ANNUAL REPORT

FOR
THE YEAR 2007-2008
OF

Dr.Ambedkar Trustworthy For Education and

Rehabilitation

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 ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2007-2008
OF
Dr.Ambedkar Trustworthy for Education and Rehabilitation
Ayyappa Towers, Kalamandir Centre , Chilakaluripeta
GUNTUR DISTRICT, Andhra Pradesh
Regd.No.229/1986

I am, on behalf of DATER, pleased to present the annual report of our

organization for the year 2007-2008. First of all the organization sincerely
extends its gratitude to all the donors, Central Government, State Government,
Departments, Private Agencies Industrialists and well wishers for rendering
various kinds of selfless support in pursuance of our activities. The following
are the mile stones of our activities.
WOMAN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

PROGRAMME VISION
Reach out to women and children in disadvantaged conditions.
PROGRAMME STRATEGY
Our approach to development has been through rights-based programmes, capacity
building, technological, financial, social empowerment of women in disadvantaged
communities. Our aim is to address all the issues revolving around a woman’s life
including sanitation and environment.

We work on children and communities affected by conflict and natural calamities

and ensure rights of survival, protection, development and participation of various
vulnerable groups of children

CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

PROGRAMMES FOR THE STREET CHILD

Children cast off on the streets by circumstance are vulnerable in every respect.
They are deprived of the basic opportunities that help in survival and growth.
Believing that there is a need for surrogate institutionsto restore children’s rights to
survival, protection and development.

REHABILITATION, EDUCATION & ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN ON THE

STREET (REACH)

Aarambh, since the year 2006 has provided security and

safe shelter to street children in Indore together with a
congenial environment to develop their potential and
rehabilitate them into the community.

In 2006-07, 50 children were given shelter out of whom

45 are receiving formal education and the other 5 non-

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 formal education and vocational training.

The DATER gave shelter to more than 40 children

during this period. Many were repatriated to their
families. A total of 36 children have been sent to
formal schools and 4 children learnt the use of
computers. The DATER organised vocational trainings
in automobile repair, denting and painting work,
carpentry and polishing work, repairing electrical
items, tailoring and sewing. They set up a PCO booth and a tea stall l, which is
serving as a training ground for the children who are not willing to go to school. The
children are given regular health check-up and are provided medical care, whenever
necessary.

PROGRAMMES FOR CHILD LABOUR

PROJECTS FOR ELIMINATION AND REHABILITATION OF CHILD LABOUR

DATER collaborated with NCLP to work among the Bckward community of Guntur
District in Andhra Pradesh. The operational area consisted of 10 Panchayats in
Narasaraopeta block. DATER supported the initial intervention focussing on the
three components of the right to development (education), right to protection
(advocacy)and right to participation.

Widespread awareness on the value of education and a child’s right to it as part of a

normal childhood has been created. The project reported 100 per cent school
enrolment and retention at three villages. One hundred children enrolled
themselves in regular as well as non-formal schools. So far, One primary school has
been opened. There are 5 Non Formal Education centers where 102 children are
receiving education. Altogether, as many as 328 working children have been linked
with formal and non-formal education.

The long-term goal of this project was to address the root causes of child labour and
make pragmatic interventions into issues of survival, protection, development and
participation.

PROGRAMMES ON ALTERNATE LEARNING

Not every child gets the opportunity to go to school. Yet they have to learn to read
and write and acquire life skills to negotiate with the challenges in life. Our aim is to
provide alternate education and bring such children under the fold of mainstream
education.

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 Attempts are made to provide midday meal to fill in the
nutritional gap among these children.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

DATER run a Centre – People to People for the children of the labour lines in
the industrial belt of Chilakaluripeta. It provides organisation and discipline in
the lives of the children, gives them childhood, a learning environment . Older
children are coached for mainstream education. There are a total of 31 children
who are assisted in learning by trained field workers cum teachers.

WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN IN VARIOUS STATES

DATER organizes workshops from time to time for its INTERACT children and
children supported under all the other projects

with the aim of providing them with opportunities of self expression through
various activities stimulating both body and mind. It provides forum of interaction
and learning through various creative and performing arts. There are series of
sessions on music, dance, and theatre. There are art and craft sessions filled with
interesting activities like drawing and painting, pottery, mask making and kite
making. A group of children has together produced a beautiful collage. There is
film appreciation session in which they review and produce a critique of the film
specially screened for them. Apart from this the children are taught light
exercises, basic yoga and meditation and a half day is devoted to sports. There are
intellectual activities like debates, speeches, recitation and quiz competition. The
Health and nutrition sessions focuses on adolescent health and nutrition
requirements. The children are counseled on dealing with grief and anxieties. They
are guided on career issues too. The children are encouraged to write graffiti and

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 express themselves.

