PURVANCHAL GRAMIN SEVA SAMITI (PGSS) Gramin Seva Samiti (PGSS) 2 CONTENTS ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12 BISHOP’S MESSAGE 3 DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE 4

PURVANCHAL GRAMIN SEVA SAMITI (PGSS)The Social Service Society of the Catholic Diocese of Gorakhpur

Annual Report 2011-2012Silver Jubilee Edition

Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti (PGSS)

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C O N T E N T S

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 1 - 1 2

BISHOP’S MESSAGE -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4

EDITOR’S MESSAGE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5

THE ORGANISATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6

THE FOCUS AREA OF THE ORGANISATION--------------------------------------------------------------7

THE SILVER JUBILEE OF PGSS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------8

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

CHILD RIGHTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14

EMPOWERMENT OF THE YOUTH -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF THE MARGINALISED --------------------------------------------- 18

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20

COMMUNITY HEALTH ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23

LOCAL SELF GOVERNANCE (LSG) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26

COMMUNITY BASED DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (CMDRR) ------------------------------------- 28

MAINSTREAMING OF EXCLUDED GROUPS ------------------------------------------------------------ 30

IDEA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34

ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS ----------------------------------------------------------------- 36

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT ----------------------------------------- 38

COMMUNICATON AND PUBLIC RELATIONS ---------------------------------------------------------- 40

FATIMA HOSPITAL ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42

OUR KIND VISITORS DURING THE YEAR 2011-12 ----------------------------------------------------- 47

THE WAY AHEAD ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48

RESOURCE BASE OF THE ORGANISATION ------------------------------------------------------------- 50

GOVERNING BODY MEMBERS OF PGSS (2011-12) ---------------------------------------------------- 52

PICTURE GALLERY --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 53

PGSS IN NEWS

BALANCE SHEET

Annual Report 2011-2012

“Let’s go across the other side” MK 4:35

When PGSS made a humble beginning in the year 1986, nothing was favourable that could support the process of development and empowerment of the marginalised. People were suffering from dependencia which always made them expect ‘something’. Team members of PGSS were considered to be the messengers of government to deliver something. Working in that environment and with the people of that thinking was almost swimming against the tide. In that unfavourable scenario, the team took the risk of going across the other side to make people realise that it was their empowerment .

Every steady work yield great results. So did the approach and patience of PGSS team. Having begun the work with great difficulties and with unfavourable circumstances, PGSS has now emerged as an icon of participatory development in the Purvanchal region. It showed that across the other side there exist self reliance, participation and self-esteem of people. Adhering to the existing trends and norms of then society would have meant making people more and more dependent and recipients of charity. But the team did not bow down before the pressure of charity- demands. Thus, there emerged a model of people -centric development which was of them, for them and by them. The model is duly accepted and adopted by people. Now they do not ask anyone to provide them with their rights. They themselves move forward to access it. They do not wait for their representatives to take a decision for them; they themselves participate in Panchayat meetings and become a part of the decision-making process. That is what PGSS has done. It has not provided people with a fish as one-time meal rather it has taught them the skill of fishing as life- long tool of empowerment.

Congratulations to the entire team of PGSS for the wonderful journey of empowerment!

All the best and blessings for another journey which could bring about more meaningful changes in the lives of the excluded communities!

+Thomas Thuruthimattam CSTBishop of GorakhpurPresident, PGSS

BISHOP’SMESSAGE

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“New earth and new heaven” (Isaiah 65:17 )

PGSS for the last 25 years of its meaningful existence has served as a bacon of light of empowerment and of sustainable development initiatives, in response to the needs of the people of Purvanchal especially of the excluded and marginalised sections of the society. From a very humble beginning of taking up the issues of education and health; PGSS has now grown to address all possible fields of integrated, participatory and sustainable development of seven districts of Gorakhpur- Basti Divisions. Right from its inception, PGSS visualised to create a new society of ‘new earth and new heaven’ (Is. 65:17) for the people of Purvanchal through its efforts to ensure ‘life in its fullness’ (Jn 10.10). As we complete 25 years of committed service, we remember with gratitude all our Support Organisations, well wishers and friends for all that they have been to PGSS and for the people of Purvanchal. Sincere thanks to all the former Directors of PGSS and all our collaborators for making PGSS an example and a class among the NGOs of Purvanchal. My immediate predecessor Fr. Gibi deserves a special mention here under whose able leadership the organisation reached new heights of success and recognition. I am sure that with the trends set by my predecessors and our committed team, we will find new fathoms. The occasion of our silver jubilee has brought several new aspirations as well as new challenges to meet. We are committed to accompany and empower PwDs and for realising the rights of the under- represented and marginalised sectors of society. We are also committed to enable people to take up friendly natural resource management as a means of sustainable income. We reinstate our promises towards some very prominent issues like minimisation of Encephalitis and community managed disaster risk reduction and child rights.

I look forward to your cooperation and guidance for this noble journey.

Best regards

Fr. Varghese Director

DIRECTOR’SMESSAGE


Every passing year brings lots of hopes, novelty and learning opportunities. The last year was also full of potentials. We had several potential issues of development and empowerment throughout the year. We came across several new issues that ranged from community managed disaster risk reduction, inclusive development, organic farming based agro enterprises, empowerment of the youth through skill building, natural resources management, climate change, anti child trafficking efforts etc. Coming across and knowing these issues have widened the gamut of the organisation. The experience took us closer to hitherto untouched issues and excluded groups. The voluntary sector thus forms a melting pot of several issues and related focus groups. Offering so much learning and doing opportunities is one of the strengths of this sector. I believe that coming to this sector was not a chance but a choice of those who really want to do something meaningful for the society. My fellow development workers, explore the unexplored potentials of this sector and leave sustainable effects in the lives of all those who need it!

We hereby present the annual report of PGSS for the last financial year. The report is a brief presentation of the activities and achievements of the organisation during the reporting period. It has some case studies that represent the positive changes taking place at community level

Look forward to get your valuable suggestions and feedback on our work

Hena Naqvi

EDITOR’SMESSAGE

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Introduction: Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti popularly known as PGSS, Gorakhpur is a non-profitable voluntary organisation registered as a society under Societies Registration Act, 1860. The organisation came into being in the year 1986 as the flagship unit of Catholic Diocese of Gorakhpur. Being the social service department of the Catholic Diocese of Gorakhpur, it is headed by Bishop as its President. A governing body consisting of members from different sectors of the society guides and governs the organisation. The organisation completed its 25 years of successful existence in the year 2011-12. It has made its presence felt in 1074 villages spread in seven districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The development journey enabled it to take up the emerging development issues ranging from women’s empowerment, maternal and neo-natal health, disaster risk reduction , child rights, sustainable agriculture, local self governance and all other issues that form the need of the development arena.

The Organisation

Focus Area of PGSS


The focus area of the organisationDivision /Mandal District Community centres (located in remote areas)

Gorakhpur Gorakhpur 1. Badahalganj 2. Belghat 3. Brahmapur4. Campierganj5. Chargawan6. Dumri

7. GIDA8. Gola9. Gorakhnath10. Padribazar11. Khorabar

Deoria 1. Desai Deoria2. Patherdeva3. Salempur

Kushinagar 1. Belwania2. Captainganj3. Kasia4. Hata5. Padrauna

Maharajganj 1. Maharajganj2. Nautanwa3. Nichlaul

Basti Basti 1. KalwariSant Kabirnagar 1. Khalilabad

Siddharthnagar 1. Hallaur2. Naugarh3. Basi

Total divisions: 02 Total districts:07 Total community centres:27

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The Silver Jubilee1 of PGSS


The year 2011-12 saw the completion of 25 years of service and dedication. The occasion was made memorable through:• Swaadhar-Video documentation of the process adopted & the

results achieved on various thematic issues. The issues included sustainable agriculture, strengthening of panchayat raj Initiatives, women empowerment, economic Empowerment, community based rehabilitation of persons with disability (PwDs), community managed disaster risk reduction and community health.

• Formulationofacasebookontheintervention-impactofPGSS:A professional team of ASK, New Delhi undertook the task.

