each village, consisting of 5-7 individuals with a President, Secretary and Treasurer:

The President of each Committee became a member of the overall Village Development Committee, which steers and monitors the rest. All the newly elected committees took a pledge to render their services with commitment and honesty on a voluntary basis.

Education Committee

Health Committee

Environment Committee

Food Security Committee

Water Committee

Care & Share Committee

Stop Superstitions Committee

Village Development Committee

7

D. Village Level Monthly Meetings for Committee Members

Bala Vikasa organized monthly meetings at the village level to capacitate all Committee members to discuss issues, initiate action plans, identify resources, assign responsibilities etc. Development Agents facilitated these meetings, at which there was active participation by the Committee members.

E. Strengthening the Capacity of Development Committees

Special trainings were organized for different Committees by Bala Vikasa at its People Development Training Center between the months of November 2013 – February 2014. Seasonal issues were given priority and the concerned Committee was facilitated to discuss the required measures to tackle these problems.

186 Care and Share Committee Members, 164 Environment Committee Members, 127 Education Committee Members and 224 VDC Members attended these training programs. The special trainings guided the Committees to identify existing assets and issues associated with resources, actions required, priorities, and enabled them to search for added possibilities.

F. Exposure Visit to Thamadapally Model Community

An exposure visit was organized in March 2014 for 76 Village Development Committee Members from 51 villages to Thamadapally, which was one of the 100 villages identified for the Model Community concept. Within a short span of four months, this village achieved 100% cleanliness, 100% conflict free status (no cases filed in the police station), 100% sanitation, 100% ban on sale of illegal liquor and furthermore, they started using a solar motor pump.

Before, there were always a lot of political conflicts, and everyday at least two cases were filed in the police station. The neighboring villages viewed it as a place with a lot of strife. Within just six months, the village has transformed and become a place where others are taken on exposure visits.

The visitors were immensely inspired by the commitment, unity and responsibility sharing of the villagers in achieving results and expressed their commitment to bring similar results in their village within three months.

• Increased unity in the village, shown through higher communication and cooperation.

• Increased participation of the villagers in development activities, using individual skills and capacities.

• Mobilization and optimum utilization of community resources.

• Enhanced leadership skills; leadership is distributed towards shared responsibility.

• Increased number of women involved in the development process.

• Increased confidence to take up development activities.

Impact of Model Community initiative

8

TURNING WOMEN INTO COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Program SummaryBala Vikasa has devised 10 Rules of Development, one of which is that women are integral to development and are crucial for the success of any development-related activity. Our progress as a country is dependent on fighting social discrimination and recognising the power of women in strengthening bonds of amity in communities.

We started our Women’s Integrated Development Program in 1994 with the purpose of bringing social, economic, ethical and intellectual change in the lives of women, understanding that this change would reflect itself in the lives of their families and communities. Through establishing and managing a network of active Self-Help Women’s Groups in 1,500 villages, Bala Vikasa invests in the capacities of these women to become community builders.

2013-14: 3,400 women joined the WID Program

Current total number under Bala Vikasa: 70,310 women belonging to 6,656 groups across 87 program centers.

Cumulative number (including those handed over to partner NGOs): 200,000 women belonging to 18,000 groups in 1,500 villages

9

Bala Vikasa Founder Mrs. Bala Theresa Gingras closely guides the program.

WID Program Structure

10 Women Members form 1 Women’s Self Help Group,

with 1 elected leader. Currently there are 6656

Women’s Groups.

195 Bala Vikasa Field Area Coordinators oversee new group formation, monthly

meetings, dissemination of program information and

implementing development activities.

Approx. 100 Women’s Groups form 1 Self Help Association (SHA), led

by a Self Help Executive Council. Currently there are 79 Councils consisting of

290 members.

Bala Vikasa Program Management Team at Head Office and its partner NGOs facilitates and monitors the

process.

10

Handing Over to Partner Organizations

In order to keep the program scalable, Bala Vikasa regularly hands over the management of certain SHAs to partner organizations. After several training programs, discussions and meetings with the partner NGO TARBS Congregation, Bala Vikasa handed over their area centers in Krishna and Kurnool Districts. Totally, 1646 women members from 182 groups in 22 villages are now under the administration of TARBS. A memorandum was signed and updated records were prepared. The coordinators of all the handed-over areas still attend all the Bala Vikasa trainings regularly. They still feel as one family and continue sharing with each other.

Program ActivitiesA. Capacity Building

Vikasa Day Group MeetingsMonthly meetings were organized and facilitated by Area Coordinators at village-level in all the WID program areas. The objective of these meetings was to update on program information, motivate the women to keep up the spirit, plan and make decisions on the activities to be implemented during the month. The women were exposed to input sessions on literacy, health, social justice, environment etc. As a result of these regular meetings, the women are more united, develop affinity and build strong relationships.

Seelam Jyothi - Bala Kishan village, Hasanparthi Town

“The value of empathy is becoming rare. In this materialistic world, I’ve come across many people running after wealth and power. I thought it was a common thing and I too was in the same boat. But after attending the SHA training program at People Development Training Center I realized that there are people who help others even if they have to sacrifice their own needs while doing so. ”

It was Seelam Jyothi’s first SHA meeting after being appointed as a SHA Council member. She was astounded when other members shared how they supported the old and destitute, when they were so poor themselves that they had to buy rice from the government ration shops. They even sacrificed their own meals. Seelam Jyothi was so inspired by this that she decided to follow suit and support the old and destitute in her village, by motivating her neighbours to make small donations. With this money, she bought 100kgs of rice and distributed it. She said, “This gave me tremendous satisfaction and this is only the beginning. I still have a long way to go in multiplying this change among other women.”

Training for Women Group LeadersTo enhance the quality of leadership, their abilities and to create a positive attitude within the Women Group leaders, Bala Vikasa organized special trainings for 5,903 group leaders from 54 program centers. The trainings addressed the importance of conducting group meetings, the issue of social justice for widows (elaborating on the criteria for formation of Widows Committee), and detailed processes to manage savings and loans.

Training for Self Help Association Leaders During the reporting year six trainings were organized for SHA leaders. Between 325 to 350 attended these trainings, which enhanced their capacities in different issues and in a participatory way. They reviewed, planned, and formulated action plans. Regular trainings helped the SHA to:

• Develop skills to undertake greater variety of work

• Improve their ability to motivate the Women’s Groups

• Improve their ability to respond effectively to change

• Develop leadership skills

• Increase team sprit

• Share solidarity with women, children, old and destitute

• Make change at individual, family and community level.

11

Training for Program Coordinators and Partner OrganizationsAt Bala Vikasa’s People Development Training Center (PDTC), 11 two-day trainings were conducted for Field Coordinators and Partner Organizations. There was a 95% attendance rate. These meetings revived their energy and substantiated their knowledge in program management. They also created a space for continuous learning and transformed the women, enabling them to remain competitive with others, share their vision and imbibe team spirit. It also encouraged shifting to a more interconnected way of thinking and deepened their commitment.

Training for Women EntrepreneursBala Vikasa organized a two-day training program in two batches for promising entrepreneurs who were supported with loans to develop their enterprise. 401 entrepreneurs underwent this training at PDTC and improved their knowledge on business ethics, techniques and optimum utilization of local resources. An exposure visit for 162 women to a successful woman’s business enterprise was organized to inspire the women to adopt best practices.

12

B. Economic Development

Through their groups, women place a little money into a collective savings account each month. If they are regular in attendance, after a specified time they are able to apply to the group for a loan to start a micro-enterprise. In 2013-14, nearly 6,000 women in areas directly under Bala Vikasa’s management took loans worth more than 48 million rupees. A further 8,770 women under partner NGOs were beneficiaries of loans worth 94 million rupees. With these resources, they were able to start small shops; buy live animals for milk/meat production; learn skills such as tailoring/repair work/ basket-making; and set up small-scale roadside stores selling anything from ice cream to bangles.

B. Adult Literacy

Bala Vikasa provided educational support to young women who were unable to complete their studies due to poverty and child marriage. 40 women, including 16 widows benefited and are now pursuing their Bachelor’s degree. Through this support women gained access to the skills and critical thinking that prepared them to actively engage in society. A further 59 women were enrolled in an intensive adult literacy program, passed and were certified. They are now considering pursuing their formal studies.

C. Jaladanam

Andhra Pradesh is known for its scorching heat, and a very common ailment during summer time is dehydration, leading to several deaths every year. Bala Vikasa Youth and Women’s Groups realized that it was their social responsibility to protect travelers from thirst. Hence the women started a program called ‘Jaladanam’ in 80 villages. Clean and purified water was collected in pots/ drums and served under the banner of Bala Vikasa at various spots. Amazingly, husbands of the women also came forward to share their responsibility and support the initiative.

D. Kitchen gardens

Bala Vikasa motivated women to start a kitchen garden in their backyards to reduce expenditure on food purchases and achieve a measure of self-sufficiency. The seeds were bought in bulk and distributed at an affordable cost. 16,919 women cultivated vegetables and fruits to supply their kitchen and also distributed the extra seeds to women who were poor and could not afford to buy.

913

She recollects the days when her family was going through a phase of absolute poverty in 1995. That year, Bala Vikasa ventured into their village with a concept of creating women’s SHGs. The women were encouraged to save Rs.10 every month to become a member of the group. She remembered that at that time, saving even Rs.10 a month seemed an impossible challenge. However, with the consultation of her husband, she came forward to join the group. That was the moment which changed their entire lives. After one year, she took a loan of Rs.5,000 from Bala Vikasa and started the sale of diesel and petrol (in bottles) on the highway road.

The business required her to move from a small interior house to the main road thus ensuring more accessibility to the customers on the road. Within no time, business had picked up and the increased earnings motivated them to take another loan of Rs.10,000 for further investment. They also became a member of a household chit fund for Rs.1,00,000 for 25 months. She said that her promptness in repaying the loans demonstrated her truthfulness and so she was trusted by the community. With the one lakh rupees, she bought a jeep of their own to avoid the interference of intermediaries in procuring the diesel and petrol.

Soon she had saved Rs. 15,000. She took another loan from Bala Vikasa of Rs.15,000 and raised another chit of Rs.100,000. With the total amount of Rs.130,000 she negotiated and purchased an independent house for themselves worth Rs.1,60,000. Her strong decision making affected the family dynamics and her husband

parted from her. It was at that time, she became more audacious and confident to face the situation with a strong belief in her entrepreneurial skills and the support of Bala Vikasa. She cleared the additional loan of Rs.30,000 in no time.

Saidabi comes from a conservative Muslim family where the greatest deterrent to her success was a patriarchal, male-dominated social order which tried many times to block her path to business excellence. However, this constraint did not stop her from availing of a further loan of Rs.20,000 from Bala Vikasa when she decided to expand her enterprise to include tents (for functions).

Her husband returned home and she also supported him in setting up a tractor repair shop. While establishing

this business, she had approached a company for providing the necessary tools and instruments initially on a loan basis. The shop owner immediately responded, saying: “You are a member of Bala Vikasa and that is enough to trust you.”

She confesses that there were few kickbacks in the business, but she never lost faith because she had the continuous support of Bala Vikasa. “It has instilled hope and self-belief in me and today I am articulate and confident. I had never dreamt that such a day would come. Today I have assets worth Rs.50 lakhs. As my social responsibility we are supporting Bala Vikasa by providing tents free of cost for any event conducted in nearby villages.” She says proudly, “Today people address me as Madam and I feel so privileged.”

