Volunteering at ADECOM

Before leaving Paris students were given a list of which agencies were available for volunteers and what some of their needs consisted of. I knew then in Paris that I wanted to work with ADECOM. I was aware of the other organizations in the Pondicherry and Auroville area, but I felt this organization was working toward a cause that is so important and still has so far to go. I was eager to work with them and assist in any way I could.

Thankfully my request was granted and I began volunteering at the ADECOM Network on Monday, January 2, 2012. This was just days after Cyclone Thane but ADECOM was unharmed. Although some of the staff members’ homes were damaged they still reported to work.

My volunteer partner, Andres and I were warmly welcomed on our first day of “work.” Madame Lalida and Mr. Perumal met with us and asked some questions about our backgrounds. After telling them a bit about ourselves we were given some reading material about ADECOM and the Dalit community. This information was valuable because we had a general idea but had so many questions.

Throughout the next 2 weeks, going to “work” everyday at ADECOM was a joy. I wrote articles, blogs and material for the website and Andres (an attorney) assisted with grant writing and proposals. Everyone there was so friendly, helpful and made us feel welcome. Sharing meals with everyone was also a treat. A special thank you to the chef! If I ever return to that part of India, I will be sure and stop by to say hello to my ADECOM family. Thank You, Muchas Gracias, Merci, and Nandri to ADECOM!

• Madame Lalidamballe, Managing Trustee
• Mr. Mohammed Ali, Manager
• Ms. Ranjini, Assistant Manager
• Mr. Rathakri Shnan, Accountant
• Ms. Suganya, Assistant Accountant
• Mr. Perumal, Consultant
• Ms. Tamilarasi, Women’s Coordinator
• Mr. Veerabalan, Field Coordinator
  

  Andres, Mr. Perumal, Madeline, and Madame Lalida

Milk rate was a precious commodity, with packets selling at almost double the price.

At least 40 people died when a cyclone hit southern India. Cyclone “Thane” lashed the coast between Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu state and the territory of Puducherry adding the most of the deaths occurred due to electrocution and walls collapsing in the coastal district. This is a state of emergency. Some communities suffer from the lack of water supply. There is no electricity. The electricity supply, which had stopped at the first signs of Thane approaching, will not be reinstalled for about two weeks with over 30 high tension and all low-tension lines being destroyed. Some telephones work – but most do not.

Although all coastal villages were severely damaged, most people were moved to schools and government buildings. The area remains a mere shell to destroyed huts, houses and shops and fallen trees. Then around 1400 residential places, 150 Fishing Boats, 400 fishing nets and so many properties were spoiled in Cuddalore & Puducherry District.

Regardless of all the preparatory measures taken by the state and district administration, assessments have showed the following damages to civil life, especially Pondicherry district:

• So far, 47 causalities have been reported in Tamil Nadu, of which 31 are reported in Cuddalore district.

• In Thottampattu village, located 6 km from the coast in interior Cuddalore district, out of the 400 families residing in the village, over 50 homes have been wiped out.

• Approximately 200,000 thatched huts are damaged by the high winds. This figure has been officially confirmed by the government.

• 70 per cent of trees were uprooted causing disruption to the telephone and electricity lines and road transportation.

• Boats and nets were damaged and washed away due to heavy wind across all the coastal areas in Pondicherry and Cuddolore districts of Tamil Nadu.

• Re-construction of roads and restoration of water supply, electricity and telecommunication would take a week’s time. Totally 47 electricity sub-station has been affected due to wind, of which 18 resumed services and the remaining is yet to resume services.

• 50,000 acres of paddy and agricultural crops were damaged in many places.

• The cyclone has resulted in extensive damage with the loss being estimated at over INR 2,000 crores (CHF 358 million).

In Puduchery two districts, named Karaikal and Puducherry, are the most affected by cyclone. A total of

3,600 families from 25 villages have been affected. The government has mobilized its resources to extend.

Most of the Dalits tried to escape to save their lives. But they were further stopped on their way out and attacked with weapons once again. In this occurrence, 14 Dalits were severely attacked with sharp and deadly weapons, and they sustained terrible injuries. Today their lives and security are threatened.