• ExposurevisitofteammembersatIndianVegetableResearchInstitute-Varanasi and Narendra Dev Krishi Evam Prodyogic Vishwavidyalaya (NDUAT) – Faizabad

• Exposurevisitsofpanchayat leadersofthefocusareatothemodel panchayats developed by Sahabhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow

• RenewalandRetreatforteammembers• InitiationofMasters

of Social Work in collaboration of St. Joesph’s College of Women under the aegis of IGNOU, New Delhi

• ObservanceofMahilaDiwas 2012

• Creation of resource centre at PGSS premises. Supported byManof Unidas, the resource centre consists of new residential training centre, training halls, documentation centre and library

• Eucharistic celebrationand thanksgiving:HisBeatitudeMarGeorge Cardinal Alencherry, Major Archbishop, Syro-Malabar Church and Most Rev. Bishop Thuruthimattam were the main celebrants of the Eucharistic celebration and thanks giving.

• Public Function: The public function at Carmel School premises was dedicated to the Golden Jubilee of Caritas India, New Delhi and Silver Jubilee of PGSS. His beatitude Major Archbishop, Syro-Malabar Church Major Arch Bishop of Syro-Malabar Church, officiated the Holy Eucharist with Most Rev. Isidore Fernades ( Bishop of Allahabad), Most Rev. Raphy Manjally (Bishop of Varanas), Most Rev. John Vadakkel, (Bishop of Bijnor), Most Rev. Thomas Thuruthimattam (Bishop of Gorakhpur) and Most Rev. Dominic Kokkat (Bishop Emeritus Gorakhpur). Directors of Social Work Department of various Dioceses, Rev. Fathers and Sisters working in the diocese as well as from neighbouring dioceses, well wishers of PGSS, Staff of PGSS, Fatima Hospital staff and many other friends were present in the function. There were various cultural items presented by different community centres and other cultural groups. Persons like Fr. Joseph Kochy, the founder director of PGSS, Mr. Abdul Hameed and Mr. S.K. Srivastava General Manager-NABARD shared their experiences on the growth of PGSS. Swadhaar, the video document on the interventions of PGSS was released on the occasion. The impact assessment booklet prepared by ASK, New Delhi on the interventions-impact of PGSS was also released. The function also had felicitation of the team members and supporters of the organisation.

Launch of MSW Program

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Silver Jubilee Celebration of PGSS

Glimpses of silver jubilee


Women are one of the strategic focus groups of the organisation because the organisaiton envisages a gender-just society. Women’s empowerment was taken up in the initial days of the organisation with a few women’s groups. The issue is now known as the USP, the very identity of the organisation. Apart from village level women’s organisations, there are block level

and district level federations of women’s groups and mothers’ groups that facilitate women’s empowerment.

Women’sEmpowerment

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Following was the status of the women’s groups and other bodies during the reporting year:

International Women’s Day was observed on March 18, 2012 as a part of the silver jubilee year of PGSS. The day was marked with the presence of national level personalities like Prof. Jean Drez, the man who is known for MNREGA as his brain-child , Sister Sudha, the crusader for the rights of Musahar community in Bihar and Ms. Shabnam Hashmi, the well-lnown activist on the rights of riot victims of Gujarat. A total of 9905 women from focus villages of PGSS participated in the function which was based on the themes of safe motherhood, women’s right, women’s participation in Panchayati raj and access to benefits of MGNRGA and JSY.

Participants were sensitised on the theme of the day through various topical programs. Representatives of various women’s groups and some Panchayat leaders shared the experiences on the journey of

No. of Women’s Groups

No. of Mahila Mandal members

No. of Block Level Federa-

tions of Women’s Groups

No. of members of Block Level

Federations

No. of Mandal Level Federa-

tion of Women’s Groups

No. of members of Mandal Level

Federations

No. of Mothers’ Groups

656 13408 26 2800 01 29 606

Bishunpur Gram Panchayat of Patherdeva cluster in Deoria district has seen various initiatives on MNREGA facilitated by PGSS. These included thematic meetings of the CBOs, regular discussions, raising the issue in the open meetings of the Panchayats. All these initiatives were aimed at facilitating the benefits of MNREGA to the eligible families. The interventions yielded results and 192 families got their job cards including 22 women. Some of these card holders are the members of the MM. When women applied for the jobs under MNREGA, the Pradhan refused to provide work. Collective pressure was the last resort to get the right. The MM members decided to meet the BDO with their application. Meeting with the BDO proved to be very fruitful and all the card holders got work. The knowledge and awareness given by PGSS empowered the people to get their rights.

Observance of International Women’s Day

Empowerment through MNREGA

empowerment and the changes brought about by their actions. Prof. Jean Drez motivated the participants to bring about an attitudinal change in the family and society for proper implementation of MGNREGA. At the end, 9905 women took a pledge to change the society.

Sr. Sudha, noted activist on Musahar rights facilitating panchayat leaders on the occasion

of women’s day


In Basuli village of Nichlaul cluster, in Maharajganj district

the mid-day meal was not being prepared as per the prescribed

menu in the primary school. Having come to know about this,

the Mahila Mandal members decided to meet the Pradhan and

request him to take care of the issue. The office bearers of the

Mahila Mandal met the Pradhan who told them that he did

not have the fund for the purpose. The women said that they

would go to the block and enquire about the paucity of fund.

When they met the Gram Panchayat Officer, he told them that

things would be brought on the track from the next month. The

officer also requested them to cooperate with him by keeping

silence for a month. The officer really kept his words and there

was an improvement in the quality of food being served to the

children. But that was not sufficient to the empowered women.

The members once again discussed the issue in the meeting

and it was decided that the office bearers of the MM would

pay a minimum of one visit every month to the school to see

whether the food was as per the menu or not. The school is

having a streamlined system of mid-day meal as per prescribed

menu and quality.

Meeting of Mahila Mandal: Manifestation of coming together and discipline

Empowerment personified: A mahila mandal member sharing her experience on empowerment in front of a huge gathering

Mid-day meal streamlined 13


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ChildRights

The organisation is an ardent advocate of child rights because children form the future of a nation. In order to protect and promote children’s rights and build up a ‘child-friendly’

environment, the organisation has been promoting the following ventures:

CHILDLINE:CHILDLINE is a twenty-four hours’ emergency helpline and outreach services for the children in need and distress, CHILDLINE is a joint venture of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, G/oI and CHILDLINE India Foundation (CIF) Mumbai. In

Gorakhpur, CHILDLINE is in operation since 2005 under PGSS as main collaborative agency and DISA, Basti as the nodal agency.

During the reporting period a total of 08 cases were provided with medical aid, shelter was provided to 43 cases, 04 cases were repatriated while 84 children were rescued from difficult circumstances. 12 cases of missing children came to the centre while 36 cases were referred by other CHILDLINE on the basis of their area. These referred cases were given aid and support as per their need. 124 parents asked for different types of help during the reporting period. 246 cases were given help related to restoration. 09 CHILDLINE cases received sponsorship during the reporting period.

Other activities of CHILDLINE, Gorakhpur in the reporting period:• Participationinnationwide‘CHILDLINESeDosti’campaign• Outreachactivities• Openhouse• Placementofcanopystalls• Puppetshows• Schoolawarenessprogram• Medicalcamp• Pressconference• ParticipationinCWCMeeting• Meetingswithstakeholders(coolies,rickshaw pullers, taxi drivers etc)• Christmascelebration• CampatKhichadiMela• HoliMilanprogram• Participationincapacitybuildingprograms• CABmeetings

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Munni Devi , a resident of Bankatwa village of Nichlaul block (Maharajganj district) saw a two days’ old baby girl lying unattended on March 06, 2012 near her village. She picked up the baby and provided her with all the possible comfort and care. Next day, she informed CHILDLINE sub-centre at Nichlaul, Maharajganj. The baby was produced before Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Maharajganj. On the instructions of CWC, she was sent to the State Child Home at Lucknow where she has been getting good care. Thanks to Munni Devi who helped CHILDLINE to save a life!

The abandoned infant in safe hands

Helping hand to an ailing and roofless child

A gentleman called Raman Kumar informed CHILDLINE Gorakhpur call centre about an unattended child near Gorakhnath fly-over. The team found the child to be ill and extremely weak. Medical test made it clear that he was a diabetic. CHILDLINE team took good care of him for two days at the centre and also admitted him in the hospital on the advice of the doctor. During his stay in the hospital, the boy told about himself. He told that he was forced to leave the house by his uncle because his parents were no more in the world. With the help of CHILDLINE Allahabad, his home address was verified. On the advice of CWC, Allahabad, the child was restored in the family. The family was instructed to take proper care of his health.