Inspiration

Mrs. Saidabi is now a successful woman entrepreneur. But this was not always the case.

“The shop owner immediately responded, saying: “You are a member of Bala Vikasa and that is enough to trust you.” ”

14

Aims of the convention were:• To facilitate rural women entrepreneurs from the

operational areas of Bala Vikasa in developing useful business insights and learning, and improving their business management / networking skills

• To highlight and demonstrate strong solidarity and action supporting rural women entrepreneurs

• To provide a common platform for women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to effectively articulate their problems and constraints and get greater exposure to regional business environment and opportunities.

Event Highlights

The rally was flagged off by Founder Mrs.Bala Theresa. The women coordinators and chief guests marched shouting slogans related to the Convention theme. A special motivational theme song was sung by the staff. Bala Vikasa staff performed a small skit to explain its programs in an entertaining way. Input sessions were conducted on the ethical aspects of business, as well as how to expand one’s business sustainably.

Addressing this event, Founder Mr. André Gingras said “Women are no more confined to domestic chores and labor work; they are now more empowered both economically and socially to share and manage responsibilities equally with men. They should also

Convention – “Women’s Empowerment through Entrepreneurship”

31st, January 2014Attended by: 3,153 women including SHA members, Coordinators, Development Agents and entrepreneurs from all over Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

become a motivation for their daughters to become successful entrepreneurs.” He advocated fighting against corruption and becoming a role model to other women by providing job opportunities through their businesses. He conveyed that a good entrepreneur should have a new dimension and direction, which is “Social Entrepreneurship.”

Mrs. Bala Theresa Gingras addressed the participants and said that the question all entrepreneurs must ask themselves is how to enlarge one’s business. Moreover, the number of women who are mentored to start their own businesses through Bala Vikasa gives the organization an indicator to measure its progress in the work it is doing. She told all the participants “Dare to dream big”, suggesting that they should become competent enough to sustain and strive for excellence in the entrepreneurial arena.

There was wide coverage of this event by electronic and print media, which reached its core ideas to a huge number of people.

15

• Deepened understanding of project and personality development

• Through networks women build strong supportive relationships with each other

• Women group leaders strengthen their leadership skills through capacity building and in turn become community leaders

• Development of small business and women entrepreneurs in the villages

• Improved literacy and increased educational level through adult literacy program

• Increased self-confidence and self-belief

• Women empathize with the orphans, old and destitute and other vulnerable sections, and provide financial and emotional support

• Women are committed to taking up development activities in the villages, fighting for social justice and creating model communities.

• Through the empowerment of these women’s groups, communities are altering their perception of women as change makers.

Impact of Women’s Integrated Development Program

16

MAINSTREAMING WIDOWS INTO SOCIETY

Program SummaryIn order to alleviate social seclusion and create favorable conditions for widows to enjoy their rights, opportunities and dignity, Bala Vikasa initiated the Widows Empowerment Program in 2006. Bala Vikasa aims to educate society on the discriminatory social practices and superstitious beliefs which make the lives of widows miserable, and to create awareness amongst people on their social responsibility of accepting and respecting widows as women with rights.

Program ActivitiesA. Monthly Motivational Meetings for 500 Young Widows

Bala Vikasa realized that change in the older widows is sluggish as they are strongly imbibed with cultural practices. Hence, 500 young widows were selected as a group to focus on. These 500 widows attended monthly sessions on personality development, women’s rights, widows’ rights, the importance of education, laws against child labor, child marriage and so on. Different methods such as games and debates were used to make the trainings lively and interesting. Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques and yoga sessions were also conducted to enable them to remain positive, forget their past and dream for the future. Bala Vikasa believes these kinds of sessions help them to transform as a person and this change spreads to the other widows. The younger ones are also motivated to remarry.

B. Care and Share Meetings

Care and Share Meetings took place once in 2013-14, where 7,385 widows get together in 67 program centers. This gathering provides them with adequate confidence to reclaim their identities and rebuild their future. These meetings also created a space where they realized that they were not alone in their journeys and could exchange experiences, information and support. The coordinators invited local sarpanches, gram panchayat members, elders, professionals, people of influence and other villagers to these meetings such that they were also exposed to the learning and had an opportunity to change the way they view widows.

C. General Awareness Creation

As part of awareness creation amongst the larger community, the issue of widow’s rights was discussed in all the Bala Vikasa Community Driven Development Program meetings and trainings. A lot of awareness was created among other women, youth, farmers and program beneficiaries in order to fight for social justice and accept widows into mainstream community life. At the Gram Sabha meetings, the Care and Share Committees set out to make each person in that village collectively responsible for the wellbeing of their widows’ and semi-orphans.

2013-14: 7385 widows attended special awareness meetings held in 67 program centers

52 Care and Share Committees formed in 52 villages to fight for equal treatment of widows

500 young widows regularly mentored and called for 10 training programs

29 widows remarried and are living happily.

Cumulative number of widows benefited through the program: 15,000.

17

InspirationAhalya (34) hails from a traditional family in Danthalapalli village, Warangal district. She was married to Kotaiah at the age of 12 and had to leave school. She had two children, a daughter and a son. She faced a lot of challenges with her husband, who drank on a daily basis and returned from his binges to beat her. As he had no regular job, all the money earned was spent on liquor and there was no food in the house on many occasions.

With his suspicious thoughts he attempted to kill Ahalya twice, trying to hang her and then trying to set her on fire. But she was saved by her in-laws and neighbors and was sent to her parents’ house. In her absence he had a fight with his parents and committed suicide by taking poison. After spending nine years of her life with Kotaiah she was left alone. She returned to her native village bogged down with hopelessness and lived with her parents.

Thinking of her children, she decided to face life by herself as she had no support from her in-laws. She learnt tailoring and began to raise income from sewing, worth Rs.700-1000 per month. This small amount of money could not support the expenses of food, school fees and books for the children. So she started a bangle store to support her earnings, but as other women considered it inauspicious to buy decorative items from a widow, it was hard going. They even told her not to wear bangles. These words hurt her very strongly as she was deprived her right as a woman to beautify herself. Her parents too did not support her and discriminated her by disallowing her from attending important social events.

Her parents’ attitude provoked her into considering suicide. “But the future of my children immediately stopped me,” said Ahalya. She started to attend Bala Vikasa’s monthly Women’s Group meetings regularly,

and was selected to be among the 500 young widows that Bala Vikasa would support. She began to attend the monthly training sessions.

“Through these meetings, I have renewed hope and confidence and I know my rights, opportunities and how to live in dignity,” said a rejuvenated Ahalya. The yoga and NLP sessions helped her to think positive and do positive. She began to say to herself: “nobody can shatter my confidence” and this gave her a lot of driving force.

With a reprogrammed mind she started to earn profits from her bangle store. Having seen her positive energy she was appointed as a leader in the Development Committee and began to regularly attend meetings with village leaders and others. “Bala Akka’s words ‘life is short so live for a great cause’ made me socially responsible and show empathy towards my community, no matter how badly they had treated me before,” Ahalya said.

As a social empathizer Ahalya:

• Continued her studies and passed 10th class with 65% marks

• Stopped the humiliating ceremony upon the death of her neighbor’s husband

• Used her tailoring skills to teach 35 other women• Encouraged all the widows to participate in religious

ceremonies, weddings along with her • Encouraged widows to wear bangles with no cost

from her shop• Motivated people to attend the solidarity event for

orphans and semi-orphans• Donated for the Vikasa orphan children.

Ahalya says she is a transformed woman living with hope and dignity. She is happy to be self-reliant and a proud mother to her children.

18

Individual• Widows are changing their mindsets and attitudes, moving away from self-hatred and

instead viewing themselves as women who have done nothing wrong and who should be treated with dignity and respect.

• The young widows are starting to come up with ideas of their own on how to deal with the societal discrimination. They suggested the formation of a widows’ group, which would actively intervene in the humiliating ceremony that is performed after the husband’s death, where the woman is deprived of her bangles and bindi, and stop this tradition from continuing.

Family• Their children (semi-orphans) are benefiting from their changed attitudes and have a stable

home environment, with hope for an education. After attending Bala Vikasa meetings, they are also more empathetic towards the daily struggle of their mothers and vow to change the attitudes of those they come in contact with.

• 29 widows got re-married, giving them prospects of a new and bright future.

Community• Some members of communities are beginning to understand the fallacy behind superstitious

beliefs and beginning to treat widows as human beings in their own right, allowing them to attend religious ceremonies and wear bindi.

• In the villages where Bala Vikasa works, widows are being invited for functions and festivals, which never happened before.

• Widows are showing support by defending each other against any abuse or accusations. They are also inviting other widows to their children’s maturity functions or marriage celebrations. They take blessings from widows for their newly wed sons and daughters, something that was unheard of in the past.

Impact of Widows Empowerment Program

19

SHOWING SOLIDARITY WITH VIKASA CHILDREN

2013-14: 1003 orphans supported in their education

Total number: 1,500 orphans

2013-14: Rs.5,411,704 raised from communities towards the support of orphans’ education

Program SummaryIn rural villages where poverty and unemployment are rampant, the breaking down of family units due to the deaths of one or both parents leave a number of children destitute, broken and uneducated. In a true manifestation of the Asset Based Community Development methodology, Bala Vikasa has worked to better the situation of these orphan children through an innovative community-led initiative, where local Women’s Groups care for the Vikasa children with love and financial support.

Discussions take place in the Women’s Groups regarding the utter desperation of orphan children in their communities. The women are moved to empathize and, even though they are poor themselves, respond generously by contributing some of their wages towards the children’s education. A strong bridge of bonds is built between the women and orphans as they came together on different occasions during the year, such that now the orphans have come to know the women as ‘mothers’, and the women consider the orphans their ‘children’.

20

Program ActivitiesA. Poor Contributing for the Poorest

Every year a day called “Solidarity with Orphans” is organised in all the WID areas. Area Coordinators brought all the orphans and ‘mothers’ together on one platform. A lot of hope, confidence and support was exchanged. Women willingly paid for their own travel, sacrificed their daily wages, cooked meals for the children and contributed 1-3 days’ worth of wages towards education expenses. A common birthday for all the children was celebrated on this occasion. Some inputs on the importance of education, girl child, discouraging child marriages were also given to the thousands of women gathered on this day.

A total of 49,516 women, 405 youth, 717 Committee Members, 613 guests, 506 local donors participated on Solidarity Day, January 2014. The women and youth donated an unprecedented amount of Rs.4,783,033. The rest contributed an amount of Rs.628,671. It was truly inspiring and amazing to see such a large amount of money pooled from everyone involved towards the betterment of the orphans’ lives.

B. School Preparatory Day - June 2013

Bala Vikasa organized the School Preparatory Day in June before re-opening of schools. The aim of this gathering was to prepare the orphan children for the new academic year and provide them with required pedagogical supplies like uniforms, books and other toiletries. Area Coordinators guided the children with

disciplinary talks on punctuality, time management, hygiene, good leadership and friendship. The relationship between the children and the women is strengthened each year on this day, and the children obey the women as they would their own parents. During the reporting year, 850 children attended School Preparatory Day.

C. Visiting Children in Boarding Schools

Area Coordinators and other women also visited the children as surrogate parents would do. 433 children were visited in 2013-14. Bala Vikasa encourages these visits among the women, coordinators and the SHA members so that the children never feel unloved or alone in the world.

