RURAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

Gramya Bhavan, Aruvankadu 643 202, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, South India

RURAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

Gramya Bhavan, Aruvankadu 643 202, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, South India Annual Report 2012-2013 I am happy to submit the Annual Report of RDO Trust for the year 2012-13. During this period, RDO has initiated four projects. The major one is Education for Migratory Children. This project, launched with the support of Vedanta, is going on successfully. The second project is Sanitation. Three organizations namely NABARD, FINISH and WASTE have been working jointly to achieve the goal of building 100,000 household toilets in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu State in India. The RDOs third challenging AYUSH project has brought out much useful information from the tribals regarding their traditional healing methods using herbs. Fourth, the RDO has signed a MoU with Sanghamithra Rural Financial Services and ICICI Bank. These two agencies are funding a number of Women Self Help Groups to construct toilets and take up income generating activities in collaboration with the RDO. With the successful projects such as Education for Migratory Children, Sanitation and Micro Finance projects expanding to our satisfaction, the RDO is making efforts to bring in new projects to benefit the people. The RDO, with the support of Water Aid and ExNoRa, proposed to conduct a base line survey in the Ooty Municipality and prepare an Ooty Town Sanitation Plan and submit the same to the Government of Tamil Nadu through Ooty Municipality. The prime objective is to keep the hill town clean and green through implementing effective sewage and sanitation systems. I request you to join hands with the RDO Trust to improve the life standard of rural people. Thank you,

N. K. Perumal Founder/Chairman.

Part I WASTE- FINISH- RDO Sanitation Project RDO Vision, Mission and Goal Vision is to bring about a visible change in sanitary, hygienic conditions and health standards in The Nilgiris. Mission is to create an awareness about sanitation among the public and enable the financially weaker section to avail bank loans for construction of toilets. Goal is to construct 1,00,000 household toilets with safe waste disposal system in The Nilgiris during the project period of 10 years from September 2010 to March 2020. A Good Beginning A contract for 2012-2013 was signed on 13.10.2012 with WASTE to implement the sanitation project. The project was already progressing steadily but slow. In September 2012, FINISH PMB meeting was held at the Netherlands. During the meeting held at UNU on 30.08.2012, a new idea emerged in the mind of RDO Founder Chairman N. K. Perumal. The idea was to involve Panchayat Presidents, Ward members, Schools and Associations. Consequent to the discussion held with Valentin Post, a contract was signed with WASTE on 13.10.2012. The first payment of 4500 was received by RDO as pe r the agreement in November 2012. The RDO team collected the data of ward members and Presidents of Village Panchayats and Town Panchayats in the Nilgiris during the first two weeks. At the same time, a District Level Sanitation Task Force committee was also formed. The expansion of sanitation project was launched on November 21, 2012 with more than 2500 participants including the Panchayat Presidents, Ward members, Sanitation Task Force Committee members and top officers of ICICI bank. A documentary film on Sanitation produced by FINISH was screened. ICICI bank AGM Mr. Sarat Yadav, while speaking on the occasion, said that his bank would collaborate with the RDO to make the Sanitation project a success. Mr. Perumal explained about the paramount role of WASTE and FINISH to build one million toilets in India. A book on sanitation was also released. The tribals performed their colorful traditional dance. Village Lunch was served to all the participants and Chief Guests who very much tasted it. SEMINAR on INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLD TOILET PROGRAM-KOTAGIRI BLOCK 10-122012 OVERWHELMING RESPONSE AMONG PANCHAYAT PRESIDENTS and WARD MEMBERS Panchayat presidents and ward members in Kotagiri block thronged the Hobart Park Hotel with enthusiasm to attend a special seminar organized by the Rural Development Organisation (RDO) trust as their curiosity about the unique household toilet scheme was very high.

