BULLOCK-CART WORKERS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

BWDA

INTRODUCTION:

Bullock-cart Workers Development Association (BWDA) was

established on 2nd October, 1985 with the primary objective of rendering selfless,

dedicated and yeomen service to the bullock cart workers, laborers, rural artisans,

poor and needy women and children in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry and

Andaman & Nicobar Islands. BWDA is registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies

Registration Act.

In 1988, BWDA started forming self help groups (SHGs) of bullock cart

workers families, especially women to build self sufficiency and facilitate

empowerment and poverty alleviation. In 1992 BWDA started working with other low

income households. BWDA also linked SHGs to local banks to meet their credit needs

for managing their livelihood and income generating activities. Later in 1998, BWDA

started direct lending to improve access to finance to empower the underprivileged in

Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Andaman & Nicobar Islands and to supplement loans

from banks. In 2003, BWDA acquired an NBFC, renamed as BWDA Finance limited

(BFL) to streamline its financial inclusion operations.

BWDA also implements various development programmes and projects

focusing on holistic growth and development of the society. Some of the areas of work

include: Health, water and sanitation, education, advocacy and lobbying, capacity

1
building and livelihood development, child welfare, women welfare, social awareness

programmes etc. BWDA has taken long strides in social development and appreciates

the fact that a great deal can be achieved through education. Ensuring good education

is essential for the survival of our nation and the sound growth of the younger

generation. However, majority of our members are unable to send their children for

higher education, due to economic inabilities. BWDA Arts and Science College,

BWDA Polytechnic College and BWDA Schools were started to address the disparity

in access to educational facilities for the poor and lead the marginalized towards

intellectual prosperity and thereby empower them.

BWDA has facilitated 24,282 Women SHGs and 2,504 Male SHGs with

477,885 members to develop income generation programme to their members. BWDA

and BFL have disbursed micro credit to 1,260,673 members in Tamil Nadu,

Pondicherry and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

PERIOD OF STUDY:

The period of study was from 19-12-2013 to 8-4-2014 on every Tuesday

and Thursday. The trainee had observed the activities of BWDA. During this period

the trainee have participate various activities done by the organisation.

OBJECTIVES OF THE FIELD VISIT:

To develop communication skills.

To make good relationship with self help group people.

To find out the problem of people in the study area.
To gain knowledge about the NGO and their activities.

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINEE:

2
 To know about the historical background of the NGO.
To know about the vision, mission and strategies of the NGO.
To gain knowledge about NPS National Pension Scheme.
To learn about the purpose of PAN card.
To gain knowledge about the B WASH Programme.
To know about the documentation of SHG/JLG.
HISTORY OF BWDA:

The founder and present secretary of BWDA is Dr. Joslin Thambi, who has

committed for the cause of the neglected, exploited and unorganised people. In 1980

he joined a service organisation called People Association for Social Action

(PASA) as secretary-cum- programme officer. As his father was a bullock cart

worker and he also did bullock cart driving he knew the pains and suffering of the

bullock cart workers, their families and the importance of bullock cart industry. He

decided to do something for change. With the blessings, guidance and encouragement

of Dr. Gnana Robinson the President of BWDA with some people BWDA Bullock-

cart workers development Association was established on 2 nd oct 1985 and registered

and society act in 1986. It is mainly for the development of bullock cart workers, rural

artisans, needy women, children artisans and their animals.

The head office of BWDA is at Villupuram in Tamil Nadu. Initially it was

functioning in Koliyanur and Mailam blocks of Villupuram district. Now including

Villupuram it has gradually expanded its activities/ programmes in 8 districts via,

Kanyakumari, Thirunelveli, Virudunagar, cuddalore, Villupuram, Kancheepuram,

Thiruvallore and Chennai in Tamil Nadu and union territories of puducherry and

Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

BWDA at Nagercoil:

3
 BWDA at Nagercoil is started in 20.5.2009. The main aim of starting BWDA in

Nagercoil is to adopt SHG and to increase their economic status of the SHG members.
Purpose:
To improve co-operation with other members.
To get basic education.
To get social awareness.
To take group decision.
To increase their savings.
To develop entrepreneurship.
To share their experiences.
Weekly SHG is helpful to develop the members.

