Tarang Annual report 2006-07 and 2007-08

Parivar Vikas

Organizational Profile

Name : PARIVAR VIKAS: PARIVAR VIKAS: PARIVAR VIKAS: PARIVAR VIKAS CHANDRASHEKHAR NAGAR CHANDRASHEKHAR NAGAR CHANDRASHEKHAR NAGAR CHANDRASHEKHAR NAGAR

Contact Person : Mr. Bhawanand: Mr. Bhawanand: Mr. Bhawanand: Mr. Bhawanand Address : PO: Guguldih, Via: Gidhour, Distt: : PO: Guguldih, Via: Gidhour, Distt: : PO: Guguldih, Via: Gidhour, Distt: : PO: Guguldih, Via: Gidhour, Distt:

JamuiJamuiJamuiJamui----811 305 (Bihar)811 305 (Bihar)811 305 (Bihar)811 305 (Bihar) Phone : +91: +91: +91: +91----9334805946 9334805946 9334805946 9334805946

+91 +91 +91 +91----9431234158943123415894312341589431234158 + 91 + 91 + 91 + 91----9304141099930414109993041410999304141099

Fax : +91: +91: +91: +91----6345634563456345----222074222074222074222074 E-mail-ID : parivarvikas@rediffmail.com: parivarvikas@rediffmail.com: parivarvikas@rediffmail.com: parivarvikas@rediffmail.com Registration No. : SRA 1860 317/1988: SRA 1860 317/1988: SRA 1860 317/1988: SRA 1860 317/1988----89 date: Dec. 89 date: Dec. 89 date: Dec. 89 date: Dec.

02, 198802, 198802, 198802, 1988 FCRA : 0311300018 date: Mar. 10, 1991: 0311300018 date: Mar. 10, 1991: 0311300018 date: Mar. 10, 1991: 0311300018 date: Mar. 10, 1991 I T Registration : 12A & 80G: 12A & 80G: 12A & 80G: 12A & 80G Our Banks : State Bank of India, Jamui: State Bank of India, Jamui: State Bank of India, Jamui: State Bank of India, Jamui

: UCO Bank, Ratanpur: UCO Bank, Ratanpur: UCO Bank, Ratanpur: UCO Bank, Ratanpur : Bank of Baroda, Mohaligarh: Bank of Baroda, Mohaligarh: Bank of Baroda, Mohaligarh: Bank of Baroda, Mohaligarh

Children are central focus of our programs

Preface

It is my great pleasure to bring this latest addition of

TARANG by PARIVAR VIKAS under your kind obser-

vation. For the last year, we have significantly been able to

undertake some new programs/activities towards sustain-

able development in agriculture and economic enhance-

ment of the community through an active participation of

CBOs, besides our usual activities.

Some new intervention took place in these years for

strengthening community people and bringing smile on

children’s face. Tarahaat has been associated with us for

computer education in the area whereas PACS Phase –I

completed successfully with a wide impact on community.

A new program TARAakshar has been implemented very

successfully in which the illiterate women became able to read and write in just 30

day of dedicated work.

Moreover, we continue to facilitate and serve the community under the pro-

gram of RCH. Besides, mal-nourishment among the poor women and children is

still prevalent in our community; we have introduced the P.D./Hearth to all the 60

villages of the area.

Right now, we are having useful cooperation from the Govt., Semi-Govt. and

Non-Govt. bodies to attain our objectives. We are very much grateful to all of them

including our donors like- CCF India, LWR, DFID, SSI, SSA, TARAhaat and

G.P.C. for extending their utmost cooperation in working for our poor and needy

people. We are also thankful to the members of our Area Office, Deogarh for their

continued support and valuable technical advice. Our thanks also go to the agricul-

tural scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Khadigram (Jamui), who continue to help

our farmers in adopting new advanced and scientific methods in their farming.

I, personally, am also thankful to our colleagues and staffs who continue to be

perseverant in shaping the values, ideals, vision and mission of Parivar Vikas into

reality.

(BHAWANAND)

Project Manager.

Parivar Vikas: At a glance

Background

Parivar Vikas came into existence in 1988 as a voluntary organization through the efforts

of some social workers under the leadership of JP movement leader Mr. Bhawanand. The

organization started working with a strong mission to translate the dreams of Gandhi, Jai

Prakash and Binoba into reality. Initially, it started its social campaign in a very remote

place of Jamui district named Chandrashekhar Nagar which was a barren piece of 108

land donated under Bhoodan movement. In 1984, the then Land and Revenue Minister

Chandrashekhar Singh got 84 schedule caste and tribe families rehabilitated there but due

to lack of any basic human facilities and any livelihood scope, all the families migrated

to the nearby villages and towns in the course of time. The organization took resettling

the migrated families in the village as its first task and proceeded with several initiatives

like education, health, nutrition, housing and water facilities, irrigation facilities, recla-

mation of land, livelihood and economic enhancement, etc.