Mr. N.K.Perumal, Director of RDO Trust, inaugurated the seminar on Safe, Sustainable and Sanitation System with a focus on a compulsory toilet in each household in Kotagiri block. This seminar was exclusively for panchayat presidents and ward members. Prof K.Gopal, Chairman, Individual Household Toilet Scheme of Rural Development Organisation, who is also Hon. District Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, presided. RDO staff interacted with the panchayat presidents and members and cleared their doubts. Information by RDO Staff at Seminar *The panchayat presidents and ward members can play a significant role in motivating every household in their respective panchayats and wards to avail a bank loan with government subsidy for construction of toilets. *Toilet is a must at each house to prevent spread of diseases through open defecation on road sides and water bodies. 70 percent of the households in the Nilgiris district do not have toilet facility. * More important is that the 100 Days Work Scheme and DRDA subsidy totaling Rs 9,900 will be utilized in the construction of household toilets. While DRDA grant is Rs 5,400, Rs 4, 500 is allotted under 100 Days Work Scheme. The toilets built after April 1, 2012 is eligible for subsidy benefits. *In the olden days, there were adequate streams, vacant lands and private forests for attending natural calls. Now the situation is horrible because women and young girls are experiencing hardships due to lack of sanitation facility. *Individual household scheme can be implemented successfully only with the full support and cooperation of panchayat presidents and ward members. The RDO has drawn up an action plan to assist one lakh families/households to build one lakh toilets at the rate of 10,000 toilets per year. *Rs. 20,000 are required to construct a household toilet in the hill station while Rs 10,000 is enough in the plains. However in the Nilgiris, strong materials should be used to build toilets to weather the gusty winds and rains. *Money is no matter because several banks including ICICI, Bank of India, Indian Bank and Canara Bank have come forward to extend loans not only to the households in village panchayats, town panchayats but also in municipalities. However, the subsidies are available only for the village panchayats as per the government norms. *Bank loans will be sanctioned only to the women SHGs to build individual household toilets and take joint responsibility to repay the dues promptly. *The RDO will select and honour a best panchayat with a prestigious award for implementation of the household toilet scheme. There are now 35 village panchayats and 21 town panchayats in the district.

DOUBTS on MISUSE OF FUNDS Many ward members raised doubts about the misuse of government subsidies at the seminar. Clearing the doubts, Mr.Perumal explained that the role of middle men and contractors would be totally avoided in the scheme. The beneficiaries should not give a single rupee for anybody to sanction bank loan or avail subsidy. The beneficiaries should themselves build the toilets using the local masons and purchase quality materials without the intervention of a third person. The village panchayat presidents have the power to issue bank cheque under 100 Days Work Scheme to the beneficiaries directly after inspecting the construction of the toilets. The total subsidy of Rs.11,600 will be available to the beneficiaries after the completion of their toilets. Photos will be taken of the completed toilets along with the beneficiaries as a concrete proof. QUERIES OF TOWN PANCHAYAT WARD MEMBERS Several Town Panchayat ward members, who were eager to implement the scheme in their respective wards, demanded the provision of subsidies on the line of village panchayats. Responding to the queries, Mr. Perumal suggested that all the town panchayat chairmen and councilors may pass resolutions seeking subsidy on the line of village panchayats and submit to the government through the district collector. However, loans would be available to households in all panchayats and even municipalities, he informed. MEN SHGs Some male ward members pointed out that there were no women SHGs in some villages. They asked the RDO staff to find a solution to such villages. The RDO staff explained that a minimum of 10 male members should form a group in such villages and approach the RDO office, which, in turn, would guide the men groups to obtain loans. All the beneficiaries should pay a monthly installment of Rs. 700 per month for 36 months to clear bank loans. NO SPACE IN LINE/ROW HOUSES Ward members further raised an important issue pointing out that there were no vacant spaces in line houses. Intervening, the RDO staff explained that the old line houses have a vast vacant space in front of the houses called Keri in Badaga dialect. The keri can be used for building toilets separately. The best example for Keri toilets is Thambatty village. The Thambatty model keri toilets can be replicated in all line houses in the district. Further, if old houses do not have keri, such old houses have a huge kitchen room. 4 x 4 ft space can be used for building a toilet within the kitchen room.The panchayat presidents and ward members expressed their satisfaction and agreed to support and cooperate with the RDO trust. Seminar for Ooty Block Ward Members and Panchayat Presidents- 17.12.2012 The Panchayat Presidents and ward members gathered at Hotel TamilNadu, Ooty on 17.12.2012. Almost all the opinions expressed at Kotagiri seminar were reflected at Ooty also. Many ward members complained that the DRDA was not releasing subsidy at all to

