Samaj Vikas Sanstha

Introduction:

On 28 November 2011, Samaj Vikas Sanstha (SVS) completed 16 years of its existence.  In these past 16 years, it has been through many phases of growth and development in response to contemporary challenges and issues. Each phase has involved a simultaneous process of reaffirming the founding vision of SVS “Creating Livelihood opportunities, striving for equal rights and participation of women, children, landless dalits, tribals and weaker sections of the society in the development processes”.

Through its strategic planning and interventions SVS has evolved to be mature organization which works towards sustained impact in the area livelihood, gender issues and women empowerment. SVS has witness many challenges and has learnt in the process to circumvent all these with relentless efforts of her team.  SVS’s interventions have been seen length and breadth of these issues. We have reached out to more than 110 villages of 4 talukas in two districts (Osmanabad and Latur).

During the FY 2012-13 the developmental interventions/programmes SVS executed scores of interventions relate to issues it is working on namely  formation and strengthening of SHG’s, Income generation trainings, promotion of women’s leadership, propagation of Panchayatiraj, Educational development programmes like balwadis,  support classes, strengthening of village education committees, advocacy and lobbying- highlighting the plight of government hostels for adivasi, tribal and backward students, Vatsalya Centre for orphan and one parent children, and the initiatives on “liberating women from violence”.  Starting with a report on this new outreach programme of the organization (Liberating women from violence), this annual report provides a glimpse on the activities/programmes/interventions by the organization during the year and some of its outputs/impacts.

“Vatsalya” – A Centre for orphan and one parent children:

Initiated in 2006, Vatsalya houses 30 children; 18 girls and 12 boys. Vatslaya houses orphans, children of single parents, or children whose parents work in extremely vulnerable conditions and are unable to look after their children. Vatsalya is well equipped three storied building, with 30 beds, 4 computers, a multipurpose hall, LCD project, water filter and the solar based water heater. Vatsalya believes in the democratic functioning. In order to inculcate these values amongst the children we have formed various committees of children living in Vatslaya. The committees such as Cleanliness/ hygiene, health, defense, education, home ministry, cultural committees etc are formed so as to give a learning experience on managing of Vatsalya.

Vatsalya also takes care of the hobbies and interests of its inmates. We have provisioned a library to which the children have friendly access. 6 children are pursuing music and instrument learning classes. 4 children are taking computer and typing classes. 6 girls have completed the nursing courses out which 5 girls have secured jobs in Government hospitals. We also provide coaching on Kusti ( Wrestling ) and Karate. Two children have earned two gold medals in Kusti ( wrestling) at block level( Winners felicitated by dignitaries).
Companionate care, mingled with love and affection, systematic learning in joyful atmosphere, giving opportunities to realize their full potentials, are some of our core values at Vatsaya. We aims to prepare our children for the better world where they learn to take up the ownership to their personal and vocational future.

Campaign against violence against women:

This is the third consecutive year of our struggle to bring about equality, reduce the  gender based discrimination, and eliminate gender based violence. The multi pronged approach to this vision is through preventive and case based intervention by providing legal aid, support, prevention and eradication of all types of violence against women. We have reached out in 100 villages from four blocks of two district. We have appointed 200 Gram Savitries (Women animators) in these 100 villages under intervention. Gram Savitries play vital role of providing support to victims of violence from their respective villages. The gram savitries engage Tanta Mukt  Samiti (Conflict resolution committees) at village level, block level committees and police stations to assist the victims in securing protection against violence and secure justice. In these three years 599 cases were registered out which 393 cases have been resolved. All these animators have been provided with trainings on perspectives and paralegal training.
Table given below gives a snapshot of the intervention.

Total dist.	Total taluka	Total villages	Total village population	Total registered Cases.	Total renewed family	Total no.of divorce women	Total court on going cases
2	5	110	22 Lakh	598	348	8	27

A woman happily reunited with her family
The biggest achievement of this program is that women from the intervention area feel supported; fear of violence is reduced significantly, women have become aware about their rights and are also knowledgeable about various laws under which they can seek solace.

Liberating women from violence – (a New initiative)

  This Programme Liberating Women from violence, - which became operational during the reporting period is a multi dimensional approach to provide aid, support, prevention and eradication of all types of violence against women. It also envisages accountability of perpetrators who indulge in violence against women.  The project is being implemented in three talukas of Osmanabad district, viz. Omerga, Lohara, and Kallam, and Nilanga taluka of Latur district, (Maharashtra State, INDIA).

