CYSD

Mahesh Chhatoi

Over the past two decades, Odisha has put in a lot of effort to prevent child labor by implementing various laws. The Right to Education Act 2009 has made it mandatory for the state to ensure that children between the age of 6 to 14 years go to school and receive free education. Article 21A of the constitution of Odisha also provides education as a means to combat child domestic labor in India. The motive is to ensure that the children of Odisha live in economically stable families and get quality education at an appropriate age.

Combating Child Domestic Labor (CCDL), a Child Rights protection initiative, was undertaken by CYSD in 2017 to fight against child domestic labor in the Mayurbhanj District of Odisha in collaboration with Plan India.

The CCDL project was initiated in three main blocks of the Mayurbhanj District of Odisha, namely, Thakurmunda, Kaptipada and Jashipur. Children from these blocks work in different occupations, such as agriculture and allied works, collection and processing of minor forest produce, domestic work/help, etc. Children here are also made to engage in apprenticeship which is considered normal in the communities. Mute acceptance of these traditions due to financial instability caused by unforeseen situations has made the whole concept of child labor very normal and unquestioned.

The goal of the CCDL initiative is to prevent, protect and rehabilitate these children from domestic labor by strengthening community based child protection systems, by educating the children and helping their families become financially stable. CYSD also provided these children with educational kits to equip and encourage these children for going to school. CCDL project envisaged to create happiness amongst these young lives by sharing these kits with the underprivileged children of the society. For the past two years, CYSD has been successfully running the “Basic Educational Support Centres” drive in the project locations.

CYSD brought smiles to the faces of 1200 children in 2017-18 but, in 2018-19 it has increased by 600 children more. The Basic Educational Support Centres were provided with educational aid like blackboards, multilingual dictionaries, word books, maps, etc. The CCDL initiative received ample support from the village level Child Protection Committees, who influence the minds of the families of the children on a more personal level. “This is going to be the best help at this moment for these children and we will co-operate whole heartedly to make this activity a big success”, said one of the Child Protection Committees.

Dillip Kumar Rath

Groundnut cultivation has a very good potential in tribal district of Koraput. Under Focus Area Development Programme (FADP) of ITDA, Joypore, tribal farmers are being encouraged to go for groundnut cultivation with the facilitation of NGOs, like CYSD.

Groundnut is an early season crop which means slightest sight of rain is needed to plant. Groundnut seeds are normally sown when the soil is not soggy as the crop does not do well in waterlogged soil. To prevent soil bacteria and fungi, certified disease free seeds should be used. If seeds from the last season is used, we have to ensure that the seeds are stored in their pods and only shelled a few days before plantation. We have to shell the pods 1-2 weeks before sowing and to select only good quality seed for sowing. Land need to be ploughed and harrowed to a fine condition. Cultivation spacing depends on the variety. Small types of seed are spaced at 30cm between rows and 15cm between plants. This has a plant population of 70400 per acres. The big types of seeds are spaced at 45cm between rows and 20cm between plants; this has a plant population of 35600 per acres. The seeds are planted in two rows on the top of the ridge. It is necessary to select clean and well formed seeds for planting. Normally, seeds are sown to a depth of 5-8cm at a seed rate of 50 kg per acre.

Following the above process, CYSD facilitated a total of  225 poor tribal farmers in 12 villages of 3 Gram Panchayats (GPs) namely, Chandrapada, Bodaput and Dasmantapur in  Baipariguda Block to cultivate groundnut in 225 acres of their land between last week of January and first of February this year under FADP. The beneficiaries were supplied with input support of 112.50 quintal seeds (Verieti-AK12-24 of 90-100 days duration), 450 kg of bio-fertilizer (Necter) and 112 ltrs pesticide (Nemoline).

Before the monsoon break, the groundnut growers have finished the harvesting of groundnuts and it is observed that the farmers have produced 5 quintal to 7 quintals per acre and selling the groundnuts @ Rs.4500 per quintal.

Bharati Mohapatra

Building Capacities of members of CBO, PRI representatives and grassroots level organizations is one of the core competencies of CYSD. At the behest of FES, Keonjhar, CYSD Training Team conducted a 5-day Training Needs Assessment (TNA) program for the PRI members and Panchayat Resource Persons as well as the staff of FES in Banspal Block of Keonjhar district in March.
 