A three-day workshop was held for children in CHILAKALURIPETA from 12th to

15th March 2009 for quality interaction and learning through sharing. Forty
children in the age group of 13-18 participated in the workshop.

A workshop was organised for the children of Guntur from 1st to 3rd November
2008. They from very poor farming and artisan communities who have no exposure
to alternate learning. They are generally buried. The workshop provided them a
break from the monotorious routine in their text books, mugging up the same
information and producing it in their examination papers.

A three-day workshop was held in Nasaraopeta from 16th to 18th October 2008, in
which 55 children participated

WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES

POVERTY ALLEVIATION INITIATIVES THROUGH ALTERNATE LIVELIHOOD

OPTIONS

A considerable proportion of the population still lives in conditions of extreme

poverty - 26 per cent of people in Andhra Pradesh are below the poverty line. The
majority of the poor in A.P are landless agricultural workers. The incidence of
poverty is also linked to caste - members of socially disadvantaged groups like
Dalits and Adivasis constitute a large proportion of people below the Poverty line.

Among them women and children are the most affected – they are poorer among the
poorest. Poor women, who are already subordinated by social structures, carry the
burden of meeting survival needs of food, water, fodder and fuel. With the overwork
combined with lack of nutrition, lack of health care and education they are in more

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vulnerable condition. Extreme poverty also forces the children to be part of the
labour-force.

Apart from the economic interventions, our aim was to involve the people in a
unified effort to change circumstances in their lives. People’s initiative and
participation are the key elements in the process of development . DATER supported
various initiatives in social mobilization and formation of local structures like
microfinance groups to build a collective effort. A small capital, micro infrastructure
and capacity building have been major components of these programmes.

However, they have been pilot initiatives in Guntur district with a target group of
around 80 to 100 women. After almost a year’s intervention, what we gathered from
the progress reports and the project partners is that the programmes have had the
desired response in many respects. They were accepted by the target group,
systematic trainings were conducted, and women formed their groups and
federation to use their skills for enhancing their income

MAHILA RYTHU MITRA GROUPS

This programme, in collaboration with social Welfare Department, has been able to
create women’s thrift and credit groups on a significant scale and conduct
entrepreneurship development for them in Guntur District.

Since 2004, as many as 2909 groups have been created with 1867 Currently the
focus is on business development activities like rearing of farm animals, poultry,
fruit processing, vermiculture as well as candle and pickle making. A number of
women have established small income generating activities. Alternate avenues of
income have been opened and the women provided exposure to group dynamics and
management through democratic processes. The position of savings collected by
these groups, loans awarded by the women workers and the income generated
through various activities taken up .

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INCOME-GENERATING PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN IN CHILAKALURIPETA,
GUNTUR DISTRICT

DATER trained women from marginalised farming families

in various skills such as health food processing, soap
making and sewing. A total of 30 women in the age group
of 25 to 45 received training in small economic activities,
entrepreneurship and marketing their products. It was also
helped in production and developing marketing strategies.

In the food processing unit 7 out of 10 women who received training are doing
successful business. Similarly, 6 out of 10 in the soap making unit and 9 out of 12
from the sewing group have been able to use their skills to generate income.

LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN THROUGH VEGETABLE

CULTIVATION IN CHILAKALURIPETA, GUNTUR DISTRICT

This is a programme to integrate women farmers and make their regular vegetable
cultivation practices market-oriented and economically viable. Apart from obtaining
a marketable quantity, the programme also provides attention to the quality of the
produce by introducing a scientific package of practices and regular monitoring. It
also has a provision to provide trade literacy to women and connect them directly to
the market.

DATER has provided training, seed distribution, land preparation and marketing
efforts. Till now, 12 groups have been formed and 30000 plants developed and
distributed among the members of the groups. Twenty acres of land is being
cultivated for vegetables. 250 quintals of vegetables were grown, including
capsicum, cabbage, cauliflower, tomato and brinjals. Out of this, 120 quintals was
sold and the income of approximately Rs. 1,16,000 was generated for the federation
of 160 women.

Looking at the response from the women and the outcome, new components like
vermiculture, literacy and health has been included in the project.