D. Talent Show - October 2013

758 children attended the annual Talent Show organized to exhibit their artistic talents. Excellent performances and artwork were appreciated and winners awarded. Children returned to school with improved ethical behavior, strengthened relationships and some knowledge on health issues.

E. Summer Camp for College-Going Children

24 super smart orphan children were identified to attend a residential summer camp at Bala Vikasa PDTC in May 2013. Spoken English and music classes were organized for the camp which lasted nearly one month. These children were admitted into English medium schools in the following academic year.

21

InspirationMadi Yamuna lost her parents when she was just one year old. Her maternal grandparents had to nurse her with cow milk. Until Class 3 she was in a government school. She had no books, no clothes. She would always cry because she didn’t have anyone to love her. Her grandparents were old and not able to work or look after her well. She wasn’t doing too well in school either.

In Class 4, our field coordinators identified her during one of the group meetings. Her two older sisters had also been supported by Bala Vikasa’s orphan program. As time passed, with the care and support from Bala Vikasa Field Coordinators, she started studying properly and got very good grades in Class 10.

During the 10th exams, all the other children were accompanied by their parents to bless them. Feeling upset that there was no one there for her, Madi looked

up and saw the Coordinators coming towards her. “They encouraged me to write my exams well. Since then, I always think: if I were not an orphan I would have just two parents. But now I have thousands of parents because of Bala Vikasa, who are always there and available when I need them.”

After Class 10, her sister enrolled her in a Telugu medium college but the standards were very low. Bala Akka suggested that because she was so smart, would she like to join an English medium college. She immediately accepted. “Even the rich people are not able to enrol their children in this college, but I managed to get in on merit. I’m now doing my degree in Maths. I have lots of good friends. I almost forget I’m an orphan. The BV staff come to visit so I never feel different from the others. If all this wouldn’t have happened, I might have been in a small hut in a small village somewhere. But look at me. I’m living a normal, healthy and happy life.”

22

HEALTH & SANITATIONPre & Postnatal Care

A higher incidence of mortality is found to occur among women and girls living in poverty, illiteracy and socially disadvantaged groups. Bala Vikasa initiated this program three years ago to educate pregnant women on pre and postnatal care, and to manage complications if they were anemic. 84 camps were organized and 2,105 women participated. Professional doctors were present on this occasion and enlightened them. Health supplements like protein-x bottles were provided to the women.

Health Camps

People suffering from different illnesses in rural communities do not visit hospitals due to lack of health awareness, transportation and poverty. In order to sensitize them about various preventive health care issues and to facilitate their access to health services, Bala Vikasa conducted health camps in 83 villages (43 Model Communities and 40 Women’s Program Centers). 108 MBBS doctors and 342 nurses rendered their services and provided 56 types of medicines. These camps provided comprehensive health services free of cost. 285 village Health Committees contributed towards the success of this activity and 7595 people were directly benefited.

Sanitation

Open defecation, which is the norm in rural communities, is directly implicated in the transmission of many infectious diseases including cholera and typhoid. 90% of those affected are children. Bala Vikasa started the Family Toilet program to educate communities on the adverse effects of open defecation, while providing resources to build toilets, and knowledge on their usage and maintenance. Motivation meetings were held for all the women along with their husbands. Upon setting the criteria (not able to avail of government toilet, no toilet in the house, agreement to invest in the initial expenditure etc.), 775 families were supported with Rs.3500 each for the construction of toilets.

TestimonialPadavati Rutha from Mariapuram village says, “I used to feel shy to defecate in open spaces. We were also concerned about security. Many times I was tense and worried for my daughter who is approaching puberty. I was forced to accompany her when she went to defecate. It was so embarrassing to walk a long distance to find a hidden place. Now we’re thrilled, we feel safe and save a lot of time. I am inspired and will motivate others to make our village an open-defecation-free village.”

23

REVOLUTIONIZING EDUCATION FOR RURAL POOR STUDENTS

2013-14: 25 additional schools benefited through this program, improving education for 8672 students (5251 girls and 3421 boys)

Total number: 250 schools, benefiting 82,840 students

Program SummaryWith its landmark Right to Education Act (2009), the Indian government made free and quality education a fundamental right for children aged between 6 to14. Numbers of enrolment have skyrocketed all over the country – the most recent pointing to an impressive 98% in primary schools, but the fact remains that quality education is still a distant reality for most rural students. While public schools remain the majority provider of education in villages, poor infrastructure, lack of teachers and unsanitary conditions are features common to most. Last year, the RTE Forum (a civil society collective of 10,000 NGOs) found that only 5% of government schools complied with all the basic standards for infrastructure set by the Act.

In this context, Bala Vikasa intervenes through its Vidya Vikasa Program, with the mission of providing a “healthy

environment and quality education to children in rural public schools.” Started in 2007 with the participation of the local district education department, Bala Vikasa focuses on the provision of key infrastructural aid while also working to bring in attitudinal changes in the minds of the students, teachers and parents towards improving the health, hygiene and overall quality of education. Between 2007 and 2010, Bala Vikasa reached 200 government schools, impacting 65,820 school children.

Since 2012, Bala Vikasa has targeted 25 schools each year, focusing on improving school facilities; setting up committees to ensure that these facilities are maintained; conducting awareness camps and annual competitions to gauge the improvement in the standard of education. In 2013-14, Bala Vikasa collected base line data from 43 schools, out of which 25 were selected in four districts (Karimnagar, Medak, Nizamabad and Warangal). The Vidya Vikasa Pathakam directly impacted 8,672 children in the reporting year.

24

Program ActivitiesA. Program Orientation and Motivation Meetings

As with all Bala Vikasa Community Driven Development Programs, the first step in achieving sustainability is to gain support for the project from stakeholders, such that right from the beginning they feel a sense of responsibility and ownership. For the Vidya Vikasa Pathakam, in 2013-14, Bala Vikasa staff began by motivating the authorities from 27 schools to participate in the project. At these meetings, the participants were given an orientation to Bala Vikasa’s philosophy and program concept, what the organisatonal role would be, and what exactly their roles would involve. Willingness to participate was gauged, and the school management was asked whether they would be interested in going forward with the program. Only after they have made an informed decision and commitment, does Bala Vikasa visit the schools to give the students an orientation and form committees to realise specific goals.

B. Eco-Clubs

To imbibe a belief in the importance of ecological balance and environmental conservation, the entire student population in each school was divided into five groups, each in charge of a separate aspect: Cleanliness, Water, Greenery, Sanitation and Library. For each group, one student is elected as Eco-Leader and one teacher is appointed as the Eco-In Charge. Together, they form an Eco-Club consisting of 5-7 members. 25 Eco-Clubs were formed in 25 schools to maintain and promote cleanliness, greenery, water-saving practices, tree plantation and keeping the library in order. As a result, children developed leadership qualities and a sense of collective responsibility towards their school premises and community.

C. Awareness Camps

To sensitize children on issues of health and hygiene, Bala Vikasa organised the performance of dramas by hired artists in all 25 schools reaching a total number of 7695 people, including parents and teachers. Topics dealt with washing hands, fresh and clean food, the importance of education, saving plants and keeping our environment pristine and sanitary. The success of this activity was clear: there was notably a deeper understanding of the issues, leading to self-motivation regarding good hygiene practices such as washing hands before meals. It was also inspiring to see that the children took these messages home to their families, where hopefully other members will inculcate the same beliefs.

D. Trainings

As part of program implementation, four trainings were organized at different times, two for teachers (105 male and 24 female) and parents (74 fathers and 27 mothers), and two for students – 133 female and 144 male Eco-Club members. The teachers and parents were trained in motivating children, utilisation of the library and distribution of motivational material – CDs, cassettes, storybooks and posters. Eco-Club members were given capacity building in tree plantation, good hygiene and utilisation of library benches. At each training, the current status of the program and its achievements were discussed, so that everyone got a good idea of its evolution.

E. Cleanliness

In the 25 selected schools, a major problem that needed to be tackled was litter in the classrooms, and a generally unclean school environment. As the schools suffered a lack of cleaning staff and an organised method of dealing with this issue, the negligence towards cleanliness was adversely affecting the students’ lives and health. Bala Vikasa provided 50 dust pits, 25 buckets, 25 iron tubs, 25 trolleys to carry the garbage, 25 doll dustbins, and 265 iron dustbins for each classroom in all 25 schools. The Cleanliness Group was trained in the management and maintenance of all these.

25

F. Class Room Furniture

It was observed that in some classrooms, students were sitting on the floor due to lack of furniture. As a result, their knees hurt after extended periods of sitting and writing. This discomfort was one of the contributors towards average exam results and a generally lower classroom performance. Based on a needs assessment and intervention approach, 63 classrooms in 25 schools were provided with wooden desks and benches, for 3,137 student beneficiaries.

G. Library

Baseline data showed that there were insufficient library facilities in the 25 schools. If there were books, there was no system of organisation. With the firm belief that books are supremely important to a child’s learning, Bala Vikasa intervened to provide 6850 library books (dictionaries, storybooks, encyclopedias, knowledge improvement textbooks) to the 25 schools, along with

50 book racks, 50 reading tables and 300 sitting chairs. The Library Groups took up the cause of maintenance and library administration. All 8,672 students from 25 schools were direct beneficiaries of this fruitful endeavour. Student and teacher committees motivated the students to utilise the library for research and study, and an annual maintenance fund was set up with contributions from students.

H. Annual Competitions

Bala Vikasa holds its Annual Competition with the belief that different modes of communication and interaction enable children to grasp concepts in a way that stays with them. The Annual Competition was held in each school, and the winners were called to the PDTC in March 2014 for a day-long event. The students explored themes of child safety, cleanliness, health and hygiene through engaging in creative activities – songs, talent, games and art. 75 winners were awarded with t-shirts, certificates and medals.

26

InspirationProfile

The Tribal Welfare Ashrama High School is located in Gangaram village, a remote and largely tribal area in interior Warangal district. It has a population of 409 students, 18 teaching staff and two non-teaching staff. It is a residential school which spreads out over an area of five acres. All students come from below-the-poverty-line families.

Problem Identification

Maintaining sanitation and cleanliness on a campus with such a large student population was proving to be an impossible task, leading to poor hygiene and ill health amongst the students, therefore reducing their attendance and productivity. The school facilities, such as classroom and library infrastructure, were sorely lacking. Levels of personality development amongst the students was also observed to be lower than average.

Selection for Program

The Tribal Welfare Department Deputy Director Naveen Nicholas approached Bala Vikasa with a memorandum detailing the issues faced by tribal schools. Ashrama’s Headmaster also came forward to apply for assistance. Bala Vikasa selected this school based on its requirements and needs as well as the direct request of the school management. The children were more in need of basic facilities because they have to stay there 24 hours.

Key Findings

Bala Vikasa did standard baseline research, which raised the following conclusions:• There was a distinct lack of awareness on health

and hygiene among the children.• The classrooms, boarding facilities, toilets and

campus were dirty and badly maintained.• They did not have classroom furniture or library

facilities.• Students were not interested in attending classes

and had no discipline in maintaining the existing facilities.

Bala Vikasa Intervention

School-level and program-level orientations were organized to introduce the program concept and develop a cohesive strategy for the solution of the school’s problems. Schoolteachers, students and villagers were formed into Eco-Clubs and played a vital role in making the program a success.