In the light of the above occurrence, we would like your solidarity in condemning this brutal attack, which is the result of the horrendous caste system that prevails in India.  The fact-finding team to visit and analyzed the situation.  The team and victims talked with the Collector and Sub-collector of Pondicherry to insist to file the case under SC/ST POA Act. We request you to demand immediate action by the respective authorities on this violence against the Dalits in Pondicherry, India

– by,
ADECOM Network Team

It was easy to choose this organization as it is incredibly inspiring. I have done my best to lend a hand in the short time I am here. However, I feel that I have taken away much more than I have left. Everyday I look at new video footage, pictures, listen to Ms. Lalida or Perumal speak, and I learn something new. Every single day I am inspired and all I want to do is remember this experience and remember that people are out there, devoting their lives to an entire community that has been ignored for centuries. I revamped their weblog and updated some of their information, but I know my two weeks at ADECOM are nothing compared to the 18 years of devotion Ms. Lalida has shown.  Of the many experiences I have had at the organization, I especially loved lunch at the ADECOM office.  We gather in the biggest room, everyone sitting in a circle enjoying their meal (which was always incredible).  I truly appreciated the opportunity to listen and learn.  I think those were some of the best conversations I’ve ever had.

Date: 25.11.10                                                            Venue: Reena Mahal, Oulgreat

Mrs. Lalida, director of ADECOM stated that the Puducherry government has to conduct the local panchayat election subsequent to 36 years. In 2006 the Puducherry government organized the local panchayat election in three phases in various regions. One thousand one hundred forty eight (1148) members were elected, however, for the past four years the Puducherry government has not confered the roles and responsibilities to the elected local panchayat representatives. At the same time the elected representatives do not know their powers and roles in their respective villages.

On the second of October, ADECOM Network conducted seminar on panchayat raj for social field activist working from grassroots NGOs from Puducherry. The impact of the programme was the activist realized the importance of the local governance in Puducherry. As a follow up action, we decided to organize the seminar on panchayat raj to the elected women representatives. ADECOM Network organized to build the capacity of the local panchayatiraj leaders and also make them aware of their Powers and Responsibilities.

In her address she quoted the words of Mrs. Pratibha Patil, the President of India. She stated that the goal is to provide 50% reservation for women in panchayat and that urban local bodies have already been introduced and should amended this as a law. So in  the Puducherry local election the government should provide 50% reservation to women and also the political parties should implement the same in the upcoming elections. She also requested the Puducherry government to sanction the separate budget for panchayat.

Mr. M. Ramadoss, PMK MP:

In his speech, Mr. Ramadoss stated that today women are developing very well in the entire field, particularly in politics. Because women are involved in politics there is effective ruling structure without any corruption in politics. When Mr. Mani Sankar Iyer, minister of panchayat, from central government came to assess the real situation of Puducherry panchayat the elected women representatives boldly shared their demand with him. Women are not inactive by giving the situation in politics. The beneficiaries demanded him to meet Congress party leader Mrs. Sonia Gandhi to explain the situation of panchayat in Puducherry. He ensured to take them to Delhi to meet Congress party leader Mrs. Sonia Gandhi.

Mr. Inbakumar, Resource person Writer:

The Resource person spoke about the powers and the value of the Panchayat Presidents and also the history of panchayat raj, laws and acts related to the panchayat. He interacted with the participants and clarified their questions. He also explained the 73 & 74th amendments of panchayat raj.

Mrs. Sridevi chariman of Puducherry Municipality:

In her speech she spoke about women, liberation and political participation of women. Finally she sang the song about the womans’ empowerment. She expressed the situation of Puducherry’s political background and also explained that in legislative assembly all the members are men. So as women come forward to take part in political field she feels that they will be  good decision makers. She expressed her feeling that as a chairman she is hampered in her work because other political people not agree with a woman’s decision. So as a women panchayat representative you should be alert and play a active role in the panchayat.

