COMMACT UK operates under the auspices of CBS Network Ltd, a Scottish Charity 000159

 
Overseas Projects and International Links

COMMACT INDIA TASK LIST FOR 2008 / 9 

·               A profile of the member organizations to be created on the Commact International portal.

·               Sasha will host a conference on behalf of Commact which will be open for Commact members.

·               RGM and Jagran would conduct a training on traditional medicine and practice in which Commact members could participate.

·               READ will be willing to assist any of Commact members with documentation techniques.

·               Devasmita is willing to assist any of the Commact members with consultative services, free of cost, on establishment of micro enterprise and evaluation or assessment.

·               Sasha would function as the secretariat for Commact for one year, until March 09.

·               Joseph Scaria Jr offered his fund raising skills which any Commact member is free to make use of free of cost.

·               Johny Joseph offered his service to coordinate placement of volunteers at Commact Member organizations.

·               Commact secretariat would endeavour for promoting greater level of Governance of Commact India. A secretary will be appointed on a part time basis from 15^th of May, 2008.

·               Cooperation between in India and Nepal Commacts.

·               Training of RTI to Commact members on request by Mr. Bhanwar Singh and Mr. Sam.

·               A resource directory of members to be created for which the format will be provided by Mr. Sam.

·               KSSS will take care of publishing a quarterly news letter.

READ Centre - Community Building Venture (CBV)

A brief report on CBV activities during April 2008

Report by: Sam Chelladurai READ Centre, Bangalore. 

READ Centre has actively carried out the Community Building Venture (CBV) activities, with the help of Community Campus, Renton Community Development Trust and Community Business Scotland Network (CBSN) in 2007. The first phase of its successful event was construction of a school block for a government run higher primacy school in Bangalore. India.  

Mr. Archie Thomson M.B.E from Renton Community Development Trust (RCDT)with his wife Mrs. Susan Thomson along two other friends Ms. Liz O’Neil and Mr. Kevin Mullen came to READ Centre 0n 8^th April 2008. Though they did not come to READ exclusively on CBV activities, they took most of their time in spending time at READ administrative office at Bangalore to learn the details of the organisation, since Susan, Liz and Kevin visit India for the first time. Though good deal was explained by Archie earlier as well as at Bangalore, Sam took some time to explain about the origin, history, philosophy and futuristic plans and approaches to the friends from RCDT. 

Visit to  Jamboo Savari School:  

At the first instance the RCDT team visited to the Jamboo Savari Dinne government school to have look at the school block. The new headmaster Mr. Ashwath welcomed the team, where they met other teachers too. Archie and team gave away sweets to all students. Archie, Susan, Kevin presented the calculators, pencils and note books to the headmaster that was donated by the well-wishers from RENTON community. Ms. Liz was busy was distributing sweets to the students till the bag was emptied.  Sam explained about the school activities that were supported by READ. He also showed the books donated by the Community Campus and the Cupboard that was donated by the Lanark Church Women’s Guild through Ms. Heather Chapman. The RCDT team also met the two volunteer teachers who are rendering service to the school.  

Visit to Huliyar: 

Archie and team with Sam traveled to Tumkur the district head quarter of Huliyar and stayed over night. They visited a forest area and a mountain temple pilgrimage centre called Devarayana Durga. They were fascinated to see temples at top oh hills surrounded by thick forests. A monkey manhandled Susan, it opened Susan’s vanity bag and tried to pull out things from the bag. Though Sam was standing next to her did not venture to save her from the monkey, instead he took photograph of both. They visited the herbal garden in the forest. The next day morning they started their journey to Huliyar.  

At Huliyar the community welcomed them with folk drums and dance by the youth and children.  They were invited to the Dalit community where they held a public meeting. The Dalits requested Archie and team to help them to construct their community hall named after their stalwart leader and Human Rights activist Dr. Ambedkar (who also wrote the Constitution of India) Archie was moved by their request. He said that it may be possible for RCDT to raise funds for the completion of community hall. Archie said that he might be able to raise GBP2500 within three months. We feel this is another milestone in CBV activities.  

Visit to Gollarahatti Village: 

Community Campus and Renton Community Development Trust, selected this village for housing project during last two visits as part of their exposure visit. The community belongs to a Tribal sect called Gollas. Their main occupations are hunting and agriculture (dry land). The state government many years ago allotted the house land. But they have no enough economic support to have safe house, as they are poor and marginalised. Susan, Liz and Kevin were invited to visit a hut made out of mud wall and coconut palm leaves for the roof. The Scottish friends were astonished and could not accept that is a houses five members without electricity, water and safety.  

Few men and women came forward and asked about Carl and team too. During their interaction with Archie and team expressed their eagerness to get their safe houses with lights and other amenities. They said that they are ready to do the manual labour in constructing the house as well as contribute their own saving of Rs.8000/ (around GBP102) as they are daily wage earners. 

Archie said that RCDT would like to start raising money soon and construct at least five to ten houses to start with. Meanwhile Sam was asked to find out possibilities of getting Solar powered lights for the houses. Sam mentioned that state government may give subsidized price on the solar panels and lights. Kaduraiah of READ - Huliyar unit will prepare the list of people in that hamlet immediately. 

