How we work
Step 1 The initial development process
The process towards empowerment of the rural poor starts by getting to know the village leadership of a particular village and then sitting down with men and women of the village to identify the status where they are living in at the moment. A method called “PRA” , meaning Participatory Rural Appraisal ( this is an old anthropological concept ) is practiced by the staff of PALM 2 and is especially suitable for people with no or low literacy levels. Several PRA tools are existing to identify the social situation, the wealth in a village, the crops they grow and during which season, the priorities in development, the resources they have and which other institutes, Government Departments or other NGOs are most important to them.
The method is relaxed and non confronting, everybody is involved in the exercise and people become enthusiastic, because they are asked to give their opinion.
The event happens usually outside, all information is being drawn in the sand/soil and natural things like leaves, stones, sticks, pulses, are being utilized to indicate resources, locations and other information. This method makes it easy to find out about : the number of very poor and of the middle class families, the number of houses, the location and flow of the water sources , the location of major and minor roads, the crops being grown, the most important and influential institutions present.
The drawings are transferred to real paper and an initial report is drawn up then the people’s own findings are presented to them and by them. From that stage the planning for a change commences.
A provisional action plan is usually prepared at this stage together with the target groups.
Awareness programs are given on the vision of PALM 2 and how the village can be part and parcel of the PALM 2 development process. Their involvement is assured.
Step 2 From group formation to people’s organisations
Small homogenous groups of 12 – 15 women or men are being formed.
Training programs are given in how to run a group, how to administer the finances, how to write minutes of the meetings, and also in communication and basic right issues. The group commences internal loans from the group savings
Links are made by PALM 2 between the group leaders and the local Banks to obtain loans , initially for small amounts. Once their credibility has proved, a second loan can be obtained for an income generating activity such as buying some goats, a cow, starting a small shop, process food items, to develop their land etc..
Once activities have commenced, an improved family income is becoming a reality and the self confidence and self esteem of the group member is expanding .
Eventually a larger organisation is formed out of 10 – 15 small groups called the CBO (Community Based Organisation)
What is a CBO ?
A CBO is a number of 10 – 15 small mature groups willing to take over local development issues on their own , approach the local authorities and Panchayats, enforce the legal rights, and commence collective micro enterprise projects on their own. Leadership, finance management, administrative skills, gender are subjects being taught to the CBO members. Each CBO has selected a CRP
( Community resource person )
The CBOs are legally registered under the government Society Acte
A period of 5 – 7 years is needed to change the total attitude and dependency syndrome into self reliant and empowered people with own leadership.
By april 2009 the PALM 2 has developed 20 such CBOs in the Gudalur Block in 4 Panchayats being : O’Valley, Gudalur, Devarshola and Nellakottai in the Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu and in 5 Panchayats in the Thalavadi Block in the Erode District in Tamil Nadu, South India .