ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (ARCOD)

Annual Report for the Year 2010 - 2011

ARCOD,

4/637, Krishnagiri Road,

Rayakottai – 635 116

Krishnagiri District Tamil Nadu

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Annual Report 2010 - 2011

ARCOD having completed 23 successful years is clearly sustaining to it’s vision and Mission of empowering the Rural Poor, Dalits, Adivasis, Marginal and Small Farmers Women and Children socially, economically, politically and in the sector of health and improving the quality of life of people. Though there have been visible changes in the quality of life people in the operational areas of ARCOD, there is still a need for ARCOD to continue as the gap between the poor and affordable are adversely affecting many segments of population. ARCOD has been able to do a review and analysis of it’s two decades contribution and strategies as per changing needs and amend it’s role as per current need. Challenges continue to persist in different ways as ARCOD’s role is changing.

ARCOD consciously keeping it’s Objectives in mind focused upon the following programmes and activities all of which leading to empowerment of the poor and the needy.

Specific areas of work of the year:

1. HIV/AIDs prevention and support:

1.1 New Programme Initiatives of the year

1.1.1 Link Workers Scheme –supported by APAC -VHS

1.1.2 Support to children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS –mobilizing individual

sponsors

1.2 Community Driven HIV / AIDS Prevention Project -TAI

2. Empowering Children:

2.1 Quality Education for Linguistic Minority Children – Mozhi Project supported by Aide et

Action

2.2 Gift a future

3. Tea Estate Workers Welfare Programme

4. Micro Credit Program

5. Special programmes:

5.1 Diwali celebrations with the HIV affected and infected children

5.2 Eye camp for the poor

5.3 Women’s day celebration

5.4 Workshop on Right to Education Act 2009

6. ARCOD – Organisation related:

6.1 Celebration of 23rd Anniversary of ARCOD

6.2 Registration U/S 80 G of IT Act

6.3 Team building for staff of ARCOD – a tour

6.4. Board meeting

1. HIV/AIDS Prevention and Support:

1.1 New Programme Initiatives of the year:

1.1.1. Link Workers Scheme - HIV / AIDS Prevention Project supported by APAC–VHS:

AIDS Prevention and Control Project (APAC) a unit of Voluntary Health Services (VHS) is a state agency for Link Workers Scheme of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in Tamil Nadu. ARCOD applied and expression of interest was sent to APAC for this project and a proposal was submitted subsequently. This was followed by a joint team appraisal by APAC -VHS on 30th September 2010.

During the visit the appraisal team:

  • Interacted with some of the board members and staff team
  • Reviewed the record and registers
  • Visited the existing projects in the field to assess the rapport of ARCOD with the Rural Community and other stakeholders
  • Went through the Financial Management Systems

The Joint Appraisal Team was very pleased with the entire process of the visit and APAC sanctioned the project.

ARCOD initiated the project in the month of October 2010. A new project office was commissioned at Sivaganga , required personnel appointed and inducted. The project is in good progress.

The Link Worker Scheme seeks to address the need for HIV prevention, support and care services at the rural level. This is implemented with a strong management and technical support structure.

Objectives

Project aims at making efforts to build a community centered model for remote areas in Sivaganagai District. This will include strategies to address the HIV prevention, care and support and treatment requirements.

  • To obtain information, knowledge and skills on STI / HIV prevention to reduce the risk of HIV
  • To increase use and availability of condoms for High Risk Group such as Female Sex Workers, Male having Sex with Male (MSM), Intra Drug Users (IDU) and other vulnerable people.
  • To establish referral and follow up linkages for treatment for STI, testing and treatment for TB, ICTC services, HIV care & support services including ART.
  • To create an enabling environment for People living with HIV / AIDs by reducing the social stigma and discrimination against them.

Activities

1. ARCOD established an office at Sivagangai for this project and a team of staff recruited through News paper advertisements.

2. Mapping exercise was done in a systematic and scientific way to identify the villages which need the intervention. The mapping process was completed in the month of December 2010.