Agency profile:

BWDA (Bullock cart Workers Development Association)

858, East Pondy Road,

Villupuram,

Villupuram-605 602,

Tamil Nadu.

Act under registered

Tamil Nadu Society Act 27 of 1975.

Date of registration: 13.01.1986

Registration no: 9/86 .

AREA OF OPERATION:
BWDA is working on 2260 villages, 841 panchayats, 83 towns, 52 blocks, 21

taluks, 21 municipalities, 826 urban wards, 2 corporations in 10 districts of Tamil

Nadu & Kerala and in 5 communes (blocks), 2municipalities, 11 town panchayats and

4
60 village panchayats, 192 wards and 149 villages in U.T. of Puducherry and

Andaman & Nicobar Islands. On basis of the request BWDA will extend the

programme in other districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala if and when necessary.

VISION:

A poverty free, prosperous, equitable and sustainable society.

MISSION:

To empower 1500000 poor and vulnerable households economically and

socially by 2015 through establishing sustained access to financial and capacity

building services thereby lifting them from their vulnerable condition.

BWDA BELIEVES IN

Self reliant and sustainable self help groups and networks of women and men

the basis for sustainable development.

Improving access to low cost formal credit to the poor goes a long way in

mitigating their sufferings and hardships.

Professional work culture with flexibility for locally relevant procedures and

systems.
Technology for the upliftment of the poor.
Networking for effective implementation.

PAST ACTIVITIES OF BWDA

Bullock cart workers- networking advocacy & lobbying.

5
 Women & men development programs- formation of SHGs/JLGs.
Skill training program for SHGs/JLGs members and their children.
Micro finance programme to our target group.
Money transfer with western union through Weizmann forex limited.
BWDA educational programme-running of crche, three schools, community

college, arts & science college, polytechnic college, summer school, non-

formal educational programme to SHG members.

Permanent trainings on management, finance, behavioural sciences, team

building, accounts and auditing etc, to various level people of BWDA and other

micro finance institutions through BIDFin, Courtalam.

Family counselling programme to our target group and other affected people.
Relief and rehabilitation programme on fire victims, accident cases, flood,

earth quake, tsunami affected people, etc.

Health preventive/promotive health & family welfare program, water &

sanitation program.
Agriculture and animal husbandry programme.

FUND MOBILIZATION

BWDA mobilize fund mainly in three ways.

LOCAL: Membership fees, registration fees, donations, training fees, rents,

entertainments and tuition fees etc.

GOVERNMENT: grants for programmes such as Women Development

programme (SHG), EDP, skill training, health programme, family counselling

etc.
EXTERNAL SUPPORT: grants and loans for various development

programme.

PARTNER INSTITUTIONS OF BWDA:

1. Loan supporters:

6
 SIDBI, IOB Rastriya mahila Kosh
Agriculture Development Finance Tamil Nadu
IDBI Bank ltd, Canara Bank, Corporation Bank
Cordaid, Rabo Bank, HDFC ltd
Lakshmi Vilas Bank, Karnataka Bank
South Indian bank
Karur Vysya Bank
Habitat for Humanity India
Ananya Finance pvt, ltd.
2. Capacity building supporters:
SIBDI
NABARD
Tamil Nadu State Social Welfare board
RABO Bank foundation
Micro Save
Child line Foundation
Water.org
Indian School of Micro Finance for Women
TNVHA

LOAN PRODUCTS OF BWDA:

SHG loan.
Micro enterprises loan.
Seasonal loan (Agriculture & Education).
Joint Liability Loan.
Jewel loan.
Individual (secured) loan.
Water &Sanitation loan.
Housing loan.
Festival & consumption loan.
Emergency loan.

OTHER PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:

Money transfer.
Micro finance.
Capacity building.
Education support.
Relief and rehabilitation.
Pension schemes.

