ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12 OUR OUTREACH District Villupuram Block No. of No. of Panchayats Villages Kanai 2 2 Mailam 10 11 Marakanam 14 38 Vallam 15 18 Vanur 4 14 Gingee 2 2 Vikravandi 17 19 Kalvarayan Hills 6 6 57 126 Kurinchipadi 1 6 Block 2 10 Cuddalore 2 6 Trichy Thiruverumbur 2 4 Pondicherry UT Manadipet 2 8 Total 135 270

2 7 From the Director Desk

Dear Well wishers,

Yet another challenging year has passed for us, though our programs are now being consolidated to reach out to new areas we still continue to extend our interventions for the benefit of the children and women. This year we have initiated our intervention towards eradication of child labour and improving access to quality education for the children in Kattumannar Koil Block, and also new micro projects for women development. Our team has also responded well to the Cyclone Thane hit villages with the support of several donors who provided us with the necessary financial support to attend to relief measures.

At this time of sharing our activities for the year financial year 2011-12, we remember with gratitude all the members who accompanied us in our journey in moving towards our vision. We thank all the board members for their timely guidance and support in carrying out the different activities.

In the coming years we expect to continue with the current programs and hopefully even expand them, so more beneficiaries can be reached. I also take opportunity to thank all REAL staff who has taken effort for the success of all interventions.

.

A.Lawrence, President cum Director – REAL.

Our focus

3 7 Children Development

Our focus during this year was to reduce child labour from the project area through various education programs and creating an enabling environment for children by establishing associations of Parent and Teachers and Village Child Welfare committees with the benevolent support of KKS - Germany.

Non- Formal Schools with Community Library The functioning of NRBC in 35 villages for the purpose of identifying school drop-outs and working children to prepare them to join in the formal schools has benefitted in supporting 170 children. Through sensitization campaigns and village level workshop, 62 children who have completed five years of age were newly joined in the respective primary schools by motivating parents. In addition to this, community library established provided the good opportunity to school children, teachers and parents as well to improve their habit of reading. Around 500 children are in regular utilizing to read comics, games book, riddles and puzzle works from the 4 libraries enhancing their creativity.

Supplementary Education and Recreation Centres (SERC) The SERC centers highly benefits school going children in the age group of 6 -15 years in 5 villages in Ennayiram region & 35 villages in Kattumannar Koil region. These centres are functioning from 5 to 8 p.m. and children are regular to the centres. This intervention supports children to perform well in school studies and obtained good marks in the exams.The main role of the SERCs is to provide good platform for the students to enjoy their schooling without any fear and successfully involving them in making toys with no cost materials, paper folding works, woolen mats, embroidery etc.…

Enhancing Child Rights through Children Parliament & Eco Clubs Children Parliaments in schools supported to develop democratic dynamism among children where they learn to organize meeting, elec tion processes, collective decision making, cooperation etc... The Children Parliament members were trained on child rights and governance system in their community level. They take over responsibility in school management process without disturbing their regular school routine. Each Minister is responsible to implement and monitor the given theme (like Education, Environment, Food etc...) and reported the outcome to school management committee. Every year, the parliament is restructured with new members and given refresher training for the effective functioning of Parliament. The children who attended Supplementary Education and Resource Centre are trained on how to establish and maintain the garden in schools. Project team supported the club to collect locally available seeds and plant them in their garden.

Strengthening of PTAs and VCWCs at the Community Level In order to create an enabling environment to promote and protect children's rights, we established Parents and Teachers Association and Village Child Welfare Committee at the community level. These committees are strengthened on various knowledge and abilities to support children's development and protection. PTAs took over responsibilities to promote quality education in schools and improve the school management process with the technical support from REAL team members. VCWCs have taken full responsibilities to protect children from various forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation. They also have given attention on the other rights of children by establishing linkage with local governance structures and other government departments.