3. A 4 Days Induction Training Program was conducted on to the Staff Team during 25th to 28th January 2011 to orient them about the project and equip them with necessary knowledge.

4. It was necessary for the staff team to Build Rapport with the Community in order to initiate the activities in the villages. The team identified key people like Panchayath Representatives, Village Health Nurses and SHG leaders to create rapport with the community.

5. A Needs Assessment study was conducted in the gross root level.

6. Identified High Risk Groups and initiated HIV related discussions

7. Promotion of Condoms / Lubricants

8. Linkages with service Providers and follow ups

9. Selection of Volunteers and Capacity Building

10. Formation of Red Ribbon Clubs

1.1.2. Support to children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS – Mobilizing individual

sponsors:

This is yet another successful new humane initiative of ARCOD. When ARCOD identified the need to support the nutritional needs of infected children and educational needs of affected children it started exploring for funds. An initial discussion by the Director of ARCOD with the industrialist Mr. K.G. Murali from Bangalore paved way for the birth of this project which was totally unexpected. With his in initiative he identified 10 other like minded people from friends and relatives and floated the idea for support. The initiative which started humbly has culminated into supporting 175 children with cost of Rs.500 per child per month (in total Rs.87,500 per year).

The project was inaugurated on 8th September 2010 by the then District Collector Mr. Arun Roy in Krishnagiri. The day was a heart filling day for ARCOD. ARCOD felt that the initiative to help these vulnerable children with the support of our Indian sponsors is the best achievement in the history of ARCOD

ARCOD facilitated the hand holding support from the OVC project (Orphan and Vulnerable Children) headed by Mr. K. Karunanidhi and the president, KDAS+ Mr. Kumar. The OVC project team at Krishnagiri took the responsibility of identifying 175 most deserving children out of 1400 children in the district. The OVC team has also been monitoring the utilization of the money given by the sponsors.

There are 10 Blocks (Panchayat unions) in Krishnagiri district with about 1400 children who are affected by the HIV/AIDs. In all 200 children are HIV infected. Most of the children are either orphans or semi orphans. However, these semi orphans will be orphans in a few days / weeks / months or a few years as usually when one parent has the infection chances of another parent getting infected is higher. This support facilitates better nutrition and educationof the children and the care takers of these children are encouraged. The entire amount given by the sponsors go to the Children’s / care providers’ bank account. ARCOD takes care of the administrative and overhead expenses.

ARCOD wishes to acknowledge the meaningful contributions of the good souls……!

the sponsors are:

  1. Mr. K.G. Murali, Bangalore
  2. Mr. Srikanth Chadrasekaran, Chennai
  3. Mr. Shankar Ram, Chennai
  4. Mr. Gopal, Chennai
  5. Ms. Latha & Mr. Ravi, Bangkok
  6. Mr. Narayan Ramachandran, Bangalore
  7. Mr. Baskar Subramaniam, Bangalore
  8. Mr. K. Srinivasan, Chennai
  9. Mr. Suresh Narayanan, Chennai and
  10. Mr. Srikrishna, Bangalore

ARCOD has been implementing several activities with the support of foreign donor agencies and Government agencies. But the initiative to support the HIV infected and affected children is the one entails HUMANE, the most essential component which is missing in many developmental operations.

ARCOD gratefully acknowledges the co-operation extended by TNNP+ OVC Project in identifying the needy Children and to monitoring the progress of the Children in the project.

1.2. Community Driven HIV / AIDS Prevention Project - Supported by TAI – VHS

ARCOD has been working to prevent spreading of HIV / AIDS among Female Sex Workers in Krishnagiri District since the year 2004. The project is being implemented successfully in Krishnagiri, Kaveripattinam, Uthangarai, Barugur, Veppanapalli and Mathur Blocks. ARCOD has the field team to provide Health Education and a clinic with doctor and staff nurse to provide treatment for STI to the sex workers.

In this year this programme had to face bigger challenges as the field staff was reduced to 4 from 8 by TAI-VHS. This reduction resulted in each staff taking care of 500 Target populations with the help of 66 peer Jeevans, instead of 250. However later after 6 months this problem was sorted out and field staff got sanctioned again.