7
 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

BRANCH MANAGER

INTERNAL FIELD
BRANCH WORK
INSPECTION WORK

ASST.INTERNAL
ACCOUNTANT FIELD
INSPECTOR MONITORS

8
INTERNAL
SECURITY, OFFICE ASSITANT, ATTENDER
ASSISTANT
ASS.ACCOUNTANT
 CLUSTER
CASHIER CO-
ORDINATION

PRESENT ACTIVITIES OF BWDA

1) Financial inclusion programme:

Credit BFL, YES bank BC model.
Savings through SHGs.
Insurance future Generali & United India.
National pension schemes.
Remittance Western Union.
2) Women & men development programme.
3) Bullock cart workers development programme.
4) Micro enterprises development programme.
5) Capacity building & livelihood development programme.
6) PAN card schemes.
7) Education Initiative (colleges, schools, summer schools, continuing education,

livelihood & skill training programme).

8) BWASH BWDA Water & Sanitation Programme.
9) Child line programme.
10) BWDA Health Initiative ( TB programme, PLHIV support programme)
11) BWDA Relief & Rehabilitation programme.
12) Animal Welfare & Environment programme.

9
 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR BULLOCK CART WORKERS

BWDA renders various developmental support services to bullock cart

workers for their empowerment and sustainable livelihood. They are as follows,

a. Formation of Association / Sangams for bullock cart workers:

There is large number of bullock cart workers in India. The bullock-

carts act as back bones for the growth of Indian economy by saving foreign exchange,

creating self employment opportunities and safeguarding the environment. But the

dependents of bullock cart workers are facing countless problems for their

livelihood. To address their issues, social problems & to solve their problems by

themselves BWDA facilitated to form 370 local associations for bullock cart

workers. State level federation is also formed and jointly acting with BWDA for

solving the problems of bullock cart workers. 48302 bullocks cart workers and

their family get benefitted through various programmes.

b. Linkage with other unorganised groups:
BWDA facilitating the bullock cart workers association leaders with

the other unorganised workers like head load men, rickshaw pullers, construction and

quarry workers, landless labourers, Palmyra tappers, etc.

c. Advocacy & lobbying activities:
In order to redress the grievances of bullock cart workers and to fulfil

their needs and demands through government, public support, BWDA has been doing

advocacy & lobbying activities.

d. Credit linkage:

10
 Income generation and livelihood activities are being rendered by

BWDA through banks, government loans and through BWDA, Micro Finance

programme. More than 25678 bullock cart workers and their get benefitted by this.
e. Insurance and accident relief programme:
When the bullock cart workers met with accident his whole family is

in helpless. Hence in 1987, BWDA initiated Accident Relief Fund schemes for

bullock cart workers to meet their medical expenses. Further BWDA facilitated

them to file the cases. 50% of the premium is paid by BWDA and the balance 50% by

bullock cart workers. 13600 bullocks cart workers and their family get benefitted.

Monthly pension schemes are also arranged for the bullock cart workers who was

above 60 years.

ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES

To safe guard the welfare of the cattle, BWDA has been conducting free

veterinary camps which are adopted in rural areas with the association and support of

SHGs and government veterinary departments. Awareness camps on animal welfare

also conducted during the veterinary camps. This free veterinary camps and awareness

camps were conducted in Villupuram, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Thirunelveli,

Kanyakumari and Pondicherry for cows, buffalos, hens etc, of the SHG members and

bullock cart workers.

BWDA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME

1) Adult literacy programme:
To make the illiterate SHG members as functional literates for enabling

them to do their business successfully, earn their livelihood easily and to protect

themselves from cheating BWDA conducted adult literacy / night school programmes

through educated animators and SHG members.

2) BWDA nursery & matriculation school:

11
 BWDA had started its nursery & matriculation school programme in

2003 at Rasapalayam in Cuddalore district & Kolliyangunam in Villupuram District.

To impart quality English education at nominal cost for poor children of SHG and

bullock cart workers families. In 2008 BWDA had started one more nursery cm

primary school at Kadampuliyur in Cuddalore District. Children of SHG members are

also getting fee concession.

