Introduction
Dear friends,
By entering into a
partnership with ‘Ensemble Agissons’
from France, the Trust has begun to realize a new dream and to foster a new
vision, all with a view to bringing sweet smiles on the sad and depressed faces
of poor children. Especially when Vimukti was all set to face fresh challenges
in the sector of ‘liberating children’, it saw a new dawn. The summary report
you have in your hands is all about the initiatives undertaken through various
activities by VCT in the past one year. The report is brief; however the
difference and the impact made by VCT are actually more than the records could
tell. I am glad to present the activities of Vimukti at Pothnal for the past
twelve months.
This
is how we went about…
CHILDREN’S DAY CELEBRATION:
Vimukti Charitable
Trust is indeed widening its horizons and scope to look out for a radical
change in the society, by giving apt opportunities to the budding children so
as to show them a way for a bright future. Due to some unavoidable and
unforeseen events and programmes, it wasn’t possible for Vimukti staff to
organize and celebrate the children’s day on 14th November itself.
It was therefore postponed to 27th November. To make the day meaningful & participatory for the children the
programmes were organized in Vimukti premises.
About 850 children participated and profited by the programmes. All the
Vimukti Para teachers and government school teachers even as Government
officials like Dathappa BRC, Happan
Gowda the Regional coordinator of Education Board of Manvi taluka , local leaders, SDMS presidents, VDC presidents and others
were present at this function. To mark
the event Vimukti distributed ‘notice boards’ to 14 Government schools so that
children could use and display their talents by the way of writing short
articles, drawings, and other educational activities. It could also provide an
opportunity to improve and to develop their skills. This venture of Vimukti was
well appreciated as it initiated children to various activities and made their
participation livelier. Additionally there were some input-sessions to help
children to know their rights and make them aware of the existing condition of
our society. Questions such as: what is their role? How they are to go about
it? How to be better citizens? etc were answered, reminding them at the same
time that they must bloom where ever they are planted.
RIGHT TO FOOD
CAMPAIGN:
Another important
achievement of Vimukti was to inform people about their right to Food. Qualified NGO’S had come to Raichur to animate
social activists on various schemes of the government for the benefit of
thousands of people who are deprived of the benefits of Right to food act. Two
staff members of Vimukti attended this programme. It was a helpful initiative
especially to know and uncover the lacunas even as the failure to make the right
use of it for the benefit of the poor people. Justice to the Act would only be
done when local people benefited from the scheme. But right away it is still a
far distant dream. Wall posters
highlighting the programmes to be implemented, as directed by the Supreme Court
regarding the “Right Food Campaign”, banners and other postcards as
means to make the message reach far and wide to different villages, were
available. Since there was co-operation on the part of the people who came
forward to ask and claim for the Right to food act and maintain the level of
subsistence in their families, Vimukti took up this project to fight against
injustices and malpractices done to the poor especially by the intermediaries
involved in the line of distribution of food stuff.
TRAINING TO BE IN THE VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (VDC):
Self-help as we
know is the best help. If villages are to be developed, the villagers should
themselves take the lead to do so. It is from this point of view, ‘that Village
development committees’ were constituted by Vimukti and were looked upon as
strong instruments of Development. They could indeed play a great role in
identifying the problem and beneficiaries in the village and bring it to the
notice of VCT, and thus work together for the solutions of many a problem.
Accordingly, Vimukti has now 15 VDCs in 28 Villages. People are happy about the
progress within the villages as good many persons have availed themselves of
the government benefits through the help of VCD.
So that the VDC
members in the villages to know their rights and duties as members, and also
know how to tap the Government schemes,
the methods they have to follow, the way to support and strengthen each
others, while working for the growth of village, Vimukti
organized one day training progamme for 15 VDC members. The training was held
in the Vimukti premises. The resource person for the training was Fr. Blaize
from Chikkodi and he did succeed in making the VDC members to realize their
prime duty and work for their own growth.
VISIT OF DONORS! WE
EXTEND A WARM WELCOME:
1st
February was a joyful day as we welcomed the arrival of our loving friends from
France; Deniel, Bernadette, Guy, Isabel, and Lily. They are all the members of the funding
Agency ‘Ensemble Agissons’ (Let’s get going together). They were
accompanied by our Capuchin friar Fr. Santa. Indeed, it was a rare occasion of
joy to have them amidst us and to share and experience the joy of friendliness
and togetherness. The visit lasted from 1st to 20th February2011. It
was their second visit to our project area. They visited all the Sponsored
Children, their families and villages and participated in all the programmes.