CAPACITY BUILDING THROUGH TRAINING IN FOOD PROCESSING IN

ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

Food processing is a sustainable development initiative, which provides a viable

livelihood option. RGF supported a skill-training programme in food processing in
A&N islands to create livelihood opportunities for the young men and women. Our
DATER has collaborated with the Department of Industries and Agriculture to use
their infrastructure at Chilakaluripeta to train 300 women in the in various skills. A
hundred have been trained in fish and prawn processing, 20 in bakery and
confectionery, 25 in rice-based products, 25 in spice making, and 25 in Jam-jelly

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 and squash making. There are 25 others who have received training in various
fruits and vegetable products.
The post - training effort to begin production as a regular source of income is under
way. Four SHGs in Chilakaluripeta have put their capital together and have begun
production of processed fish and prawn products and have started supplying to the
marketing outlet of the Industries Department.

SELF EMPLOYMENT PROJECT

DATER collaborated with Social Welfare Department and youth services department
to provide Entrepreneur Development Programmes to 250 women from the Self Help
Groups in 5 Bolcks.

Some entrepreneurial skills identified for the purpose are:

§ Motor winding & repairing

§ Mobile repairing
§ Dress designing, stitching & embroidery
§ Jute/quilted/fancy bags
§ Computer Education & DTP
§ Toys making
§ Beautician course

SHG FORMATION AMONG WOMEN

DATER initiated a group of formation project in collaboration with Social Welfare

Department . The former community is one of the 'Primitive Tribal Groups' in
Guntur. They live much below the poverty line and suffer from acute malnutrition
and high illiteracy. In the target area most of them are landless and the others have
small landholdings in hilly areas, which are not favourable for agricultural
operations.

WOMEN AND SANITATION

A two-day Workshop on Women and Sanitation was held at the Dater in Febraury
2009 attended by activists, professionals and policy makers from across the region.
Issues and constraints in sanitation sector were discussed. It provided a perspective
on the sanitation reality .

DISABLED PERSON'S WELFARE

· VISION
We work towards enabling the disabled to develop their potential and face the world on
equal terms. Our programmes promote Recognition of the equal rights of the disabled Self-

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 reliance through independent mobility and vocational education Employment generation
Physical, psychological and medical rehabilitation of the disabled

PROJECT HEALTH WATCH

Several disabilities are caused at birth and are preventable with proper care during pregnancy
and at the time of birth. One of the essentials, therefore, of preventing disabilities is through
educating and training the primary healthcare functionaries who form the first and the most
basic line of health delivery. Through Project Health Watch, DATER trains health functionaries
(medical officers, primary health care workers, ANMs and anganwadi workers) of Primary Health
Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Sub-Centres on the prevention, early
detection and management of disabilities. More than 100 health functionaries have been trained
in these workshops.

EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMME FOR HEARING IMPAIRED

CHILDREN

Disability Management is defined as "an active process of minimizing

the impact of impairment on the individual's capacity to participate
competitively in the work environment". Central to the practice of Disability Management is the
concept of early intervention and a focus on psychosocial issues Early intervention is based on
the "Critical

Year's Theory' and is essential for the successful language acquisition by the child. Therefore,
early diagnosis of hearing impairment, fitting of suitable hearing aids and provision of early
intervention facilitates the child to build this innate capacity. Almost 38 children are receiving
the expertise of skilled special educators, audiologists, speech trainers, etc. So far, 7 children
have been successfully integrated.

ADVOCACY WORKSHOPS ON LEGAL LITERACY FOR DISABILITY

Under this project, the Foundation tries to generate awareness and

sensitise the NGOs, lawyers and the disabled persons themselves about
the legal issues concerning the disability sector. Information about the
different laws/ Acts in force concerning disability and the rights of the
disabled is provided in an interactive manner. An effort has also been

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES EXERCISE CHOICE AND CONTROL OVER INITIATIVES

Providing an individual with the opportunity to lead life independently upholds the dignity of the
individual. However, the sheer insensitivity of our society gets highlighted with the fact that
access to most public and private services, a basic right of every citizen, is denied to the
disabled persons. Most of the built environment, public transport and infrastructure are
inaccessible leading the disabled individuals to remained confined within their homes.
Seemingly simple chores like fetching milk from a milk booth, watching a movie in any of our

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movie halls or even visiting a doctor during an emergency are extremely difficult to be
accomplished independently.
EDUCATION & LITERACY
§ Sustain literacy skills
§ Foster quality in education
§ Encourage education of girls, tribals and minorities
§ Promote low cost good quality children's literature .