Mr. N. S. J.  Jeyabal, Leader Oulgrat municipality:

He quoted the issues of commune panchayat in oulgrat Municipality and also techniques to improve the self help groups in Puducherry state. Now the panchayat they implemented only one project SJSRY this project is only for womans’ development. He wants all kinds of women  to occupy these schemes. He requested puducherry government and the government of public projects should implement these policies through the panchayat  Raj.

Booklet of Panchayat guidelines released:

Mr. A. John Kumar, Vice-chairman of Puducherry Municipality published the booklet of Panchayat women representatives ADECOM network. He handed over the booklet to Mr. N. S. J.  Jeyabal, Leader Oulgaret municipality

Forum Formation:

In continuation to the special address by the chief guests, Elected Women Panchayat Forum was formed. The elected members’ details were given below:

Elected Women Panchayat Forum Leaders

Resolutions:

Ø  All political parties should provide 50% reservation for women panchayat representatives in the upcoming elections have already been announced.

Ø  Government schemes like education, health agriculture  should implement through panchayat

Ø  Separate expenses should amend for the panchayat and it should be declared in the budget

Ø  Panchayat budget amount should social audit and given to panchayat

Vote of thanks was given by Mr. Idayamani, Project In charge ADECOM network.

Participants Details:

…

Click to view slideshow.

ADECOM Network and Kootu-k-Kural began a children’s theater program in 2009. Children’s theatre, is about enhancing and developing the imagination and talent of children though Art, Drama, Dancing, Singing, Yoga, Clay Art, Paper, etc. The mission of this project is to provide artistic skill training to Dalit children who may not otherwise have the opportunity. Dalit folk arts such as Parayattam, Kollattam, Kombattam, Therukootu etc have dwindled in the course of time. Hence our objective is to revive these cultural forms and infuse them into Street Theatre.

Dropout children especially face the problem of early marriage and sexual harassment due to poverty. To avoid such circumstances Kootu-k-Kural provides capacity training to impart knowledge on gender perspective and sensitivity for social justice, democratic principles and human rights. Capacity training helps children choose their areas of interest and helps them with career choices.

The Street Theater Program has drawn the attention of local village people towards their own social and cultural issues. Kootu-k-Kural is a collective voice of emancipation and conveys the issues that the Dalits face via children’s theater. The street theatre also aims to bring equality to both the sexes and impart knowledge about Dalit rights and to inculcate Dr. Ambedkar’s values.

Street Theatre is frequently used as a tool for communicating information  and in particular to bring about attitudinal and behavioral change and changes in life style.  Groups of actors or puppets perform a play containing a particular message with audience participation.

Theatre is also used to analyze,  and discus identity problems and to seek solutions with the participation of the community’s children and adolescents. Through dialogue, Theatre raises their level of awareness and contributes to the empowerment of all involved. It may mobilize people to take action and support them in the process of social and political changes. Children’s theatre meets the need for gender justice and equality at various levels of education. There are many Dalit students and children who study in government schools who would not otherwise have this opportunity. The Street Theater Program has drawn the attention of local village people toward their own social and cultural issues.

Some of the topics include:

• Importance of education (especially girls)
• Domestic violence awareness
• Environmental pollution
• Dalit empowerment
• Socio-economic emancipation
• Family welfare

There is also a Children’s Festival organized by Ms. P. Lalidamballe, manager of ADECOM. Student Union President Master Ajit Kumar welcomed all the invitees to the festival. The children participated in various competitions including painting, dance, and music. Prizes were distributed to the winners by Mr. Dhandapani, Head Master and National Award Winner for his teachings in puppet making and performance experiences.

The children’s theatre (Kuzhanthaigal Kootharangam) was a huge success among the children, their parents and the public.

• Children were provided with future employment opportunities.
• Training helps bring out their inner talent and builds knowledge.
• Provided a platform for children to display their work.
• Motivated children to perform better communications.