4 7 Construction of School Building (Improving School Infrastructure)

Keezhvailmbur is a small village situated in Vallam Block of Villupuram District. RC Primary School located in this village comes under the control of Pondicherry Diocese, which was one of the 50 years old school and this building created threats of hazardous situation for the children to learn here during the past 10 years. Hence, we have initiated to construct the school building with the support of GVR and with Government's scheme. The construction is almost having reached the completion stage and we are in the full swing to inaugurate this new school for the next academic year.

Construction of Toilet Blocks (Promoting Water and Sanitat ion) Toilet construction was one of the components of KKS project to promote the healthy and hygienic environment in the schools at Kattumannar Koil Region. During this year, we have completed 2 toilets constructed at Kondairuppu and Nadukanjankollai. These toilet designs were well planned with Government Engineer and sought approval from DRDA for implementation. The newly completed toilet blocks were inaugurated in the presence of local governance, government department officials and BBP volunteers. As we have already formed children parliaments in these schools, the respective health minister assured to use

Women Development Income Generation Projects at Kattumannar Koil region: Among the programme components, revolving loan fund is one of the programme interventions in addressing the credit needs of the women and thereby increasing the families' income level and ensuring the continuous education of children so that they do not end up us drop-outs or us future child labourers. The amount of Rs.35,17,705/- is distributed as loan support for 600 members in Kattumannar Koil Region with the support of KKS - Germany. The loan repayments received from the members are again revolved to another needed beneficiary to involve in various IGP activities like petty shop, fish sales, rice sales, floriculture, tea shop, hollow-block production etc.

Vocational Training Course - Food Processing and Preservation Course: We initiated the “Food Processing & Preservation” under NCRI – IGNOU Rural Internship Program at REAL Training Centre, Koonimedu during the month of November 2011 for a period of six weeks. 20 members from Marakanam and Kottakuppam region attended the training program by learning soft skills, preservation of fruits and vegetables, solar drying technologies, pickles making and value addition during the training period. The program facilitated opportunities for them to acquire skills in demand in the food market and to develop human resources. Trained members are at present involving in this small scale business at local markets supplying their home made pickles and jams. Cashew Processing Unit – Livelihood Program With the support of WALMART – CARE , REAL implemented the project through cashew production benefitting 250 beneficiaries in Panruti Region, . The main aim of the project is to provide sustained economic empowerment to women, small, marginal farmers and farm workers by enhancing their livelihoods in the cashew production and processing sub sectors, thereby establishing cashew processing unit for the poor women cashew workers. This project was implemented through five key strategies such as Capacity building for collectiveness, Infrastructure Development, Processing and Marketing, Improved Cashew Production and Education and Health to develop their abilities for effective business.

5 57 Welfare of Tribal Women – Rearing of Milch Animals: REAL has experienced that milch animal rearing programs had created a lot of impacts among the poorest of the poor. The milch animal program has increased the families' income to some extent. The supported families are earning the income from the milch animals. This program has also strengthened the tribal women's purchasing and bargaining power. 20 women were benficiaries of this intervention. The beneficiaries built their capacity on animal husbandry and vermin compost production in the training. Tafter the awareness meetings and training on Animal Husbandry Practices the beneficiaries were provided with Rs.10,000/- each as Revolving Fund towards the purchase of the cow in Kalvaryan Hills Region. The beneficiaries also have been included as members in the Dairy Cooperative so that they can avail better and remunerative price for the milk supplied and also to avail credit facilities for purchase of additional milch animals. Mr.Mohan, Member of Parliament had distributed the loans for the women members for their economic development

MICRO FINANCE - BANKING ON CHANGE PROGRAM

REAL has been implementing the project “Banking on Change” with the support of CARE India in the 2 federations of Kattumannar Koil & region of Cuddalore District in . The main aim of the programme is to set up the village level model bank for easy transactions and financial growth. The major goal of the programme is to have a client outreach of 5000 by the end of December 2011 in 2 federations (Jai Hind Federation & Kavi Bharathi Federation)

HEALTH INTERVENTIONS

REAL had been implementing health intervention project with the support of DESH – TATA Trust, the project aims to educate 300 health mentors from 100 Self Help Groups in Vikravandy and Marakanam Blocks of Villupuram District on the topics like Health, Communicable Diseases, Non Communicable Diseases, Women's Health & Child Health. 2 Health Educators would train the health mentors which will be replicated to the other members and from the group members to communities and neighbours. The training session is planned with FGD meetings & the team was also involved in BLS Data Collection to address the knowledge on various diseases among the group's members and to handle training according to their level of understanding.