As they themselves said, to them it was a fruitful visit as they could come to
know the area and people they were supporting. To us it was a good interaction
with the donors to know their vision and objectives regarding our project.
INAUGURATIONS OF REGIONAL CHILDREN CLUBS:
6th
February dawned with a package of lot of activities for the children as Vimukti
hosted the inauguration of the Children’s club. There are now 34 Children clubs
in 14 villages. We invited the village officials and other eminent leaders of
the locality to make the day memorable. Our Guests from France too were the
important guests of the day.
All the 34 clubs
with a strength of 750 children with their respective club leaders joined to
inaugurate the children’s club. The programme began at 10.00 am in full swing,
first with singing competition of patriotic songs; they were assessed by our
local judges; then followed the drawing competition; mono act, dances and other
activities continued throughout the day. In the evening after the initial
ceremony of the lighting of the lamp, the officials and the dignitaries were
felicitated. The programme came to close with the distribution of prizes to all
the winners.
TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THE
REGIONAL CLUB LEADERS:
On April 1st
2011 we organized one day training for our Children club leaders. 34 club
leaders were present to acquaint themselves of their role as leaders in the
club. Our staff members were the resources persons. Many issues were discussed
and guidelines given in order to improve their task in the club. We see
Children’s clubs as the principal instruments of motivating the children toward
education. It is a forum to share their
talents and views.
HEALTH-CAMP
CONDUCTED in collaboration with the Manipal Group
As
the age old saying goes ‘Health is wealth’. Of the many projects undertaken by
VCT (Vimukti Charitable Trust) for the welfare and up-lift of the people in
Raichur region, ‘Health’ has been one of its primary focus, as it touches
directly people’s need. It is one of the
ways, VCT is efficiently working to reach out to thousands of people, seeking
relief in the vital human aspect of illness and thereby bring about a drastic
change in the lives of people. It has instilled a ray of hope, we must say, in
the lives of people who were helpless and depressed.
Modern
diagnostic techniques, qualified doctors and surgeons and other advanced
medical facilities are obviously beyond the reach of these impoverished people.
With all these inconveniences and difficulties it would be very difficult for
the indigenous people to have access to various medical check-ups and other
medical facilities.
After
having contacted the reputed Manipal Group, VCT personnel went around more than
45 villages creating an awareness to take some precautionary measures and avoid
taking any health risks, especially by people with heart ailments. Banners and
placards were made use of as educational and informative means to make the
message clear to all people. As per the survey it was noted that the majority
of the people suffered from poor health and quite a few were heart patients.
VCT worked hard to convey the message to all the people of different villages,
to make them understand the various causes and reasons for the deterioration of
health. It also took up the task of advising them to take up self-preventive
ways to maintain a sound health, to have timely check-ups and to avail the
government schemes that provide free treatments.
VCT
organized two-day health camp for all people belonging to different villages.
We acknowledge our profound gratitude to Fr. Veerus, who was instrumental in
getting the doctors from Manipal Institute of Science and Technology
(Bangalore). The team included 2 heart surgeons and a social worker. They
worked round the clock for two days. The team was headed by an eminent person
Dr. Bhaskar Semitha by name
To
our surprise, altogether 280 patients from various places attended the camp; it
gave a real trigger to the job of all the team members, since this great number
was never expected. While doing the check-up the doctors diagnosed nearly 57
patients whose condition was rather serious and fell in the category of
imminent cardiac arrest. The doctors did their best to attend to all the
patients without putting the patients to any great inconvenience.
Manipal
Institute was truly magnanimous in assuring to carry out free surgeries for all
the 57 patients in case their condition aggravates and need immediate medical
attention. 5 patients were immediately advised operation in the following week
itself. Thanks to Dr. Bhaskar, who along with his team, personally carried out
the surgery and restored dying people to life.
This
concern for health was indeed a fruitful healing ministry taken up by
VCT-Pothnal. It was the hard work and great effort of VCT personnel of Pothnal
and the generous service of doctors that helped people to have access to proper
medical treatment despite their poor economic condition. Vimukti Charitable Trust cannot but take the
opportunity and put on record it debt of gratitude to everybody for the cooperation
in making the program a great success.