Anti child trafficking:CRS supported venture came into being with the aim of preventing trafficking in and around Gorakhpur and to create a system for prevention of child trafficking. The efforts of the reporting period Outreach at railway station Canopy placement

CHILDLINE Sub-centre: The reporting year also saw initiation of CHILDINE sub-centre at Nichlaul, Maharajganj with Vikalp-Maharajganj as the nodal agency. The sub-centre conducted 352 outreach programs, 07 puppet shows and 07 open houses during the reporting period. These activities culminated in receipt of 285 calls and 02 cases at the call centre.

include 12 open houses, 12 rickshaw pullers’ meetings’, 05 meetings each of taxi drivers and coolies, 04 meetings each of vendors and safai karmcharis and 10 group outreach. The efforts also included Christmas, Holi program, Bal Diwas and Khichdi Mela camp. As a result of these, a total of 74 trafficking cases (68 males and 06 females) were received by the team. The cases were safely restored in their families with the help of CHILDLINE, Gorakhpur.

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EEmpowerment of the citizens of tomorrow i.e. adolescent girls and boys is an important issue of PGSS. The organisation considers this powerful segment of society as a platform of

collective action and a pressure group. It has been promoting the empowerment of these focus groups through different ways and means. The first and foremost task in this direction is formation of the groups in order to pool the collective energy. From time to time,

No. of Adolescent girls’ groups (AGGs)

No. of Youth Clubs (YCs)

390 65

During the reporting period, the organisation was supported by Ministry of Rural Development, GoUP and FVTRS, Bangalore to take up training on various trades that included carpentry, plumbing, driving, four-wheel mechanism, electrician course, beautician course, artificial jewellery making, tailoring and embroidery.

Following number of boys and girls were given vocational training.No. of girls provided with skills for income generation

No. of boys provided with skills for income generation

412 370

these groups are sensitised and capacitated on the issues of health, education, responsibility for their villages, access to government programs and capacity building of various trades. Following was the status of groups of boys and girls during the reporting year:

Empowermentof the Youth4


AGG takes initiative…

An orientation programme of the adolescent girls was facilitated under Khalilabad block of Sant Kabir Nagar district .The objective behind the orientation programme was to orient the office bearers and members of Nav Jyoti Kishori Sangharsh Mandal (Adolescent Girls Group) on various aspects of vaccination The result of this orientation programme was witnessed in the village Raurapar of Khalilabad block when Ms. Priyanka, the president of AGG of the village, opposed the ANM on 28-11-2011 for using same needle for vaccination of various persons. Around 10 other AGG members also joined the protest and threatened the ANM to complain at the Primary Health Centre (PHC). The ANM said that she had to purchase the needles. On listening this, the AGG members said that they would talk to the MOIC regarding this. The ANM got frightened and began using one needle for one individual. The AGG members then asked the ANM about the next round of Vitamin A administration in the village. They promised her to support in getting the Vitamin A from the PHC and also to facilitate the task at village level. They decided to begin the process from their homes by giving vitamin A to the children of their own families. An action like this is certainly an indicator of an aware and empowered community.

Empowerment through skill building

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The organisation promotes economic empowerment of its focus groups through the mediums of SHGs, micro savings/credit and micro enterprises. Micro savings through

SHGs have culminated in the creation of a community pool. The togetherness and habit of saving not only saved an amount for the members but also entitled them for hassle-free loan at their doorsteps. In order to save the focus women from the clutches of the moneylenders; the organisation promotes productive as well

Following was the status of the SHGs during the reporting year

No. of SHGs

No. of Members of

SHGs

No. of inclusive*

SHGs

Members in inclu-

sive SHGs

Total amount saved by mem-

bers (in Rs.)

1038 13439 149 814 2,05,11,767/-

Economic Empowermentof the Marginalised

as consumption loan. The association with the SHGs also helps the SHG members in reaching out to the banks for institutional linkages. Skill building on different trades and entrepreneurship development are the next steps towards a sustainable development leading to a raised living of standard.

Strengthening of SHGs through MIS (SARAL)The organisation moves with technology which is reflected in programs like SARAL. The special computer software has been adopted by PGSS to prepare an online database of the SHGs. With the help of At Grassroots, a professional agency at Gurgaon, a total of 450 SHGs have been linked to the software. The step makes the documentation effective, authentic and ensures an all time availability of SHG data.

* Having persons with disability (PwDs)

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A member of SHG at her petty shop set up with the help of her SHG A member of SHG with her buffaloes purchased with the help of her SHG

Jolhiniya village of Hata block, Kushinagar district has two SHGs promoted by PGSS. Indramati, (W/o Rajendra Chauhan) a member of SHG of this villages has been doing micro savings in the group for a long time. Micro saving entitled her for a loan from the group. In the month of August, 2011, she asked her SHG for a loan of Rs. 10,000/- for setting-up a small shop of footwear. She promised a timely recovery of the amount. The group members provided her with the desired amount. The amount was used to set- up a small family business. The chosen trade was almost absent in the surrounding area and that is why, there were bright chances of success of the business. Indramati and her husband both worked very hard to sustain the shop and earn a reasonable profit. Their hard work and vision yielded result and the shop began giving suitable returns. This motivated the family to expand the business. Having expanded the stock of the shop, the couple also began sale of mobile phones. The family has been earning a steady income which saves Indramati’s husband from going out of the village for earning. In the meantime, Indramati has made sure to return the loan on time in different instalments.

Prosperity through collectivity

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Sustainable Agriculture: The organisation made a humble beginning with organic farming in the year 2007 from selected villages of Kasia and Captainganj. At present, the approach of

‘retreat to nature’ is in practice in 171 villages. The uniqueness of the intervention is a gender –centric approach which considers women-farmers as ‘farmers’ and not just as helpers in agricultural operations.

Following was the status of agricultural interventions during the reporting year.

No. of farmers’ interest groups (FIGs) 187

No. of members (including 45% women) of farmers’ groups 8450

No. of PwD (persons with disability) in farmers’ groups 2341

Inclusive farmers’ interest groups 83

No. of joint liability groups (JLGs) 25

No. of farmers’ clubs 56

Farmers’ field schools 16

Farmers’ facility centers 12No. of entrepreneurs’ groups (Sarvodya Kisan Udyamita Samuh-SKUS) 01

No. of value addition centres 01

No. of transfer technology centres (TTCs) 05

No. of villages under organic practices 171

Total area under organic practices 2447 acre

No. of seed banks 163

No. of seed villages 08

SustainableAgriculture6


Type of site No.Vermi composting 1653

Vermi wash 875CPP manure 5499

B.D. heap 512Matka manure 3038

NADEP compost 1435Liquid manure 3134

Botanical pest repellants 3951FYM compost 3719

Units of organic inputs production

Some striking features of the interventions during the year:v Selection of 161models PwD farmers as master trainers from

inclusive farmers’ groups.v Certification of organic produces by Societe De Generale

Suveillance (SGS) an international organic certification agency.v Initiation of organic produces outlet of SKUS at Kunraghant,

Gorakhpur . v SAMRIDHI Green- the branded organic value added products

of small and marginal farmers made available at organic outlet v Association of 421 small and marginal farmers with SRI

methods of paddy cultivation v Coverage of 3200 small and marginal farmers under Personal

Accidental Insurance Schemev Association of small and marginal farmers with vegetable

cultivation practices

Rambha Devi, a marginal farmer with her organic crop of vegetables

Farmers’ field school, a platform of sharing and learning

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A role model

Gamha Maurya is a member of the Sarvodaya Kisan Samuh of Village Dhamaur, Kutti Tola, Nichlaul block of Maharajganj district He initiated organic cultivation in the year 2007 on a plot of 1.4 acres. He and his family members prepared all the organic inputs at home and used them on their organic plot. Gamha dared to sow the seeds of ‘Kala Namak paddy (A prestigious but delicate paddy crop involving more labour than other crops. The crop is also susceptible to pests’ attack and full of risks.) which other farmers could not do. He took the risk because of an orientation program conducted by NABARD at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Basuli. With consistent hard work and motivation of PGSS, he received a yield of 125 KGs. That was a very satisfactory yield and next to impossible in the first year but the impossible became possible due to commitment, hard work and high level of motivation. Gamha is seen as a role model in his village because of his hands-on- experience with Kala Namak paddy.

