WESWA Trust does its development work for the rural poor communities of Viralimalai, Annavasal, Marugapuri Block of Pudukkottai District. We are proud to present our Annual Report and we are grateful for our well-wishers and the donors who have supported our programms. The progress realized is presented as follows.
The objectives of WESWA in brief are:
The area of operation of WESWA Trust is 73 villages in Viralimalai, Annavasal Marugapuri Block of Pudukkouai District, Tamil Nadu, out of the 51 villages covered, nearly 42 villages have 80% Dalit population (scheduled caste). The minimum literacy rate of the tribes in the villages is 15-18% Viralimalai, Marugapuri Block. WESWA Trust extents over Viralimalai, Annavasal, Marugapuri Block also. Our service over the years has increased from around 10 villages to over 40 villages today.
Our activities in the year 2007-2008 have been mainly a continuation of our ongoing programmes.
We continue to run two child labour schools with the co-operation of Central Government Assistance, with assistance of the district authorities. Each of these schools enrolls 50 children who are mainly engaged in gem cutting, quarry work, and brick making. We have today successfully helped 48 children to gain admission a Government school at the 6th standard. The children are assisted give vocational training like tailoring like tailoring basket making, starting a nursery. The parents are also helped to obtained bank loans to start an income generating project so that they do not feel the loss of income brought by the children to the family.
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WESWA main office in Viralimalai, Tamil Nadu |
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WESWA main office |
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Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) activities |
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We have focused our attention on awareness training with the help of the Primary Health Centre.
Since the school drop outs situation is prevalent 25 NEE centers were organized and they are run by the focal teachers and the children are motivate to rejoined the main stream of education. The parent are also sensitized in the need to education their children is emphasized When compare to last year this there was some improvement
Awareness camps were organized in Viralimalai, Annavasal Marugapuri Block Villages. Instead of giving training to old people, we have given training to school children for future development ICE materials were distributed to the public and children which depicts the Greenhouse Effect, global warming and air pollution pictorially. School children would plant a tree and every day they come to add water.
One medical camp is conducted once in twice a month in different village in the operational area. This activity has become mandatory as the availability of hospital and other medical service is not available to the trial people. Hence each medical amp for eye testing was conducted film the benefit of the old aged and the school going children.
The prevalence, of multiple-partner sex is common. Hence prevalence of STD among youth is more and they hesitate to take treatment. Women are being tortured by the politicians, forest guards, watchmen, contractors and money leaders. WESWA Trust has implemented the HIV / AIDS awareness programme. We organised women and men, youth groups and educate them about the cause and consequences of STD I H1V / AIDS. We found that most of the quarrels between husband and wife are raised because of unsatisfied sexual fulfillment with their partner.
So, counseling was conducted separately from her husband and his wife and the solutions and follow- ups are given to them.
To fulfill the old age people’s requirement we organised a separate eye camp. Not only to beneficiaries but all the public were seriously participated and benefited
Given a training and awareness about Leprosy Doctors were explained that “how to identify leprosy” and “what are the medicine for that” and “where to go for treatment” and also explained the present situation of Leprosy, like that all the awareness was given to them.
We identified lot of addicted people alcohol, drug and other drug affected persons. Initially we get acceptance letter from their relatives and affected person. We tested their blood for analysis their body condition. Then only we admitted the person for treatment. In this year nearly 30 persons were admitted and 10 of them were fully changed their habits.
We organized nearly 1,270 people for attend the function about Environment Protection on June 7th 2007. IEC materials were distributed to the public and children which depicts the Greenhouse Effect, global warming and air pollution pictorially. School children are plant a tree and every day they are willing to come drop a water.
We organised Viralimalai, Annavaal, Maruppuri Block being a dry area, faces water scarcity during summer every year. A training on the need for Rain Water Management, various techniques like leveling the land and grading, deep plowing or chiseling, contour cultivation, contour bonds, mulching were explained to the communities from Viralimalai nearly by villages.
Villagers are still cutting the trees. Most are being cut unofficially. This activity leads to misuse of national resources on the one hand and degradation of environment on the other. Hence WESWA Trust encourages the youth groups to grow more trees in this area to increase the density of the forest. Saplings and seeds were provided to them. Awareness programmes and follow-up activities are being carried out to villagers along with the Tamil Forest Department under the Tamil Nadu Afforestation Programme (TAP).
The 55 SHG’s being formed in our target village are regular in the small saving and thrift practices and they are realizing the need to develop and are able to face the challenges in their lives. The leadership and the managerial skills imparted are a real strength for the Women.
Four gender training were provided to the women. Nearly 90 women participated in each training programme. Women in Dalith community are unaware of the political scenario around them. Training on Panchayat Raj was provided to the women. The Panchayat Raj training is provided in five batches. 35 women participated in each training programme.
International Day of women was celebrated in March 8th 2007 at Viralimalai. High officials also participated in the programme. 2,500 worsen participated in the programme. Social workers, NGO leaders, and local Panchayat leaders, ward members were participated and shared their developmental thoughts among the women and explained women’s right human rights, why and where the violence against women is happened and how to face it and how to prevent from it and what is the present situation and percentage of women affected like this lot thoughts were discussed among women.