Later in 1991, the international child development agency Christian Children’s Fund

(CCF) came forward to support the organization to work with the local communities in

Chandrashekhar Nagar and its surrounding village. In the course of time, Parivar Vikas

extended its working area to the several blocks of the district Jamui with support from

different agencies. Since 1991, CCF has been supporting the organization for overall de-

velopment and bringing sustainable smile on children’s face in the 12 villages around

Chandrashekhar Nagar. Other agencies – GTZ, CFLI, EZE, DFID, GPC, LWR, Sight

Savers International, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Development Alternatives, etc supported

the organization to attain its goal and objectives in the later span of time.

Recently, A girls’ school has been initiated at Sono named Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vid-

yalaya with support from Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Jamui. Similarly, a training centre-

Centre for Child and Youth Development (CYED) has been established in which voca-

tional training has been started for youths. The organization got association with Devel-

opment Alternatives (DA) for computer training as TARAhaat, which is a computer

training institute working in association with Microsoft.

Vision

To make an egalitarian and just society where everyone can live a dignified and respect-

able life.

Mission

To develop a healthy society where people will be educated, healthy, self-reliant in all

respects so that they can provide better quality of life to their children which hold them

back from migration, free from moneylenders and utilize local and Govt. resources for

the betterment of society

Community and CBO’s

Secretary

Programme

Coordinatorsi.e. Education, Health,

Micro Finance Etc.

Social Animators

Community Workers

Social Workers Administrative

Secretarial Staff

Project/ Programme

Directors

Finance Coordinators

Sanchalak Treasurer

Executive CommitteeHeaded by Chairman

OrganogramOrganogramOrganogramOrganogram

Advisory Group

Target Communities

The target group of Parivar Vikas is the socially and economically weaker and

marginalized sections especially SC,ST ,OBC and minority community who are

belonging to below the poverty line and deprived of basic human facilities.

Operational Area

The organization is working in Jamui and Banka district of Bihar. Jamui is in

the southern part of Bihar touching Jharkhand state where as Banka is the

neighbouring district of Jamui in the east.

In Jamui, the organization is working in 8 blocks covering 83 Panchayats and

700 villages under different programs whereas it is working in 3 panchayats and

24 villages of a block in Banka.

Name of organization No.

SHGs 310

Child and Youth clubs 17

Kisan clubs/CIGs 12

Village Committees 17

Village Health Committees 60

Total 416

People’s Institutions

Human resource Staff : 106

Volunteers : 110

Programs of the year 2006 and 2007-08

Parivar Vikas has implemented a lot of programs in the year 2006Parivar Vikas has implemented a lot of programs in the year 2006Parivar Vikas has implemented a lot of programs in the year 2006Parivar Vikas has implemented a lot of programs in the year 2006----07 and 200707 and 200707 and 200707 and 2007----08 with the help of several 08 with the help of several 08 with the help of several 08 with the help of several agencies. During the year, some new activities were added whereas some have been taken out. Similarly, agencies. During the year, some new activities were added whereas some have been taken out. Similarly, agencies. During the year, some new activities were added whereas some have been taken out. Similarly, agencies. During the year, some new activities were added whereas some have been taken out. Similarly, some new partners came with new projects on different issues. The working area extended to new locations some new partners came with new projects on different issues. The working area extended to new locations some new partners came with new projects on different issues. The working area extended to new locations some new partners came with new projects on different issues. The working area extended to new locations and communities as well. and communities as well. and communities as well. and communities as well. The organization implemented following projects/programs in these years:The organization implemented following projects/programs in these years:The organization implemented following projects/programs in these years:The organization implemented following projects/programs in these years:

Child Survival and Development Project: The organization has been implementing a lot

of activities in the project with the help of its CCF India which aims to improve the qual-

ity of children’s lives through ensuring overall development of a child. It focuses on the

program sectors- health and sanitation, nutrition, early childhood care and develop-

ment, basic education, livelihood and economic enhancement and child protection and

child participation.

Poorest Area Civil Society (PACS): This project has been supported by DFID(UK). The

project aims at strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions for responsible government.

Similarly, it focuses on women empowerment, female literacy, NREGA awareness and

other allied programs as well.