The purpose of this Training Needs Assessment (TNA) program was to recognize the performance issues of the representatives that could be augmented. Their competencies could be further enhanced by sharpening their existing knowledge base and skill sets. The crux of conducting the TNA program was to identify these performance issues and analyze the gaps between the existing competencies and the competencies required to meet the organization’s objectives.  The team identified the knowledge, skill sets and attitudes possessed by the  representatives by using a specific tool designed for the assessment purpose.
 
CYSD team interviewed 19 Sarpanches from 21 Panchayats and 11 Panchayat Resource Persons and staff of FES involved in strengthening local self governance through a rigorous process.
 
As an outcome of the whole exercise, the team could explore that majority of the representatives lacks knowledge on three-tier PRI system, 73^rd Amendment, PESA, role and responsibilities of Gram Panchayat, required knowledge on preparing Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). In some cases where women are in Sarapanch positions, proxy leadership by male members was also found.  

Padma Patnaik

With a view to mark the International Women’s Day, CYSD launched an unique programme ‘Women on Wheels’ (WoW) in last March. WoW programme is to empower poor women to become professional drivers enabling them to gain remunerative ‘livelihoods with dignity’. This would help the disadvantaged girls and women come out of veil and take control over the resources as well as break the gender stereotypes of the male dominated commute system in partnership with AZAD Foundation, and Mahindra Finance. The programme will also enhance their awareness on rights and enable them to become independent and confident individuals in charge of their lives. WoW works with young women mostly aged 18-35, living in urban slums and resettlement colonies in cities, with too little economic capital. Most of them are either out of work, or work in low paid professions.

The  programme not only teaches driving but also makes a women stronger by providing every types of exposure during the training programme as the trainees would learn driving and complete 3 modules, like (i) Technical Module (Learners Module, Maruti Driving School, Permanent License, on Road Practice, self drive and map reading); (ii) Self Development Module (English, communication, first aid, work readiness); and (iii) Empowerment Module (Self Defense, Gender and Legal Rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health). In addition to this, the trainee will get the Insurance Policy on accident and a uniform.

To mobilize the potential candidates, CYSD organized community level meetings in different slum areas among candidates, parents and community. The objective of the meeting was to know the availability of potential resource-poor women and willingness to be driving as their profession.

So far 24 candidates from different urban slums are selected through rigorous selection process. They have attended the induction programme organised in mid April and subsequently enrolled as first batch with the Maruti Driving School. Now they are undergoing practical classes and simulation training.

 Ananta Kishore Swain

Immediately after cyclone FANI, a Rapid Assessment was undertaken in 48 villages covering 5 Blocks of Puri district and 3 slums of Capital City Bhubaneswar to assess the damage and need of the community. Based on the assessment, the following works were initiated by CYSD:

• Volunteer Mobilization: 103 volunteers (Male 81 & 22 Female) from different organizations including Antarang, National Youth Project (NYP), National Service Scheme (NSS) and Indore School of Social Work (NSSW) joined their hands with CYSD and facilitated drone-based damage assessment at Arakhakuda in Puri district and engaged in relief and restoration activities.
• Cyclone Response Hubs:  One Hub each in Brahmagiri- Satyabadi, Nimapada and Delang blocks of Puri district; and one in Bhubaneswar Urban Slum were set-up to facilitate services to the cyclone victims.
• Supply of Drinking Water: 32268 ltr. of drinking water supplied to 2150 affected households in Bhubaneswar urban slums. Water purification system installed in collaboration with Tata Trusts.
• Health and Hygiene Camps were organised in the affected areas mobilizing volunteers, doctors and medicine from different quarters.  24 health camps organized where 2527 people have visited the health camps, got treatment and provided with medicines free of cost. Hygiene camps organized in 51 villages/ urban slums in the affected areas of Bramhagiri, Satyabadi, Nimapada & Delang blocks of Puri district; Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC); and urban slums under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Balianta block of Khurda district. In this process road clearing, village cleaning and decontamination of water bodies were undertaken mobilizing the volunteers and the community people.
• Material Distribution: Materials including Dry Ration Kit (4442), Dignity Kit (3344), Survival Kit (487), Education Kit for children (300) and tarpaulin covers (1290) distributed to the affected households. In this process, CYSD has reached out to 18941 households in the districts of Puri, Khurda and Cuttack.
• Civil Society Coordination: CYSD became part of the “Civil Society Responds to FANI” set-up for collective humanitarian action in the most difficult situation in coordination with the Government and the District Administration and facilitated its meetings and logistics support.
• Documentation and Communication: A regular Bulletin capturing stories from the ground with photographs, initiatives taken by the CSOs and Government, and media highlights shared all across.
• Sharing of Recommendations: The recommendations of the Forum “Civil Society Responds to FANI” shared with different Media Houses for policy influencing and advocacy.