Activities:

The Children and adolescent theatre activities held in different villages in the following locations for the year 2009-2010.  All the events were held in Dalit villages, Govt. schools and education department complex.  In these events more than 1454 beneficiaries were taught the creativity skills and knowledge through Koozanthaigal Kootharangam, theatre forum.

Output of the Activities

• The Children and adolescents discovered their creative talents and exhibited them in the form of art and music to their parents and public.
• The Children and adolescents learned new ideas and thoughts. They also learned about the ways in which they could enhance their creativity.
• The Dalit folk art such as Kollattam, Kombattam, Paraiyattam etc were taught to the children and they also learned about how effectively one can communicate through one’s own regional medium.
• The children and adolescents were enthusiastic and motivated to be trained with skills such as Drawing, Painting, Puppet show, Clay modeling, Singing, Dance, Storytelling, and Theatre etc.
• The children and adolescents learned about team work and building a relationship with fellow mates. They also learned how to present themselves in a public forum.
• The children and adolescents were told about the values of Dr. Ambedkar and his teachings were covered thoroughly.
• The volunteers of Kootu-k-kural taught different experiments regarding air pressure in water, land, etc which was later exhibited by children themselves to the public.
• The children and adolescents were introduced to a practical environment by taking them out from their classrooms to nearby places to learn about Air, water Pollution and its harmful effects.

Activities:

The Kootu-K-Kural artists gave their street theatre performances in the following villages for the year 2009-2010.  The artists focused the street play on Dalit women issues, and Dalit rights regarding children, education, health and job opportunities.  More than 1,800 people watched the performance about the Dalit rights and their development, including gender sensitivity and humanitarian values.  The artists and local volunteers, nearly 20 members, performed their shows and spread the message in villages, schools and public places.

In this year we scripted around 9 street plays namely Kuzhandhai Manam, Suttrusuzhallum vala adharamum, Kadhai solla porom, bheemai, Pinju Manam, Bheevari, Viralnuniyil Vanam, Thaali, Muttal Muniyama. We staged around 7 plays in the villages and 3 for the children.

Preproduction stages:

1. A particular village was selected and the volunteers visited  to research the kind of messages needed to be given there.
2. Then the artists were chosen from the village and given training.
3. Permission was sought from the village head and the stage was set up for the play.

On the basis of our objective, street theatre performances were held in villages and rural urban settings. Issues with current interests and importance were performed by the volunteers. The actors use dance, music, Parai and a lot of humor to get the message across to the people.

ADECOM and Kootu-k-Kural has always given importance to training the youngsters and adolescents for street theatre as they take forward the future Dalit society and development.

Outcome attained by the beneficiaries:

• The youngsters are provided with employment opportunities for the future.
• The training helps to bring out their inner talent, skills and their knowledge.
• The children and youngsters are motivated to perform better communication.
• Help to build a better environment in the society
• Provides a platform to display their talents through exhibitions.

Means of Verification:

• Nearly 9 boys and 7 girls received employment opportunities in companies for DTP operators, typist, secretary and accountancy.
• Throughout the 2 year training, they received certificates which  have been registered in the employment office for their future carrier.
• Documents, photos available in the office.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Vocational Training imparts specialized skills and knowledge and instills social and political attitudes and behavioral patterns essential for economic success.  The motivation of this training is to meet both qualitative and quantitative skills and semi skilled manpower requirement for self employment and in service sector, companies.

The aim is to ensure participants have minimum technical skills  sufficient to obtain employment in the market. These can be learned through professional training with the support of experts.  The young girls and boys must obtain multiple skills and be open to the concept of lifelong learning opportunities.  This allows recognition of certification of skills acquired effectively.

The adolescents from the villages in and around Pondicherry were given vocational training to enhance their technical skills. The main objective was to establish competentcy in computerization, type writing, soft and hardware maintenance. Also to motivate adolescents from an economically disatvantaged class, and to provide them the opportunity  to develop their individual skills.

Activities

Outcome attained by the beneficiaries:

• The young girls and boys learned various vocational skills with enthusiasm and interest.
• They were trained to work on their own which helps them for their future self dependence.
• The youngsters develop  confidence for seeking employment opportunities.