It was immediately clear that all involved in the project – students and teachers alike – were taking this project very seriously. Very soon after the first motivation meeting, where Bala Vikasa staff explained the importance of not wasting food especially by throwing it everywhere, by lunchtime there was a marked difference in the dining hall. Everyone had put his or her leftovers neatly into one bucket. Eventually, two organic compost dust pits (one wet and one dry), 16 classroom dustbins, one wheel trolley, one doll dustbin, one bucket, one iron tub were provided to improve the overall cleanliness of the campus.

Within two months, the campus showed tremendous progress. It was clean: students were careful not to litter everywhere, and most importantly, had learnt the value of water. Before, they would indiscriminately wash their plates for many minutes on end, or use three buckets for their baths. Bala Vikasa guided the Eco-Club by explaining about water scarcity and its conservation as a resource.

Having seen the success of the first activity, Bala Vikasa took up tree plantation with the respective Group. 30 shade saplings and 50 mango fruit-bearing saplings were planted on the school grounds to improve greenery, shade and aesthetics. Mostly, it was the girl students who were responsible for making this happen. They conscientiously built bamboo guards around each sapling, and there is 100% survival rate amongst all the plants. Watering was done using recycled wastewater from washing plates and hands.

Next, four classrooms were supplied with furniture - 40 seat desks and benches, to increase comfort while studying. It was observed that the students were more interested in coming to classes than before.

Approximately 400 books donated by the government had been locked in the Headmaster’s office, unused. The school was provided with an additional 274 books, along with furniture, i.e. 12 chairs, two iron-top tables and three book keeping stands all of which contributed towards the establishment of a library facility. A special Library Committee formed with two students, two parents and a teacher were given the responsibility of keeping book records. The children each contributed a small amount of money towards the setting up of a Library Maintenance Fund. About 70% of the students from Class 6-9 regularly sit in the library for reference. Teachers regularly use the charts provided as teaching aids, making their classes more interesting. Everyone is very proud to have such a facility in a remote and rural part of the state.

27

Jyosna, Student - Class 10: “I belong to the Sanitation Eco-Club. At the beginning, my friends teased me while I was cleaning the toilet. After a few days, they came to know the facts about why I was doing what I was doing. Now they are also sharing my work. Before, no one wanted to come back to school after holidays. Now, we all are desperate to return.”

D. Sravan, Student: “We used to sit on the floor and were suffering from back pain, knee pains, and also our writing was not good. Now we are very happy to go to class every day and we listen to the teachers better. Our writing has also improved.”

Ch. Narayana, Parent Committee Member: “We are happy to see the healthy environment in the school; we never dreamt that we would see our school as clean as this. Not only the parents but even the students are paying attention to the plants around the school. I’m surprised to see my 11-year-old daughter treating the tree she planted like her friend.”

Principal: “When we attended the first orientation meeting at Bala Vikasa, I came with a big list detailing everything I wanted, even a transportation vehicle. But after the meeting and they explained the plan of school development and the concept of community driven development, I changed my mind. I discussed the project with the staff, parents and village leaders on how to implement this project. They were also very interested to form the Eco-Clubs and take part in these development activities.”

Testimonials

28

• School attendance has increased by an average of 20%. Parents are not pushed to consider enrolling their children in private schools anymore, which are not free.

• The improved facilities mean that school children grow up in a cleaner, greener, more conducive learning environment.

• The students are more cautious about child safety, health, hygiene, sanitation and environmental problems and are motivated and disciplined in following strict preventive measures. There is increased utilisation of sanitation facilities.

• Because of the stringent focus on hygiene, the overall health of children has experienced a marked improvement, evidenced through fewer doctor visits and absenteeism caused by illness.

• Students, by being members of Eco-Clubs, become responsible citizens who actively participate in personal, school and community development initiatives.

• Schoolteachers play their role as effective change agents.

• Parent Committees are effective in supporting the school services, helping to make the entire program scalable and sustainable.

Impact of Vidya Vikasa Program

2929

CAPACITATING YOUTH GROUPS TO BECOME CHANGE AGENTS

2013-14: 591 newly joined

Total: 3655 youth (1963 male and 1692 female) from 85 villages, forming a total of 401 Youth Groups (216 men’s groups and 185 women’s groups)

Program SummaryBy 2020, India is set to become the ‘youngest’ country in the world, with 64% of its population in the working age group. Young people possess energy, but it must be channelized in the right direction. Misguided youth may do greater harm to the society than any other single group. Moreover, it is on the shoulders of the young that the future of the country rests because they represent new values, new thinking and new ways of life.

More than two thirds of India’s population lives in rural areas. If effective development is to occur at the village level, it must be a grassroots movement that empowers communities to empower themselves. Until this

happens the youth have a vital role to play. They not only have great potential but also demonstrate a high level of commitment to accelerate growth and development, when motivated in the right way.

Bala Vikasa takes an active role in turning youth into change agents to make a difference in their communities. Especially with regards to the Model Community concept, youth are being mobilized and trained to actively design, implement and sustain development-related activities.

Tremendous opportunities were provided to the 3655 youth in 401 Youth Groups over the last year, to utilize their potential through participating in different program activities in order to make change at the individual, family and society level.

29 30

Program ActivitiesA. Monthly Meetings

Each month Bala Vikasa Field Coordinators gather together each Youth Group for a meeting, at which they give updates about current development initiatives, discuss follow-up plans, and have sharing sessions about their difficulties and experiences.

B. Skill Training

The objective of Bala Vikasa’s Skill Development training is to empower unemployed youth with necessary and upgraded skills and knowledge, aimed at increasing their productivity and employment opportunity.

In 2013-14 Bala Vikasa organized tailoring courses for 144 young women. 44 teachers among the beneficiaries were identified to facilitate this training. The Field Coordinators regularly monitored the teachers, who were given guidelines on how to conduct effective training. After completion, more than 100 women purchased sewing machines and are raising income to support their families. Those who could not afford to buy are getting money as piece workers. They expressed self-pride and are living in dignity by earning their own income.

C. Training on Entrepreneurship

One-day training on the best business practices was provided at Bala Vikasa PDTC. 71 youth attended this training and improved their knowledge in the personal and professional skills required to start and maintain a business.

D. Youth Group Leaders’ Training

Committed, active, honest youth who showed interest in development were selected and trained on leadership, personality development, confidence building, public speaking etc. A total of 366 youth leaders were trained at different intervals and improved their abilities to plan, review and monitor various community driven development initiatives.

E. Convention – “Development Committees are the guiding torch for building Model Communities”

1,939 youth from all over Andhra Pradesh attended the one-day State-Level Convention on 1st February 2014. This Convention created a platform to discuss, share, build relationships and set goals for the following year. The ABCD approach was discussed as a method of improving the status of each village. Founder Mr. Andre inspired the crowd through his words by saying, “if one man dreams it’s a dream, but if a village dreams together it can be made a reality.”

Inspiration“A stitch in time saves nine. I had heard this proverb many times and then I experienced it in my own life,” says Mr. Yakaiah, father of two children from Ramannagudem village. He was severely addicted to chewing tobacco and consuming alcohol. Yakaiah’s wife Sandhya is a voluntary SHA member in Bala Vikasa Women’s Program.

One day, he was invited by the Area Coordinator to attend the Solidarity Day event organized for orphan children. A local doctor who addressed this gathering spoke on the adverse effects of chewing tobacco and consuming liquor. These words opened the eyes of Yakaiah. He said: “Having heard the consequences on my health I was shocked and immediately decided to stop. I made a public pledge in front of everyone there.”

Yakaiah not only promised but also quit his bad habits from that day on. He also said he is inspired by the development programs of Bala Vikasa which transform the lives of many poor people. He decided to work with Bala Vikasa and was appointed as a Development Agent. He said, “This is another opportunity God provided me to stop the evil thoughts arising from being idle. This position in Bala Vikasa is the driving force to be recognized as a valuable person.”

Yakaiah regularly attends all the training programs, which strengthen his moral behavior, boost his positive energy and build his intellectual capacities. Proudly, he says: “I am now a transformed child of Bala Vikasa.”

31

PROVIDING REGULAR AND POTABLE WATER

2013-14: 71 WPPs installed benefiting 28,400 families

Total number: 576 WPPs installed, benefiting 252,827 families

32

WATER PURIFICATION PLANTS (WPP)

Program SummaryThe water debate in the past century was mainly driven by development needs, most importantly concerned with human health crises that are connected with inadequate access to pure drinking water. Among the many chemical and biological contaminants present in ground water in Andhra Pradesh, the widespread prevalence of fluoride is adversely affecting human health by causing dental and skeletal fluorosis. With a rapidly growing population and increasing demand for water it is crucial to support innovative solutions to the drinking water crisis.

Bala Vikasa, with its motto of creating sustainable solutions for communities by enabling them to help themselves, has adapted a global technological innovation to the local context. Bala Vikasa initiated its Water Purification Program in 2002, and has since installed 576 RO technology-treated Water Purification Plants in as many villages. Through this facility, potable water is available at Rs.2-3 per 20 liters, therefore making it accessible to more than 1,264,000 people.

The participatory approach of Bala Vikasa in identifying, developing, implementing, operating and maintaining the system fully meets each community’s needs while encouraging and ensuring complete community

participation. This approach creates a strong feeling of pride and ownership for the project and a strong commitment to keep it functioning. The community contributes between 40 - 60% of the total cost.

BV Criteria for selection of a village:

• Community source of water with excessive fluoride i.e. above 2 PPM.

• Community’s unity and participation mandatory.

• Project Committee must be elected to maintain and monitor the project.

• Community must mobilize the necessary local resources: water source, electric motor, pipeline, room to install the plant etc

• Local contributions: 20% of the machine cost must come from the beneficiaries.

• Elected committees must attend capacity building programs.

During the year 2013-14, 71 Water Purification Plants were installed in 71 villages of 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh and one district of Maharashtra. To manage the sustainability of these projects, 71 committees were formed consisting of 43% women (537 members with 234 women). Each committee played a central role in all project aspects.

DISTRICTS # WPP 500 LPH 1000 LPH 2000 LPH TOTAL1 Adilabad 1 1 12 Chittoor 1 1 13 Guntur 1 1 14 Karimnagar 2 1 1 25 Kurnool 3 3 36 Mahabubnagar 3 2 1 37 Medak 24 12 12 248 Nalgonda 5 4 1 59 Nizamabad 16 9 7 1610 Prakasham 1 1 111 Ranga Reddy 1 1 112 Warangal 8 5 2 1 813 Nanded (Maharashtra) 5 2 3 5 TOTAL 71 39 31 1 71

BV Water Purification Plants during 2013-14 (Machine Capacity - Litres per Hour)

33

Program ActivitiesA. Community Motivation

Introducing Project and Mobilizing ResourcesMotivation meetings are held in villages to explain the importance of purified water and introduce the project concept, as well as define the roles and responsibilities of Bala Vikasa and the community. Once 80% the families in the village guarantee their interest and participation, a Water Committee is set up, and a plant operator appointed from within the community. Resources such as the building, a water source and funds for the machine are mobilized by the community.

Street Plays, Posters & SongsEducating people on the consumption of purified water is vital for the success of this project. Bala Vikasa provided this education by staging dramas acted out by a professional team of artists on the importance of drinking purified water, cleanliness, building unity, leadership etc. 26 shows were performed in 26 villages and 15,000 people attended. Posters and motivational songs were also used to create awareness and build community support for the project.