The cyclone response works have been undertaken in collaboration with Humanitarian Aid International (HAI) and support from different organizations including Plan India, Tata Trusts, Odisha Forum, Americares India Foundation, Vaishnabi Centre for Enlightenment, Goonj, NIINE, Samaja Relief Committee, Procter & Gamble, Himalaya, Marwari Yuva Manch and individual supporters.

CYSD is really thankful to all collaborators, donors and individual supporters for their valuable support and cooperation at this difficult hour.

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In recent past, one afternoon, on her back from School, Sajani was told by her parents that she would be no more going to school because they were making plan for her marriage. Sajani, daughter of Harihar Mahakud of Bagdafa village in Bhaliadal GP Thakurmunda block was just 13 years in 2018. As an ambitious girl, Sajani wished to continue her education like other girls. She tried to persuade her parents to postpone her marriage but failed.

Gloomy girl, Sajani sought the help of Ms. Arati Mohanta, a community teacher of Combating Child Domestic Labour Project of CYSD in Thakurmunda.

Together they embarked on a journey to fight against this child marriage. They put the case before the members of Birsa Munda Child Club, who in turn informed the village level Child Protection Committee. Some CPC members visited Sajani’s home, apprised Sajani’s family regarding the implications of early marriage and the importance of her education. But her parents were not convinced to postpone her marriage. But they were persuaded to attend the next CPC meeting scheduled on 6th February 2018. At this meeting, the parents were informed of the law relating to child marriage and stringent punishment for violating it. Then Sajani’s father agreed and made a written commitment to abide by the law and not to give his daughter in marriage before she attains the age of18, even without her consent. The villagers along with CYSD Project staff informed the Sarpanch, Child-Line activists about this renewed effort towards combating early child marriage.

“Together we managed to convince the parents of Sajani that giving marriage to a 13 years girl would be illegal and even a curse to them. They somehow agreed to postpone the marriage till their daughter becomes18 years,” proudly shared Arati, the community teacher.

Sajani delightfully says, “During this process of fighting against child marriage, I have become an active member of Birsa Munda Child Club and gained ample awareness on the implications of early marriage. The knowledge I gained on Prevention of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) provided me enough courage to stand up against child marriage”.

Jamuna Mohanta, an illiterate tribal woman of 47, lives with her five member family comprising husband, son, daughter-in-law and a granddaughter of 3 years in Sialijodi village of Saharapada Block of Kendujhar district.

Jamuna happens to be a member of Om Shanti SHG promoted by CYSD-Plan project. Due to illiteracy, she often depends on her husband and son for taking important decisions. Few years back, the family was solely depending upon agriculture for their subsistence. Because of erratic monsoon and other factors they were not getting adequate yield from their 2 acres of land. The family was hardly earning an income of Rs.12000 to 15000/- per year. Income out of the agriculture was insufficient for managing their year the round food grains and other expenses.  Alternatively, to add to the family income, Jamuna was rearing some chicken and ducks. But the survival of chicken and ducks was uncertain every year due to bird’s epidemic.

Jamuna had been a regular attendee in the monthly meetings of SHG and was keeping her attention on the discussion of business promotion. Initially, due to fear of morbidity of birds, Jamuna had little confidence to initiate a medium venture. Still, in a small way, she was rearing some ducks and chicken, besides managing her household chores.