Bihar Dalit Cluster Development Project: The organization has special program of the

most deprived and backward community—Dalits of the area. This project is being im-

plemented in education, health, community development and livelihood promotion with

support from Luthran World Relief (LWR).

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV): This is an special initiative for girls’ edu-

cation with the help of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Jamui. The school has been running at

Block Sono in which the local out-of-school girls were admitted and are given quality

education in a residential environment.

Vision Rehabilitation Project: This initiative has been taken for eye care and vision re-

habilitation to the needy communities with the support of Sight Savers International. A

vision centre has been established at the district headquarters Jamui for regular activi-

ties on vision rehabilitation.

TARAakshar SHG Literacy Program: This is a special program taken for literacy of

SHG members. The program prepares the participants as literate in just 30 days TA-

RAaskhar exercise.

Computer Training Course: A computer training centre has been started in association

with TARAhaat, an institution promoting IT in rural areas. The course are being con-

ducted under newly established Center for Youth and Educational Development

(CYED) for vocational trainings.

Volunteers’ Activity in the rural sector: This was a volunteers’ activity project taken by

Parivar Vikas with the help of EED-GPC. The project emphasized on community devel-

opment in association with local Govt. schemes.

Apart from the above project/ programs, the organization conducted a number of

activities with its own resources and local contribution from the community in the

area of education, health, environment protection, community development, etc.

Program Activities

Child Survival and Development Project

(Supported by CCF India) Working area and location: 12 villages (Guguldih and Chandrashekhar Nagar of Barhat Block, Korbakura of Laxmipur block & Kudila, Pandeythika, Piratar, Chhedlahi, Nengrimoh,

Kewal, Seva, Banjhulia and Jalgorwa of Gidhaur block of Jamui District-Bihar).

The project is being implanted in 60 villages under RCH.

Towards sustainable smile of children

The area of Parivar Vikas was to backward in all respects of human life, people had

nothing to do for their children due to lack of poverty and backwardness. This was

widely observed and visualized by the international child development agency Chris-

tian children’s Fund (CCF) on the reports of Parivar Vikas in 1991. Considering the

pitiable situation, it started supporting Parivar Vikas under Child Survival and Develop-

ment Project on child well-being issues in Chandrashekhar Nagar and surrounding vil-

lages. Before the beginning of C.C.F. support at Parivar Vikas, the people of this area

were leading their lives under dire poverty. They had no source of livelihood or food se-

curity either. This area was totally barren and drought prone, inhabited by the people of

backward and deprived community. Only a few cactus and palm trees were grown and

the farming was totally dependent on rainwater. People were not aware of their rights

and duties and their commitment to their children and other family members. Children

were involved in cattle grazing and they often were seen wandering after their cattle.

This was the story of this area, when C.C.F. India and Parivar Vikas joined their hands

together to overcome the challenges before the people they were facing through. Both

these recognized organizations agreed to handle the entire problems of this area, focus-

ing the overall development of children. The project has been working in the following

sectors– Health and Sanitation, Nutrition, Early Childhood Care and Development

(ECCD), Basic Education, Livelihood and Economic Enhancement Program (LEEP)

and Child Participation & Protection (CPP).

Since 1991, there is a complete change in the aforesaid scenario of this area. The com-

munities are now coming forward for their own development and are aware on the im-

portance of children’s education and overall care. Most of them have courage and skills

to tackle problems at their own. Children are now at their centre of life activities.

Here is a brief outlook in each sector of this project.

Health and Sanitation: This program aims at improving the health status of the peo-ple of the area. For mother and child health, RCH is being implemented in 60 villages of

the district along with preventive initiatives for Malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS.

RCH facts:

No. of village

covered Population ECs No. of Infant

No. of 0-5

Children

No. of

RCH

Centre Block Covered

60 83710 13106 860 7838 50 5

Following activities have been accomplished in the year 2006-08:

• Under ANC, 1893 pregnant women registered in the area and 1178 got ANC from

Parivar Vikas RCH initiative. Among them, 137 were high risk cases and were re-

ferred.

• INC were promoted to institutional delivery. Out of 891 delivery in the year 2007-

08, 239 was done by TTBA and 572 was health institutions. Under PNC, 1567

women got services from the project in these two years.

• The project has promoted better child care practices through IEC/BCC activities and

facilitated their immunization through Govt. efforts. At end of March 2008, immuni-

zation coverage in 98% in area.

• The project is promoting family planning services in support with Govt. Several

awareness activities were organized and conducted 4 family planning operative

camps. The project got 351 females and 5 males operated in these camps. Similarly,

OCP and Copper-T were promoted by the project. The project organized camps for

RTI/STI detection and provided medicines to all identified 243 persons.