Towards successful entrepreneurship

Smt Durgawati Devi W/o Buddhiram Sahni, village Boulia of Captainganj block, district Kushinagar was earlier mainly dependent upon vegetable cultivation. She admits that she neither heard of mushroom cultivation nor thought of undertaking it. But her horizon of thinking expanded with an association with the farmers’ groups formed by PGSS in the village. As a result of the information given by PGSS, she uses only organic manure in her field. She got information on mushroom cultivation through farmers, group. At the beginning, she did not pay a heed but the success of her organic initiatives led her to undertake the activity on an experiment basis. She never dreamt of having a good income in a very short time. But this happened when she got an individual profit of Rs. 10, 365/- and so did the other members of her centre. The additional income has raised the morale of the entrepreneurs like Durgawati. She now plans to continue the practice next year and in the coming years as well. A consistent income through mushroom cultivation is her immediate plan. Her physical disability can not hinder her path. The skills and the income have become her strength.

Organic produces of marginal farmers at organic outlet


The community health interventions of PGSS are based on the ideal of people’s empowerment for accessing the benefits of health related services and programs. The issue was reflected

with the help of following ventures during the reporting year:

High impact nutrition interventions (HINI):UNICEF supported HINI aims at promotion of nutrition and health status among children, pregnant women and adolescent girls by improving the service deliveries in 80 GPs in 11 blocks of Kushinagar, Maharajganj and Siddharthnagar districts. The modus operandi is to work directly with the high impact nutrition components, strengthening the existing government system and empowering the community through regular monitoring and support.

Some of the positive changes brought about by the intervention:• Growth of all focus children in 0-5 years age group is being

monitored through regular weighing and entry of records.

• All focusadolescentsgirlsarecoveredthroughIFAtablets,de-wormingtabletsandT.T.vaccine

• AlltheAWWsaretrainedandfortheirconsistentandeffectiveservice.Refreshertrainingprogramsatdifferentintervalshavebeenverybeneficialinthisdirection.

• Morethan80%householdsoffocusareaaretakingiodisedsalt.

• ANM and ICDS supervisors are motivated for providingeffectivehealthandnutritionservices.

• 100% focus households are participating in immunisationprograms by sending the focus groups (pregnant women and children in 0-5 years’ age group)

CommunityHealth

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Minimisation of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES): The intervention aims at minimising the horror of AES (the deadly brain fever) which claims innumerable lives every year in Purvanchal region. 206 Community based organisation of the focus area (MMs, SHGs, Kishori groups) were used as the platform of collective actions during the period. The sensitisation efforts include 28 street plays, 18 quiz programs, 36 meetings held with piggery owners, distribution of pamphlets, 45 school awareness programs, block level and district level awareness rallies. The networking for a wider dissemination of the message included activisation of 16 VHSCs, 32 orientation programs with VHSCs, training of 112 rural medical practitioners of the area and capacity building programs for 121 service providers of the focus area of fellow organisations like Daud Memorial Christian Gramin Vikas Samiti, Gorakhpur

As a result of regular cleaning drives, the community has developed a habit of undertaking cleaning drives every fortnight to keep the villages disease-free and healthy. Shramdaan and provision of kerosene oil for sprinkling on waterlogged areas are the contributions of the community during cleaning drives.

The efforts culminated in immunisation of 288 children of the focus area against Japanese Encephalitis (JE). 84 mobile a Screening camp held for screening suspected JE cases for their early referral. 10 detected cases were given immediate support like referral card and conveyance for accelerated mobility.

Vitamin A drop being administered by ANM

Encephalitis awarness rally by school children

• Everymonthwitnessesaminimumof11specialVHNDsin11blockswithasupportfromhealthandICDSdeptinDalitpockets.

• Mothers of children in 0-12 months’ age group have beenshowing positive trends through immediate and exclusivebreast feeding of children (up to the age of 6 months) and supplementary feeding of children in > 6 months age groups.


Counselling brings wondersA baby boy was born on October 7, 2011 in a Muslim family of Badhya of Gram Sabha Badhaya Bhothiyahi under Nichlaul block, Maharajganj district. The baby was named as Aslam. Aslam’s weight gradually began reducing because the mother had very limited production of milk in her breasts. During home visit, the team members found that the baby’s weight was not appropriate for his age (six months). They told the mother about supplementary feeding and to reduce dependence on breastfeeding. The baby was found to be in malnourished category when weighed on March 29, 2012. The family was constantly motivated to give supplementary diet to Aslam. The mother was also given several demonstrations on supplementary feeding. Initially, Aslam did not accept the supplementary diet but the team members kept on trying. Gradually, he developed a taste for the diet and began receiving it. Thus it became a regular practice by his mother to ensure supplementary feeding. At the time of reporting, the baby’s weights had increased with regular supplementary feeding.

Special VHNDA VHSC meeting of Gram Panchayat Ledwa, block Mithaura, district Maharajganj was held on April 21, 2012. A point surfaced during discussion that due to lack of immunisation drives in the village, all the focus groups (pregnant women, adolescent girls and children) had to go to the district hospital for immunisation. Smt. Shakuntala, the ANM of the area told about the immunisation drive due in next month. This led to a detailed discussion on special VHND on May 19, 2012. Arrangements were done and information was given to the CDPO, MOIC, Sector Supervisor, priest in-charge of Khadda community centre and the Program Coordinator, HINI. Unfortunately, the ANM went on leave due to some urgent reason. Having heard this, the focus groups decided to go to the District hospital on the issue. The ANM was also informed about this. She immediately rang up and requested to send the focus groups for immunisation. She herself came to the village and apologised in front of the entire village. The community and the Pradhan allowed her to undertake the immunisation. Special VHND was thus observed on May 21-22, 2012. 80% immunisation of the focus groups was done. MG and AGG meetings were also held in presence of the ANM. The villagers told that the ANM was not so active earlier. Due to community pressure, she came on the track and offered her services on special VHND.

Axshaya:MAMTA supported program is in operation in Desai Deoria, Patherdeva and Tarkulwa blocks of Deoria district . With the goal of checking spread of Tuberculosis, the venture worked with 06 Village Health and Sanitation Committees/Gram Kalyan Samitis. There were a total of 24 mid-media (sensitisation programs) that detected 92 suspected cases. These cases were referred to the diagnostic microscopic centres at Patherdeva and Desai Deoria for conformation and treatment. At present follow-up through interpersonal communication is going on with the confirmed cases.

Axshaya: CBCI supported Axshaya project is another step towards prevention

of TB in seven blocks of Gorakhpur district. The reporting period had 35 sensitisation meetings at community level. There were 12 events of mid-media that included wall paintings, puppet shows, rallies, PRI meetings, distribution of handbills and leaflets aiming at mass sensitisation on TB. Five villages were identified as Axshaya villages with Musahar community as an integral part. A person from Musahar community has been selected as the DOTS provider. There were 02 sputum collection camps cum health mela. These helped in the identification of 35 suspected cases leading to confirmation of 04 patients. These confirmed patients were put on DOTS.

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26

The organisation focuses strengthening of the local self governance through ensuring regular meetings of the Panchayat bodies, an active participation of the excluded

groups in open meetings of Panchayats, people’s access to benefits of government programs through open meetings of Panchayats, activisation of VHSCs and mobilisation of untied fund of VHSC for the health/sanitation works in the area. Following are the highlits of the segment during the reporting period:

No. of open meetings of Panchayats

No. of meetings of standing com-mittees

No. of Panchayat Informa-

tion centres promoted

VHSCs Education Committee

Planning and De-

velopment Committee

240 600 240 252 50

Motivation and capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)/Standing CommitteesNo. of exposure

visits held for PRIs in the area

of Sahabhagi Shikshan Kendra, Varanasi

No. of participants of exposure

visits

No. of PRIs felicitated for best

practices

No. of programs held for the capacity

building of PRIs/Standing Committees

04 135 10 185

Local SelfGovernance8


Winds of change

In Mujahana Buzurg GP of Mithaura block of Maharajganj district, a fresh and pleasant gust of wind swept the focus community. The GP has a female Pradhan named Smt. Ram Sheela Patel who is the de-jure Pradhan. Her husband is the de-facto Pradhan and undertakes all the activities on her behalf. The village had very irregular meetings of Panchayat bodies. But the scenario gradually changed with the advent of PACS intervention in the said village. As a result of the facilitation by PACS team, a VHSC meeting took place. The meeting had several concrete decisions that were soon implemented as well. Two vehicles of the village were identified to support the emergency transport system for promoting institutional deliveries. Wall paintings were done on four places of the village with Panchayat resources. These included (a) list of VHSC members (b) description of VHNDs and RIs (c) Details of JSY and (d) Awareness building slogans on MGNREGA and JSY.