B. Capacity Building

Training ProgramsDuring the year 2013-14, 1063 individuals were exposed to 29 training programs organized by Bala Vikasa for the committee members and the machine operators. The committee members were oriented on project sustenance, roles and responsibilities, preparation of action plans, community asset mobilization etc. The accountants and machine operators were trained on

the book keeping and technical aspects of handling machinery, respectively. In order to ensure sustainable results, the follow-up trainings also helped to build their leadership skills and improve their knowledge in maintaining the project with commitment and transparency.

Exposure Visit for Committee MembersIn order to gain more knowledge on the effective functioning of and proper implementation of RO technology and Any Time Water (ATW) systems, Bala Vikasa organized an exposure visit for the elected committee members and operators. In 2013-14, six exposure visits for 234 participants (182 men and 52 women) from 51 villages were organized. Seeing an existing Water Purification Plant in another village helped the members understand the ground realities of what is involved in such a project.

C. Monitoring

Monthly Committee Meetings and Annual General Body MeetingsBala Vikasa continues to monitor the WPPs that were set up before the reporting year, as well as the 71 plants installed in 2013-14. A representative from Bala Vikasa regularly attends the monthly committee meetings at village level. Guidance on maintaining accounts, record writing, and maintaining transparency in monitoring systems is provided to the committee members. Additionally, Bala Vikasa staff helps to facilitate each WPP community’s Annual General Body Meeting, at which the project is reviewed, the committee re-elected, and accounts presented. At these meetings, the villagers are encouraged to take up different development activities.

34

D. WPP Federation

An association of all the presidents of Bala Vikasa’s Water Purification Plants was formed into a WPP Federation, whose chief function is to look after the welfare and sustainability of the WPP. Federation members also extend their generous support in form of donations to supply purified water to other villages. An amount of Rs.170,000 was raised during the reporting year to provide two villages with water plants.

E. Advocating Government for Free Power

A major cost of the WPP project is electricity. High power bills are a burden on the villagers. To make more accessible and economically feasible, Bala Vikasa officially requested the new political parties for Telangana and AP states to include this crucial point in

their manifesto before the recent elections: free power for community water purification plants. This would significantly reduce their electricity bills, making purified water available for every citizen, as is their right.

F. WPP Committees Convention- “Development Committees are the Lights for the Construction of Model Villages”

The objective of this one-day Convention that took place on 1st February 2014 was to create a platform for the development and water committees to share their achievements and success stories. 1,939 members of Village Development Committees, and 1,565 WPP Committee members from 50 model villages participated, were inspired and expressed their eagerness to initiate more development activities with the goal of turning their village into a model community.

ANY TIME WATER (ATW)

In order to provide easy 24-hour access of water to communities, an advanced technology called ATW (Any Time Water) was installed at the WPPs. A prepaid card is supplied to all beneficiary families. With the use of ATW cards, villagers are able to fetch water at any time of the day/night. This system also makes record keeping simple and transparent as information on water consumption is saved electronically. 71 ATW’s were installed during the reporting year. To combat the issue of rampant electricity shortage, Bala Vikasa introduced solar-powered batteries for the ATW machines, ensuring supply despite power cuts.

35

Inspiration Profile

Suddapalli, a village in Nizamabad district, has 524 families belonging to different castes and religions. The major occupation of the people is agriculture. A few villagers work as laborers in the rice mill close to the village. The water used for drinking drawn from the bore well contains 2.5-PPM fluoride, which is above the permissible limit. As a result a major section of the village was suffering from fluoride-related diseases. 100 families who could afford it were buying potable water from the business water plants at Rs.10 per 20 liters.

Bala Vikasa Intervention

On analyzing the cause of their water borne disease, the people of Suddapalli approached Bala Vikasa as they had heard about its WPPs through different sources. After organizing an awareness meeting and ensuring the village met the set criteria, 86% of the total population of the village made contributions at the rate of Rs.300 each. The remaining 14% belonged to families who were unsure about the success of the project and reluctant to join. The Gram Panchayat provided the room and the community initiated its renovation for machine installation.

A Water Committee was formed consisting of 10 members with 3 women representatives to ensure project implementation. Under the supervision of Bala

Vikasa the Committee formulated rules and regulations for its maintenance, price and supply systems. Bala Vikasa installed a machine with 1000 liters per hour capacity.

All the villagers were present on the auspicious occasion of the WPP inauguration. An operator was appointed by the Water Committee and sent for training to Bala Vikasa. Regular meetings were held among the committee members under the supervision of a Bala Vikasa staff member.

Results

The 14% of families who had not signed up for the project earlier soon realized that the health of the other villagers was drastically improving, and observed the convenience and economy of the new WPP. They also joined the project.

Today, after incurring all the expenditure of regular replacement of filters, chemicals, operator salary, electricity bills, stationery for the meeting, etc., the project already holds an extra maintenance fund of Rs.50,000 in a short period of 8 months.

The Committee members have become more innovative during the process of identifying and solving their problems, and are now motivated to take up new development initiatives. They successfully constructed new roads with good drainage facilities, with Government assistance and community contributions.

36

• Access to potable water 24 hours a day at affordable prices, even for the poorest.

• Improved health and reduction in medical bills.

• Increased productivity and income through better health.

• Increased unity and solidarity among the community.

• Optimum utilization of community resources.

• Increased number of people acting as agents of change (537 leaders in 70 villages)

• Increased ability to take up development initiatives taken up as a direct result of the success of the WPP initiative.

Impact of Water Purification Plants

Setting Trends

Bala Vikasa’s WPP community water project in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra has attracted the attention of the neighboring districts, states and international agencies. ARID Communications & Technologies (Maharashtra), Franklin Templeton Investment Company (UK), and the Aga Khan Foundation (Gujarat), visited the Water Purification Plants in 2013-14. Through our Community Driven Development training program held at PDTC, representatives from a further 60 NGOs from 19 countries were also exposed to this innovative project. They studied the process of community management and were impressed with the sustainable approach of Bala Vikasa.

Testimonials Chintham Narsavva, Villager: “Purified water earlier cost Rs.10/- per 20 liters which was like 20% of our daily income and beyond our capacity to afford. But now we are enjoying the same purified water at Rs.3 per 20 liters. This is a low and affordable price.”

Allaram Narayana, Villager: “I am enjoying great relief from my joint pains since I started to consume potable water available in the village. This is a miracle.”

Y.Laxmi Narsaiah, Committee Member: “Before the installation of Bala Vikasa’s plant in the village, our family medical expenses were Rs.5,000 per year but now with the purified water this has come down to less than Rs.3,000. This proves the significance of clean water in our lives.”

Dr. Linga Murthy, Doctor: “My income has declineed by 30-40% after the installation of the Water Purification Plant in the village. But I am happy for the good health of the people.”

37

BORE WELLS

Program Summary 70% of Andhra Pradesh’s population lives in the rural areas of the state with agriculture as their primary occupation. More than 80% of the population depends on ground water sources for drinking purposes. The problem of water shortage is on the rise year after year due to drastic depletion in ground water due to regular drought in the region. Some of the existing water wells are also fast getting dry making the situation more complicated.

Bala Vikasa has been providing bore wells with manually operated hand pumps for the last 37 years. One bore well supports 30 families. During the reporting year, with the help of 7 partner-NGOs, 196 bore wells in 193 villages were built, satisfying the needs of 8320 families.

Criteria for selection of the beneficiary village:

• Between 30-50 families in a village should have insufficient access to a water source, and there should be no hand pump within a distance of 100-150 meters.

• Community must contribute 20% of the project cost in the form of cash and labor for each bore well.

• Community must provide a public space for constructing a bore well.

• Community must organize a committee for coordination, implementation and monitoring.

2013-14: 196 bore wells in 193 villages, benefiting 41,000 people

Total number: 6000 bore wells benefiting 180,000 families

38

Inspiration There was a conflict among the villagers of Tekulagudem, especially women, in regards to the issue of water. Three bore wells existed in the village but did not yield sufficient water for meeting the demand. These quarrels were high during the summer season while they waited to get their turn to collect water. The Women’s Groups of Teklagudem approached Bala Vikasa. After conducting a feasibility study, women in the groups initiated the mobilization of local contributions. Soon after, a bore well was drilled to 200 feet with a yield of 1.5 inches.

Kalugupalli Mallamma who used to walk far to fetch water on a daily basis said: “There were so many fights before. Now there’s peace in the village. We can go any time and there’s water. And us women are so happy and proud to have organized this bore well by ourselves.”

• Women save more time and energy for their domestic chores and income-earning activities, as they don’t have to walk long distances to collect water.

• Families become more productive with the time and energy saved.

• Families cultivate kitchen gardens to save income and improve their nutrition.

• There is sufficient water for cattle.

• Improved health and hygiene among the rural communities.

• Increased peace and unity in the village, due to fewer water-related disputes.

Impact of Bore Wells

39

SUPPORTING ORGANIC FARMERS

Program SummaryThe unchecked and widespread use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers amongst farmers is having a direct and dangerous impact on the health of those consuming food grown in this way. The damaging effects of India’s green revolution in the 1960s, which promoted the rampant use of synthetic ingredients to generate bumper yields and curb famine, are taking a toll on the land and yields are plummeting. Add to this the fact that costs of pesticides and fertilisers have shot up, and the loans needed to purchase modified seed varieties are pushing many farmers into a spiral of debt.

In this context, organic farming is slowly taking off in India. Bala Vikasa is working with farmers in Warangal district to switch to this ancient method of farming science, primarily geared at cultivating land and raising crops in such a way that the soil is kept alive, and the food grown is natural and synthetic-free. The benefits of

organic farming extend to natural resource conservation, as air and water contamination is reduced.

With the motto “Good food is good for health”, Bala Vikasa launched the Organic Farming Program in 2012. Over the last two years it has encouraged farmers to participate in this initiative through awareness-building and training, incentives such as agricultural inputs, and continued monitoring and support. Not only are the incomes of these farmers substantially improved, their yields are also rising as the pesticide-poisoned land is repaired through natural farming methods. Organic wastes (crop, animal and farm wastes) and biofertilizers release nutrients to crops for sustainable production in an eco friendly and pollution free environment.

Gauging from the success stories of the farmers who have switched to organic cultivation, Bala Vikasa expects more and more farmers to take up this ideal, sustainable and environmentally sound farming method.

2013-14: 68 additional farmers using organic farming methods.

Total number: 368 farmers from 23 villages cultivating 387 acres in ‘rabi’

season and 364 acres in ‘kharif’ season

40

Program ActivitiesA. Awareness Creation

Monthly village-level meetings are organised, which are open to all farmers, those who are practicing organic farming as well as those who are not but curious to know more. Both men and women attend these meetings, where individual farmers discuss their situations, their challenges and possible solutions. Bala Vikasa staff demonstrates preparations required for organic farming such that non-organic farmers realise the simplicity of this method and are inspired to use them in their own farms. Each organic farmer registered with Bala Vikasa takes it upon himself to spread the benefits of this form of farming to his neighbours, friends and fellow farmers.

B. Demo Farm

A five-acre demo farm has been established to inspire and capacitate the farmers in organic practices. Maize (corn), paddy (rice), pulses, groundnut and different types of vegetables are cultivated. Farmers who express interest at the general monthly meetings are taken on exposure visits to the demo farm where they are trained on preparations of organic decoctions, bio fertilizers and bio pesticides. To date, hundreds of farmers have visited Bala Vikasa’s demo farm.