• The project organized adolescent health trainings covering 218 girls and 212 boys.

The training was facilitated by the

trained peer educators along with

local health workers.

• The project has several IEC/BCC

activities viz. Cultural shows( 60

shows) , Audio-visual shows, vil-

lage level meetings, awareness

camps, rallies, workshops, etc. for

creating awareness on different

issues of RCH, Malaria, TB and

HIV/AIDS.

• Several trainings and workshops were organized for workers, Govt. ANMs and

TBAs for their skill development viz. early detection of diseases, child health, RCH,

malaria prevention, etc.

• Each year a health mela is organized by the project in which people get benefit

through counseling by doctors. In year 2007-08, the mela was organized in associa-

tion with the Govt. Health Deptt.

Besides the above , several activities were conducted on RCH, Malaria, TB and

HIV/AIDS with govt. support.

Some other activities: Vision test camps were organized in which total 413 children

were examined in which one abnormal child was treated successfully. In year 2006-07,

the test was organized in all the schools of the area.

For Chandrashekhar Nagar, 6 new houses were constructed in these two years

for safe housing for children.

Achievements

Indicators Past Scenario 2004. Achievements

IMR 119 23

Safe Delivery 15% 64.20

Increase of EC using contraceptives (Total con-

traceptives user 5619 out of 5691 users 1173 ECs

are using currently using for child spacing.

26% 43%

Increased percentage of marriage of girls at 18

years and above

10% 38.23%

A scene of cultural show on immunization

Nutrition: Since last four years, Parivar Vikas has

been implementing PD

Hearth to overcome malnu-

trition in the area. This ap-

proach is community owned

approach leading to sustain-

ability . PD Hearth has been

extended to all the 60 vil-

lages in which regular

Growth Monitoring is done

and PD sessions are organ-

ized . In the year 2007-08,

122 sessions was conducted

covering 1945 children, 309 PWs,507 LMs and 483 adolescent and volunteers. It was a

15-day sessions in which PD nutritional practices were discussed and exercised.

Similarly, 537 families were supported for Kitchen Garden in the area and More than

7000 children were de-wormed in these two years. 66 SHGs were sensitized through

awareness meetings. Regular meetings were organized with ICDS.

Comparative nutritional status of the area(60 villages) after PD implementation

Grades N I II III total

Before the sessions 583 671 423 269 1945

After the sessions 811 573 390 171 1945

Breastfeeding increased to 100% in the area.

Gidhour resident Mr. Dashrath

Manjhi’s one year old daughter Sa-

rita had been a case of worry for the

family as she was extreme malnour-

ished. She was teken to the PD ses-sion in Gidhour Musahari in 2007.

The 15-day session brought some

unbelievable change in her weight

and she was still up. The session

inputs enabled her mother to care

her nicely at home and that’s all she

is now enjoying her childhood

which was never possible before.

Success story of PD approach: New Sarita

Before After six month of the session

PD hearth approach encourages community participation and sustainability exercise in

the programs. It was important that all the sessions were participated by community

members in which they collected the materials required for conducting PD sessions–

food items, fuel, etc.

Early childhood Care and Development(ECCD): ECCD is an important interven-tion by Parivar Vikas and CCF India for 0-5 year children in the area. ECCD ensures

focuses on physical, mental, intellectual, social, cognitive and language development of

a child. The intervention has two parts– Home-based intervention and Center-based in-

tervention.

Under home-based intervention, healthy child care practices are promoted for health,

nutritional and psycho-social factors of a child’s development. In centre-based interven-

tion, the organization runs Balwadis (pre-schools) for 3-5 year children and works in

collaboration with Govt. ICDS department. The organization is working with 2679 0-5

year children.

The program focus shifted to new idea in year 2007-08 under 3-year Quality Improve-

ment Program.

The organization has following activities accomplished in the year 2006-08:

• The organization continued 13 balwadi in the area where there is no access by ICDS.

The total children covered in the Balwadis is 498.

• 13 Balwadi Management Committees (BMCs) have been formed and being strength-

ened by the organization to increase community participation.

• Quarterly Cultural Events have been organized to enhance cultural talents in the chil-

dren and learning levels of children. This program covered 270 children in the year

2006-7 and 495 children in 2007-08.

• Regular meetings were organized with Govt. to enhance the ICDS coverage and to

improve the quality of Anganwadis.

• For home-based care, community

sensitization and caregivers’ train-

ings were organized each year in

which 329 and 216 community peo-

ple participated.

• Under Quality Improvement Pro-

gram, the organization has several

activities viz. trainings of Balwadi

teachers, TLM development work-

shops, Engagement of ECD volun-

teers, supply of TLMs and Annual

Quality Monitoring exercise.

