NGO – Mahila VikasProj. Coord. – Rohan Mishra

Orissa

Orissa

Gajapati

• Demography#• Population (2001 census) :518,837

o Rural/Urban divide URBAN  :52,888 RURAL :4,65,949

o Hindu/Christian Ratio :2:1o 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

# http://gajapati.nic.in/dist.glance/demography.htm

• Founded : 1994• Legal status :

o Societies Registration Act of 1860 (Registration No. 67 of 1994-95, dated 11.10.1994)o Foreign Contribution Regulation Act of 1976 (Registration No. 104910059 dated 28.11.1997)

• 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 14782 illiterate women were benefited. 5671 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 yearsRough terrain, diseasesFlooding 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 4th 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.