C. Seasonal Trainings

Twice in a year, one-day-long project-level seasonal meetings are organised for the two farming seasons:

kharif, and rabi. All farmers enrolled in Bala Vikasa’s organic farming program attend. Details of organic procedural methods are divulged. Depending on the situation (for instance, the amount of rainfall that year), contingency plans are made, and the trainings are designed with different objectives and learning. The farmers share their experiences, engage in Q&A sessions and discuss their problems. Altogether, seven seasonal trainings were organised in 2013-14 for farmers from 368 households.

D. Monitoring Activities

- Group meetings take place every month only for registered farmers. Here, they share about their finances and savings, discuss crop conditions and come up with plans for the next month.

- Following the meetings, the farmers are taken on field exposure visits to see examples of flourishing fields and examples of fields with room for improvement. In this way, they are motivated to emulate the good practices.

- Challenge Board: a list specifying the names of all farmers following organic methods is displayed in each village. If anybody can prove that someone is not following organic methods, that farmer is fined Rs.10,000 and expelled from group. So far, all the farmers have been conscientious and earnest.

- Weekly farm visits to the farms by BV experienced staff. They make suggestions depending on the crop situation, conduct on-the-spot verifications, and assist with the spraying of decoctions in the field.

Inputs donated to organic farmers in 2013-14ITEM

Green manure seeds and green organic mass (for rice fields)

Neem cake

50-liter drums

200-liter drums

Jaggery and pulse flour (critical inputs)

Pheromone traps with lures

White and yellow greased colored plates

Panchagavyais ingredients (ghee, milk, curd, coconut water, banana, cattle urine and dung)

Urine collection platforms

PURPOSE

Increases soil fertility

Acts as soil ameliorate

For storage of cattle urine

For preparation of liquid fertilizers

Preparation of liquid and solid fertlizers, to be mixed with cattle dung and urine

Controls male pest population

Controls different sucking pests

Supplies enzymes to plants

Collection of cattle urine, the most important input for organic farming

NUMBER OF FARMERS

288

364

80

129

550kg jaggery and 700kg pulse flour to 350

farmers

387

150

380

30

41

- Comparative Sheets are displayed in the village, comparing the details of methods, costs, and net income for both organic and non-organic farmers. By seeing this others are enthused to join the program.

- Farm Diaries: using a methodological, scientific approach, each organic farmer maintains a diary where he/she records the number and type of crops sown, preparation of manures and leaf extracts,

InspirationGirika Venkat Reddy from Mulkalgudem village was accustomed to using intensive amounts of chemical fertilisers, spraying pesticides indiscriminately, and therefore incurring high expenses of Rs.25,000 for just two acres of land.

Two years ago, Bala Vikasa visited his village to motivate farmers to adopt organic farming. Initially hesitant, he decided to try out specific organic practices. During ‘kharif’ season from June – December 2013, he raised one acre of paddy using only organic methods:

• Green manure crop sown before main crop and incorporated in the soil.• Prepared and used 400kg of ghanajeevamrutham per acre. • Used 100kg of neem cake per acre. • After transplantation, he applied 200 litres of dravajeevamrutham per acre, four times with an interval of

20-25 days. • Instead of chemical pesticides, he sprayed a dung-urine solution, leaf extracts four times with an interval of

10 days. • For good plant growth, flowering and grain formation, he prepared and used panchgavya.

The resulting crop was completely pest free, and he was able to yield 32 bags of 75kgs each, on par with what he was producing using chemical methods, but there were considerable savings on the costs of inputs. He was able to sell the crop for premium price because it was organic produce.

frequency of applications, etc. These records serve as proof of practice, and are checked by Bala Vikasa field staff on their weekly visits.

E. Motivational Material

Five types of posters and 1000 handbooks were printed and distributed to 368 farmers to guide them in preparing organic concoctions, their usage and application.

Seeing the success of the program, he increased his cultivation area to 1.5 acres and included vegetables. Now, he has raised the area by a further 0.5 acres, totaling two acres. Gradually, the land recovered its fertility and his yield has increased accordingly. At present he expects a crop of 35 bags per acre. His immense success resulted in a lot of attention from other farmers in his village, and he is now sharing his experiences and advocating organic farming to his friends.

Item Venkat Reddy (organic) Rajeshwar Rao (non-organic)Fertilisers (expense) Rs. 1,670* Rs. 2,850Pesticides (expense) Rs. 1,060* Rs. 1,830Other expenses Rs. 3,000 Rs. 3,000Yield (amount) 22 Quintals (Rs. 1600/qt) 22 Quintals (Rs. 1520/qt)Gross Income Rs. 35,200 Rs. 33,440Net Profit Rs. 29,470 Rs. 25,770

*These costs can be reduced if the farmer cultivates his own materials such as gram flour, toddy, coconut, etc.

42

Farmers Convention - “Protection of Environment and Human Health through Sustainable Organic Farming”

Objectives of the Convention

- To share the experiences of different organic farmers on the methods of organic practices.

- To discuss the problems faced by organic farmers and devise appropriate solutions.

- To explain all steps involved in organic farming and how to go about setting up.

- To display samples of organic manures and decoctions, and explain the benefits of leaves that exist on all fields but which the farmer is unaware of.

- To prove the success of the program by organic farmers sharing positive results, thereby promoting this concept to non-organic farmers and helping the program to spread to more areas.

Results of the Convention

- About 50 new farmers expressed a wish to join this program.

- The event attracted farmers from other districts also, so the message was spread.

- Organic farmers with one acre at present expressed a desire to extend their fields to more than an acre.

- Pledge: All the farmers (men and women) who participated in the Convention made a pledge that they would, beginning with one acre of farmland, stop chemical fertilization and pesticides, reduce the costs of cultivation, use only indigenous material available in and around their farm, and they further promised to spread the message to other farmers.

Highlights• Dr. T. Ramlingam, Retired JDA and Bala Vikasa

Organisational Specialist, corrected the belief that for organic farming, a large cattle population, lot of cattle manure, and vermin compost is required. He further explained that farmers did not need to run about collecting chemical fertilisers and pesticides, when all they needed was right there on their farm: cattle urine and dung, neem and custard apple leaves, etc. He assured the farmers that the most important factor in this endeavour is to develop faith in the program and put dedicated efforts into engaging labour, collecting material and preparing organic concoctions.

• Guest Vimala Mathaji spoke about agriculture being a noble and holy profession, for the lives of all depend on what is yielded from agriculture. She stressed on the fact that India was unique in that it had all kinds of climates and landscapes, enabling the growth of an innumerable variety of crops and foods. She discussed the convergence of nature, spirit and science, pointing out that organic farming had all three elements imbibed in it.

• Farmer Vijaya Rama Rao told the story about how he started practicing organic farming in 2010, and has since trained 400 farmers in Warangal and Mahabubnagar districts in these zero-budget farming methods. He inspired the audience by telling them that despite the cyclone that hit Andhra Pradesh last year, he managed to get 32 bags of paddy crop per acre.

Attended by: 605 farmers (including 204 women) from 98 villages. 19th March 2014

43

Economic

• Costs of cultivation are considerably reduced, increasing profits of farmers substantially.

• As organic food is sold at a premium price in the market, farmers have the potential to earn more from their produce, improving their financial status.

• Bala Vikasa now has 368 farmers doing 100% organic farming. The stories of success are slowly traveling to other farmers, who are coming forward to know more. Partnerships are also forming with other organizations, for instance Goshala, who have pledged to donate five cows in the coming year.

Health & Environment

• Soil fertility has increased, evident through the improved yields. There is no collateral pollution as a result of these methods.

• The population of friendly insects has increased on organic farms, which naturally controls crop pest numbers.

• Soil microbial population has increased, which helps to carry the soil nutrients to the plant roots.

• The natural earthworms have made an appearance to increase soil fertility.

• Natural farming equates to healthy food, less illness and more productive human resources.

Impact of Organic Farming

Rajireddy from Vanamalakanaparthy village: “Bala Vikasa’s support through the provision of key inputs such as jaggery, pulse flour, ghee, coconut water, bananas, coloured plates, pheromone traps with lures, grinding machines, and urine collection platforms have encouraged the farmers to try out organic farming. My own story is a success story: I got 32 bags of paddy from ¾ of an acre. I’m very happy to be an organic farmer.”

Chandra Mouli from Thirumalayapalli village: “Previously, I saw a few farmers following organic farming methods and would speak negatively about them. But this year, after attending an event at Bala Vikasa, I decided to try it out. I used cow urine for my chili crop and got a high yield. Though a lot of farmers lost their crops due to non-seasonal rains, mine did not spoil.”

Sheela Madhusudhan Reddy from Thirumalayapalli village: “I’ve been an organic farmer for the last three years. It all started one day when the Bala Vikasa staff was going around our village. I called them and found out what they were talking about. Previously, I got 20 bags or rice after spending Rs.7,000. But now, with organic methods, I get 25 bags of rice with just Rs.1,500 investment. Organic rice also fetches a higher price in the market. Now I’ve spread the word to four other mandals, and six farmers have learnt these methods from me.”

Testimonials

44

PROMOTING DRIP IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY

2013-14: 30 additional farmers using drip irrigation technology

Total number: 237 farmers in 24 villages

Types of crops: paddy, coupé, maize, green gram, vegetables (brinjal, tomato), fruits (watermelon)

45

Program SummaryIn a drought prone area such as Andhra Pradesh, irrigation for farmers is a constant battle. Traditional surface irrigation methods lead to huge water losses during conveyance and application. The drip irrigation method is proven to be extremely efficient in reducing these water losses and can be practiced on a large variety of crops. In drip irrigation, water is applied near the plant root through ‘drippers’, at a slow and steady pace varying from 2 – 20 liters per hour. The moisture in the soil is kept at an optimum level, and water application efficiency is maintained at about 90 – 95%.

As part of its Food Security Program, Bala Vikasa promotes the usage of drip irrigation techniques amongst small and marginal farmers as an effective alternative to surface irrigation practices. After a series of interactions, 30 farmers were identified to participate in this project. To ensure that their need is genuine and that they will actually use the drip kits, Bala Vikasa mandatorily required the farmers to procure the PVC pipeline which costs Rs.5-6,000. They were also asked to provide manual labor to dig the trenches for installing the PVC pipes. Bala Vikasa purchased for each farmer a drip kit costing Rs.18,880.

Through the process of helping with the installation, the 30 farmers gained a deeper understanding of the different components of the drip kit, how they function, and how they have to be maintained for effective results. Technical teams and Bala Vikasa returned to the farm two or three times to monitor progress in the following months. The success of the initiative is evident through the increase in cultivation and income, and a decrease in the amount of water used for farming.

InspirationMarupaka Lakshmi is a farmer with a land holding of 2.00 acres from Kumarigudam village of Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh, India. He has an open well in his field through which he used to cultivate maize during the rainy season. During the summer, he could only cultivate 0.75 acres using the traditional flood irrigation technique.

To increasing his earnings, he had applied to the government for the provision of a drip kit under subsidy, but was told to wait for 10 – 12 months. He explored other possibilities and came to know from the organic farmers in his village that Bala Vikasa is engaged with providing drip technology to needy farmers. A few months later, in January 2014, he applied to Bala Vikasa. The drip manufacturing company surveyed his field in February and deemed it suitable. Within ten days, Marupaka procured the PVC pipeline and got the drip kit installed in the second week of February.