Special Health Camps:

On 14th June 2011, free eye camp was conducted at Girls Higher Secondary School – Kattumannar Koil with the help of the faculty of Aravind Eye Hospital, 194 adults and 82 children have attended the eye camp. Upon screening, 12 children had been identified with eye cataract problems and 101 prescribed to further free eye operation at Aravind Eye Hospital. On 20th July 2011, an eye camp was organized at REAL Field Office at Kattumannar Koil for the benefit of the poor and oppressed communities living in the surrounding villages with the collaboration of Empower Humanity and Aravindar Eye Hospital, Pondicherry. At around 8.00 am, the camp was inaugurated. The faculty team consisting of 3 doctors and 11 ophthalmic assistants from Aravindar Eye Hospital facilitated the camp. People ranging from age 18 to 90 years of age participated in the camp. Nearly 162 out patients were examined during the eye camp from the surrounding 45 villages of Kattumannar Koil Block. Of the total outpatients, 16 patients have been identified with early cataract and they have been advised for cataract surgery after few months, 75 patients have been identified with refractive error. Of them, 28 persons have been prescribed spectacles and 21 persons have ordered and got their spectacles in the camp site.

6 7 Disaster Risk Reduction

REAL had been able to build up and strengthen the capacity of the communities through the CBDMP programme in the flood disaster prone Kattumannarkoil region in Cuddalore district wit the support of Habitat for Humanity, India as a replication of the project already implemented in Villupuram district. Having analyzed the drawback, REAL decided to provide DRR training in this region to perform their role in DRR and so far covered 300 PTA members, 27 school teachers, 876 children, 287 vulnerables, 600 youth & adolescents, 398 men and 1213 women members under DRR trainings covering the topic on type of disaster, rescue, first aid, primary health, safe drinking water and sanitation during emergency, shelter management and women's rights during emergency.

HOUSE CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION SUPPORT

Providing housing support for the vulnerable and underprivileged was the major concern of REAL to let them have a possible livelihood options in the long run. REAL have already had good experience in facilitation housing supports for the most vulnerable and rural poor living under thatched houses for years with the support of donor agencies. This year, we could not cover many beneficiaries but still have been institutionalizing possible supports from DESWOS – Germany and Habitat for Humanity India. S.No Name of the Village No. of Houses Constructed 1 Seiyankuppam 30 houses (HFHI) 2 Nesal 30 houses (HFHI) 3 Kattumannar koil Region 200 houses (HFHI) (Repairs & Renovation) 4 5 villages of Villupuram District 120 houses (DESWOS & HFHI)

EMERGENCY PROGRAM

Relief Support Thane cyclone created havoc in Cuddalore district and Pondicherry, when it struck on the fateful day of 30th December 2011. The cyclone has devastated the life and livelihoods of the people, a large portion of the agricultural crops have been damaged, leaving no scope for agricultural activities in the next few months. The worst affected by the cyclone, were families who do not have any regular source of income and were engaged as labour in agricultural and other unorganized sector for survival. Due to the loss of employment and assets during the cyclone, they are still struggling to revive any livelihood means. Single women headed households, physically challenged and elderly people are further vulnerable. REAL team have provided relief and rehabilitation for the affected communities with the benevolent support of many donors who were considerate of the cause for the suffering.