3) BWDA Community College for Dropouts:
BWDA started its community college at Rasapalayam in Cuddalore

district in the year 16-10-2006. It helps to enable the poor, dropout and unemployed to

continue their higher education at nominal fee. It helps to get employment, self

employment opportunities. Courses offered like Diploma in early childhood care &

education, fashion designing & garments making and desktop printing & publishing

through Tamil Nadu Open University. BWDA provides free trainings to SHG

members, bullock cart workers and their family members with 25% fee concession is

given for diploma courses. Placements are also arranged after completion of trainings.

4) `BWDA Arts and Science College:

BWDA started an arts and science college in June 2008 at

Kolliyangunam, Mailam in Villupuram district through Thiruvalluvar University. The

main purpose is to start this college is to provide nominal cost without capitation fee

for poor SHG and bullock cart workers and for their families . The children from

SHG families should pay 25% college fee.

5) BWDA Polytechnic college:
BWDA started a polytechnic college at Vendalicode in Kanyakumri

district. It helps to promote technical skills among the students especially among the

children of SHG members and bullock cart workers with nominal cost and enhancing

their job and self employment opportunities.

12
 6) BWDA summer school programme:
BWDA has been conducting its summer school programme in every

year. Volunteers are selected and given orientation training to conduct classes in these

schools. The duration of this programme is 6 days. In this summer school programme

general knowledge, leadership, financial literacy, current affairs, environment, health

and sanitation etc are taught to the children through awareness songs, poems and

dramas. On the valedictory day the children will express what they have learned from

this school programme activities like dramas, dance, songs, rallies etc. This will

improve the skills and talent of the children.

7) BWDA Crche programme:
BWDA started its crche programme in Villupuram district in 2003,

supported by Tamil Nadu State Social Welfare Board. The purpose of starting this

crche programme is to get benefit of children of poor, sick, working women and

mainly for SHG members and bullock cart workers. 235 poor children got benefitted

through this programme. Through this programme, it has been imparting free nursery

education, offering food and medical care for general aliments through part time

doctors. As state government has stopped supporting with BWDAs own support

crche is functioning.
8) Free tuition fees:
BWDA conducted free tuition classes to weak school going children.

WOMEN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

i. Formation of SHG/JLG:
BWDA has formed 22962 female SHGs and motivated them to save

rupees. Group Savings and Internal Rotation has been done in women development

programme. Women development programme helps to alleviate poverty and to

13
promote sustainability and holistic empowerment among the poor. Maximum 12-20

members in SHG and 5 members in JLG

ii. Trainings to female SHGs:
The success of the SHG is linked with BWDA capacity building

programme. BWDA organise various level trainings like SHGs members orientation,

training cum exposure, financial literacy, adolescent girls programme, health and

sanitation etc to SHG members.

iii. Marketing support:

BWDA has been conducting various marketing support exhibitions for

the sales promotion of SHG products in its adopted areas for their sustainable

development. Various level trainings and workshops has been imparted to SHG

members, leaders and staff of BWDA to promote marketing of SHGs products with

the support of NABARD, SIDBI etc.

iv. Get together:
BWDA has been organising get together programmes to SHG Animators

every year to know, discuss and to solve their problems. Gifts prizes, cash awards are

given to animators of the SHG.

Book maintenance in SHGs:

1. Minutes book
2. Savings ledger
3. Cash book
4. General ledger
5. Loan ledger
6. Attendance register
7. Bank passbook
8. Visitors note
9. Payment voucher
10. Cash voucher.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE ACTIVITIES OF BWDAs SHGs:

14
 Many Social and development issues were taken-up by the SHGs and

Federations facilitated by BWDA. A few selected activities are given below:

Anti tobacco awareness campaign programme.

Regular medical camps

Initiative to cease illicit arrack.

Providing drinking water

Advocacy and lobbying

Taking environmental issues

Women reservation bill

Conducting Veterinary Camps.

Giving prizes to school children.

Participating in parent teachers association meetings.