During the third week of February, he sowed sweet corn on one acre using the drip kit, thereby saving 40% water. To make effective use of the saved water, he sowed vegetables in another 0.20 acres and used flood irrigation on this part of the field. On the whole, he has increased his cultivation area to 1.20 acres this summer (up by 75%). Currently, his crop in both fields is halfway ready and will be harvested by the middle of May. Marupaka is happy with the success of his drip kit and expects to significantly increase his income from agriculture this year. He is making use of the time saved in raising an additional 0.20 acres.

46

ENHANCING SOIL FERTILITY THROUGH TANK DE-SILTATION

Program SummarySustainable development is synonymous with the maintenance of the productivity of natural resources and ecological equilibrium. Thousands of tanks were constructed in Andhra Pradesh by the Kakatiya kings and other rulers for the purpose of providing irrigation facilities to farmers, and also to facilitate ground water recharge throughout the year. Unfortunately, due to lack of maintenance these tanks are not functioning as per their original capacity. The silt accumulation at the tank base reduces the storage capacity and percolation process. Silt is a natural and effective fertilizer for farmland.

Seeing the potential of revitalizing these tanks, Bala Vikasa designed a project that would address two

key issues: increasing the tank storage capacity for irrigation and ground water recharge, while decreasing the usage of chemical fertilisers by providing farmers with an alternative – the excavated silt. Considering the importance of community participation and contribution as crucial factors of program sustainability, Bala Vikasa identifies villages where the tanks are dry and disused, and motivates the communities- especially farmers - to get involved in the project.

Bala Vikasa implements the Tank De-siltation Program in those villages where the farmers are willing to contribute the cost of transporting the silt from the tank to their farms. The farmers are encouraged to make maximum trips as possible, so that the water storage capacity is increased and at the same time more acres of farmland are fertilized with natural silt.

2013-14: 49 tanks, 233,141 tractor loads excavated, directly benefiting 3,984 farmers on 7275 acres of land

Total number of tanks de-silted: 670 benefiting 1166 villages

Total amount of silt excavated: 2,718,525 tractor loads (6,116,681 cubic meters) applied to 98,111 acres of farmland benefiting 51,530 farmers

47

Program ActivitiesA. Community Building through Motivation

As with all its programs, Bala Vikasa’s community driven approach is geared at building the capacities of communities to take charge of their own development. The first step for the Tank De-siltation Program involves motivating farmers to participate by making them understand the significance of this initiative, how it will add value to their lives economically, as well as its environmental benefits. At this meeting, a De-siltation Committee is formed who will manage the project implementation in every aspect, guided by Bala Vikasa.

At the inauguration of the project, further motivation meetings are conducted with the accompanying aid of songs and posters, to keep the farmers inspired by the project concept, and to spread the message to other sections of the community. At this meeting, tractor drivers and other people involved in the project are also informed about the De-Siltation program details. In this way, the community is cohesively brought together around a common goal.

B. Training

Seven training programs were conducted in 2013-14 to build the capacities of 231 Committee Members and 85 Superiors for active participation and competency in program planning, local resource mobilization (the tractors, for instance), community coordination, implementation and management.

C. Cost-sharing

To encourage the participation of the farmers, Bala Vikasa pays an average of Rs.35 per tractor load of silt excavated (on average 2.25 cubic meters).

Each farmer is motivated to contribute towards the cost of the tractor rent to transport the silt. This costs an average of Rs.100 per 2.25 cubic meters per farmer. Hence, a farmer who applies 25 tractor loads of silt to one acre of his farm, spends approximately Rs.2,500 per acre. They are inclined to pay this amount, which they would have otherwise spent on chemical fertilizers.

The total project cost is therefore divided between the communities and Bala Vikasa in a 70% - 30% ratio respectively. This level of community contribution is laudable and unique, and guarantees project sustainability.

D.Implementation of Tank De-siltation Program

In 2013-14, Bala Vikasa implemented the Tank De-siltation Program in 49 tanks. 233,141 tractor loads (524,567 cubic meters) were excavated through which 3984 farmers from 82 villages in 8 districts benefited directly by applying silt in 7275 acres. There are many other farmers who are benefiting through increased water storage in the tank and increased ground water table.

48

InspirationGurralagandi Rajulapalli (GG Rajupalli) is a medium sized village located about 55km from Warangal district headquarters. This village has a population of nearly 3500 people, where 450 out of the 500 families are farmers. There is a 43-acre tank that was built around 60 years ago. When full, the tank has a capacity to irrigate 185 acres belonging to 95 farmers for cultivation.

Silt accumulation in the tank had spread to an area of 10 acres with an average depth of four feet. Effectively, that meant the tank storage capacity was reduced by 20%. Since the accumulated silt was nothing but the deposits of the fertile soil that ran off from the upper lands for the last 60 years, it was highly enriched with micronutrients. Few farmers though were aware of the silt application benefits and couldn’t initiate the tank de-siltation process because it involved concerted efforts both in terms of money and labor.

These farmers were exploring different possibilities through which excavation could be taken up in mass scale. The villagers knew about Bala Vikasa’s intervention in this regard through the farmers of a neighboring village called Gurujala, where tank de-siltation had taken place two years before. With a sense of urgency, they approached Bala Vikasa and reserved their spot for tank de-siltation.

A motivation meeting date was fixed in the month of May, which was attended by 120 farmers. Upon becoming more aware of the program benefits and Bala Vikasa’s approach, they prepared a list of 93 farmers without any bias to caste, religion, or political status at that meeting itself. The requisition shot up to 6,000 tractor loads. To coordinate the program a De-siltation Committee was elected in participatory approach, and attended a training program at the People Development Training Center on coordination of stakeholders and program management.

The silt excavation was carried out for 21 days and a total of 6578 tractor loads (14,997 cubic meters) of silt was excavated from the tank. After seeing the determination of the farmers and experiencing the unified

spirit on the occasion of the inauguration, a further 20 farmers joined the project.

Hence, 113 farmers took up the transportation of the excavated silt, to be applied on 300 acres of farmland. These 113 farmers were previously using nearly 1,000 fertilizer bags costing Rs.500 each and were making approximately Rs. 15,000 net profit per acre. The application of chemical fertilizers has now reduced by approximately 50%. The farmers, apart from saving on the chemical fertilizer, have increased their yield by 20%. The overall net profit of these farmers this year is calculated to be Rs. 3,928,500, an increase of 35%.

Testimonials Beneficiary Mr. K. Mougli (GG Rajupalli) says “The habit of applying silt to the fields will be regenerated with this program, and this is the first time I’ve seen a program giving equal opportunity to all the beneficiaries in my village with out any bias to caste, religion or status.”

49

Bala Vikasa’s Tank De-siltation program has been proved to yield multiple, instant and assured benefits to the farmers. This is the major reason for their continued participation and proactive contributions towards the project.

Water• Water storage capacity of the tanks increased by 10-30%.• Silt excavation fastens the process of water percolation and recharges the ground water table.• Water levels in the open wells and bore wells within the radius of 2km from the tanks increased by

20-30%.• Increased water facilities in the villages reduces the drinking water problem and ensures greenery.• Increased usage of abandoned wells.

Soil Fertility • Application of silt to field improves the soil fertility and increases the crop production by 20-30%.• Application of silt reduces the chemical application by 50-60%, lessening the overall investment

costs. • The silt is effective as a fertiliser for 3-5 years where as the impact of the chemical fertilizers is for a

period of a few months. • Application of silt improves the moisture holding capacity of the soil which reduces the water

consumption by 15-25%. • Crops become resistant to many diseases with reduced application of chemical pesticides.

Health• Natural silt fertilizer results in organic, synthetic-free produce, which in turn leads to healthier food

habits and less illness amongst the population.

Socio-Economic• Decreased spending on chemical fertilizers, more income for farmers. • People are united in a common purpose and become aware that together, they can build their own

communities. • Committee members are trained to be community leaders and show initiative in other development

projects. • There is an increased awareness about the health benefits of silt usage as opposed to chemical

fertilizers, and the environmental impact of tank de-siltation.

Impact of Tank De-siltation

50

BETTERING THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH PLANTING TREES

2013-14: 47,806 saplings including different varieties

of fruits, coconut, mango, pomegranate, lemon and

shade trees were planted in 218 villages.

Youth Groups: 14,550 trees planted in 135 villages

Tank De-siltation Committees: 12,400 fruit bearing plants

supplied to the 3027 beneficiaries and 930 shade

plants were planted in 31 villages

Women’s Groups: 11,700 trees planted in 27 villages

Vidya Vikasa Program Students: 5226 in 25 villages.

Water Committees: 3000 fruit bearing saplings in 10

villages.

Every year, Bala Vikasa implements tree plantation activities on a mass scale through its various Community Driven Development Programs. The plantation is taken up mainly by families involved in the programs, in their backyards and personal farms. Trees are also planted in public places such as schools, temples, hospitals, village administration offices, community halls and roadsides.

By encouraging women, youth, farmers, students and program beneficiaries to take up tree planting, Bala Vikasa enforces the importance of trees in the minds and hearts of thousands of people. Not only are the trees planted but the responsibility of their care and watering is also taken up by communities. A survey done for the Vidya Vikasa Program shows a survival rate of between 80 – 90% of all trees planted.

51

Solar Streetlights & Motor Pumps The Indian economy, being the fourth largest energy consumer in the world, currently suffers from an abysmal electricity generation capacity. In this scenario, it is the rural areas which suffer the most – reports state that over one third of the rural population lacks electricity. And yet, 70% of rural India contributes to India’s GDP by way of agriculture and small industries.

As an alternative, Bala Vikasa is intent on promoting the use of solar energy as a sustainable solution to meet this challenge, and entered into discussions with villagers to initiate a community-led project, to provide cost effective solar streetlights and motor pumps to a number of villages.

PROMOTING SOLAR TECHNOLOGY

Awareness meetings on solar technology were organized. 93 youth group members including presidents of 51 Model Communities and Village Development Committees attended this meeting, were inspired and mobilized 20% of the cost from the beneficiaries. Committees were set up in each village to implement and monitor the project, which are also looking into raising funds for the replacement of batteries and spare parts to ensure project sustainability.

The streetlights were placed strategically in commonly used areas of the village. Solar driven motor pumps are a perfect solution in remote areas where water supply is hampered by shortage of electricity. The economical and environmental sustainability of both initiatives were well appreciated by villagers and the demand from neighbouring communities for a similar initiative in their village is growing.

86 solar streetlights were installed in eight Model Communities and three solar motor

pumps for village water supply schemes were installed in three Model Communities

of Warangal and Karimnagar districts.

52

SHARING OUR LEARNING WITH DEVELOPMENT AGENTS

Program SummaryBala Vikasa is successfully creating model communities across Andhra Pradesh with its unique, effective and sustainable community driven development approaches. In order to share this experience and knowledge, Bala Vikasa People Development Training Center (PDTC) was established in 2002 with the intent of investing

in people. The center caters to the training needs of program beneficiaries, national and international NGOs, government officials, corporate foundations and other development agents. Capacity building programs are delivered on various subjects pertaining to different development approaches, methodologies and tools for sustainable community development.

