( Healing a hurting world)
Episcopal Relief & Development program Staffs visits Samadi Community Development Program of Diocese of Durgapur.
Empower the Powerless in the spirit of Jesus Christ, the lord and redeemer was the moto of the Bishop of Durgapur Diocese, Rt.Rev.Dr.Probal Kanto Dutta. His concern for the marginalized people was the foundation stone of the project Samadi known as Samadi community development project. Soon the project became one of the leading projects not only in India but in Asia.
Mr. Nagulan Nesiah the program Associate and Ms. Jullie petrie the program officer visits the diocese, the program area of SCDP and BCDP, Balurghat community development project from 22nd to 28th February,09. Pretext of the visit was drawn due to high spirited presentation and also presence of Durgapur Diocese at Bankok consultation of ERD.
It was nice to see that the coaching center (run by SCDP) students welcomed the ERD friends at samadi center. The multipurpose village workers and the Self Help groups interacted with the external evaluators. Visitors were happy to know the impacts the project health staffs are making in tribal health in the area. It was satisfactory to see that nine groups are making profits more the loaned capital provided by the projects. The entire economic venture made was based on local products like Babui Grass, paddy, and other forest products. Discussion continued on what are the other commercial activities women can take. Proposal came on possibilities on installing Sal leaf making machine and Babui rope making machine in each village. The request was taken seriously.
The discussion was followed by village visit to Muchikata- coaching centers, rural child library, fish firm cooperatives, Self Helf Group’s store room of Babui grass and open door meeting with the Village Development Committee members followed by physical verification of Hand pump and fish firm. ERD consultants were impressed by the progress women are making and positive changes in the life and society of the tribal.
Second day was a visit to a village named Mahisamura; it is the village that has been considered as a model for “NIRMAL VILLAGE” i.e. human excreta free village, by the project. A village, each family has concrete latrine and the only source of safe drinking Hand pump provided by SCDP. 24TH February, 09 was the day, all the dwellers of the village came forward to receive and welcome the friends who have made changes in their like. Women do not have to scare of elephant at night as the elephants use the village as their passage corridor at night. Secondly, women have not to go to far distance agriculture field for drinking water.
Shining and smiling faces of the villagers were witnessing the expression of gratitude to the partner representative. The benefit of the democracy yet not helped these people since 60 yrs of independence.
( Reported by.....Mr. Khagen Das)
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