INAUGURATION OF TAILORING CENTRE:
The
VCT which had been thinking of some remunerative programme for the employment
the women of the locality, hit upon the idea of starting a tailoring centre
which cold be beneficial to the women and advantageous to the people of the
surrounding areas. This new venture would thus serve a double purpose. First,
it would provide employment to the unemployed girls and women irrespective of
their religion, cast or creed and were seeking even if it is a part time job;
second, the tailoring centre, specifically undertaking to stitch school
uniforms of children at a low and reasonable price, help immensely the people
to get the best benefit out of it. The centre in fact is undertaking the
stitching of the school uniforms of all the school children who are not only in
the vicinity but even far off. As per
the survey, the number of men tailors outnumbers that of women in the region of
Pothnal and the tailoring charges too are quite high. Vimukti, thus coming to
the assistance of all girls and women who are jobless has indeed turned out to
be a source of solace and support to many through this new project.
ORGANIZATIONAL EVALUATION:
Any organization
to run efficiently needs efficient staff, VCT does have a staff no doubt but
there was a certain lack of efficiency in the sector of filed work and in the
organization of activities. Therefore we thought of having an Evaluation of the
staff The Director met personally every staff member to valuate the work done
and instructed each and every one of them how to go about the project
activities. Staff too evaluated themselves and came to know certain draw backs
and inefficiency in the work entrusted to them.
The whole process of evaluation and suggestion for improvement was a
source of enlightenment to the staff. We hope for an improved and better
functioning of the office.
SNEHA JYOTHI HOSTEL:
V imukti
Charitable Trust conducts a Hostel for boys with 50 students on the roll. Its main purpose is to see to the education
of poor boys unable to travel daily to the school from their respective
villages. It may be said to be one of the most humanitarian work done by
Vimukti as it provides not only board and lodge but also looks after the all round formation of the
boys in the Sneha Jyothi Boarding. The
intention is to see that the various needs of the children are met and they are
enabled to bloom and prosper in future. The VCT as well helps these budding
children to cope up with their education and academically produce better
results. It makes use of the opportunity
to shape these children as future leaders and role models; by instilling into
them good values, making them realize the importance of self-discipline and
urging them to make a difference in the society. The things have been looking
quite positive despite the lack of finance at times; the children are seen to
climb higher, grow tougher and to be successful achievers.
PROTEST AGAINST
CHILD LABOUR:
“Child labour” is often defined as work
that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity,
and that is harmful to physical and mental development.
The literacy rate
in Raichur district stands at a dismally low level of about 55%. But if one
were to look at literacy rate of SC/STs and women the situation is far worse.
Most of the SC/ST children drop out of the school and start working as child
and bonded laborers. After getting socially involved in fourteen villages of
Manvi & Sindhnoor Talukas, Vimukti believes that every child has a
fundamental right to education and education is critical thinking, questioning
and conscientization in all sectors of human development. Vimukti therefore
views its work towards literacy and education as a part of a larger and
integrated process of social, economic and political change and empowerment
As an initial
effort it was decided to launch a campaign, though only as a small beginning,
to reach out to people with a view to educating them about the evil of child
labour and to motivate the parents to send their children back to school. On 19th
June 2011 Vimukti organized a rally against child labour. In this all our 750
odd club-children were present. Rally began with a small in-put session and
carrying of placards as all marched through the main roads of Pothnal. The
Programme proper was held at Primary health center premises. Fr. Robin Lopez
and chief guests Shri Shrbuddin, Sr.Irine Martis were the speakers of the day
and said that undoing the practice of child-labour is must, especially in an area where many
children are deprived of the basic education. Vimukti has taken upon itself the
task of bringing back children who are deprived of the basic education to
school once again. The programme ended with the positive message “akshara
Kalisi, shale serisi” (Educate the children enroll them in the school).