• 150 children successfully moved to

schools in the year 2007-08 whereas in the year 2006-07, 107 children were admit-

ted.

Basic Education: Education, being considered as the most important factor in hu-man development process, has been the most focused priority in programs carried

out by Parivar Vikas and CCF India. The Organization started its education pro-

grams in 1992 with the help of CCF. Initially the focus was on the providing educa-

tional access to the children and new project education centres had been set up.

Among the population of 21638, there are 5952 children enrolled in 18 Govt. and 3

project-run-schools in the area out of 6527 5-15 year children. Starting from just 2%

literacy among the people in the area, the organization has been successful in bring-

ing 92.6% enrollment of 5-15 year children.

To assess the quality of the education programs in the area, the organization con-

ducted a Baseline Quality Monitoring Survey (CCF Model) in all the schools and

A child performing in a Balwadi

The outcomes of the survey of the 18 schools of the area were as follows:

The learning level among the children is very low, causing a huge gap in age-appropriate learning standards. Awesome classroom process has compelled the children to go back home.

The curriculum lacks appropriate learning goals and objectives, contents, activities, learner's

needs and interests. Lack of proper teaching-learning methods causes learning gaps and low

learning achievements among the children. The curriculum mostly focuses on knowledge rather

than on skill development, due to which children can't enhance their reading, writing and nu-

meric skills as age appropriate resulting lacks of confidence and hence, dropped-out from

schools.

Viewing the above situation, the organization shifted its education programs towards the

quality improvement in the schools and preschools of the target area. In 2007-08, it took

several activities to improve the quality of the schools.

1. School-based Quality Improvement Program (SQIP): The organization initiated

SQIP under the proper guidance

and support from CCF India.

The program will be started in

the year 2008-09. This program

prepares a school at all four lev-

els of quality with the proper

inputs of quality. One school of

the area has been selected for

this program for the year 2008-

09.

2. Reading skill Improvement

Program (RIP): This activity

started in 2006 and now, has

been accelerated with more coverage. This is for those class-II and Class-III children

who are not able to read the simple language sentences of their textbooks. The activity

ensures the children with proper reading skill with STAG method. The children getting

reading skills are later brought to improve writing skills under creative leaning classes.

In the year 2007-08, the project has been able to enable 253 children able to read their

textbooks. And now under RIP-II they have been able to write independently.

3. Skill development of teachers on joyful classroom practices: The project educa-

tion workers have been imparted trainings on the joyful classroom process. The training

has enabled the workers to conduct the class with proper teaching skills with the use of

TLMs. The training has enhanced the quality of teaching and the children’s learning

level is now on improving mode.

4. Strengthening Village Education Committees: To enhance the participation of

VECs in School Management, the project has regular interaction with all 18 VECs. The

project has also conducted training programs for their skill development on the proper

management of the schools

Grading components A B C D

Infrastructure 0 0 5 13

Classroom process 0 3 3 12

Learning level in grade-II 0 0 0 18

Learning level in grade-V 0 0 0 18

Community participation 2 3 8 5

RIP-I class at A villages

5. Sensitization of Govt. Education Department: The project has regular interaction

with the Govt. Education Department. The education officials are sensitized to give

proper attention to the schools of the area to enhance the quality. The regular interaction

brought the attention of the officials on the problems of the area.

6. Vocational training: The 16

children (above 15 years of age)

have been given training on voca-

tional skills like computer, elec-

tronics and electrical.

7. SHG Literacy Program: This

program aims at increasing female

literacy in the area which is too

low. The program covered 54

women in the year 2006-07 and

153 in the year 2007-08.

Apart from the above men-

tioned major activities, the organi-

zation had several other activities: career counseling for 62 children, exposure visit of

children to SOVA,Orissa and celebrations like Global Action Week, Child Rights Week,

etc. The organization supports the schools with TLMs to make the classes joyful for

children. 45 Needy children were supported to complete their secondary and higher edu-

cation. The organization is also running a high school for the children who are at a dis-

tance of 9-10 km from their nearest high school.

During the last 16 years, the organization has been successful in bring education

changes in the area. Staring from just 26% enrollment, it has been able to bring it to

95% in 2007. The literacy which was just 2% in 1991 is now 51.18% which is the indi-

cator of educational awareness in the area. The children are in schools rather than

being in the cattle’s field. The organization is working with 18 Govt. Schools and 3

project schools in the area.