This is something which had never happened in the village but now it is a reality

Felicitation of PRIs and service providers on International Women’s Day 2012Exposure visit of panchayat representatives at Sahabhagi Shikshan Kendra

27


28 Gorakhpur region is vulnerable in terms of natural and man-made disasters. Almost every year it is frequented by floods, Encephalitis, water born diseases and summer fire. With a view to enable the community to reduce the risk reduction of disasters, PGSS with a support from Caritas India has been implementing the ‘Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction’ (CMDRR)

program in 20 villages of Brahmpur and Khorabar villages of Gorakhpur district.

Community Managed DisasterRisk Reduction (CMDRR)9


Formulation of community disaster plan Training of Task Force on rescue and relief

No. of villages having family disaster preparedness plans

11 villages

No. of villages ensuring practices like raising the plinth level and planting of trees, protection of household documents etc.

20 villages

No. of villages wherein mock drills were conducted to orient community on CMDRR

10 villages

Embankments against erosion and floods to protect houses and lands

13 villages

Protecting infrastructure: raising and repairing of approach roads

20 villages

Following is a quick glimpse of interventions during the reporting year:

Community initiatives for strengthening food security: alternative cropping systems, formation of community seed bank and community grainary.

20 villages

Purification of water: arrangement of bleaching powder and chlorine tablets / PUR pouches.

20 villages

Cleaning drives in villages 20 villages Cattle safety/ vaccination and insurance: facilitation to tap govt resources

20 villages

Promotion of community contingency fund 9 villages Establishment and management of information centres

20 villages

Training of Task Force 20 villagesSchool awareness programmes 15 schools of

14 villages

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30

a. Community based Rehabilitation of special children (CBR):

SLF, Varanasi supported CBR program is a reflection of theorganisation’s concern for the personswith disability (PwDs).At present 127 children with disability (CwDs) have beengetting the benefits of the CBR program through differentcommunity centres. These benefits include educational aid,medicalaid,vocationalaid,access toentitlements likepensionfromgovernment,railwayconcessionetc.ThereisagreatroleofFatimaHospitalinprovidingmedicalcaretothesechildren.Thechildrenandtheirparentshavealsobeenorganisedincommunitybasedorganisationasapartofempowerment.Followingarethedetailsoftheventureduringthereportingyear.

Organisation’s gamut of the mainstreaming of excludedgroups isverywide. It includewomen,children, sched-uledcastesandotherbackwardcastes.Buttherearethree

excludedgroups thataregivenspecialattentionbecauseof theirspecial mainstreaming needs. These are:

• Personswithdisability(PwDs)• Childrenwithdisability(CwDs)• Musaharcommunity

Mainstreaming ofExcluded Groups

Following were some of the efforts for the mainstreaming and empowerment of these groups.

10


No. of CwDs getting medi-

cal aid

No. of CwDs getting educa-

tional aid

No. of CwDs getting voca-

tional aid

No. of CwDs getting other aid (Tricycle, Wheelchair,

Cycle)

No. of CwDs accessed disability certificate

No. of CwDs accessed rail-way conces-

sion

No. of CwDs getting pension

No. of CwDs getting schol-

arship

36 119 09 09 114 46 33 44

b. Hope, the ability centre:

Hope, the ability centre at Maharajganj is a unique venture of SLF-Varanasi and PGSS, Gorakhpur. It takes care of both physical and social aspects of disability. The social aspects are aimed at bringing about an attitudinal change in the society, in the families of CwDs and in the CwDs themselves. Following are the related details

Total CwDs linked to ability centre 89

Access to disability certificate 89

Access to railway concessions 70

Access to pension 35

Access of families of CwDs to MNREGA jobs 63

Access to scholarship 54

c. Udaan VII, World Disability Day-:

Udaan,the humble effort to mainstream the CwDs entered its seventh year. The event was organized on December 7, 2011 at St. Joseph’s School, Civil Lines, Gorakhpur with a support from Catholic Diocese of Gorakhpur. CwDs of different community centres participated in various competitions and Udaan-VII, the seventh edition of World Disability Day

cultural programs. The winners of different competitions were felicitated by Mr. Sanjay Kumar, District Magistrate, Most Rev. Bishop Thomas Thuruthimattam and Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. Dominic Kokkat

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32

From darkness to light of education

Razzaq Ali, S/o Haseen was linked to Hope, the ability centre to get integrated in the mainstream of society. A resident of Sinduria Gram Sabha of Mithaura block, district Maharajganj; Razzaq has

disability in lower part of the body. After being linked to the centre, he not only received the basic benefits like disability certificate, bus pass etc, he also got a tri-cycle from the District Administration, Maharajganj. His consistency at studies yielded result and he passed the examination of standard 10 in the year 2010. With efforts from the team of ability centre, he has been admitted in standard 11 at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Smarak Inter College. The college is 13 KMs away from his place and that is why, he opted for the hostel near the college. Razzaq is very hopeful now and dreams of higher education for doing something meaningful in life. Distance from the family and home cannot not hinder his path.

Razzaq going to school

d. Parivartan: CBM-Aus Aid supported program aims at mainstreaming of

PwDs in 40 gram Panchayats of Brahmpur and Sardarnagar blocks of Gorakhpur district.

Launch of Parivartan

Outcomes of Parivartan since launch in January 2012

Total PwDs Identified 1145 (397 in Brahmpur & 748 in Sardar Nagar)

No. of stakeholders (Pradhan, ASHA, Teacher, ANM, AWW etc.) activated and networked to project

ANM - 242, AWW- 28, ASHA -65, Pradhan - 38, Teacher - 32

Awareness campaign Total 330 Wall writing drives on the theme

Total CwDs (6-18 yrs) not going to school/ dropout (for linkage to the project)

120

Community organisation PWD Self Help Group - 18 Inclusive SHG -38 Mahila Mandal – 30 (823 Members)


e. Musahar development initiative

Highlights of Musahar Development Initiative

No. of MMs 07

No. of SHGs 15

No. of AGGs 04

No. of Musahar Manch 07

No. of grain banks 07

Workshop on Musahar Initiatives in the state of Uttar Pradesh: A consultation workshop on the theme “Musahar Initiatives in the state of Uttar Pradesh” with Musahar Leaders, CSOs representatives of the region and media was held on 14/10/2011 at 10.00 a.m. in Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti (PGSS), Padri Bazar, Gorakhpur. The resource person for the workshop was Mr. Ashok Sinha, Development Consultant, Caritas India. The purpose of the consultation meeting was to engage the leaders of the Musahar community groups in the processes of policy advocacy intervention of the organization, to come out with specific charter of demand and policy advocacy agenda of the Musahar Community to seek solidarity and support from the civil society groups on the policy advocacy agenda of the Musahar community groups.

Excluded community responds to positive change

TherewasamiserableconditioninMusaharpocketofGramSabha Mainpur, Block Kasya, District Kushinagar. TheMusahar community is known for its exclusion from thesociety.Thisexclusionisreflectedthroughvariousindicatorslike health, education, nutrition, women’s condition etc.The children of this pocket were earlier never weighed. Asuperstitionprevailedthatweighingaffectedchildren’shealthandmadethemundernourished.AnimmunisationdrivetookplaceintheDeenapattionMarch28,2012.Allthewomenofthevillageweremobilisedby the teammembersandANM.Theytoldwomenaboutthesignificanceofchildren’sweighingandimmunization.ThishelpedtheMusaharwomeninrealisingtheir mistake. Immediately various Musahar children wereweighed and immunised.Musahar women promised to gettheir children weighed and immunised regularly. This change wasnotexpectedfromMusaharcommunitybutittookplaceduetosincereeffortsoftheteammembersandtheANM.

Sensitisation of Musahar community on TB through Akshaya project

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34

Caritas India supported IDEA was a program with a

difference in the history of Gorakhpur Diocese and PGSS.

It saw its successful completion during the reporting

period. Implemented through a network of four like-minded

organisations; the program had the uniqueness which ranged from

diocesan level integration, organisational development, women’s

empowerment, strengthening of local self governance to reduction

of maternal mortality rate. The unique strategy included bodies like

Core Development Cell (CDC),Thrust Area Committee (TAC),

Core Committee for Networking (CCNA), Diocesan Development

Advisory Body (DDAB) and multi-tiered federations of women’s

organisations.

250 CBOs (Women’s organisation, SHGs and Adolescent girls’

groups), 07 block level, 04 NGO level and 01 IDEA level federations

of women’s organisations strived towards women’s empowerment

through collective actions at local levels. Observance of Women’s

Day 2012 was a part of the segment of women’s empowerment.