INAUGURATION
OF THE CHILD RESOURCE CENTER AT POTHNAL
On April 25th
2011 Vimukti Charitable Trust, widening its scope of activities,
inaugurated at Pothnal a Child-Resource Centre, meant for activities, which
were not available to children earlier. Every new born child is endowed with a
special gift from God and this gift has to be nurtured and developed. When we looked around we come across many
unfortunate children viz., rag pickers, children working in the factory, homes
etc who are not only denied the opportunity to nurture and develop their
talents. They are also denied and robbed of their precious childhood. Those children are in many ways unfortunate
solely due to their poor economic conditions. Their talents lie either dormant
or just left unused. Vimukti wanted to
concentrate on these unfortunate children and provide space for them to develop
their talents. Therefore it planned to establish a Child Resource Centre to
give training to these children. The
Child Resource Centre provides many opportunities to nurture their talents and
also gives scope to make use of their talents. In the Centre there is facility
to learn musical instruments, computer, develop the art of drawing, read books,
use sports materials etc. A tutor will give basic training and monitor each
child’s progress. Special attention will of course be paid to less fortunate
children. Children are very much attracted towards the centre and are already
utilizing it fully.
REMEDIAL TEACHING (Tuition Classes):
VCT considers the
task of children’s education as the primary and fundament task, considering the
fact that number of illiterate children is soaring high, as good many children
are forced to work in fields due to one or other reason. If timely attention is not given to them their
future could be jeopardized. Therefore VCT has thought of providing tuitions to
children in 14 Villages, taking into account as well the right to Education.
The intention is no other than helping the students to make their future bright
and prosperous.
VCT has appointed
new Remedial teachers in 14 villages and has been now targeting to eliminate
child-labour and prioritize the need of education.
TRAINING FOR HEALTH (Jana Arogya andolana):
As per the survey
the death rate is higher in Northern Karnataka than the rest of the places due
to sheer negligence for health and inefficient workings of the Primary Health
Centres (PHC) in the district. VCT and like
minded NGOs therefore came together to plan how we may improve the PHCs in our
place. There are a lot of facilities that can be availed from the Government
but common people do not know how to have recourse to them because of the lack
of awareness. Therefore on 18th and 19th of October a course
was organized in Pothnal to train people in health-awareness and two of our
staff members attended this training. The course included as well a survey of 5
Primary Health Centre in our Talukas. To cater to the primary health care of
the poor people VCT has now put up a small structure...
THRUST AREAS COMITTEES:
All the Catholic
NGOs, working in the Diocese of Bellary came together to form a committee,
known as, Thrust area committee. VCT has always actively involved itself in the
committee being also a member the committee. On 25th June 2011 the
Committee organized a work-shop on Integrated Development through empowering
action. Rev. Fr. Faustine, the Secretary of KRPPC came from Bangalore to
conduct this workshop. Development, he said is “a planned change to improve
people”. It should take place “of all, in all areas and by all”. The work shop
was a great boost to the participants to go ahead with their work of
development in the area. Thrust area committee has taken a step forward in
erecting at least one ration shop that works according to the norms given by
the Supreme Court of India.
AFFORESTATION CAMPAIGN
Deforestation
means felling of trees whereas Afforestation is the delicate art of planting
new trees. A tree is, perhaps, the most valuable gift provided to mankind by
Mother Nature. It gives us what is required for living human life. Their very
birth starts with the process of providing wood, shade, fruits and oxygen. In
cutting down trees, humans fail to see their purpose and by destroying trees
they destroy the land itself.
A campaign was
organized at Jeenoor camp of Raichur district by the Vimukti Charitable Trust
to create awareness against the growing amputation of trees and of the need to
preserve trees. Raichur being an area that faces scarcity of rain is prone to
face extinction of trees. Besides, people cut trees as it serve them as
firewood material.
“Today’s wastage
is tomorrow’s shortage’’ was the main message of the campaign. Many campaigners
had the joy of planting small saplings. Each campaigner planted two saplings on
the banks of the canal as a call to protecting the environment as well.
Children expressed their views through creative paintings.
MEETING OF PARENTS
One of
the biggest blessings in the world is to have parents. They are the most important person of the society.