individual household toilets. They quoted DRDA officials as saying the subsidy was available to group houses and green houses scheme. Hearing patiently, the RDO staff took up the matter with the District Collector and Commissioner of Rural Development. Mr. Ahbijit visit Mr. Ahbijit, CIO, visited RDO trust with Mr. Rengarajan, State Coordinator, in November. Mr. Perumal and Mr. Ahbijit held a detailed discussion regarding the implementation of ODF (Open Defecation Free) in the Nilgiris as well as in Tamil Nadu. Mr. Perumal referred two NGOs at Kulithalai, Trichy and Madurai and subsequently, Rengajan met the NGOs. FINISH Programme Management Board Meetings Mr. Valentine Post of WASTE, The Netherlands arranged FINISH PMB meeting at Masstricht, Holland on 30th August 2012. He also arranged meetings with Natherlands Platform for Micro Finance (NPM) at Utrecht,Holland, World Water Organisation, Haage and WASTE, Holland. Chairman Mr. N. K. Perumal participated. The second PMB meeting was held at New Delhi in February 2012 at New Delhi. Workshop FINISH conducted workshop on Sustainable Sanitation System PHD chamber, New Delhi on 11-12th February 2013.

Tata Institute of Social Science

Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS) appraised the RDO activities and provisionally empanelled with the National CSR Hub.

Sanghamithra Award
In a special function held July 2012 at Mysore, the Sanghamithra gave best NGO award to RDO. Meeting with Rural Development Commissioner Mr.S. Bhave and Mr.Perumal met Dr.S.Vijayakumar, IAS, Commissioner of Rural Development, Chennai, on December 4 and explained to him about ODF. He extended his cooperation to RDO. District Level Essay Competition for School Students Rural Development Organisation (RDO) strongly believes the day is not far off that the Nilgiris hill district will achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) with a toilet in each house. The RDO is always proud of Nilgiris school head masters/headmistresses and children whose

response to the district level essay competition on ODF conducted by the RDO was overwhelming. The headmasters/headmistresses enthusiastically responded to the letter sent by Mr. N. K. Perumal, Director of RDO, and encouraged their students. RDO Letter to Headmasters The RDOs ever green letter to headmasters/headmistresses reads: The Nilgiris is the beautiful garden given to us by God. We must have committed virtues to live in it. But, how we are polluting this immaculate earth. I am disheartened to note that about 5 lakh people of our district have been using open spaces to attend natures call. As a result of it, hundreds of streams are being polluted. People living in lower areas are destined to use the stream waters polluted in upper areas. Each household has a minimum three mobile phones, mixie and grinder but no toilet. Why are we not giving so much importance to toilet? Hence, in order to address the plight of the people, the RDO has introduced a scheme-One Toilet to Each House under ODF concept. The students role is important for the success of the scheme and your (headmasters) role is more important. We expect your cooperation in encouraging the students to take part in the district level essay competition comprising six questions on ODF. Six Questions to Students The headmasters/headmistresses motivated the teachers to encourage the students to answer the questions as it was a very important scheme for the district. The six questions were: 1. Why is a toilet necessary for a house? 2. What are the problems arising out of attending natures call in the open? 3. Name the diseases being caused by open defecation? 4. Do you mention the ways to easily carry the message on the benefits of toilets to the people? 5. The role of students in constructing and maintaining toilets? 6. Write eye catching slogans about the importance of toilets? More than 300 students, who had participated in the competition, performed well as they were aware of the importance of toilets. The good message was that girls were more aware of the benefits of toilets than boys. Besides, a good number of girls from government schools were selected for prizes. Therefore, this trend gives hope that ODF is likely to be easy to be achieved with the backing of the students. Schools Participated in Competition The schools participated in the competition were Government High School, Mullimalai, Government High School, Melur Hosatty, Gell Memorial Higher Secondary, Fern Hill, Ooty, Government High School, Kiloor, Kokkalada, Fathima Girls Higher Secondary School, Gudalur, Bethlehem Girls Higher Secondary School, Ooty, Government High School, Bikkatty, Government High School, Chinna Coonoor, Government High School, Cherambadi,

