The community mobilization aims at facilitating the process of resilient communities in the project areas. The major focus was on women, there are 79 Self Help Groups with a total membership of 1510 women. Awareness trainings based on their needs were implemented during the past two years moulding them into more responsible citizens and providing the necessary space for participation and involvement in community decision making. 283 trainings have been conducted benefiting 10838 women in the 13 hamlets of the project area.
Orientation and trainings given to the Self Help Groups (SHG’s) in the first year and the distribution of Revolving Fund of Rs. 25,000/- per SHG motivated them to take up to various Income Generation Activities at the Group and Federation Levels. 82 SHGs have received IGP Loans to the tune of Rs. 20, 50,000/- . SHGs and Federations are involved in activities such as Rice & Provision Sales, Petty Shops, Vessel Vending, Telephone Booths, Cable TV Connection and Cloth Sales.
Widows Income Generation Assistance
Widows’ being one the most vulnerable groups in the community special care and attention was given to them. Widows were given assistance to start new IGP’s and others to expand their existing livelihood activities. Rs. 3, 60,000/- was distributed to 120 widows in the project areas.
SHG’s Village Level Federations (Grama Sangam)
The women in the Self Help Groups have been federated and made as a Grama Sangam – Village Level SHG Federation that advocates and lobbies with the government for the infrastructural development activities for the village and monitors the functioning of the SHGs and even resolves issues as and when they occur in SHGs, SHG Federation and also in the local community. This has empowered the women to take a lead with the men in community developmental activities. There are 13 SHG Federations in our project areas with their elected representatives who govern the federations.
Fisher Folk Federation
Men and women from the VDCs, Panchayats and SHGs were given orientation and training on the Federation Concept. After a serious of discussions the fisher folk came together as a Fisher Folk Federation. This federation ensures equal representation and participation of men and women at all levels of the federation. In five villages Fisher Folk Units have been formed from which representatives are chosen and sent to the Block Level Federations. The formation of Fisher Folk Units in the rest of the villages is in process. There are two Block Level Fisher Folk Federations that comprises of the representatives from each village with equal representation of men and women.
Adolescent Trainings
Adolescents have been also CRDS main focus as the future of the nation is on their shoulders. Apart from skill trainings, life oriented education that enlightens them on personality development, life cycle changes, environment, health and hygiene were planned and implemented due to the requests made by the elders in the project villages. 2157 youth have participated in these trainings conducted by CRDS.
The Training topics were
Evening Study Centers
There are 12 Evening Study centers that cover 673 school going children in the 13 hamlets. This has improved the numerical and language skills of the children. The percentage of results has considerably increased due to the coaching given in these centers. Educational Tours and Cultural competitions were also conducted and prizes were distributed to the winners. Summer camps were also conducted in the month of May every year.
Medical Camps
The medical that were conducted have benefited 1250 members from 11 hamlets.