3-day training programs: 494 participants representing 224 organizations from 14 states in India4-week Community Driven Development capacity building program: 105 participants representing 60 NGOs from 19 countries 3 Seminars: 292 participants1 tailor-made training program for 27 staff of GMR Varalaxmi Foundation, A.P1 overseas training program in Nepal for 26 participants from 22 NGOs

53

3-Day Training Programs

Development Documentation & Report Writing

Development Communications & Campaigning Strategies

Development Leadership & Team Building

Result Based Management

NGO Finance Management

Asset Based Community Development

Organizational Management and Strategic Planning

Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Social Entrepreneurship Development Skills

1-Day Seminar/Workshop

Ways and Means of Improving Source Sustainability of Water Purification Plants and Ensuring Minimal Waste

Advocacy, Communications and Social Mobilization

Leadership in Development Sector

Program Activities

A. National Capacity Building Programs

The PDTC organized nine training programs of three days each and three one day seminars on different development approaches and methodologies. Having realized the relevance of the programs, NGOs from the neighboring country of Nepal also participated in the training programs.

B. International Capacity Building Program on Community Driven Development

The Community Driven Development program organized at PDTC has up to now extended its benefits to development professionals from 41 countries of Asia, Africa, Europe and America. In 2013-14, 105 participants representing 60 NGOs from 19 countries participated.

The core methodologies and development strategies used at Bala Vikasa at an individual, community and organizational level form a crucial base for the CDD training program. The field exposure visits which show communities’ ‘collective empowerment’ to reach a common goal by sharing social responsibilities is greatly enlightening for the trainees, and a reflection of the success of CDD core approaches. Participants have expressed that the perspectives on these methodologies are transformed into positive action upon their return to their own organization.

C. Tailor-made Program for CSR Foundation

Upon the request of GMR Varalaxmi Foundation, the CSR wing of GMR Group of Companies, Bala Vikasa PDTC organized a two-day training program on Documentation and Presentation Skills for the staff of GMR at their office in Rajam town, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. 27 staff from program administration and field level participated in this program, designed to improve the efficiency on their documenting skills.

54

D. Overseas Program – Nepal, February 2014

In order to expand the awareness and benefits of the core concepts of Bala Vikasa to neighboring countries, PDTC organized its fourth overseas one-week training program on ‘Community Driven Development’ in collaboration with the international NGO South Asian Partnership, based in Chitwan, Nepal. All 26 participants from 22 NGOs expressed that they were deeply enlightened by the learning from this program, which would help them visualize community development from a new dimension. Previously, PDTC has conducted overseas trainings in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Research & Publications

Brochures and training calendar for PDTC, which are published online, sent along with announcement emails to Bala Vikasa’s database of contacts and distributed at trainings.

Social Responsibility Series 1: “Business For Sustainable Community Driven Development: How Bala Vikasa Community Driven Development Approach Fosters Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Entrepreneurship”. This in-depth research publication connects Bala Vikasa’s core development approaches with two topics that are increasingly being talked about today: CSR and Social Entrepreneurship. Through this, Bala Vikasa remains relevant as a think-tank on the potential new avenues of community development.

Annual Report 2012-13: this report described all the program activities with achieved results during the reporting year. The Annual Report is distributed to all general body members, donors, partner organizations and NGOs.

Four videos: one promoting the Water Purification Plants and the other three documenting profiles of three entrepreneurs (one widow, one woman and one youth) from Bala Vikasa programs.

Tharangini: this quarterly newsletter shares the updates of all Bala Vikasa programs. It was published in May ‘13, September ‘13 and January ‘14.

55

“The Community Driven Development program is very vital for my profession and project co-ordination. The different approaches learned at Bala Vikasa are different and very much applicable to programs in our country. The different approaches create an interest to change the status of administration, planning systems and coordination of projects. Through this experience, learning methodologies and the ideological status from Bala Vikasa, I am sure more development of sustainable standards will be achieved. We have got more ideologies, more exposure, and a communication and networking system with different participants. Kindly bring CDD exposure to other nations in order that exchange is facilitated.” - Tenya David Kassiba – Byepa International Foundation - Uganda (CDD July-2013)

“I feel extremely privileged to be here because after many years studying theories and books I’m finally approaching my field of interest from a practical perspective. I feel privileged in two ways: firstly, interacting with the other participants is deeply interesting and stimulating; secondly, Bala Vikasa is applying a completely revolutionary theory of NGO’s working path - from the most popular charity association mentality to the empowerment of local communities. This avant-garde method is proven to be successful because it is sustainable and effective. I, as a new generation of development agent, feel advantaged to be already equipped with such a different mindset. Charity is sterile but by giving knowledge and capacities it is possible to build a better world projected towards a sustainable future.” - Manuela Robles – Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore – Italy (CDD July-2013)

“The Community Driven Development program is so informative. My expectation before coming to this program was to build my capacities at the program level. But this program transformed me not only in my career development but personality development as well, by bringing change in the mindsets, attitudes and behavior. It is impressive to see that all the different levels of people working at BV are with common vision. Bala Vikasa is a unique organization because they talk what they do and do it in a different way. We wish Bala Vikasa to reach more and more countries with its effective and sustainable approaches.” - Wondimu Regaa Guyassa – Progressio Yemen - Yemen (CDD September-2013)

“It was indeed an honor and a learning experience to attend the CDD training organized by Bala Vikasa in Nepal. It was such a wonderful opportunity to participate and gain knowledge on Community Driven Development. This program made us able to visualize the community with a new dimension. You have been a most effective ambassador of your country.” - Barrister Adnan Saboor, Pakistan (Overseas Program in Nepal, February 2014)

Testimonials

56

InspirationCDD Training Program Benefits NGO in Nigeria

State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI) in Lagos, Nigeria has adopted some of the development tools (Appreciative Inquiry & Strategic Planning) learnt at the Community Driven Development training program held at PDTC in January, 2014 through its participants Felix Obanubi and Oluwatoyin Nwiido.

The tools have been used to develop a strategic plan towards sustainability of a media program- ‘Lagos Voices’ anchored by Partnership for Voice & Accountability (PVA), a platform created by SAVI to air the voices of the citizens/community and to represent their needs and aspirations in governance.

Background: PVA organized a 13-week Civic Education series tagged ‘Lagos Voices’ to represent their needs and aspirations in governance. The series was aired on two media stations in Lagos, Nigeria touching on issues to do with both the community and the Lagos State Government. The program generated constructive feedback from the citizens, government officials and private sector within and outside Nigeria. At the end of the 13 weeks, there was the challenge of continuing the program due to inability to find sustained funding.

Strategy: Appreciative Inquiry was adopted by facilitating a round table meeting which fostered conversation with the group thereby prompting members of the group to do the following:

• Develop success stories of the platform (PVA) and particularly on the media program ‘Lagos Voices’ (impacts and results generated from the programme)

• Conduct root cause analysis (Partners contribution towards the attainment of results)

• Brainstorm solutions

• Develop action plan (means of sustaining Lagos Voices)

Beyond this, the 4-D Model was explored:

1. Discover: by valuing the best, the things that worked well for the success of the program which included team spirit, carrying out roles assigned to each member of the group, monitoring the program (responses of the citizens and government officials) etc.

2. Dream: members of the group were made to envision the ideal situation by keeping in mind best practices that worked for them and come up with solutions to identified problems.

3. Design: Members of the group dialogued on what should be done and came up with an action plan which included: sensitizing other media organizations to create a community driven desk in their various programs; exploring the possibility of building partnership with other media organizations; approaching International Development Partners (IDPs) for sponsorship; making a resolution that members of the group go on air (TV) and inform audiences that the program would be paused until they can get sponsorship.

4. Deliver: Proper monitoring and evaluation.

Outcome of Use of AI & Strategic Planning:

• Members of the group are motivated and are focused on the target goal of the program, which is to represent the needs and aspirations of citizens in governance.

• Continuous response from the citizens/communities for appeal on continuation of the program.

• Aroused citizens to suggest opening of a bank account for donation of money to ensure sustainability of the program.

• Citizens have begun to donate money for the sustainability of the program.

57

Local Level• Through the PDTC trainings of grassroots program beneficiaries and committee leaders, Bala

Vikasa is helping to develop strong and motivated community leaders who can think critically and are able to design and implement other development projects.

National and International Level • Increased level of awareness in all participants in different effective concepts and tools for

sustainable community development.• Participants’ worldview is changed and they go back inspired to do things the Bala Vikasa way;

they show a greater drive to serve the society and make it their personal goal.• Representatives from other NGOs are motivated to restructure and redefine the ways in which

they implement development programs.• The field exposure visits which connect classroom theory to actual, real practices deepens

the understanding of participants and gives them the necessary know-how to replicate similar approaches in the places they come from.

• The participants improve their personal and professional skills which they use to improve the performance of their organizations as a whole.

Organizational Level• Through PDTC training programs, Bala Vikasa’s approaches are being spread to different

countries across the globe, enabling sustainable development. • Network of like-minded organizations, change agents, development practitioners, students is

growing each year, as more and more people learn about PDTC.• The publications produced at PDTC strengthen the organizational image of being professional,

credible and innovative, and therefore attract support from donors and participants alike.

Impact of PDTC Activities

58

Summary of Financial Statement 2013-14Income - Rs.140,235,447

Expenditure Rs. 84,184,640

NB: Rs.48,800,750 from Sopar Canada is designated for the upcoming ESRTC construction. Rs. 7,250,057 of excess income over expenditure will be used for the completion of ongoing programs.

59

Bala Vikasa 10 Development Rules

Our Donors

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (FATD)

Canada

Novara Center Onlus Italy

Kadoorie Charitable Foundation (KCF)

Hong KongSchool for Children

ItalyIndividuals

Local Communities

SOPAR - Bala Vikasa Canada & USA

Frank Water Projects England

Bala Vikasa has derived these 10 Development Rules from our extensive field experience. They form the core of our development policies and the guiding principles of our development approaches.

1. Bala Vikasa’s philosophy is that people are the cornerstone and the main assets of development. Development should be for the people, of the people and by the people.

2. Women are the heart of development. For development to be tangible, women must be given their rightful place in the community in which they are major assets.

3. Development is change of attitude and it starts in the mind. Self-esteem and self-confidence in one’s own abilities are pre-requisites for self-development. For people to change their lives, they have to first reject the ‘mendicant mentality’ and build on their assets.

4. Development is solidarity within groups and within communities. In their search for wellbeing, people are supported by their group. In return they must invest in the group and in the community.

5. Development is iterative: at each step of the development process, the question should be asked ‘Are we in pursuance of the goal?’ When the goal is lost sight of, corrective action has to be taken immediately.

6. People must participate in all stages of their development; they have to identify their assets and their needs, and must themselves find the solutions to their problems. They must take ownership of each stage of the development process.

7. Development is intra-cultural. People’s culture has to be understood and integrated into all facets of development as an important dimension of the community.

8. Development is long-term. It is unrealistic to think that development impact can be obtained after a few years of community activities. Change of attitudes takes time.

9. Development is not free. People’s contribution in kind and in money to their own development warrants ownership and is an essential condition for sustainable development.

10. Development builds on results and credibility. Agents of change must show results if they want to be accepted by the people. For an NGO, there should be consistency between the rules and mission, professionalism and transparency at all levels.

60

This publication is financially supported by Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (FATD-Canada)

H.No.1-1-867, Siddarthanagar, NIT Post, Kazipet, Warangal-506 004, Telangana, IndiaLandline: 91 870 2459287 | Mobile: 91 98491 65890

Email: balavikasa@balavikasa.org | Website: www.balavikasa.org