In this first year of the project,  we have made some important breakthroughs, viz. research and collection of data on different types and instances of Violence Against Women (VAW),  Printing hand bills and copies of various Acts/laws etc. Training programmes, providing legal aid to needy women, conducting street plays and Nari Adalats etc. this year from 5 talukas in 110 villages through 55 Nari Adalat we focus on preventing the women from various violence, create awareness about various right which they are unaware, solve family problem and renew family which is broken through various type of counseling . throughout this 154 women living life happily with their family. One of the most important and encouraging change happening at the  village level is that, of the gradual change in the attitude of the people – people  are positively inclined to support every effort of the activists and thereby ensuring the success of the programmes. In most of the target villages, there is considerable improvement in the level of awareness on VAW, Basic Laws, Nari Adalats etc.  The women’s self help groups (Micro-credit Groups) are actively and openly supporting the initiatives of the organization.   A lot of people are visiting the office of our organization seeking guidance/assistance or support.

The project staff has also become experts in implementing the various project programmes, organizing and ensuring the support of the people etc. The new found confidence and enthusiasm of the project staff is reflected during the monthly meetings, reporting and planning of the project  programmes.  Below is mentioned about the activities during the year as part of this programme.

Hostels for children from backward caste: 

Vision: to foster collaborative action to avail the entitlements under the GR issues on 26th July 2011 for the government or aided hostels for children from backward caste. We have been working with 1586 students from 24 hostels from four distructs viz- Beed, Osmanbadad, Nanded, and Latur. SVS has been instrumental in bringing about an amendment in 1984 GR on  the facilities being provided. We formed various committees of the children living in the hostels and conduted various activities such as Play for Peace, organized competitions for the children. Awareness was created amongst the inmates on the  facilities they entitled to get under the revised GR. Based on this the students could get access to books in the library, water filter, solar system for warming of water, a computer per ten students, dearness allowance, cleanliness allowance, LCD T.V. We also created awareness amongst the parents abpout the facility to meet their children while they are in the hostel.  We also sought information on the difficulties faced in the hostel under Right to Information act.  

The significant outcome of this effort was a GR that was issued on 26th November 2011. All children and the staff members are now area about it.  

Organization of women and Formation of self Help groups ( SHGs) –

To realize the goals of economic and political empowerment of women through SHGs,we have formed 822 SHGs in four blocks of two districts. Out of these 458 groups have availed a loan of upto 6 lakh from the banks. With the help of this 132 groups have started their own ventures. 4 groups have initiated 4 PDS (Public Distribution Scheme) and Kerosene distribution shops.  Some of the enterprises include spice grinding mills, flour mill, Bakery and confectionaries, salons, mobile repairing, sari waving etc. We have better representation of women from Gram panchayat to District Level. We also initiated the campaign to name the house under joint ownership of Husband and wife. Before that it was only on husband’s names. Many of our women are quite confident and also live life with dignity.

Interventions during drought in Marathawada:

Marthawada is extremely drought prone region. Many women suffer as they have to walk miles together to fetch water. Time, energy, resources are wasted in fulfilling the basic need of water. The livestock suffering was the worst. Many cattle like cows, buffalos, sheep and goats were sent to abator (Slaughter House)  due to severe scarcity of water. In this situation we initiated work in three villages. We identified these three villages which are situated on a hillock. We brought water from the nearby ponds to the wells in villages; shades for animal were built and provided with fodder and water. 120 cattle were saved during this period. We also sent out tanker water in the most affected areas. Now our villagers are valuing water

Pre Primary Education(Balwadi):

We promote pre primary education amongst the laman – a nomadic community.  5 such balwadies have been started in Omeraga block. We promote joyful learning. We have designed the curriculum which includes introduction to letters, numbers, songs. This also include modules on personal hyheine, nutrition etc. Cultural programmes and hobby classes are also conducted for all the children in the weekends which help in unearthing nurturing the talents of children.  In all the balwadis children celebrated the Independence Day, and the Republic days. The President/members of VEC unfurled the tricolor and children conducted songs and dance programmes. Sweets were also distributed to the children. Out of 150 Children 30 children have been assisted taking admissions in the first standard there bt mainstreaming them into education system. Many dalit and Laman women have taken trainings such as embroidery training, sewing classes, beauty parlors etc. 

Conclusion

SVS is grateful to many individuals and organizations for their unflinching support. We could not have achieved whatever we have achieved without their support.