Government High School, Ekkuni, Kallhatty, Government High School, Devala, Government High School, Ambalavayal, Government Girls High School, Manjoor, Government High School, Yellanalli, Sri Sarguru Tribal High School, Coonoor, and Government Higher Secondary School, Yeddapalli. Prize Winners G.Divya, class XI of Bethlehem Girls Higher Secondary School, Ooty, was selected for first prize, Lavanya, class X of Government Girls High School, Manjoor, for second prize and K. Vinitha, class XI of Government Higher Secondary School, Melur Osatty, for third prize. Thirteen students were selected for consolation prizes. They were: A.Udhyakumar, 10th std of Government High School, Mullimalai, M.Nandhini, 9th std of CSI Gell Memorial Girls Higher Secondary School, Fern Hill, Ooty, M. Manikandan, 8th std of Government Higher Secondary School, Chinna Coonoor, E. Kousalya, 12th std of Fathima Girls Higher Secondary School, Gudalur, M. Divya, 9th std of Government High School, Kiloor, Kokkalada, P. Hariharan and K. B. Lenigreen, 7th std and 10th std of Government High Sechool, Bikkatti, N. Hemavarshini, 8th std of Government High School, Ekkuni, S. Praneeth, 10th std of Sri Sarguru Tribal High School, Coonoor, Kalaiarasan, 10th std of Government High School, Cherambadi, 11th std B section boys of Government High School, Devala, Praveenanjali, 10th std of Government High School, Ambalavayal, S. Dinesh, 8th std of Government High School, Yellanalli, and K Sangeetha, 8th std of Government High School, Yeddapalli. The RDO trust appreciated the students and sent books and cassettes worth Rs 700 including a book titled Learn English in 100 Days, English-Tamil Dictionary, Facing Interview, Telephone Conversation, Leadership Quality and a cassette containing 21 subjects to them. The RDO also asked the students to motivate the families in their respective areas to construct toilets and advised them to bring laurels to the district by scoring high marks in 10th and Plus Two Examinations. Prize Distribution Function Prize Distribution function was conducted at RDO Trust Office Campus, Kanikkaraj Nagar, Ooty-Coonoor Road, on February 23. The prize winners were invited to the function with their school friend, a teacher or a family member to receive the prizes in person and deliver a speech. The RDO paid bus fare and provided lunch to them. Toilets to Create Disease Free Society Actually, all students performed excellently in the competition. The first prize winner G Divyas answers to six questions were thought provoking, encouraging and eye-catching. Divya answered:A tree to each house is important to protect environment. Like this, a toilet to each house is more important because hygiene gives happiness and ensures welfare of families. Open defecation makes the way for breeding of mosquitoes and bacterias, polluting the surroundings and water for speedy spread of diseases such as Dengue, Malaria and Cholera. Household toilet is necessary because prevention is better than cure. So, it is imperative to have a toilet before diseases hit us.

Divya suggested:The message on the benefits of toilets could be taken to the people in a speedy manner through distribution of handbills, rallies, awareness campaigns, medical camps, media, dramas and cultural programmes. Even the hospital staff could be motivated to explain to the patients about the importance of toilets. The role of students in constructing and maintaining toilets continues to be important because the students are the pillars of the country. They have to play a big role in creating a disease free society through awareness campaigns. Toilet is a must like every household has a good kitchen room. Joint Liability Group (JLG) for sanitation. Since requests made many SHGs for loans were rejected by banks and MFIs for the reason that the SHGs were not meeting their norms, the RDO decided to form JLG exclusively for sanitation scheme. Difference between SHG and JLG SHG The women SHGs are formed by a group of 12-15 women. The groups have to wait atleast for a year to be eligible for obtaining loans. During the one year period, the groups must open a savings bank account in a bank and remit their weekly/ monthly savings regularly. Further, the groups are compelled to meet once in a week and maintain proper minutes and accounts. At the end of the year, the groups will be rated jointly by the concerned NGOs and Banks. On basis of performance of the group, the SHG can avail loan. Eligibility for Loan JLG A group of 5-10 women can join together and form a JLG. The JLG need not follow the long procedures followed by SHGs. The JLGs are formed to avail loan from MFIs and banks. Each member of JLG is responsible to re-pay the loan of co-member. In case of default or death of a member, the other members will have to jointly take the responsibility to re-pay the dues.Since all the SHGs are not eligible to avail loan due to poor rating, the RDO successfully negotiated with Bank of India and Canara Bank to recognize and lend sanitation loan to JLGs promoted by it. The group must complete six months from the date of account opening to avail first loan, transact with the bank regularly, maintain the accounts and minute book professionally, conduct meetings every month, attend the meeting every month and sign in the minutes, repay the EMI promptly if loans availed already and get loan a from one bank. Multiple loans are discouraged.

