NGO – Mahila Vikas Proj. Coord. – Rohan Mishra

Orissa Gajapati

Demography# Population (2001 census) :518,837 o Rural/Urban divide  URBAN :52,888  RURAL :4,65,949 o Hindu/Christian Ratio :2:1 o S.C./S.T./OBC : ~ 90% o Literacy rate :37% Major Income Source : Horticulture, cattle breeding, seasonal farming, just 2 sugarcane processing plants : No other industries Connectivity and Infrastructure : Poor #

Founded : 1994 Legal status : o Societies Registration Act of 1860 (Registration No. 67 of , dated ) o Foreign Contribution Regulation Act of 1976 (Registration No dated ) No. of members : 15 Secretary : Ms. Sibani Panigrahi Areas of operation : North –western blocks (interior of the district)

1.Women Empowerment Formed 57 SHGs in 3 blocks Successful mobilization of institutional resources Fight against various social problems 2.Promotion of Youth for Good Governance 30 tribal volunteers from 5- panchyats trained for 20 days in phases Volunteers carry out pre-election campaigns to sensitize voters for free and fair elections 3.Reproductive & Child Health Project To ensure institutional delivery and reduce the IMR. 4.Female Literacy Total of illiterate women were benefited women were able to read and write within 6 months 5.Promotion of Girl Child Education 15 bridge course centers for dropout and non-school going girls of 5 panchayats

Human Resources Development, Govt. of India National Rural Health Mission, Govt. of Orissa Asha for Education, Stanford, USA CARE India

Literacy rate of the block : 17%  Male literacy: 25 %  Female literacy : 9% State average : 49 % Other Problems : Food insecurity (adults survive mainly on alochol brewed from date palm) Average life expectancy : ~ 40 years Rough terrain, diseases Flooding during rainy season Other issues in the block

Objectives: Enroll non- school going children in the primary schools and to retain them in the schools till completion of the primary education Organize the community, civil society organizations, and the local self government institutions for improving the enrolment, retention and achievements of children.

Opened 4 bridge course centers – “Sanjukta Vidyalaya” Registered around 130 children of age group of 5-12 yrs Village Education Committee (VEC’s) were formed 4 Education volunteers recruited and trained Teaching materials like charts, blackboard, chalks, books, etc provided Interface with the Panchayat and Block goverment authorities

Involve women self-help groups (SHG’s) Mid-day meal program started at 3 of the 4 centers. Status of MDM in the 4 th center : awaiting reply

38 students have been mainstreamed to the nearby residential school or to the Govt. primary schools. The centre-wise detailed list is enclosed herewith Students mainstreamed Question by Jayanth from last update : More information about the residential schools present

Problems faced Retention of education volunteers: demand for accommodation, good remuneration and other allowance which we could not afford. Naxalism : Combing operations are going on regularly by the police, CRPF etc. If an outsider found in the area in order to enquire they will retain him there for 1 or 2 hours sometimes. So the staff particularly the Coordinator and supervisors are facing such threats. Malaria : lack of communication : delay in treatment.