Micro loans were given to the members of Self Help Groups in Viralimalai and Annavasal, Marugapuri Block. To sustain themselves, they need money for starting enterprises of their own. Each women availed 1GY loan to start petty shops, buy goats, wet grinders, tailoring machines, etc.
In the operational area, we provided food and cloth for the poor Dalit agriculturists during the drought season.
Awareness programme was conducted to adolescent boys and girls of Amiavasal Block. While providing education to girl children, awareness is provided on menstrual hygiene were explained in detail. In general education on environmental sanitation, intakes of food, abstinence were taught to both boys and girls.
We have provided caliper and other orthotic appliances for the disabled children. Volunteers who are specialized in special education for the disabled are visiting the disabled children and provide physiotherapy for the children. Disability Day was celebrated in Viralimalai. Nearly 250 parents of disabled children participated in the programme and awareness on consumer Rights and protection was discussed with their parents.
We continue to run three child labour schools with the co-operation of Central Government assistance and with assistance of the district authorities. These schools have on role 50 children who are mainly engaged in gem cutting, quarry work and brick making. We have to date successfully helped 36 children to gain admission a Government school at the 6th standard. The children are assisted with the purchase uniforms and are given noon meal. They are also given books and notebooks and given vocational training like tailoring, basket making, installing a nursery.
The parents are also helped to obtain bank loans to start a income generating project so that they do not feel loss of income brought by the children to the family.
Seeing the plight of the aged who ware once hard working and decision makers of the family, who are now treated as an unwanted person and a burden and to reduce the tension in the family, we started a day care center for 30 aged who are helped. They come in the morning have breakfast lunch and leave for home after a cup of tea and tiffin. During the day they read, listen to radio, watch TV and do some useful garden within their capabilities. They also get a regular health check.
There person should really be the responsibility of the community. However, due to the poverty stricken status of the people, these handicapped have a very difficult time. We have got the physically handicapped children registered with the District Rehabilitation officer and got each of them a card. Their children are also eligible for education allowance and for appliances like shoes, slippers, etc. Which we can province with Government assistance.
The small and marginal farmer are frustrated lot in this area as they are unable to get good returns from their agriculture. Therefore we have given then Training in use of organic manure. Use of bio pesticides etc. So that they will be able to improve their lands and also to reduce their costs. The food produced will also be not harmful to man like those sprayed with powerful chemicals.
Dogs in the village ate allowed to breed indiscriminately. We therefore started a programme to castrate the males in the villages. Further there have been cases of rabies and so we after due publicity got the veterinary department to carry out a immunization program for all dogs against rabies.
There are many cows and bulls who have passed the age of usefulness and are let out into the streets to find food and water, in the dry summer months they are not able such animals. Those who come their once are regular at our shed.
This is said to protected and looked after in Virahmalai which is famous for these birds. However due to the expansion in population and the cutting of tree. They are forced to immigrate to agricultural areas where they are killed as they cause much damage. We have started a small sanctuary for peacocks where they are protected and given some food and water. We need funds to make this project a success.
We have started a herbal garden which we hope will be a demonstration to village people so that they can grow the herbs shrubs and trees that are, useful in their own backyard.
Women groups and youth groups were given awareness training on environment. They need to grow more diet, and to keep the environment clean so that these villages are kept beautiful and productive.
The inaugural function of the National Environmental Awareness Campaign 2005- 2006 was held on 28.07.2005 at the Govt. Hr. Sec. School Viralirralai This programme was intended for the Higher Secondary students (boys and girls).
The awareness seminar started with the welcome address of Mr. L. Rajesh Karma Managing Trustee, WESWA Mr. M. Kathirvelpandian, Ford Officer delivered a special address on rain water harvesting.
A video programme on Rain Water Harvesting was shown to the students. The action programme a mega Bicycle Rally was taken by the student on 29.07.2004 about 50 boys and 50 girls gained basic knowledge on WUICI and rain water harvesting. This programme was funded by Ministry of Forest and Environment Govt of India, New Delhi through CPR Foundation, Chennai.
The inaugural Function was held on 15.10.2007 at Govt. Higher Sec. School, Viralimalai. Mr. L. Rajesh Kanna, Managing Trustee, welcomed the gathering with a brief introduction on aim and objective of the programme need the programme special features of the programme generous grant of TNSCST (Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, Chennai) and NCSTC, New Deli benefits of the programme to the target community and target area
We were happy to participate in the Reproductive aid Child Health Programme (RCH) conducted by the Government of India Ministry of Family Welfare, New Delhi Our project area were training on personnel hygiene HIV / AIDS / RTI and other Reproductive problems of the Mother’s in particular. We felt that the Children are best ambassadors to take this message to their parents. We aim at 100% immunization of children below the age of 5 years.
We have been fortunate to get a loan of Rupees one lakh to be given to Self Help Groups to develop micro-enterprises. They are repaying very correctly.
WESWA Trust was selected best NGO Award for Elimination of Child Labour in Pudukkottai District On the occasion the District Collector Hitesh Kumar Makwana, FAS the District Revenue Officer Sobana, the District Superintend of Police Anandakumarsomaliya, IPS, the District Project Child Labour project Director J. Joseph Annadha Raj, WESWA Managing Trustee L. Rajesh Kanna participated on August 15th Republic Day.