Children’s Comments

Sumanraj

My name is Sumanraj. I am in 7th standard. My father name is Perumal. I live in Mangalam village at Puducherry. My father is farmer for daily wages. So there is no income in my family. I want to learn more for my family. But in my family there is no more income. That time Kkk introduced to students club and I joined with them. I got more knowledge by these programs as a computer, singing, story telling, playing drama, drawing and Dalit culture.

I really enjoyed my free time in Bodhi cultural centre with my friends.  I used to come here and learn many things.  I learned yoga exercises and games and performed in front of others.  All my friends encourage my presentation skill and I told stories to others.

I was joined with the exposure trip and enjoyed the places and experiences with my friends.  I have developed my confidence to read poems myself on Tamil language.

I enjoyed the cultural activities when my friends have given their shows in front of us.  I observed their shows and enjoyed their plays, songs and cultural actions.  I liked the drum beating when they performed with the group vise appearance.

Now I am very happy and I want to join with Kootu-K-Kural. And I have to change my life.

Karthika

My name is Karthika. I am in 7th standard. My father name is Selvam and my father is construction Labour in daily wages. I live in Mangalam at puducherry. I joined with Kootu-K-Kural as student club member. Previous I had not any knowledge but now with the help of Kootu-K-KuralI enhanced my knowledge in Drawing, Singing, Periyattam, Kolattam, playing Drama, and Mask.

I am taking part in cultural team and showed my talent for learning drum beating, kombattam and dancing steps.  I used to come here on my holidays and enjoyed with everyone for learning new things.  In my village it is hard to play with others because there is no place for my learning’s and enjoyment.  When I came to know this place I really happy to come here and spend my time with my friends.

I attended the children festival and exposure trip.  All these events had given the great time to meet different friends in other villages and we talked with them their arts and cultural actions.  I am happy to learn the life history of Dr.Ambedkar because in my village I heard about his struggle for our people.

I have the opportunity to learn computers and typewriting and improve my knowledge.  So I thank to Kootu-K-Kural for providing these things. I am very pleased to have participated in this program regularly.

Kanimoji

My name is Kanimoji, my father’s name is Thangarasu. I am currently studying in 7 STD. I live in Mangalam in Puducherry. My father works as a daily wages employee. The money that he earns is usually not spent on the family; he spends it on his habits. Because of this we are financially not secure and due to this i am not happy.

After joining Kootu-K-Kural I am bit happier. I get to learn a lot like computers, drama, clay art, and painting. When I am at Bodhi cultural centre with my friends I am very happy and need not worry about my difficulties. I spent my time with others for learning new things.

I have the free time to go and joined the monthly meetings, children events.  I have the chance to participate the events and showed my talent on singing songs, writing skits, poems.  All my friends interested to play in Bodhi centre and we have more friends from different places. Everyone would like to visit this place for our enjoyment.

I am interest to continue my studies like the others and this is my ambition. I am sincerely share my thanks to Kootu-K-Kural team members.

Manikandan

My name is Manikandan, my father’s name is Veeramuthu, I am studying in class 7 and I am from Valluvanpet in Puducherry. My father works as a daily wager, he is a painter. WE are a family of five, as my father’s salary was not enough I could not study further.  Kootu-K-Kural’s volunteer joined me to the student club. After this my knowledge had grown. I have learnt to write poetry, drawing and I have started to ask a lot of question on the thing around me. I have made children from village joining the student club; even they are doing well now.

I was regularly participated all the trainings, events organized by Kootu-K-Kural team members.  They came to my village and conducted the Kuzanthaigal Kootharam event.  Through this event I came to know about their play, performances, drum beating and songs, dances.  When I seen this event first time I wanted to join this group and wanted to learn all these arts and skills.  Everyone cooperated with me so nicely and they motivated for my yoga practices, dances and computer learning in the office.

In my village all my age group friends and elders were interested to start the educational centre for our studies.  With the support of Kootu-K-Kural we got the opportunity to develop our knowledge and our skills in Bodhi cultural centre.  It is near to my village and I use to go for all the events frequently with our friends.