Livelihood and Economic Enhancement Program (LEEP): To enhance the eco-nomic status of the families, this program was introduced in the year 2004 by Parivar

Vikas and CCF India. The project believes if the basic economic condition of the fami-

lies improves then the poor families will be able to take proper care of their children.

This will be position to provide the developmental support to their children like fooding,

clothing, education, health, housing, etc. The project is working mostly with backward

communities: SC,ST, OBC and minorities. The main source of livelihood for these com-

munities are agriculture, labouring and Bidi-making in the area. Livelihood pattern of

the area is:

Agriculture and livestock : 68.61%

Small business : 8.20%

Landless labour : 18.85%

Services and others : 4.34%

So, organization is focusing on the two areas under Livelihood and Economic Enhance-

ment Program:

1. Ensuring food grains throughout the year

2. Ensuring annual family income of Rs. 18,000 up to Rs. 24,000

Children in the computer centre

Following initiatives have been taken in the year 2006-07 and 2007-08:

The organization is working

continuously for developing

irrigational resources like life

irrigation channels, wells,

ahars, etc. As these are very

successful and feasible in the

area

SHGs: In addition to the

above, the organization is

working hard for women em-

powerment through SHGs. A

federation has been formed by

the SHG to facilitate the ac-

tivities at project level.

In last two years, 30 SHGs have been formed and capacitated with working skills.

Some SHG facts:

No. of SHGs formed under CCF : 128

Total members : 1499

Total savings : 18,91,500

For all SHGs, various training

programs are being organized

for their strengthening and self

dependant.

NREGA: Since 2006-07, organi-

zation is working hard for mak-

ing common awareness on

NREGA. The project organised

10 awareness camps in which

630 people participated and got

the information on how to get

100 days job.

Particulars 2006-07 2007-08

Small orchard 05 50

Loan for got-rearing 35 -

Farmers’ fair 1 -

Vermi-compost to the families 125 -

Construction of lifts irrigation channel 2 -

Farmers’ training on organic farming 1 1

Orchard mgt training - 2

Well construction 2

A beneficiary with his plants for small orchard

International Women’s Day Celebration

Child Agency (Child protection and participation): Since the year 2006-07, the project has focused especially on child protection and participation in the area. Under

these programs, following activities

were organized:

• Various sensitization programs

were organised in the area in

which child protection issues

were discussed among commu-

nity members, teachers, child

clubs, etc. The issues were also

highlighted by the organization

in its all programs.

• Similarly, in child participation

17 child clubs were formed in

the year 2006-07 in all the vil-

lages of the area. To raise the issues of child rights, a district level coordination

meeting was organised at Jamui in which former Foreign Minster of India Mr Dig-

vijay Singh participated as Chief Guest with 4 local MLAs.

Sharda Child Club: Stimulating children to a new role Child clubs have emerged as the best tool for child participation in recent years. What better can be expected if

children themselves think of them? They want to make their villages child-friendly. Several examples have sur-

prised people and no doubt, it will go a long way in social development. Sharda Child Club formed by Parivar

Vikas is one of those examples. Sharda Child club was formed in 2006 by Parivar Vikas under CCF child partici-

pation program in the village Jalgorba of Gidhour block of Jamui. The club has 37 members led by 3 office bear-

ers. Each month they organizes meetings in

which they put forward their reports and plan of

the next month. In just two years, it has done sev-eral commendable job for the sake of children

and community. The club, first of all, started

bringing back children to the school that were

non-schooling. Their efforts were able to bring

95% enrollment in Middle School, Jalgorba. At

the same time, they organized sports and cultural

activities. The organization supported the club in

these activities. The club formed a cultural team

to organize role plays on village issues. The chil-

dren collected contribution from the families to

meet the requirement for these activities. In the rainy season when most of the down places were

waterlogged, children sprayed turpentine oil and

mobiles to prevent malaria in the village. Similarly, they constructed a way in the nearby stream in which children

could not pass due to rainy water while going to school. The club regularly organizes sanitation drives with the

help of its members. It has a well-established office in which the club members meet daily. It manages a library

by which children takes books to read. It has created reading habit among the children and almost all members

use this library. This is a great success of this club. The children who were wandering to and fro are now seen

reading books. The club publishes Wall News Paper in which children write village news, poems, stories, draw-

ings, etc. The most surprising factor is the children of class II and III are more active in releasing this newspaper.

The newspaper has focused some of the social evils like child marriage as it attracts common people too. The

clubs have several registers to document its activities. The president Sikandar Kumar is also the President of Pari-

var Vikas Child Federation formed recently. The club organizes competitions on various occasions for children and promotes music, sports, drawings, etc. The club also helps the needy children who are unable to have reading

and writing materials from its fund. The most important thing found here is the awareness of children on child

rights. They raise issues with community and take part in VEC meetings on school issues. Their body language all

tells the story of their success. The club has several disciplinary guidelines on which they have to perform and

proceed. The club has built an impressive image among community, teachers and visitors by their committed role.

