Being Part of a MGNREGA Training I attended a 3 day training conducted by RDSS for mates and Srama Sakthi Sangham (SSS) members in Acheyapeta in Vizag district of Andhra Pradesh. Ajay Kumar from RDSS explained that workers could claim unemployment compensation if they did not get work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) within 15 days of applying; that each family could get 1 job card and 100 days of work per card; that a worker should get a minimum of Rs 137 daily. To ensure transparency in MGNREGA, many partners of AID had suggested to the government to create SSS – a group of 20 workers led by a mate who is responsible for taking them to the work area, measuring the work, ensuring the availability of water and shade and filling up of muster rolls. AID has partnered with RDSS since 2008 and supports its effort to properly implement MGNREGA in 11 mandals of Vizag district. Participants split into groups and filed applications which were screened by other groups and in the process we learned ways of dealing with non-cooperating officers. We also learned that it was important to obtain dated receipts from the field assistant. I learned that the mismatch between the financial and agrarian year causes confusion for the farming families and they cannot avail of the full 100 days in a year. Only 50,000 workers in AP get the full 100 days. Like the other participants I too left the training feeling confident, enthused and empowered.