During the reporting period, the segment of safe motherhood had

felicitation of PRIs and service providers for reflecting best practices

on the occasion of Women’s Day under silver jubilee year of PGSS.

The program also saw activisation of the service providers through

VHSC meetings and community based monitoring system. The

village level health plans are regularly formulated by the VHSCs. On

the front of local self governance, a total of 36 VHSCs were activated,

864 meetings held with VHSCs on local health/sanitation issues. A

total of 72 open meetings of the Panchayats were facilitated as a result

of the networking with Panchayati raj institutions. The venture also

set up a system of active participation of the focus groups in open

meetings. On the front of advocacy and networking, the program

area saw participation of the team and focus group in India against

Corruption campaign through local level rallies and public meetings

on the issue.

IDEA11


A meeting of mothers’ group

An awareness rally on safe motherhood

Successful efforts

In Pipri village of Belghat block in Gorakhpur district, members of the MM had given an application to the Pradhan requesting him for the construction of toilets. This application was given in the open Panchayat meeting of the last year. After several requests of women, the Pradhan at last prepared a plan for the toilets and submitted it in the block office. After consistent follow-up by women and Pradhan, the proposal for the toilets was passed in the current financial year. The construction work is completed in the homestead of Malti Devi, Munni Devi, Prabhawati Devi, Radhika Devi, Kusum, Meena, and Hoshila while going on in the homestead of the remaining MM members.

Women with newly constructed toilets

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36

Access toGovernment Programs

The organisation has been aiming at people’s access to government programs as a tool of empowerment. The government programs are being promoted as a way and means of empowerment and a positive change in the lives of the excluded groups. During the reproting period, following number of our focus made an access to the benefits of different government programs.

No of job cards is-

sued

No. of per-sons working under MN-

REGA

No of persons

used RTI

No. of persons got pension No. of students getting

scholarship

No. of persons benefited under Janani Suraksha

Yojana

No. of toilets constructed with govern-

ment subsidiary

No. of persons got

houses Indira Awas Yojana

Old age Widow Handi-cap

23317 19278 57 25402 14939 4832 153411925 11033 1701

12


Proper payment at last

The wage rate for daily labour was as low as Rs. 80/- per day in Gram Sabha Mujahana Buzurg of Mithura cluster in Maharajganj. The Mahila Mandal members discussed the matter in the monthly meeting held in the month of May 2011. They came to know that the wage rate had been revised in the neighbouring villages. They took a decision to take out a rally in protest against the prevailing rate and go on a strike. The rally was taken in the month of June, 2011. It culminated in a public meeting and discussed the possibilities of getting the revised rate. They also boycotted work for several days. Ultimately, the landowners bowed down and the labourers have now been getting the wage @Rs. 120/- day.

Meeting with MNREGA workers’ union

Toilets constructed through collective approach

Gram Panchayat Sukhsawalia of Padrauna block, district Kushinagar is dominated by Dalits (the excluded and downtrodden groups). Majority of the villagers did not have the toilets and used to practice open field defecation. This polluted the local environment, contaminated water and caused spread of several water born diseases. The members of the Mahila Mandal discussed the issue and decided to have toilet in each household. They met the Gram Pradhan with their request. The Pradhan sent them back with and assurance but forgot to keep his words. The issue was once again taken up in the MM meeting held in the month of February 2012. They once again met the Pradhan but this time in an aggressive mood. Seeing their aggression, the Pradhan decided to accomplish the task. The construction of the toilets began in March 2012. This would have never happened without a collective approach. Our focus people working under MNREGA

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38

The management of the organisa-tion was ensured

with the help of policies on human resources, fi-nance, induction etc. The year saw formulation of disability policy which reflects organisation’s vi-sion, mission and action plan for the persons with disability (PwDs).

Organisation’s capacity was enhanced through training of the Coordina-tors as well as the focus groups. The Coordina-tors of the organisation attended 58 training pro-grams that were either organised by PGSS or by fellow organisa-tions/funding agencies. Some of the themes were- interpersonal communication, health and nutrition, natural resources man-agement, research techniques, PwD Act, project management,

Organisational Developmentand Management

Disability Policy of PGSS

13


growth monitoring 203 training programs were conducted for the focus groups. These included themes like artificial jewelry making, inclusive development, Encephalitis minimisation, maternal and neo-natal health, panchayati raj, group management etc.

Partners of various levels of networks of PGSS: International level:

CBM-Australia, SDF-New Zealand, DFID-UK, PSF-Luxemberg, Manos Unidas- Spain.

National Level:

Caritas India-New Delhi, CBCI CARD-New Delhi, CBM-Bangalore, CBR Forum-Bangalore, CHAI- New Delhi, CHILDLINE India Foundation-Mumbai, FVTRS-Bangalore Terres des hommes, New Delhi, Tata AIG Life Insurance Company-Lucknow, NABARD.

State level networking:

Different departments of Government of Uttar Pradesh, RUPCHA, NABARD Lucknow, Sahayog-Lucknow, SLF-Varanasi, UPVAN- Lucknow, UKSVK-Agra , UNICEF-Lucknow,

Mandal/ District level:

DDMA-Gorakhpur, SIFSA/NRHM - Gorakhpur, DISA- Basti,

Vikalp-Lakshmipur, PSS-Deoria, ASS-Deoria, YCK-Deoria,

BJKEPS-Ghazipur, Daud Memorial Christian Vikas Sansthan-

Gorakhpur, Gramin Mahila Vikas Parishad-Deoria, GEAG

Gorakhpur-PGVS-Gorakhpur,SES-Gorakhpur,

Annual General Body Meeting: Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti (PGSS), Gorakhpur, an organisation registered under Society Registration Act, 1860 had its 26th Annual General Body meeting on July 19, 2011. The meeting selected the members for the new Governing body. Former members were thanked for their contribution while the new ones were welcomed.

The accounts were audited as per the rules and regulations and other formalities were fulfilled.

Governing Body Meeting: The Governing Body of the organisation met for its 72nd meeting on October 13, 2011 and for the 73rd meeting on March 13, 2012.

International and National level resource agencies/

support organisation

State level resource organisations/agencies

Divisional/district level network partners/support

organisations

39


40Community-centric approach is one of the salient features

of the organisation adopted for development works. The organisation is known for its use of medium-based

programs that go a long way to give the development messages. The tools of development communication include puppet shows, street plays, observance of significant days, rallies, wall writing drives,

• Republic Day

• International Women’s Day

• Environment Day

• Independence Day

• Women’s Health Day

• World Literacy Day

public meetings, demonstration, stalls and use of IEC materials like leaflets, posters, flash cards etc. Three teams of puppeteers and three street play teams move in the community to provide messages on development issue in an entertaining manner. The open discussions after the events consolidate the message. From time to time, wall writing drives were undertaken to convey the messages. Placing stalls on government schemes is also one of the potential tools to help people to the access benefits of government programs. significant days were also observed at community level with a twin-objective of making the community aware and enhancing its capacity to organise and manage community level events.s

Communication andPublic Relations

• World Health Day• Neo-natal Day• Breast Feeding Day• Safe Motherhood Day• Sanitation Day• World AIDS Day • World Disability Day

Days observed at community level as a tool of empowerment

14


Public Relations

Information dissemination on Bal Swasthya Poshan Maah (BSPM)

A stall of CHILDLINE for creating awareness on CHILDLINE and its services

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Our annual report 2011-12

Some of our publications

Profi

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42

Fatima Hospital: An overview

Fatima Hospital first opened its doors to the ‘poor and suffering sick of Gorakhpur’ in April, 1995 under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gorakhpur. It is 125 bedded

specialty hospital located in Gorakhpur district, delivering services to the rural people within the remit of 14 medical disciplines that are managed by qualified and well trained medical specialists, nurses and other health care professionals.

Integrated Interventions in the Community

Health Care ProgrammesCamps are held on all week days. More emphasis is given on mother and Child Health, Family Planning, Immunisation, nutritional education supplementary feeding of children attending Balwadis etc. A total of 31350 persons were benefitted with the camps conducted by Community Health Department in association with different charitable organisations organised camps.

Community PostingThe second year GNM students went for a community posting to understand the health issues of the rural area. The activities included- conducting school Health pro-gamme, Family sur-vey & problem iden-tification, conducting medical camps, mass health education, treatment of minor ailments etc. Community posting

FatimaHospital15


Vaccination programme Every Wednesday we undertake vaccination programmes as a step towards achieving 100% vaccination. We vaccinated a total of 8122 children through our vaccination programmes in the last financial year. We also motivated the parents to get their children vaccinated.