My sincere gratitude to all our Supporters, Donors, Well wishers, Govt. Officials and their Administrative Machinery and all the people with whom it is in partnership for the social economic and educational development of the rural community.  I also appreciate commitment And hard work of our team members. SVS has dream, a dream of creating just society where all the individuals are able to live a life with dignity - a life of quality. We thank all those who are with us in this journey.  

Bhumiputra Wagh

Secretary :Samaj Vikas Sanstha, Omerga.

Background and Context

Established in 1996, Samaj Vikas Sanstha (SVS), pursues the ideals of sustainable development for the benefit of local communities in Omerga, Lohara, Kallam, Tuljapur talukas in Osmanabad district and Nilanga taluka in Latur district of Maharashtra . Samaj Vikas Sanstha, is actively involved in the development of Lamanis, tribals and other backward sections in and around Omerga. The support of TDSS has been very critical during all these years, especially the support to the project, Development of women and children of Laman and Dalit community. The balwadis in the Laman and dalit vastis (where there are no government provisions for elementary education) support classes, the women’s SHGs for socio economic development of Laman and other backward casts, Skill development of women and children, awareness creation on Child labour law, children’s right to education etc have been the developmental activities under this project.

In the past one year of this project year we continued our efforts with increased vigor and energy to meet the project objectives. Below is given an account of the various activities/programmes undertaken by the organization as part of this project and an overview of its impact on the lives of the target group. We wish to thank TDSS for the unflinching support and also our communities.

Programme Objectives:

• To initiate preschool ( Balwadies) and support classes in educationally backward areas of Dalit and Laman  communities
• To create awareness amongst children and parents and bring them in the main stream of education
• To foster self reliance amongst women through forming Self Help Groups.
• To organize women and impart skills training for their economic development
• To increase breadth and length of awareness on Child Rights and Child labour laws.

Given below is the detail information on activities conducted under this programmes:

Pre School classes- ( Balwadi):

The curriculum is planned on the monthly basis. Children are taught alphabetic, numbers, names of fruits, flowers trees. The learning is made joyful through storytelling, action songs and use of teaching aids etc. For the motor development children are encouraged to make articles of clay. Various extra curriculum activities  are organized to develop the hidden talents of children. The principle of ‘Leaning by Doing’ holds a lot of importance at this stage. The children are given opportunity to collect the items such as leaves, flowers from their immediate surrounding thereby ensuring the application of knowledge the children lean in the balwadies. At present children are able to identify names of fruits, plants, animals, numbers, alphabetic, phonetics. Children are able to do pronunciation small words in English. Children can write number from 1 to 50, and sing many nursery rhymes such as Rain on the green grass, Sonu Monu, Row -row -row the boat, two little hands. ‘Children are running to school instead of walking to school’! as a result attendance of children is also very regular.

Names of Children on roll:

No.	Balwadi Name	Girls	Boys	Total	Teachers Name
1.	Kilbil Balwadi, Hamuman Nagar, Omerga	10	10	20	Mr. Raghani Bhalekar
2.	Adarsh Balwadi, Mahar, Taman Landa, Yeli	10	9	19	Miss. Vaishali More.
3.	Pratham Balwadi, Juni Peth( old market), Umerha	13	12	25	Miss. Sangeeta Sankole
4.	Aanad Balwadi, Mulaj Landa Umerga	12	10	22	Mr. M.  Rathod
5.	Aapli Balwadi, Karle Plot Umerga	10	7	17	Mis. Kavita Gurav
	Total	60	49	109

List of Children who continued to take admission in std 1 – June 2012.

Total 22 children who completed their 7 years of age are admitted in the first standard.

This ensures their entry in formal education system. As the saying goes good beginning is half done battle won, the children are very excited to enter the new school.

In June 2012 27 children were linked to primary school from following geographies:

No	Name of the Balwadi	No of children taken admission in Std. 1
1	Kilbil Balwadi, Hamuman Nagar, Omerga	16
2	Aapli Balwadi, Karle Plot Umerga	19
3	Pratham Balwadi, Juni Peth (old market), Umerha	15
4	Aanad Balwadi,  Yali villag-	22
5	Hasare Balwadi	18
	Total	27

Special Balwadi:

“Pratham” balwadi, situated at Juni Peth( old Market) Umerga. All children come to Balwadi in the uniform. Except a few, all other children have good academic progress. Children can recite alphabetic letters, rhymes, identify fruits, flowers, animals, vehicles, colors etc. Our children take pride in introducing themselves in English.