Local Body Meetings The Panchayat presidents, Councillors, Ward members are actively involved in eradicating open defecation. RDO staff members are continuously meeting the local bodies and conducting meetings for constructing toilets in each village. The local bodies are also forming SHGs and JLGs. Film shows attracts large number of people and motivate them to build toilets. School Activities RDO has established good rapport with schools. We believe that the children can influence the parents to build toilets. Therefore, RDO is committed to conducting meetings and essay competitions in Schools. Booklets, hand bills, stickers, paper clippings, which were distributed to create awareness among the people, continue to be distributed. Sanitation message is spread among the people through local T.V. channels. Stake Holders in Sanitation Village Panchayat Presidents Ward Members District Panchayat Presidents Municipal Chairman SHGs School Teachers/Students Chief Educational Officer Lead Bank Manager All Bank Managers NABARD Farmers Association Youth Clubs

District Sanitation Task Force Committee In order to implement sanitation project efficiently and effectively, a District level Sanitation Task Force Committee has been formed by RDO under the chairmanship of Prof K.Gopal, District Secretary, India Red Cross Society. The committee members include the RDO team, prominent lawyers, SHGs, Panchayat Presidents and Farmers Associations. Activities SHG Meetings PRI / Pradhan Meetings Film Shows Leaflets distributed No of schools School Activities Oct 12 March 13 Number 79 18 51 11000 26 10

Total 3139 429 1779 15912 470

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Trainings While SHGs are given training on book keeping, sanitation, the masons are given cost effective toilet construction.

Training Category Animator & Representative Mason

Oct 12 March 13 No.of.Trainings No.of.Participants 61 1874 7 70

RDO Trust / FINISH / WASTE - Total Sanitation Project Construction of Toilets Year April 2010 - March 2011 April 2011 - March 2012 Q1 - April - June 2012 Q2 - July - Sep 2012 Q3 - Oct - Dec 2012 Q4 - Jan - March 2013 Total No. of. Beneficiaries 969 506 157 170 1178 1620 4600 Loan Amount 19380000 10120000 3140000 3400000 23560000 32400000 92000000

RDO Trust / FINISH / WASTE - Total Sanitation Project Construction of Toilets Blocks No.of.Beneficiaries No.of SHGs Loan Amount Coonoor 675 55 13500000 Ooty 2749 228 54980000 Kotagiri 1137 93 22740000 Gudalur 39 3 780000 Total 4600 379 92000000 S.No Name of the Bank Tenure Interest Rate 1 Sanghamithra (MFI) 36 month 20% 2 ICICI 36 month 14% 3 Bank of India 36 month 10.20% 4 NDCCB 36 month 16% 5 Bank of Baroda 36 month 14% 6 Canara Bank 36 month 14% 7 NABARD 30 month 10% No.of.JLGs covered 24 Loan Amount 4800000 No.of.Beneficiaries 240

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RDO Trust / FINISH / WASTE - Total Sanitation Project

969 506 157 170 April 2010 - March 2011 April 2011 - March 2012 Q1 - April - June 2012 4600 1178 Q2 - July - Sep 2012 Q3 - Oct - Dec 2012 Q4 - Jan - March 2013 Total 1620