Enrolling School drop-outs

BWDA MICRO FINANCE PROGRAMME

BWDA implementing the women development programme to SHG and

JLG members. The prime objective is empowerment of women through mobilisation,

entrepreneurship promotion programmes by facilitating loan linkages. BWDA

facilitated its SHG women to get credit linkage through bank direct loans, government

loans with subsidy and revolving fund under IFAD scheme. Later 2002 bankers

hesitated to provide loan as saving is not sufficient for the SHG members, individuals,

small entrepreneurs and petty traders to start business. SHG compelled the BWDA to

start micro finance programme. Later BWDA micro finance programme has been

15
initiated in 09.09.1999 with the first loan from RMK, New Delhi and later from many

financial institutions and banks.

BWDA HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE PROGRAMME

BWDA has been implementing the following health programmes with

TNVHA health network. The details of activities / programmes are conducted as

follows.
Social exclusion and vulnerability.
HIV mainstream.
Care and support programme for the excluded people like PLHAS, trans

genders, widows, disabled etc.

Convention for the excluded and vulnerable people.
Pongal package to HIV positives & Trans genders.
Red ribbon express for HIV awareness.
Ambulance & Mortuary van services now stopped.
Integrated Child Development Programme health programmes.
Indian system of medicine.
Adhi Dravida Girls Health Training Programme.

FREE EYE CAMPS:

BWDA conducted many free eye camps in adopted districts till now.

Whenever we arrange SHG programmes, we arrange for health camps especially eye

checkups. Apart from our SHG members, our staffs, their relatives and other public

also benefitted through this camps.

FREE RETINA PROTECTION CAMPS:

BWDA conducted free retina protection camps in Villupuram. It is especially for

diabetic patients at Villupuram. More than 543 people get diagnosed and treatment

was given to 88 patients.

FAMILY COUNSELLING CENTRE:

16
 BWDA has been running a family counselling centre at Villupuram

since 2001, with the support of Tamil Nadu State social Welfare Board to solve the

family oriented problems of its SHGs and other affected members. Problems like

family feuds, marital mal adjustments, domestic and dowry atrocities against women

etc are being solved through this centre.

TYPES OF CASES RECEIVED TO THE FCC:

Marital / spousal problems.

Geriatric problems.
Adolescent problems.
Psychological problems.
Womens harassment.
Childrens problems
Carrier guidance.
Dowry problems

BWDA RELIEF & REHABILITATION PROGRAMME

Rehabilitation programme for tsunami affected people:

BWDA initiated programmes to its tsunami affected people to form

SHG, getting management trainings, skill trainings and loan assistance. We have

conducted 3 months and 15 days vocational trainings to them like fish processing, sea

shell making, food processing, readymade garments making, cell phone servicing,

fashion designing, automobile driving, screen printing, milk products etc. training

centres are in Villupuram, cuddalore, Pondicherry, Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari

districts. More than 10000 thousands of people get benefitted.

BWDAs flood relief services:

17
 BWDA supplied rice and groceries packages to 2000 flood affected

families in Villupuram and Cuddalore districts in 2005 at the cost of 8 lakhs. Rs. 400

per family.

BWDA CHILD LINE PROGRAMME

BWDA had recently started the child line programme to protect the

children from various problems. It works freely for 24 hours. Any children who lead

to problem below the age of 18 can refer to 1098.

Sexually harassed children.

Abonded children.

Street children.

Founding children.

Violence against children.

School children.

Accidents involving children.

Rescue children.

Child beggar.

Child labour.

BWDA ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

18
 This programme is started recently in BWDA. In this programme all

kitchen items, vessels, fridge, indexation stove, grocery items, water purifier, nano

torch light, tuff, washing machine, rice cooker etc are provided to the SHG member

with low cost on the basis of loan with 26% of interest.

FESTIVAL LOAN:

This loan is given to the SHG members during festival time like Pongal,

Diwali, Christmas and Ramzon. The main purpose of this loan is that poor people

should be happy during festival. Rs. 3000 is given for each person who is willing with

26% of interest.

DRESS LOAN:

This loan is also given to SHG members to take dress during festivals.

The main purpose of this loan is that poor people should be happy during festival.

Rs.10000 is given to each member who is willing with 26% of interest.