Public Meeting at High School campus: 

The teachers, students and parents had organised a public meeting at the main village. They welcomed the team from Scotland with garlands and (Arathi) colourful water mixed with auspicious leaves and flowers that is prepared traditionally to welcome dignitaries. Following which the Principal of the high school requested Archie to inaugurated the summer school programme jointly organised by School Management Committee and READ entre that was aimed at teaching skills and extra curricular activities during their long summer holidays. The state education department has come forward to sponsor lunch for all the children attend the summer school. Where as READ Centre has agreed to meet the cost of tea, water and snacks provided to the students.  

While speaking to the public Archie said that this is an encouraging event to participate. It would be possible for RCDT to link the school with another in Renton in the near future. He said that we all should work together to bring development among the needy and the poor.  He mentioned that Community Campus also would be happy o assist the school and the village activities shortly.  

Susan was invited to speak few words. She said that she will be happy to link the women’s groups in Huliyarwith her women’s groups in Renton, as she go back to Renton she would have meeting with the women’s group on this matter. She wished all children best of luck in their studies.  

Kevin gave a brief speech to the audience. He explained that Renton has as many as three schools. He narrated about his native town and living condition of people over there at home. He aspired to become a police officer so that he could serve his people well. Every one appreciated his speech.  

After that Archie, Susan met the schoolteachers and village leaders and handed over books, pencils, calculators and torches that could be used by the students and teachers. A teacher requested the visiting friends to consider some funds to build a small room that could fulfill the need of a library. Sam replied that if it is possible or someone would like to donate funds READ could assist the construction. He also said that there should be local contribution raised by the people for this purpose.

Visits to Kodaikanal (the Hill station) 

This hill station is situated in the Western Ghats hill range at altitude of 15000 ft high. It is a beautiful summer rest place for all. Hundreds of foreign tourists visit every week.  READ Centre is working in this place since 1996 on various community based activities from rehabilitation of Sri Lankan repatriates, Tribals, promoting community business development initiative (was supported by CBSN for three years) and formal and informal education activities in 45 villages and hamlets. Sam suggested to Archie and team that it would be good to visit this place Though the journey was quite difficult (due to heat and 600Km long travel) some how they made it. After a good rest we visited to one of women’s group promoted by READ Centre. Mrs. Josephine and Jasmine are incharge of the programme. They hosted a meeting at Rifle Range village (earlier the army used this area for practicing shooting)  

The women’s group explained about their activities carried out among the workingwomen’s population since 1997. They have savings, community based income generation, linkage with local banks, awareness on local governance and networking etc. Mean while Archie asked Sam to explain, why women’s groups to be formed. Sam said that since women are vulnerable and sidelined in all aspects, they do not have much say in family and local decision making, they need to depend on husband or father or son on everything they need. That is why we eed to assist the women to form their group.  

Susan and Liz had interaction with the children who came for the meeting. The children sang songs for them. They were asked by Susan what will be the future of children, what they are going to do, what they want to become after completion of their studies and so on. After their replies one of girls stood up and said that they will study well because their parents are working hard in the fields and forest to feed them (working in the green pear orchids, fruit fields, vegetable gardens and coffee plantation as well as wood cutting from the forest owned by the government).  Once they study well and get a job, they will look after their parents well. Another young lady said that they have not gone to school but they want to see their children do well in their studies. She said that resources for sending their children school without dropping them is a crucial issue, since they do not have mployments for six months once the monsoon starts (June till December) life shrinks to silence.  

While replying to their experiences and lives Archie said that RCDT would strive to help READ Centre to assist the community especially the children to improve their studies and health. Susan mentioned that it would be possible for her to motivate women’s groups at Renton help the women and children at Kodaikanal. Archie asked Sam to enumerate the names and other details of children soon. He mentioned that RCDT would try to support around 50 children for their education and health facilities.   

Feed Back from RCDT team: 

Liz: I felt humble when I met the children, women and men in the villages. They have beautiful smile always. I was moved by their affection and hospitality 

I feel I have some thing to do for these people, when I go back home. I will share my experiences with my family and friends. I will try to mobilize some funds for the development of children in India where READ works. 

Kevin: I feel sympathy with the children in the villages. I feel humble and realise that there are many children do not have enough food, shelter, cloth and other facilities. I have been lucky to have many things in my life. 

I would speak to my family, friends and share my experiences while I was in India. I thank Archie for motivating me to come with him.  Definitely the children and women need lot of support from all corners. 

Susan:  Till I came to India I was under the influence of media that pictures of poverty and misery. Where I see many more positive things in India. I admire the smile and happiness on the faces of many poor. They are very affectionate, willing to support each other. Their life style is unimaginable and they have strong will power to manage their lives. I will do level best to help as many children and women as I can. I will work with Archie and help him always.  

Archie:  I will have to work hard, will have to meet many people in Scotland and speak to them on our future lans. Certainly there is hope for future partnership with India. I expect READ to become self reliant rather than only depend on external support or project support. I do not feel sympathy I do rather empathise with my brothers and sisters in India.

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