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN : Development of Books

The development of books for children is in collaboration with Pratham. The initiative was
started to develop and print quality books for children between 6 to 14 years of age with colour
illustrations that they would enjoy. So far 41 books have been finalized, of which 26 have been
printed in varied languages (Hindi, English, Urdu, Marathi, Kannada and Gujarati). Another 15
titles are in the process of being finalized and printed. The books are also being printed in
Punjabi, Bengali and Telugu to reach out to a wider audience. The books have been well received
by children and educationists.

Database on Children’s Literature

RGF and Pratham jointly created a validated database to selectively list available books in Hindi
for children which have been used successfully by educational organisations. A total of 710
books have been identified for launching the website. The process of data entry has been
completed and the design has been finalized. The database has been developed for providing
validated information and analysis of quality children's literature in Hindi through a website.

EDUCATION OF MUSLIM GIRLS.

PROJECT EDGE (EDUCATING GIRLS FOR EMPOWERMENT)

Background

Girl children in India are some of the worst sufferers of poverty, ignorance, illiteracy and
underdevelopment. The adverse sex ratio, the low age of marriage, the high female morbidity
and mortality rates are all obvious indicators of the low status of girls in our society.

The situation is worse in urban areas where inadequate housing leads to overcrowding, lack of
privacy and dignity. Absence of sanitation and safe water, lack of access to schools and the
prevalent attitude of the society all make the urban girl child, most vulnerable. Large numbers
of adolescent and even younger girls form a part of the workforce of our country working to earn
so that their families can survive in the adverse conditions. Education for girls is often viewed as
an investment with no returns.

In the walled city of Hyderabad, there are thousands of young girls labouring all day to make
bangles or plastic bags to eke out a living for themselves. The government schools are few and

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the dropout rate of girls is alarmingly high. Widespread illiteracy is prevalent through
unrecognized child labour.

Some entrepreneurial skills identified for the purpose are:

§ Motor winding & repairing

§ Mobile repairing
§ Dress designing, stitching & embroidery
§ Jute/quilted/fancy bags
§ Computer Education & DTP
§ Toys making
§ Beautician course

This will open alternate options of livelihood to the aspiring new generation of women from the
districts where the learning opportunities otherwise are far and few.

Objectives of the project

§ To develop community acceptable methods to provide educational interventions to girl

children.
§ To enhance self esteem, self reliance and leadership qualities in girls by exposing them to
a wider world view.
§ To motivate the community towards education both by creating awareness about the
importance of education as well as by involving the community in the implementation of
the programme

Economic Empowerment and Skill Development Computer Education

The Dater Centre, which houses the library also, runs a computer center as well. The girls are
being taught basics of computers and so far 92 adolescent girls have joined the computer course
and benefited from it.

Vocational Trainings
Trainings in hand embroidery, machine embroidery, beautician, mehndi designing, zari zardozi
work are conducted in the centres. 25-30 girls in each course in each centre are regularly
undergoing the trainings.

QUANTITATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS -2007-08

§ 174 children from four motivational centres were mainstreamed into formal schools
§ 74 working and non-school going children are mainstreamed through school enrolment
campaigns by Mahita
§ 32 children from the motivational centres have appeared for 7th Class Board
Examinations and 25 children successfully passed the examination
§ During the year, 21 SHG groups received 7.25 lakhs as a revolving fund from Andhra
Pradesh Minority Finance Corporation

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 § 75 children from various schools oriented on Child Rights and Child Protection issues
§ 92 Adolescent Girls joined the Computer Course

Impact

The project has significantly brought changes in the lives of women and
adolescent girls of the projected slums. Implementation of planned actions towards
empowerment of women and adolescent girls through creating collective platforms is bringing
changes in the traditional mindsets of the community members thus providing developmental
opportunities for the stakeholders.

Resistance and acceptance of the community members have come a long way while
implementing the activities. This has been made possible with collaborative team work and
rapport building with the community stakeholders.

The socially and financially empowering skills, along with support in finding employment or
starting their own enterprise have had a positive effect on the girls and the entire community.

The linkages with the concerned authorities have supplemented in extending the efforts of
mainstreaming school dropouts in formal system of education, similarly the linkages with
various training institutions have strengthened the capacities of many young and adolescent
girls through making them access to advanced vocational skills and livelihoods opportunities.

§ Awareness generation about health issues and infant mortality, immunisation and birth
registration.
§ Provision of basic health facilities for women and children
§ Setting up of 2 non-formal education centres and 2 balwadis for the education of non-
school going children.
§ Training the teachers and community workers to be able to deliver quality education
§ Protection of children, especially the girl child, and prevention of child marriages by
working with the community
§ Formation of children's groups to ensure their participation in issues which directly affect

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 them
§ Linking the community with government schemes and facilities, and lobbying for the
establishment of basic health and education centres in the area

About 400 women and children are associated with Project Vision in the most deprived areas of
Varanasi city.