7 7 £ Mats and blankets to 1000 families in Cuddalore, and Panruti Blocks of Cuddalore District. £ With the support of CESVI, REAL provided dry ration and provisional kits for 200 families in , Periyar Nagar, Nanthan Nagar and Vallalar Nagar in Kurinijpadi Block of Cuddalore District. £ With the assistance of private company, Goonj had also provided dress materials for the affected families in Village of Panruti & in Cuddalore District. £ With the support of KKS-Germany, educational materials in 10 affected villages of Cuddalore District like £ notebooks, school bags, Geometry Box for 1000 children aged 6 to 15 years and Johnson's Baby Hygiene Kit, Water Bottle and Biscuits for the 500 children aged 0 to 5 years of age. £ With the support of Habitat for Humanity India, Emergency Shelter Kits were provided to 1000 families in 3 £ regions of Cuddalore, Villupuram and Pondicherry District.

Rehabilitation Support:

With the support of Concern World Wide India, REAL involved in the rehabilitation support to restore the pre- cyclone housing conditions for the families whose houses have been completely collapsed due to this cyclone. Rebuilding of the houses was carried out in 6 target villages of Cuddalore District. Housing materials worth Rs.18000, and skilled labour was provided as support for the reconstruction of houses for 449 affected families. In addition to this support, the families used their old house materials (door and windows) and labour contribution to complete their house.

Cash for Work – Housing Support:

The cyclone caused damages not only to houses, agricultural fields and uprooted trees along the roads, but also to the infrastructures, common properties. In order to renovate the villages, and to generate income among the community members, cash for work program was started for clearing the damages, sand domes renovation of roads and drain the stagnated water as wage component and also develop community responsibilities among the village communities. This cash for work program on one hand cleared the damages in the village and at the same time the families have got their wages for about two months. 262 destitute and 187 dalit families were benefitted through this program.

LINKAGE AND ALLIANCE BUILDING

District Level Key Stakeholders Meeting

During the month of November a District Level Stakeholders Meet' was held at KannikaParameshwari Mahal at Kattumannar Koil with the participation of board members, donor agencies representatives, Government officials, Bank staff, PACB representatives and federation members. During this meeting, the Banking on Change program, bank services and linkage between banks and SHGs were discussed.

8 7 Visits: On 27th February 2012, Mr.Ralf Tepel along with Mrs. Brigitte Görg-Kramß, Mr. Helmut Hauck, Mrs.Sabine Wedemeyer, Dr. Doris von Werner & Mrs. Angelika Graser visited the project areas at Kattumannar Koil region. They had interaction with Eco Club Teachers, PTA Members, family visits to IGP beneficiaries at Rajasoodamani village. The villagers as well our staffs are very much enthusiastic and glad of their program visit. Also, they had interaction with the children parliaments, SERC children performing shows on child rights & discussed with BBP volunteers programs at Nattarmangalam.

On 5th March 2012, Mr.Werner Wilkens,Manager – DESWOS Germany visited the project the house construction activities in the targeted villages of Marakanam and Kottakuppam region of Villupuram. He was briefed about the process and progress of the project by the Director and the staff. He also interacted with the beneficiaries, federation members and children who performed the child rights play shows at our training centre, Koonimedu.

VOLUNTEERS ABROAD: Volunteers Team Build: A group of volunteers from various other countries like Canada, Netherlands, United States, North Irish, Ireland and Mumbai visited REAL and got involved in the housing construction work carried out by REAL in the coastal villages of Villupuram District. The volunteers had come through Habitat for Humanity India. The volunteers enthusiastically assisted the labourers with different jobs of construction from mixing the cement to carrying it to the site. It was great to have them here as they not only helped us in the project but also made the construction workers feel happy. During this year, 221 volunteers from various countries involved in house construction work. German Volunteer: As a part of Bridge Builder Programme for the year 2011, two volunteers from Germany Ms.Ronja Sames and Ms.Johanna Dohl are staying here with us from September 2011 in developing the inter-cultural learning and to support our organizational initiatives for teaching poor children at schools, supplementary education and recreation centres. They were especially concerned in teaching English, Arts and Crafts to the children in Kattumannar Koil region.

Our Sincere Thanks to:

9 No. 21, (Appt. 1B), Judge Shahul Towers, Anna Nagar Main Road,Pondicherry - 605 005. Tel: +91 0413-2203662, E-Mail: [email protected],[email protected]