When I was participated the vocational camp I joined the various competitions like singing songs, speech competition about the leaders, science quiz etc.  I got the prices of notebooks, pen, and geometry box, bags, t-shirts and the certificate.  All our friends were happy on this occasion and we really need these events very often for developing our creativity arts and culture with the support of Kootu-K-Kural and ADECOM team members.

I would like to share my thanks to everyone for building our knowledge towards higher studies to respect by everyone.

ADECOM and Kootu-k-Kural members giving Thibault a Thank You gift.

“It was a great pleasure to work in such good conditions. The students were motivated, kind, always expecting new information, and so dynamic! The ADECOM/Kootu-k-Kural team is not only a team, to my eyes; it seems more like a family. It seems like a family in which everybody does what he or she has to do, but in an unstressed and friendly way.

My welcome was perfect and I especially thank Perumal and Lalida for letting me lead the sessions the way I wanted even if it was my first time teaching a training session.

I’ve learned a lot of things about myself in the process of teaching at ADECOM and the ways I can improve my teaching skills. I have also learned a lot about my students, about Indian culture, and some Tamil words!

I’ve spent so many lovely moments with all of you that even if I worked hard every day I didn’t feel like it was work.” –Thibault Pastor

Nowadays NGOs and Social Organization are facing major problems to construct Partnerships. Indeed Foundations and Governments have precisely defined agenda describing which fields of development they want to contribute to. In order to work together the requirement is the matching between Social Organization’s vision of development and Foundation’s criteria. However Foundation’s requirements tend to move away from Humanist Considerations. Their program is rather oriented from a Western point of view on the major issues affecting developing countries. Unfortunately it does not reflect the reality of the needs in these areas. For instead, India is not only facing Malnutrition or AIDS problems, Discrimination constitutes as well a major issue to tackle : in particular among Ethnic Minorities Population as Dalits or towards the Women. The foundations should therefore consider developing countries’ point of view to understand the problem in its entirety.

Moreover not only the Foundations have requirements, Social Organizations do not work with all of them. The main condition is to consider the relationship as a Partnership. “The hand which gives is always above the one which receives”, said Amadou Hampâté Bân, a Malian ethnologist and writer of the last century. This is not the definition of a Partnership and it does not constitute what the Social Organization are looking for. They orient their researches towards relationships which go in both ways, where there is an exchange. The Implementation of Social Projects is an opportunity for Foundations to develop their knowledge in various domains, to share their expertise on different fields and as well to participate to successful accomplishment positive for their notoriety.

This represented the context of my two-week stay in Pondicherry as I gave the training “Project Proposal Writing”. The main purpose of this training was to give theoretical notions and to apply them during workshops so that the trainees could be independent to write Proposals themselves.

My name is Bastien, I work as a Consultant in IT Services for Logica Management Consulting in France and especially in Energy & Utilities Sector. My professional experience gave me the background to prepare, before coming to India, the courses I would impart.

The first day’s objective was to collect the expectations and the level of the trainees in order to adapt the content of the training. It appeared that the trainees had a good level already in Project Management, what allows them to acquire the knowledge on “Proposal Writing” rather fast: in two days we had already been through most of the theory. This implies more work for me since I had to complete my initial preparation.

The efficient progress of the trained group as well as their active involvement enabled us to work on applied case studies: One of the example was a Project of Adecom Network whose main goal is to improve Children’s Human Rights thanks to an Alternative Education. I could as well extend the initial scope of the training to include methods on how to structure debates (Metaplan’s methodology), to insert as well notions on the Funding agencies, how to write effectively and to tackle the Financing Strategy issue.

The motivation of the trainees and the warm welcome of Adecom Network turned my stay into a great experience.  I could learn as well a lot about the Indian culture thanks to the people I hung out in Pondicherry who were always keen on sharing about their life.

Finally, I sincerely hope that the knowledge acquired will enable the trainees to get funds for their Social Projects in favor of Disadvantaged Communities.