Certainly, Parivar Vikas and CCF are proud of it.

Role ply by child clubs on child rights

Program Activities

Poorest Area Civil Society (PACS)

(Supported by DFID)

Working area and location: 86 villages (4 panchayats of Gidhour block, 3 panchayats of Laxmipur blcok , 2 Panchayats of Chakai block and 4 Panchayats of Sikendra block of district

Jamui).

Preparing Panchayats for responsible governance

This project was started in 2004 by Parivar Vikas with its networking partners– Sarva

Kalyan Sansthan (Sikendra), Lok Vikas Sansthan (Sabalbigha) and Jan Shikshan

Kendra (Chakai) in 86 villages of the district Jamui. The project is being supported by

Department For International Development (DFID). The specific objectives for the pro-

jects are-

• To strengthen the local self governance institutions by enhancing the capacity of

elected members

• To enable Gram Sabha members in general, women and those belonging to the

weaker section of the society in particulars to play an active role in the decision

making process

• To strengthen the process of democratic decentralization at grass-root level

Some activities carried out by Parivar Vikas in the area:

• Awareness on NREGA through meetings and workshops

• Block level workshop on PRI issues was organized at 4 blocks namely: Laxmi-

pur, Gidhaur, Sikandra, and Chakai.

• A district level workshop was organized at Jamui.

• Awareness campaign on Panchayat Elections in Jamui district in 2006.

• A capacity building training was organized for PRI members in each panchayat

of the area.

Major Impact/Achievements:

• All the Panchayat election can-

didates were trained on elec-

tion issues and some of the

SHG members were encour-

aged to participate in election

• The PRI members benefited

themselves with their capacity

building training.

• Panchayat Information Centre

was brought an easy availabil-

ity of latest and updated infor-

mation to Gram Sabha and

Gram Panchayat members at

local level.

• The functioning of Gram Sabha became more effective in several interventions.

• The participation of women and weaker section in PRI activities became much

wider.

• Panchayat Development Plans were prepared and implemented through Community

Need Assessment.

Program Activities

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya

(Supported by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Jamui) Working area and location: Sono block of district Jamui

Girls Education in residential environment

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalay is an special school for girls of age above 10 years of

age who have been in schools. This school has been initiated by Parivar Vikas with the

help of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. The school is being run at Sono, block of Jamui.

As per the scheme, two Identified Educationally Backward Blocks (EBB) of Jamui Dis-

trict –Jhajha and Sono were selected for KGBV. The objective of this school is to insure

access and quality education to the girls of disadvantaged groups of the society by set-

ting up residential

schools with boarding

facilities at elementary

level. Parivar Vikas be-

ing the experienced NGO

in the field of education

has been selected to run

KGBV at Sono which is

an area with low female

literacy having high per-

centage of tribal popula-

tion. Kasturba Gandhi

Balika Vidyalaya, Sono

was started with residen-

tial facilities in a hired

building on 21st January

2006 by the organization. It was inaugurated by the Agriculture Minster, Government of

Bihar Mr. Narendra Singh. On this very occasion, MLA of Jamui Constituency Mr. Ab-

hay Kumar Singh, District Magistrate Mr. Ram Shobhit Paswan, DEO Mr. Mishra ,

DSE Mr. Jha , Famous Social Workers Mr. Anirudh Pd. Singh and Mr. Ranjan Kumar

were also present.

At present, the school has 50 girls of ST, SC, OBCs, minorities and general classes.

They are from the most deprived families of their communities where no schooling fa-

cilities were available. The children are getting their proper care and facilities for their

education. There is 7staff including 5 female teachers to conduct this residential school.

The children have undergone on a great change in a short interval after joining the

school.

Children of KGBV in Summer Vacation Camp

Program Activities

Taraakshar Literacy Program (Supported by DFID-PACS)

Working area and location: Laxmipur, Sikendra, Gidhour and Chakai block of district Jamui

Learning to write in just 30 days

The Taraakshar Literacy Program is an effective literacy program which is being carried

out with the help of a computer system under a software designed to ensure the learners

read and write just within 30 days. The software has been designed by TARAHAAT, an

organization promoting IT activities in rural areas with the help of ISRO and other agen-

cies. Parivar Vikas has already been able to enable 810 women literate in the year 2007-

08 under PACS program with the help of TARAakshar program which came to an end

with great success (96%).