All our children are the first generation learners and parents also feel proud to see their children’s progress. The quality of education imparted and the discipline and systematic functioning of our balwadis has been a motivating factor for the parents.

Monitoring and Supervision:

Monitoring and supervision plays important role in ensuring quality education. We monitor our newly trained teachers in terms of the content delivery, use of teaching aids such as charts. Capacity building of the teachers is a key strategy. We also monitor our process indicators like no of parents meetings conducted, monthly planning done by the teachers.This task is efficiently handled by our supervisor Varsha Mane. He posses six years of experience in this sector.

Mothers’ Groups:

We have formed parents’ groups. Mostly the members of these groups are mothers. Each balwadi has the group of parents whose children lean in that Balwadi. So far following number of meetings have been convened

Mothers grops in Juni peth omerga

1. Kilbil Balwadi – Hamuman Nagar – 3 meetings
2. Aapli Balwadi, Karle Plot  - 3 meetings.
3. Aanad Balwadi – Tanda- 4 meetings
4. Adarsh Balwadi- Yeli – 2 Meeting
5. Pratham Balwadi – Juni peth – 4 meetings

Total 16 such meetings were conducted. In this meeting we discussed the progress of children, importance of hygiene, importance of nutritional and balanced diet, good practices etc. Children recited nursery rhymes, read out charts, and also enacted small role pays which delighted the parents. Parents take delight in their own fragrances. The parents appreciated the teachers and the children.

Name of the Village	No of parents participated in the parents meeting	Topics discussed during the meeting
Karle Plot	62	The progress of children, importance of hygiene, importance of nutritional and balanced diet, Best practices etc. Children recited nursery rhymes, read out charts, and also enacted small role pays which delighted the parents.   So far 16 meetings have been conducted. Parents are very appreciative of their children’s progress.
Mulaj Tanda	64
Hanuman Nagar	65
Juni Peth	93
Yeli	38

The outcome of these parents meeting is that parents are taking ownership of their children’s education. Parents come to school to drop their children unlike in the past where children were left to themselves to attend the school or sent on the farms as additional hand. Seeing the development of the school many parents whose children studied in the Municipal schools before are taking admission in our school.

Date	Training venue	Content
5th and 6 July 2012	Umerga	Demonstration on Nutritional recipes. Creative teaching methodologies Types of play games Use of folk media for teaching Two days training on Child to Child education. Preparation of teaching aids 14 full time teachers attended the training workshop. Teachers were trained in the curriculum of balwadi and how to teach. All the teachers, supervisor and project head participated in this workshop.
6th November 2012	Umerga	Vaishali More – Pratham Balwadi, Raghini Lavate – Hamuman nagar, Munnabai Rathod – Mulaj Tanda were trained in the above mentioned topics.

Celebration of National Festivals:

We celebrated 26th January – Republic Day , 19th February – Shivaji Jayanti and 15th August – Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan ,Gandhi Jayanti ,Kojagiri Purnima, Birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule. These festivals were celebrated in each school. Importance o these days was explained during the celebration. Parents and children participated in the rally. Children shouted the slogans on the patriotism during the rally. All these festivals and national days are celebrated with lot of pomp. Our children get opportunity to show their talent in terms of anchoring the shows. Children take the lead in organizing the programmes, comparing, and delivering speeches, thanks giving etc. This helps to overcome stage fear and develop leadership skills of our children.

26th January – Republic Day “Pratham” balwadi, situated at Juni Peth

Birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule celebrated in yeli 3 january and krishmas day 25th dicember

Health Education:

Regular guidance is provided to children on conducting self hygiene like keeping the nails. Hair, clothes cealn. Teacher monitor each child for the hygiene and counsels the parents and the children if not satisfied with cleanliness. Health check up camp is also organized occasionally. This ensures clean and neat atmosphere in the balwadi.

Forming children’s group – (Bal Mandal ): In each hamlet and community a Bal mandal( a group of children) is formed. The group consists of 15 to 20 members and each member is assigned a role and designation like we have in our ministry. These groups organize social, educational and cultural events for the children. An event is organized on every 2nd and the 4th Sunday of each month. Students give performances, present songs, storytelling etc. this gives them an opportunity to exhibit their talents. The group strength is Juni peth – 17 members, Mulaj tand – 11, Yeli – 13, Hanuman Nagar 12- Karle plot 10.