Fight against Tuberculosis44 TB camps were conducted to identify TB patients. At present 58 TB patients are under treatment. On March 24th, , the World Tuberculosis Day; we conducted a rally and a role play on tuberculosis at Fatima hospital. The motive was to educate the people about spread of tuberculosis and its prevention. Dr. B.K. Barnwal (District Tuberculosis officer) was the chief Guest of the program.

Eye screening camp“The eye is the jewel of the body.” We have a comprehensive and structured community outreach programme through which regular screening camps are held in rural areas to identify patients

Rally on TB

Eye screening camp

requiring better eye care. These screening camps are aimed at identifying people who are blind or likely to become blind through cataract, refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or corneal scar/diseases. These patients are transported to the hospital for appropriate treatment at a subsidised cost. The team works closely with local community leaders and service groups to organise the camps.

Surgical interventions We screen the people and trace out cataract, glaucoma and other related problems during the eye screening camps. On identification; visually impaired individuals who require surgery and immediate medical attention are brought into the hospital for surgical intervention. Through our surgical intervention programme we conducted 1301 IOL cataract surgery and empowered the people with better eye sight.

General Surgery & Ortho camps Weorganisedgeneralsurgery&orthocampsforthepromotionofgoodhealth.Ateamofskilledprofessionalsfromourhospitaltookcare of the clinical needs of needy peoples. Through the camps we assurednecessarycareandprovidethebasicservicestoallpeople.

Heart CampWe organised seven heart camps at Fatima Hospital with an aim to identify cardiac patients. Surgical intervention camps were organised under supervision of Dr James Thomas MS MCH from D.Y. Patil University, Mumbai.

We conducted 42 heart surgeries successfully Heart Camp

43


44

World Environment DayOn June 5th 2011 World Environment Day was celebrated with a seminar on environmental pollution. Dr. S. C. Shukla Scientist Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and few other experts from the field of environmental science shared their views and advised students how could an individual contribute in reducing the pollution by changing a few habits. Experts explained the hazards of global warming as a threat to human life. After the seminar there was tree plantation in Fatima Premises by Rev Fr. Jeejo Antony and students.

Nurses’ Day celebration

On 12th May 2011, we celebrated Nurses’ Day. A panel discussion was held on the theme of “Closing the gap, increasing the access & equity”

AIDS awarenessOn 1st December 2011, Fatima Hospital took out an AIDS awareness rally, as a part of Health Awareness. The second year students & teachers also participated in the rally.

On the same day the students of Fatima School of Nursing conducted an the awareness programe at Fatima Hospital . A Power point presentation was given by the students on the theme followed by a role play.

Lamp Lighting CeremonyOn January 27, we celebrated the lamp lighting ceremony of third

LAICO VisitDr. Praveen Subudhi (Ophthalmic Surgen) & Mr Meenakshi Sundaram (senior manager for outreach) from LAICO Madurai, Tamilnadu paid a 2 days’ need assessment visit on 8th to 9th December 2011. The purpose of this visit was to develop better understanding of the hospital in a holistic manner. They also visited an outreach eye camp organised by our hospital.

SNA competitions From 25th to 31st April 2011 we had SNA competitions for GNM students. Variety of cultural, programs and sports competitions were conducted, These included solo dance, solo song, fancy dress, group dance, skit, Miss Fatima pageant, story writing, poem writing, pencil drawing and few sports events like 100 meter race, short put, Javelin throw, high jump, Kho Kho etc. At the end of the program results were announced by Juries. There were individual championships, group championships, Overall championship and different prizes

Fatima Feast Day CelebrationFatima feast was celebrated on May 17, 2011 at Fatima Hospital chapel. Most Rev. Bishop Thomas Thurthimattam along with many other fathers celebrated holy mass at hospital chapel.

SNA competition

Panel discussion on Nurses’ Day


batch of GNM students which symbolises the passing of knowledge and igniting the souls of the budding nurses. Dr K.P. Kushwaha , Principal of BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur was the chief guest of the ceremony.

Healing Week PrayerFrom 6th to 10th February 2012, healing week prayers were conducted by staff of Fatima Hospital. It give a chance to everyone to thank the Lord and acknowledge His presence in the hospital. Healing prayer week

Various Medical Camps Conducted from 1st April, 2011 to 31st March, 2012

Sl.no. Programe No. of Camps01. Eye Camp 8202. General Camp 0703. Heart Camp 0704. Ortho Camp 0705. General Surgery Camp 0706. Calcium Checkup 0207. Tuberculosis (DOT) Camp 4408. School Teachers’ Eye Screening Camp 0409. Eye Screening School Programme 04

Various Surgeries Performed Between 1st April 2011 to 31st March 2012

Sl no. Department of Surgery No. of Surgeries01. Gynae & Obstetrics 65902. Ortho 08803. General Surgery 17304. ENT 09105. Eye 130106 Heart Surgery 042

New Faces• MrJobisK.Thomas&MissJismyThomasjoinedasnewNursing

Tutors.

• Mr Rahul Srivastava joined as Ophthalmic Technician &Optometry tutor.

• MrRaviPrakashPandeyjoinedasOfficeAssistant.

Continued Medical Education (CME) and Professional Training • DrAnjumJainMSophthalmicSurgeonattendedthetrainingon

“Diabetic Retinopathyat Aravind Eye Hospital.

• Fr Jeejo Antony, Sr Litty & Sr Sachita attended the SignetWorkshop on Enhancing Health Care Delivery and Hospital Services in Mission Hospitals at Ajmer.

• MrSatyaPrakashMishraattendedthetrainingon“CommunityOutreach and Social Marketing of Eye Care Services” at Arvind Eye Hospital, Madurai.

45


46

• Sr Arati & Mr Abhishek attended the Signet Workshop on“Communication and interpersonal relationship - from the Hospital Manager’s point of view” Signet workshop at Nazareth Hospital, Allahabad

• FrJeejoAntony&MrRaviPrakashPandeyattendedaworkshopon “Insurance on Health Care” at RUPCHA, New Delhi.

Our health care alliance • We collaborated with ICICI Lombard and successfully

operated Rashtriya Swasthaya Bima Yojna (RSBY) the Central Government insurance scheme for the below poverty line (BPL) families with Smart Cards.

• WecollaboratedwithLalitNarayanMishraRailwayHospitalformaking available blood transfusion services at an affordable rate

to the patients of Lalit Narayan Mishra Railway Hospital.

• We collaborated with BSNLGorakhpur formaking availableaffordable and quality medical facilities and treatment to the employees of BSNL

• WecollaboratewithIndianAirForceforextendinghealthcareservices to the Ex-serviceman and to attend to their medical needs

• We collaborate with INDIA POST Gorakhpur for makingavailableaffordableandqualitymedicalfacilitiesandtreatmenttotheemployeesworkinginIndianPostalService,Gorakhpur.

• WecollaboratedwithFutureGeneraliIndiaInsuranceCompany,Punetoprovidecashlessservicestopatients.


These persons honoured us with their kind visit in the organisation: 1. Fr. Frederick D’souza, Caritas India-NewDelhi2. Fr. Chinnappa, Caritas India-NewDelhi3. Fr. Alex, SLF-Varanasi4. Fr. Vipin, PGCS, Raghopur, Balia5. Fr. Peter Castelino, Lucknow Diocese6. Fr. Thomas Kochuthara, St. Epherem’s Theological College-Satna 7. Mr. Vinod Pandey, Caritas India-NewDelhi8. Mr. Kushal Neogy, CRS-Lucknow9. Mr. Khilesh and Mr. Manas, ASK-New Delhi10. Mr. Dinesh Rana, Mr. Murli and Mr. Vikas- CBM-Bangalore11. Mr. P.K. Mohanan and Mr. S.K. Srivastava- NABARD12. Dr. Richa and Ms Anushri,UNICEF - Lucknow13. Prof. Jean Drez, Delhi School of Economics - New Delhi14. Sr. Sudha Padmashri, Bihar15. Ms. Shabnam Hashmi, New Delhi16. Mr. R.K. Singh, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)-New Delhi17. Ms. Suchita, TDH-New Delhi

“It is really a great blessing for the people living in the rural areas and other neighbouring places to have an organisation like PGSS. It can really do a lot for the uplift of the downtrodden people.”