Following are the benefits of this literacy program:

1. The program uses special memory techniques which the women rapidly uses to learn

2. The program ensures the women read and write just within in 30 days so more

women are covered in a year ( 810 women has been covered in just 12 months with the

help of 7-member team in Literacy Initiative by the PACS-DFID)

3. The program is women-centred in which a lot of activities are conducted at all level.

So, the highlights are really tangible and the society comes to realize the importance of

education.

4. It is cost effective

in comparison with the

several literacy pro-

grams conducted so

far in India

5. The community

demand of this pro-

gram is really high and

women come to the

project to enroll them-

selves.

The women in the pro-

gram are ensured to

conduct their own

SHG activities after

this program.

I

n the year 2006-08, 810 women have been made literate by TARAakshar program. The

program covered 61 SHGs of Sikendra, Laxmipur, Gidhour and Chakai blocks of Jamui.

SHG literacy class

Case Study

Women empowerment through Education

Even Sulekha did not think ever that her hard work would bring such a wonderful fruit in her

life. Really, it was a hard and dedicated work to continue education in such a diverse situation.

She is now a very happy women and icon of pride in her family and community.

But the way she came was not easy and she was one of those few girls who had decided to con-

tinue her education at any cost. In her vil-

lage- Chhedlahi, girls were got married only

after 14-15 years of age due to social cus-

toms. Chhedlahi is one of the 12 villages in

the working area of Parivar Vikas (the pro-

ject partner of CCF India) under CCF child

sponsorship program. There were no edu-

cational facilities in Chhedlahi and other

nearby villages by 1990’s by any means.

But CCF’s intervention in the area brought

several educational activities from 1991. In

this regard, a Non-formal education centre

(up to class 5) was opened in Chhedlahi in

1994 where Sulekha was also enrolled. She

had been very regular in schools. Being a

girl child in the family, she was not encour-

aged properly at initial stage for her education by the family as most of the families do in rural

India. In this period, she was enrolled in CCF sponsorship (Case No. 459) and soon, she got a

kind and motivator sponsor Mr. David Robertson. She got regular support from him and guid-

ance from the project staff. The project staff motivated her father and other parents to continue

education any way. This resulted in a regular follow-up and she continued her education and

going to school for her Grade VIII in a school which was 2 km away from her village.

Sulekha was married in 1998 when she was only 16. But she did not keep herself away from

education. She was fortunate that the project established a High School with the support from

CCF to impart education to the children who leave schools due to long distance from their vil-

lages to the nearby schools. The school named Parivar Vikas High School has been the only

high school within the radius of 9-10 km in the area. So, Sulekha, when she was in Secondary

classes didn’t need to go to the other villages. She was one of the few girls of the area who were

preparing for the board exam. i.e. 10th class. She also motivated successfully one of her friend –

Fool Kumari to prepare for the board exam. Sulekha appeared at the exam in 2000 and passed it

successfully.

Her success was not limited to that only. She later elected as the Anganwadi Teacher for her

village where she conducts a preschool for 3-6 year children in Taljhari Hathia village where

she was married to Mr. Sant Kumar Yadav. She was elected as she was the most educated and

intellectual women in that community. This brought a lot of happiness in her life and people

look at her with a different respect.

When she recalls the days when she was married, she smiles” I was upset where I could be able

to continue my education. But the family and CCF staff encouraged me to continue it and I

think, that was all I am here.”

Sulekha has two sons- 6-year old Vidyapat and 3-year old Brajesh. They both are healthy and

happy. She had been also very intelligent in keeping proper birth space which don’t looks in

other similar rural families. She has decided to have only these two children so that she can give

proper care and a better future to them. Whenever she meets the project staff, she doesn’t forget

to thank CCF and Parivar Vikas with a smile on her face.

Financial Status

For the year 2006-07 and 2007-08

ResourcesResources 20062006--0707 20072007--0808

Foreign FundsForeign Funds 105.14105.14 106.49106.49

Govt. ResourceGovt. Resource 10.2210.22 6.966.96

Local & Community Local & Community

ResourcesResources 4.484.48 3.503.50

Total Rs. (In Lac)Total Rs. (In Lac) 119.84119.84 116.95116.95

Our partners:

• Christian Children’s Fund (India)

• Department For International Development

(DFID)

• Sight Savers International

• Luthran World Relief (LWR)

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

• TARAhaat-DA

• Gandhi Peace Centre (GPC)

• ASK

……...and Bal Tarang becomes the voice of rural children for their rights

Parivar Vikas

Jamui, Bihar

Email– parivarvikas@rediffmail.com