PAN CARD:

Purpose of PAN Card:

It is compulsory to give the PAN card number when you buy or sell immovable

properties in India.

When you buy automobiles, you will have to give this number.

19
 Buying bankers draft, pay orders and checks require PAN card.

If you buy shares or debentures exceeding the value of Rs. 1 lakh, you need to

supply the PAN card.

PAN card is necessary to make any deposit exceeding Rs. 50000.00.

PAN card is also necessary for initiating a bank account, starting a demat

account or applying for a credit card.

Finally, you may produce the PAN card as a valid photo ID proof.

NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME NPS

By interesting Rs. 100 every month in NPS leads a peaceful life after 60 years. It is

mainly focussed for economically disadvantaged sections of the society and marginal

investors.

Features of NPS:

It is the scheme of government of India for old age pension.

Every Indian citizen in 18 to 60 age groups can open NPS schemes.
As per convenience deposit Rs. 1000to 12000 every year.
Every year get Rs. 1000 from government of India.

People who have EPF employee provident fund cannot offer for this pension

scheme. Age should be within 18 to 60 if the people who have above 55 years cannot

get more benefit from this scheme. If a person wants to take the amount before 60

years 60% of amount is provided to them and remaining 40% will be provided as

20
pension. If the person dies their family members, childrens can buy this amount as

pension per month.

BWDA WATER AND SANITATION HYGIENE PROGRAMME BWASH

PROGRAMME

BWDA water and sanitation hygiene programme helps to promote

awareness on safety water & sanitation in Villupuram & Pondicherry area.

MISSION:

Promoting hygienic awareness and access safe drinking water &

sanitation through loan programme for the poor & needy.

GOAL:

To reach 25000 borrowers for water & sanitation loan to receive safe

drinking water connections & hygienic sanitation.

OBJECTIVES:

Recharging of local water sources & motivating judicious usage of drinking

water through awareness and rain water harvesting.

Establishing quality tested additional water supply sources, connections along

with 20000 water loans to household usages which include water purifier &

R.O purifier.
Facilitating 5000 loans to construct hygienic toilets with good water facility.
Promote awareness on safety drinking water and sanitation and their spreading

diseases.
Provide water tanks to save water sources at low cost.

S:N Types of loan Amount Period of repayment

21
 o
1. Connections to pipe 5000 10 month
2. To built Toilet facility with water 25000 24 month
3. To built toilet only 20000 24 month
4. To reconstruct the toilet 15000 12 month
5. To buy water tanks 7000 10 month

ACTIVITIES OF THE TRAINEE:

The trainee goes for loan collection amount.

The trainee fills the application of PAN Card.
The trainee write promissory note for SHG / JLG members.
The trainee fills the application of National Pension Scheme.

LEARNING EXPREIENCE:

The trainee learnt about the historical background of the organisation.

The trainee learnt about the vision, mission, strategies and objectives of

the organisation.
The trainee gains knowledge National Pension Scheme.
The trainee knows the purpose of Pan Card.
The trainee gains knowledge BWDA water and sanitation programme.
The trainee learnt about micro fianc programme of BWDA.
The trainee learnt about the block level co- ordination committee

meeting.

22
 CONCLUSION

The trainee at the point of conclusion takes opportunity to extent hearty

gratefulness to each and every staff for social development for help extended

especially the Managing Director, General Manager, Branch Manager, other staff and

all the organisation that come forward with their valuable suggestion to make the

trainees work successful.

The field work is very useful to the trainee; the trainee came to know about the

different activities of NGO. The Trainee gets the clear idea about the counselling

process, parenting programme tribal counselling centre, mobile out-reach programme

and activities of crche. What the trainee has studied through the books is theoretically

visualised practically.

The trainee feels that BULLOCK CART WORKERS DEVELOPMENT

ASSOCIATION is the organisation which promotes social and economic

development of the society through this office work and field visit programme. The

trainee gathered practical knowledge about the planning in the implementation and

confronting of project activities. The trainee is well satisfied with the experiences and

gained knowledge about BWDA in the office and field.

23