RDO Trust / FINISH / WASTE - Total Sanitation Project

1137 4600 2749 675 4639 Coonoor Ooty Kotagiri 39 Gudalur Total

Blocks

No.of.Beneficiaries

RDO Trust / FINISH / WASTE - Total Sanitation Project

22740000
92000000

54980000

92780000

Blocks Coonoor
Ooty Kotagiri 780000 Gudalur Total

13500000

No.of.Beneficiaries

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Part -II NABARD-RDO: SANITATION PROJECT IN THE NILGIRIS Introduction The basic philosophy of RDO Trust Sanitation Program is to make available financial incentives in terms of credit to boost demand for sanitation. And if access to finance could be provided to the financially excluded, the awareness drive for sanitation can translate into a willingness on the part of the people to borrow money to build their own toilets. Toilets constructed by the users, at their own initiative and with a financial commitment, have a greater chance of usage. The Programme believes that a close connection between sanitation and health can be established and leveraged for development by enabling financial inclusion of the low income rural and urban communities vide a microfinance product i.e. sanitation loans. At the same time, the notion that toilets are but one aspect of safe sanitation is factored into the program. Other important aspects include hygiene, safe disposal of faecal matter, safe drinking water and solid waste management. Objectives of NABAR-RDO Sanitation Program The main objectives of the programme of NABARD/FINISH/RDO Sanitation Programme are: Increasing the level of awareness and commitment Providing access to credit to the individual households for improving sanitation Softening the lending conditions for improved sanitation as to make it affordable for the clients as well as the microfinance intuitions. Enhancing sustainability and effectiveness of sanitation solutions Implementing effective measures to scale up sanitation process Strategy The Project Adopts a Two-pronged Strategy 1. Generation of demand for sanitation through creation of awareness 2. Providing access to credit through NABARD. Here it needs to be noted that the NABARD and RDO which have wide base in The Nilgiris and provide service to the rural population at their doorsteps are considered the best alternative as the commercial banks cannot be expected to handle such activities for want of reach and penetration. Considering the target of 1,00,000 Sanitation Systems in The Nilgiris, the Project desires to achieve sanitation densities by limiting the number of Gram Panchayats to be covered under the programme so as to make the impact of the implementation visible. NABARD Intervention In order to create a livable rural atmosphere and to keep the villages clean, FINISH launched 1 million Safe Sanitation Systems. The FINISH had a MoU with NABARD in January 2010. In order to implement the programme through RDO, Mr. S. Bhave Programme Officer of FINISH

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arranged a meeting with the CMD of NABARD on 30.11.1010. Mr. S. Bhave and Mr. Perumal met the former CMD and discussed the issue. Mr. Narayanan, CJM, NABARD, Chennai, was also present. Subsequently Mr. Perumal met Mr. R. Narayanan in Chennai. Later, Mr. Ramesh Tenkil and Mr. K.Y. Clement visited RDO. Mr.Perumal met the successor of Mr.Narayanan Mrs. Lalitha Venkatesan on 14.9.2011. Finally NABARD signed an agreement with RDO on 30.9.2011. The NABARD sanctioned Rs 865,000 loan with 7 percent interest and Rs 1,35,000 as grant assistance for capacity building and book keeping to the beneficiaries. A Programme Monitoring and Review Committee (PMRC) Comprising DGM, NABARD, LDM, The Nilgiris, 4 representatives of RDO and 25 beneficiaries were formed. The PMRC meets once a month. Till August 9, 2012, five meetings were held. One meeting was held at the village. Technological Intervention NABARD/RDO Project is committed to promoting and helping to build safe and hygienic toilets in a dedicated manner. Rural households are advised on building toilets as per the local geo-climatic environs and the economic condition of the household and the community with technical inputs support to the individual beneficiaries. RDO TRUST also supports training to animators and masons selected by our SHG partners on building such toilets. Output Based Aid (OBA) Thanks to Minister of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj & Rural Development Agency for extending subsidy Discretion of Rs. 6200/- per beneficiary/per toilet. (It is applicable to residents in village panchayats) Implementing Partners RDO has formed 4600 women SHGs in the Nilgiris. The demand driven approach of SHGs for Sanitation made RDO to make SHGs as its implementing partners at village levels. Assistance to SHG Partners Following assistance is available under the programme to SHG Partners Awareness Creation Printed Materials and stickers are widely distributed in villages through SHGs. Intensive training on Sanitation is given to SHG members. Film on sanitation is screened in the villages frequently. Support is given for creating local Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials. SHGs are provided with a copy of the sanitation film in vernacular as well as other audio visual material specifically developed for the project from time to time. These films deal with economic social technical health aspects of sanitation and are

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targeted to create holistic awareness throughout the targeted community for sanitation asset creation and usage. Sanitation Advisory Services Capacity Building NABARD has provided financial support for capacity building. Training is imparted to SHGs on: Sanitation/Health and Hygiene Livelihood Book Keeping Maintenance and Development and Leadership skill.