Adolescents’ Group( Kishori Mandal):

Name of the Group	Activities conducted
Vatsalya Kishori Mandal	The inmates of Vatslaya have formed a group. The group has cultivated a kitchen garden and they grew vegetation worth Rs. 2000/-
Pragati Kishori Mandal Panchashil Nagar 11	Kitchen Garden Health, Nutrition and education Information on Violence against Women Decreasing women sex ratio and how to prevent it.   The group has also cultivated a Kitchen Garden and they take very good care of the same. A kitchen garden did not get enough rail water as result it was perished. Rests 4 are in good condition.

Hobby Classes:

We implement Hobby classes on a weekly basis on every Saturday and Sunday between 4.30 to 5.30 pm in eight villages. The information is imparted on topics like Superstitions, general knowledge, scientific information, sports during these classes. These hobby classes are conducted by our supervisors in eight villages. In other villages children have formed Bal Panchayat and sometime they themselves conduct hobby classes. Around 25- 30 children participate in these hobby classes. 2 -3 children are selected as leaders from each group thus around 25 to 30 children are in leadership role in these classes. These classes are instrumental in helping children to identify their talents, skills and help them to further develop it.

Health Screening Camps:

Health Screening camps were organized in collaboration with the Primary Health care centre in the localities mentioned above. 115 children underwent health screening. All the children are found to be normal as per the height for age and weight for age. The parents were satisfied with the health status of their children and were also very

Sr.No	Name of the tanda/Vasti	No. of children attending the balwadis
		Girls	Boys	Total
1	Mahar Laman Tanda	13	15	28
2	Kale Plot	20	12	32
3	Hanuman Nagar	15	11	26
4	Brahmapuri Colony	11	10	21
5	Diggi Road	13	15	28
6	Vadar Galli	14	18	32
7	Karali Tanda	11	15	26
8	Talmod tanda	11	14	25
9	Dhaktewadi	15	10	25
10	Thorlewadi	14	12	26
11	Turori Tanda	12	15	27
12	Muluz tanda	13	12	25
Total		162	159	321

Appreciative of Teachers.

Self help group ( SHG)and forming the federation of SHGs:

Women from SHGs and members from the federation were trained on functioning of SHGs and on record keeping. The training consisted of organizing skills, record keeping, codes and conduct of the group etc. Total 76 women were present for this training. Currently 40 groups are maintaining the records. The women handing the function of groups and all financial transaction efficiently. Women are participating in many other events. This has increased their confidence in many ways. Women have organized themselves and in case of any difficulty women support their group members. All the banking related work is handled by the women independently.

Monthly Meeting:

Monthly meeting is conducted on the first day of every month. The members present work accomplished in the previous month and also present the plan of the upcoming month. The members discuss the accomplishments and difficulties faced. Each member is encouraged to speak on a particular subject. This gives them confidence and help the overcome stage fear

Vatslaya Balgriha – Umerga:

At present Vatsalya is housing 27 children of which 10 are boys and 17 are girls. With the support from TDSS 6 girls, inmates of Vatslaya are pursuing General nursing course from Shrirampur and 5 girls are pursuing Nursing course from Kedgaon. With the unwavering support of our well wishers, we are able to provide lodging, boarding and basic health facilities to 27 children at Vatsalya. We have dug up a bore well hence water is taken care of. These children are being assisted with lodging and boarding and extracurricular activities. We conduct multiple socio- cultural activities to foster the confidence of children. The eminent Harmonium expert Vidya Kanade and Yogesh Kadam train our children in playing Harmonium. The children who get trained under their expert advice train other children from Vatsalya. One of the inmates Harshada is being trained in Tabala Vadan. She will further train other interested participants. Two inmates – Prashant Dhavale and Shreeshailya Pawar are seeking training in Marathi and English Typing. They train other 10 children at Vatsalya. Hence total 12 children are able to learn typing. Two girls - Sonali Rakunde and Relka Rathod were trained in Kusti (Wrestling) for six months. Both of them participated in District and Taluka level competitions from Amravati and Usmanabad districts in which they secured the first prize. These girls are now aspiring to participate at state level and win the prizes.

Academics:

27 children go to Basveshawar School. After 4 pm. when the school is over, children do self study from 4 to 5 pm in the library and play from 5 to 6 pm

Child to Child education:

After the school hours children study together. They help each other in their studies and ensure the completion of home work and self study. This practice was started from the last year. It resulted in very good academic results. All our X Std students could pass their SSC examination successfully. We the teachers and management staff also feel good about their progress. While we have come a long way from where we started, this is just the beginning of a long road ahead. As the time comes we renew and strengthen our commitment to wellbeing of our communities. Once again we wish to thank you for your benevolent support.