In the words of W.H Thackray, “a parent is the name for God on the lips and in
the hearts of little children. Our history has evidence that prove the
significance and the role of the parents. Shivaji, M.K Gandhi etc., were what
their parents made them. Abraham Lincoln wrote about his mother. All that I am and hope to be I owe to my
mother”. Being conscious of the importance of parents and their role in the
life of the children VCT on 12th of September organized a meeting of
parents of our sponsored children. All the parents of twenty six children were
present. VCT Director Fr. Sathish informed them that Family is the first school
of a child and a parent is a clear vision of the true welfare of the family. Parents in India are often referred to as God’s
representatives on earth. They are here to care and nurture the children
because God himself couldn’t be there. These are the two human beings with whom
their children feel close at all times irrespective of their age. He
explained to the participants that they have to follow the rules and
regulations of the sponsors very meticulously, which will be a help in working
out purpose of sponsorship efficiently in the given situation. He concluded
saying. “Give us good parents we will have a great civilization” Give us good
parents; we will have a great nation”.
SOCIAL ACTION SEMINAR “Rights
Based Approach To Empower The Powerless”
Commission for
justice peace and ecology and social action together with VCT organized a
Seminar on the theme of “Right based approach to empower the powerless.” In the
Key note address Fr. Chetan Lobo clarified that ‘Right based approach is not
fighting with government but developing an attitude of respect for the dignity
of every person. It affirms the infinite worth of human beings and tries to
break the chains that fetter human development. God has created us in his own
image and likeness. But we have categorized people into rich and poor. Poverty
is considered as powerlessness. Therefore our role will be empowering the
powerless by mobilizing them to fight for their rights. We cannot mobilize and
empower people unless and until we make some sacrifice to be with the people.
Speaking next, Dr. Ruth Manorama, the famous social activist, said that Social
action is the action which we do not know what action it would take. We can
make the people powerful only by mobilizing them to fight for their rights. Our
approach should be bottom-up rather than top-down approach. In social action we
do not have any agenda but the people themselves are the agenda. We fight with
the people for their rights and not for their needs...
VIMUKTI STAFF’S DAY
OUT
Vimukti staff has
always a busy schedule because of the various assignments they undertake each time.
They have great love and dedication for their work and see that the task given
is completed. To have a small break and relax a day-out programme was fixed for
the 10th of October. The
staffs were extremely happy as the sun too shined brightly on that day as they
together as a group visited various places like T.B.Dam, Hampi, Kishkinda water resort, etc., and had a lot
of fun.. They had the joy of sharing the food which each one had prepared and
brought along. It was truly a bit of “vimukti’ as well for the staff.
SPORTS AND GAMES
FOR CHILDREN
‘All study and no
play makes life dull, not gay’. The sports and games are important to every
child to grow physically as well as psychologically. The principle of “sound
mind in a sound body” is rightly applicable, if due importance is given to the
sports and games as well. Accordingly a sport’s day’ was organized by VCT for
children at its premises. On this day,
various games were conducted in which most of our 750 children took part and
won lovely prizes. Enthusiasm and Zeal of these students was reflected on their
faces.
CULTURAL DAY FOR
THE CHILDREN
A cultural day for
the children was organized in its premises by VCT
to promote the display of their talents and inspire other children to come
forward to do the same, overcoming stage fear. Children were given time to
prepare and to show their various talents. There was a lot of enthusiasm and
one could only admire the way they went about performing on the stage. They
sang songs, danced with full vigor, shared jokes and stories, and performed
mimicry. It was a successful event, organized systematically by Vimukti staff
under the direction of the Fr.Sathish.
Conclusion:
Whole world is before those who dream to achieve.
Vimukti animators have
almost the same feelings as we submit this report. We don’t boast of changes
and growth in all levels but are happy to have done a little of developmental
work. We desire to do more for when the desire ends development will end as
well; but we know for ages the desire has never seen an end. VCT in Pothnal has
created an impact among the children in the fields of Welfare and Social
Development. With eight staff working in 14 villages are spreading our identity
through works of interventions for development. While we have a long way to go,
we feel confident that with the support of Ensemble Agissons we can achieve our
goals. I sincerely thank the President, Mr. Daniel Helbert and all Trustees
without whose support and encouragement the achievement would not have borne
expected fruits. As I present this short report I naturally expect their
continued assistance in future as well.
We successfully
complete two years of work, we remain grateful to Fr. Alwyn Dias, Fr. Santa
Lopes for their wholehearted support and encouragement. God loves the Cheerful
giver. Vimukti is blessed with good donors and well-wishers to whom we remain
ever grateful. The financial support and timely guidance has helped us to reach
our goal.
Director
Fr. Sathish Fernandes
Vimukti
Pothnal.