- Fr. Thomas Kochuthara, Director, St. Epherem’s Theological College, Satna

“ The Organisation is doing commendable work for empowering the community which needs to be sustained and spread amongst others.”- Mr. R.K.Singh, NDMA, New Delhi

Our Kind VisitorsDuring the Year 2011-12

Prof. Jean Drez on Women’s Day 2012

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Following are the coming up ventures of the organisation for the following years:1. Natural resources management: For the first time in the history

of social work of catholic dioceses of India, a joint venture will be taken up on natural resources management (NRM). With a support from Caritas India, the multi-year venture plans to undertake interventions in Sultanpur, Kushinagar, Shrawasti and Ghazipur districts falling under the Catholic Dioceses of Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Varanasi.

2. Anti-child trafficking interventions: Gorakhpur is a recipient of frequent cases of human trafficking especially child-trafficking. Its geographical situation (Indo-Nepal border) makes it vulnerable in terms of trafficking. With a view to prevent this inhuman practice, PGSS has come ahead with a model to enable the community to take actions to prevent child-trafficking. The interventions include formation of a network of like- minded NGOs and inclusion of stakeholders like railway coolies, taxi drivers, Police, Reserved Police Force (RPF), Yatri Mitra and CHILDLINE in the entire process. With a support from CRS, the intervention is now planned to take up multi-years interventions. The concerted effort will help in building an environment against the malpractice of child-trafficking.

The WayAhead17


3. Shelter home for children in need: At times, need of immediate shelter for CHILDLINE cases coupled with limited infrastructure necessitate a separate shelter home. Creation of a separate home for such children has been a dream of the organisation for a long time. A dialogue with funding agencies and district administration, Gorakhpur is going on in this direction. The helping hand will enable the organisation to provide an immediate and better accommodation to the children coming to CHILDLINE.

4. Activisation and empowerment of the Village Health and Sanitation Committees (VHSCs): On the invitation from SIFSA, Lucknow following the approval of concept note and organisational assessment; PGSS has submitted a detailed project proposal to it. . The project is concerned with VHSC training and follow-up (for empowerment). It is proposed to be implemented in 04 blocks of Maharajganj district for a proposed period of 09 months.

5. Creation of a resource directory on skill building opportunities in Gorakhpur: The organisaiton has joined hands with FVTRS - Bangalore to study and analyse various aspects of the vulnerable rural youth. This will be done through

an interaction with the proprietors of skill building institutions and with the rural youth. The task will come up with a resource directory on skill building opportunities. The directory will be helpful to inform the vulnerable youths about availability of skill building opportunities in Gorakhpur and thereby reduce their vulnerability.

6. Micro enterprises development program: With a kind support from NABARD, the micro enterprises development program based trainings are planned for the SHGs in 2 blocks of Maharajganj and 1 block of Gorakhpur. This will help the SHG members to obtain the skills and techniques for income generation through trades like vegetable cultivation, mushroom cultivation, artificial jewellery making and vermi composting.

7. Promotion of model vegetable cultivation –16 villages of Kasia block of Kushinagar district have been selected for the promotion of organic farming based modern vegetable cultivation practices. This will devise a low input-cost method of vegetable production and marketing. A cadre of empowered vegetable cultivators is expected to come up with this NABARD supported venture.

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The central office of the organisaiton has the following resources:

Conference hall: A conference hall to accommodate 25 persons is equipped with all the basic amenities like air-conditioner, individual microphones, LCD projector, white board and generator

Residential training centre:The residential training centre encompasses the components like separate dormitories/toilets/bathrooms for men and women and three training halls. There are individual AC and non-AC rooms available as per the needs of the clients. The training halls can accommodate more than 150 persons at a time and have all the basis facilities to conduct meetings and trainings without any hassle. The services are available to the diversified range of clients beginning with government to voluntary organizations. Our present clients include; GNK Plan Maharajganj, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University Gorakhpur, CIF Mumbai and government departments . Apart from this, there are two more training centres community centres at Mithaura and Sardarnagar.

Training Team: A training team known as Central Team stands for the capacity

Resource base ofthe Organisation

building of the fellow development organisations. The team has experts on the following issues;• Gender• EconomicEmpowerment• Health• LocalselfgovernanceThe team has been catering to the needs of the client organisations apart from fulfilling internal capacity building requirement.

Mass Communication Team:-Giving development messages through appropriate medium in appropriate language is essential for bringing about awareness in rural areas. Such messages are very effective and adopted easily. With this philosophy; PGSS has formed following teams.• Street play team (Men and Women) Nichlaul, Maharajganj and

Gorakhpur.Puppetry team Gorakhpur, Deoria and Sant Kabir Nagar.

The teams have conducted several awareness drives for PGSS and also for like-minded voluntary organizations on development issues. Services of the teams are available for our fellow-organisations.

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Multi facility conference hall

Training Modules:PGSS has developed following training modules that are available for like -minded organisations and development workers:

• Women’s Organizations• Adolescent Girls’ Group • Participatory Rural Appraisal• Puppetry• Local Self governance• Organic Farming

Library cum study centre:- The organization has Library-cum-Documentation centre with approximately 1000 books, reports and other reading materials on development issue that are available for other organizations as well.

Small training hallAuditorium with a capacity of 100 persons

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Governing Body Membersof PGSS, 2011-12

SN Name Designation in the organisation

Contact details Phone number

1 Most Rev. Thomas Thuruthimattam

President Bishop House, Civil Lines, Gorakhpur 0551-2332723

2 Very Rev.Fr. James Parekudiyil

Vice President St. Anthony Church, Dharmpur, Gorakhpur 9415818174

3 Fr. Varghese Alumchuvattil Secretary/Director PGSS, Opp. Fatima Hospital, Padribazar, Gorakhpur 94158756464 Fr. Sebastain Pulinthanam. Treasurer PGSS, Opp. Fatima Hospital, Padribazar, Gorakhpur 94158181905 Fr. Gibi N.Jose Member Priests’ House, Little Flower School, Dhanewa Dhanei ,

Police Line Maharajganj9415313991

6 Fr. Jose Manjiyil Member St. Joseph College for Women, Civil Lines, Gorakhpur 94150381187 Fr. Jeejo Anthony Member Fatima Hospital, Padribazar, Gorakhpur 99844777788 Ms Noreen Henry Member St. Joseph School, Civil Lines, Gorakhpur 9935786064 9 Sr. Neera SRA Member St. Anthony Convent, Dairy Colony, Gorakhpur 945212073010 Smt. Sheela Devi Member PGSS, Opp. Fatima Hospital, Padribazar, Gorakhpur 0551-228467411 Ms Florencia Dungdung Member 747 C, Kawwabagh, Railway Colony, Gorakhpur 983946384112 Sr. Nikita LST Member Little Flower Convent, Dhanewa Dhanei , Police Line

Maharajganj9794682829

13 Prof. Remy Yohan Dennis Member RG Nagar, Gorakhpur 933642112014 Prof. Teeka Ram Sati Member MIG colony, Raptinagar, Gorakhpur 993692953715 Mr. Salman Haider Member B-4, New Officers’ Hostel, Charuchandrapuri, Gorakhpur 9415321461

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PictureGallery

Children with disability presenting a dance

Saloni Sabha

Puppet show on TB awareness

Staff traiing on advocacy

Quality addition centre for organic produces

Training of ASHAs

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Wall writing on Encephalitis minimisation

Exposure visit of team and focus farmers

Annual meeting with PRIs

Demonstration on supplementary feeding

A training of office bearers of Mahila Mandals

Bal Swasthya Poshan Maah

District level launch of PACS

An exposure visit, a medium of cross learning

A medical camp by CHILDLINE


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VISION:We visualise a society based on justice, gender equity and fullness of life for all.

MISSION:Empowerment of the marginalized people of the Society, especially the Dalits, Women and Children through a process of awareness, organization collective actions and advocacy for raising their Soci-Polical, Eduactional, Economic, Health Status and Promotion of Environment.

STRATEGY:A continuous process of animation and advocacy among men and women to become aware, form and organize into groups and federations and to take actions for integrated, participatory and sustainable Development.

For donations and information please contact:

PURVANCHAL GRAMIN SEVA SAMITI (PGSS)Fatima Nagar, Padri Bazar, Gorakhpur-273017

Ph.: 0551-2284674, Fax: 2284673, E-mail: [email protected]: pgssgkp.org

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Documents

PURVANCHAL GRAMIN SEVA SAMITI (PGSS) Gramin Seva Samiti (PGSS) 2 CONTENTS ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12 BISHOP’S MESSAGE 3 DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE 4