SCHOOL SANITATION AND HYGIENE PROGRAMME

. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with Youth Wlfare covering 15 primary
and upper primary schools in 13 villages of Guntur District

The programme creates awareness in children and the community related to sanitation and
hygiene and their relationship with good health, with a convergence of resources and
experiences. The focus of the project is on development of a manual for wider dissemination
based on good quality and relevant resource material and its utilization in a pilot way in Guntur
district . The programme is implemented in a participatory interactive methodology involving
government school teachers and children. The objectives of the programme -

§ To compile a directory of information on available material and its dissemination in a

selected area for field testing
§ Production of a manual/handbook on good practices, activities and monitoring of
programmes for children on sanitation and hygiene
§ To make schools and teachers as centres of knowledge dissemination and making them
models for change
§ Promoting a school environment which is healthy for the children and the communities
§ Reduction of the incidence of water and sanitation related diseases among school
children.

QUALITY OF EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN SITAPUR DISTRICT

Objectives of the Programme

a. To provide basic education and skills for sustainable livelihoods.

b. To provide non-formal education to out-of-school adolescents in the 11-14 year age
groups through bridge courses and then mainstream them in the formal school system.
c. To provide girls between 15-20 years basic education as well as suitable vocational
training.
d. To promote awareness of positive practices in health, personal and civic hygiene,
nutrition, family welfare, home management and improved infant and child rearing
practices.
e. To help adolescent girls gain a better understanding of their environment as well as
related social and legal issues as they impact their lives.

The Foundation has collaborated with BETI Foundation, Lucknow on Integrated Education and
Livelihoods programme. Ten education cum vocational training centers (EVTC) are being run

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which provide an opportunity for young girls to receive basic education, along with the
knowledge of their physical and psychological health and well being. A total of 512 girls have
been identified in all villages who have been enrolled in the centres

EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN GUNTUR DISTRICT,

The status of women is very poor, with illiteracy, large size of family and
purdah being factors that hinder women's mobility. Domestic violence is
intense, though a less projected problem, along with alcoholism and
gambling. Economically, there are skilled women and children engaged
in work. However, there is lack of accessibility to the market, which
results in dependency on middlemen

The focus is on working with young women and girls . The thrust is on collectivization of women,
which in turn gives them strength and confidence to raise their concerns. The specific inputs
related to education, awareness of rights and facilities, and personality development are helping
in building their knowledge base, and bringing them at par with the' aware' and 'educated'.

Objectives of the Project

i. Initiating functional literacy program among women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

ii. Formation of adolescent girls clubs for building their self-confidence, enhancing their
ability to articulate, challenge social taboos and increase awareness towards various
aspects of life.
iii. Cater to educational needs (social, economic and political) of women Elected
Representatives (WER) and women from SHGs through Centre for Education and Action
(CEA).
iv. To create an environment where women understand and raise their issues at panchayat
and block level. Brief Description of the Project

The following activities are being conducted in the project:

§ Formation of self help groups

§ Formation of adolescent girls clubs
§ Centers for Education and Action (CEA) for adolescent girls and women SHG members
wherein functional literacy programmes are conducted
§ Awareness drives and sensitization process for adolescents for personal health and
hygiene, reproductive health, gender, life skill issues etc.
§ Training programmes for self help group women members and adolescent girls

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FUTURE PLANS

DATER has a strong faith that little intervention in need makes big difference,
thus the success as mentioned above has encouraged DATER with following
future programme:
• To organize water resource management programs
• Establishment of Rehabilitation and Care Center for Women in distress
• Establishment of four Water Harvesting Structures to provide irrigation
facility to 2000 Hectares of land.
• Plantation of 120 acres of Medicinal plantations
• Establishment of a Rural Hospital
• Establishment of a Common Facility Center for providing training and
skill
• Establishment of an Artisan guild for jute product /craft workers.
• Creation of Employment opportunity for 5000Men/Women by Dec'2009
• Establishment of an Old Age Home for Poor Old Aged People.
• Establishment of a Creche for care of orphans, kids and adoption.
• Organize Seminars at district level on Environment, women
empowerment And child rights
• Prevention of Trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation and Re- integration
of Victims of Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Exploitation
• Training programs to the fishermen community
• To implement a programme on "Reproductive C Child Health Care

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