The highlights of TAI-VHS project implemented through ARCOD:

  • During this year 1 to 1 sittings were conducted for Behavioral Communication Change for 16473
  • Micro Planning was done in 61 Hotspots.
  • 201 Group sessions were conducted. During the group sessions 993 Target populations participated in the sessions.
  • During the year the 706 Target populations were given presumptive treatment and STI treatment was given to 436 Target Populations.
  • 957 Female Sex Workers visited the clinic for Regular Medical Check ups.
  • 1961 Sex Workers were referred to Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTCs) for testing of HIV. Out of 1961 persons 9 Sex Workers were found positive and 7 Sex Workers were linked with ART center. 82 Sex Workers were referred to Government Hospitals for services other than STI. The sex workers are motivated to visit ICTCs at least twice in a year compulsorily.
  • 52 Sex Workers were linked with DOTS center for treatment of Tuberculosis.
  • Through the Field team, Peer Jeevans and outlets 738377 Condoms were distributed free of cost to the Sex Workers. 3359 Female Condoms were distributed by the Peer Jeevans @ Rs. 3.50 per condom.
  • 99 % of the target population is regularly using condoms with their clients.
  • There were 2 Drop- in Centers for Sex Workers. All the sex workers used the Drop in center. The legal education sessions were conducted by an advocate. During the year 4 such sessions were conducted in which 121 sex workers participated.
  • 10 crisis incidents were reported in which 18 sex workers affected by various issues like harassment by the partner or police. The Peer Jeevans and CBO members helped the sex workers to over come the crisis within 12 hours of the incident.
  • There are 170 people living with HIV / AIDS among the sex workers. 24 special meetings for these people were conducted. During the meeting they were given psycho – socio and emotional counseling. The Medical officer diagnosed and referred them for appropriate services. They were supplied 10 KGs of rice per month per member.

2. Empowering children:

2.1. Quality Education for Linguistic Minority Children – Mozhi Project – Supported by

Aide et Action

The project started in the year 2009. During the 1st year of the project, identification of the intervention villages and a study of Needs Assessment through a Micro Level Planning through a scientific and systematic process were done. The micro planning was done in about 110 villages in Kelamangalam, Soolagiri, Thally and Hosur Blocks. Through micro planning ARCOD in consultation with Aide et Action chose 55 villages for intervention. The project aims at ensuring quality basic education for the linguistic minority children who are studying in government primary schools.

Activities carried out during the year

  1. It was necessary to know the present context in terms of the competency level of the children in order to develop a specific curriculum. An exercise to assess the competency level of the children was done.
  1. Volunteers were identified to develop and implement the curriculum.
  1. Based on the result of the assessment, a specific curriculum was developed with the help of experts in the education field. For this purpose a Workshop was organized for the entire staff team of Mozhi Project in Puvidham, Nagarkoodal on 4th September 2010. Mr. K.V. Srihari, Retired Head Master from Govt. School and Ms. Meenakshi, Puvidham School contributed their valuable inputs and suggestions in developing the curriculum.
  1. The developed specific curriculum is being implemented by our volunteers in 18 Government primary schools. About 2000 Children are being taught this curriculum.
  1. An exposure trip was arranged for about 180 children on 26th December 2010. The children were taken to Bangalore to visit Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum and Bannerghatta National Park. The children were very excited to visit the places as this was a very rare opportunity for them.
  1. An interschool exchange program and competitions were organized on 29th December 2010 at Denkanikottai. About 120 children participated in the program from Kelamangalam and Thally Blocks. Different games and competitions like running race, rope pulling and Quiz were arranged for the children. Prizes were distributed to best performing children.
  1. Another exposure trip was arranged for about 150 children from Kelamangalam and Thally Blocks to visit various Government offices like Taluk office, Fire Station and Forest office. The visit helped the children to understand the functions of these offices.
  1. The following Special Days were celebrated
  • Independence Day on 15th August 2010 at Chinnakothur Village in Thally Block
  • Teachers Day on 5th September 2010 at 8 Schools
  • Children’s Day on 14th November 2010 at 9 Schools
  • Anganvadi Day on 21st November 2010 4 Anganwadi Centers
  • Republic Day on 26th January 2011 at U.Puram