Incidentally, one fine day CYSD’s Facilitator was discussing with the SHG group about the potential of duckery and poultry farming, as an alternative source of income enhancement. While discussing, she explained the preventive steps required for the protection of birds from diseases. The facilitator also talked about the availability of space for duck house, water points, and other essentials. Enthusiastic Jamuna was motivated with the discussion on enterprise promotion. She decided to get more number of ducklings and develop a farm house for birds. With this intention she took Rs.10000 as loan from her SHG and bought 200 ducklings. With proper care and protection, the ducklings grew up rapidly and after 4 months time she started selling the ducks. In total, she got Rs.18000 as profit out of the investment of Rs.10000. With this profit she made up her mind to continue the duck rearing. She had to procure husk for ducks regularly, hence, subsequently she opted to set up a rice processing unit to collect the husk. For this purpose she applied for bank loan and ultimately got the machine installed. Out of the rice processing unit and duck rearing she could be able to repay the entire loan. While her husband looked after the rice processing unit, she herself concentrated on the duck raring.

Gaining confidence with duck rearing consecutively for five years, she has started a broiler farm this year and engaged her son along with daughter-in-law to manage the farm.

Jamuna has been a role model in her community and other SHG members also consulting her before initiating any new business endeavor.

“I am really grateful to CYSD-Plan project for promoting SHGs in our community and building the confidence of its members to be successful entrepreneurs like me”, proudly says Jamuna.

A life of dignity is the right of every citizen.  Self-employment is a significant step to have sustained incomes and to get out of the shackles of poverty. Jamuna’s life has been changing through a gradual empowerment process. The Manager of Bank of India says, “As long as Jamuna will continue the same spirit of entrepreneurship, our bank will keep her supporting with financial assistance in future”.

With much hardship Laxmi Talia, 19 years, could manage to complete her secondary level education in nearby college with the support of CYSD’s Child Development Project. Laxmi belongs to Maheswarpur village from Korukonda Block of Malkangiri District. To become a good student was not her prime intention; she rather wanted to “live and let others live”.

Getting involved in CYSD’s activities, she realized the importance of adopting a healthy and productive adolescent life style which provides a solid base to become a healthy mother. With this motivation she started working with adolescent girls likely to be most neglected in tribal areas. She took an oath to fight against all kinds of ill mindsets in society and began forming adolescent girl groups focusing on girls’ right to Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH). Gradually, she was accepted by the girls’ groups and could win the confidence of community people.

Next, she took it upon herself to combat ‘child marriage’ in her community. She demonstrated her protest in the form of silent rallies and pada yatras with the support of all adolescent group members. As of now, she has stopped 2 child marriage cases in her locality. This apart, she has contributed immensely to regularizing the support services of her Gaon Kalyan Samiti (GKS). With her active role, the Village Health and Nutritional Days (VHNDs) have become more regular and vibrant. Almost all adolescent girls taking part in the VHNDs and exercising their ARSH rights.

“I want to create many more Laxmis who can bring changes in the adolescent life style in the tribal communities”, says Laxmi confidently.

Padiabeda Upper Primary School of Thakurmunda block, the operational area of CYSD, sets an example in terms of cent percent students’ enrolment; their retention till completion of elementary education; monitoring of school activities; and preparation and implementation of school development plan. This is possible only due to the active functioning of its School Management Committee (SMC) and adherence to the RTE (Right To Education) norms.  The school experiences changes in education standards through genuine community participation, especially the parents.

Drawing an ambitious School Development Plan, the SMC perfectly achieved targets and a bit more. This includes school beautification, renovation of school building, regular water supply to toilets, provision of safe drinking water, roof repair, temporary fencing of school boundary, creation of kitchen garden, and improvement in school attendance.

To achieve the last, it came up with an ‘out of the box’ idea. The SMC created Child Clubs with a boy and girl, from each hamlet, in each class, as child leaders. Their task is to ensure highest attendance from their hamlets, with those achieving perfect record are awarded with a small national flag every evening in front of other child leaders. That spurred such peer competition that school attendance never drops below 90%.

This SMC’s dynamism is due to active synergy between PRI representatives and their constituent parents. The former helped tap into hitherto unknown resources. Consequently, SMC members mobilized funds for regular water supply in toilets from CYSD-Plan Project while obtaining funds for repair of roof from Gram Panchayat.

The SMC has focused its attention on keeping school environment clean and attractive. For this, members collected flower saplings locally in monsoon, and built a garden at low cost in school. They mobilized free community labour to beautify the campus. They even created a kitchen garden using similar model while recycling waste water. The parents’ sense of ownership and pride in the institution is clearly evident, with female SMC members using cow dung to disinfect and level school campus every weekend, gratis.