2.2. Gift a Future

This project aims at helping the children of economically backward families who are studying in private schools. This project is being implemented in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts and supported by Chennai based Altius Foundation. During the year an amount of Rs. 16,49,186/- has been paid towards Book fees and term fees to 50 Schools on behalf about 400 students from these two districts. The project work does not stop with just paying the fees, the people of Altius foundation organize periodical Scholars interaction programs to help the students setting goals in their life. 2 such programs were organized during the year on 28th September 2010 and 29th December 2010.

3. Tea Estate Workers Welfare Program

This project was initiated in the year 2000. Initially the project started with 2 estates and later more estates joined year by year. During the 2010-11, 10 estates have been working with ARCOD.

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The following activities were carried out during the year under the project:

  • Distribution of Steel Cup Boards, Hot Carriers, Cookers & Smokeless Stoves to Workers
  • Providing Educational Scholarship to the Children of workers for higher studies
  • Emergency Assistance during death in the workers family
  • Furniture & Books to Schools
  • Lunch Containers for Workers
  • Medical Assistance
  • Teachers Salaries
  • Provision Nutrition Food, School Uniforms and Study materials to the children of workers
  • Water Tank and Toilets for School
  • Computer Education to the Children of Workers
  • Construction of School Building
  • Providing medical equipments to hospital and Doctors Fee
  • Retirement benefit to workers
  • Maintenance of School Vehicles
  • Furniture for Workers Canteen
  • Road Repair work
  • Vocational Training to the Children of workers
  • Providing television cables to workers

FLO, Bangalore gave an assignment to ARCOD to identify about 500 Cashew growing farmers in Iritty, Kannur District, Kerala. A team from ARCOD went to Iritty, identified the farmers and collected all the relevant information from the farmers with the help of local people and sent to FLO.

Fair Trade Labelling Organization (FLO) Germany deputed an Audit Firm “Rao Management Services” from London for audit of the project. Mr. Gopal Rao, Chartered Accountant audited the accounts of the project during 02nd to 4th December 2010. Mr. Gopal Rao was happy with the entire systems and financial management of ARCOD and gave some suggestions and recommendations for further improvement in documentation. However, he has not shared his official report with ARCOD.

4. Micro credit programme:

Efforts were taken to link the groups in Kangayam with Indian Overseas Bank. As a result, IOB, Kangayam disbursed direct loans to 6 groups in March 2011 @ Rs. 75,000 each. Apart from this an amount of Rs. 40.45 Lakhs from ARCOD’s fund and about Rs. 50 Lakhs from Surabi Federation’s fund were disbursed as loans to a 47 Women SHGs for various enterprises.

An amount of Rs. 1.50 Crores mobilized from banks in Krishnagiri District for 80 women SHGs. The loan utilization and loan repayment have been very positive and encouraging.

5. Sepcial programmes

5.1. Diwali celebrations with HIV affected and infected children:

The Diwali was celebrated by the HIV affected and infected Children with their care providers at Krishnagiri on 1st November 2010. A light music with magic program a sweet box and crackers were contributed by sponsors and tooth paste with brush were distributed to all the children contributed by Dr. V. Gopinath a dentist. Mr. K. G. Murali and Mr. Shankar Ram took part in the celebrations.

5.2. Eye Camp for the poor

An eye camp was organized in association with C.S.I Zion Eye Hospital Marandahalli on 17th June 2010. Around 200 people from in and around Rayakottai benefited from the camp.

5.3. Women’s Day

The International Women’s Day was celebrated at Kangayam on 8th March 2011 in association with “ARCOD - Surabi Mahalir Koottamaippu” and Indian Overseas Bank, Kangayam. The bank launched linkage program in the function and the Chief Regional Manager of IOB disbursed loans to 6 SHGs. About 500 Women actively participated in the program.

5.4. Workshop on Right to Education Act 2009