Twelve training programmes have been completed and 270 women have benefited. Implementation Mechanism Creation of awareness is a challenging but important task because a substantial percentage of the population who practice open defecation have the financial resources but do not feel the need for having their own toilets. It needs concerted efforts to change the age-old mindset that toilets are dirty and therefore should not be an integral part of the living space of the house and that it involves avoidable expenditure. The Project therefore follows a bottom-up approach to get in touch with the community and remove their doubts and misgivings. The Project has since been following steps for the implementation of the Programme. 1. The first essential step is to motivate the individual beneficiary to adopt Sanitation measures and the SHGs have to play a crucial role in this respect. For this purpose the SHGs are first trained by giving them technical and knowledge inputs and by guiding them on the ways to engage and interact with their fellow members. Thereafter the SHGs interact with their members and motivate them to construct toilets. SHGs also help them to choose the suitable design appropriate to particular location, assist them to fill up the loan application form and to get the loan/materials. SHGs ensure that the construction is completed and toilet is put to use by beneficiary. SHGs also keep track of progress of implementation and inform the Project Coordinators in the RDO. 2 The Project Coordinator of RDO in turn monitors the progress of the work in the villages being covered by the SHG partners and report to the Chairman of RDO Trust. The Project Coordinator also contacts the masons and arranges training. Baseline Survey and Fixing Targets Fixing targets The RDO believes in not scattering the sanitation promotion efforts and lays stress on focusing on smaller number of villages for achieving higher sanitation densities. While the Coordinators are given free hand in the selection of the villages for coverage under

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NABARD/FINISH/RDO programme in light of their network, the Coordinators are persuaded and advised to restrict the number of villages in order to achieve higher sanitation densities. While the coordinators organization capacity decides the total target, the directive guides the distribution from RDO Office to focus on smaller number of villages. Baseline survey Proper Baseline Survey is a must to help measure the initial status of the villages in terms of existing sanitation density and to plan the future programmes by NABARD/RDO. The coordinators require to conduct a survey of the villages identified by it for coverage under the NABARD Programme. The data required is expected to be collected Gram Panchayat wise and Village wise and should consist of the total number of Households in a village, number of existing toilets in the village, number of existing toilets in use and if possible to indicate the type of toilets. Administration Efficient administration of the NABARD/FINISH/RDO programme is ensured through a separate wing headed by the Chairman and assisted by a finance officer, and an office manager in RDO office and the project implementation team compromising three coordinators and 10 animators. The funds for the administration are provided from local resources. The Chairman is responsible for undertaking the following main activities. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Overseeing and guiding the activities of the coordinators and animators. Liaison with NABARD. Liaison with Governments, especially District Collector and P.O, DRDA. Conduct of sample survey of baseline data Conduct of meeting of PMRC Conduct of meeting of SHG partners. Organising workshops on topics of vital and topical relevance Providing support for training programmes Monitoring the activities of SHG partners.

10. Networking with the other NGOs/Institutions

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Project Planning Planning as the name implies is to be done at the beginning of the year. The RDO project has a goal of effecting constructions of 1,00,000 Sanitation Systems during the project period 20102020.The activities for every year are planned taking into consideration the expected performance of the previous year, the total target of the project as well as the physical capacity of the existing implementing SHG partners. Therefore, the plan for the project has to be prepared in close coordination and total involvement of SHGs in The Nilgiris. Taking these into consideration, the RDO Trust undertakes the following activities. 1. 2. Estimating the achievements of the current financial year ending March Overcoming challenges faced in the field.

3. Seeking recommendations from the Coordinators about the possible upgrading in achievement by identifying new SHGs. 4. Identification of SHGs with their possible performance capacities

5. Estimating the possible achievement during the next financial year vis a vis the balance target 6. Interacting with the coordinators and SHG partners for setting up the final target for the next year 7. Estimating fund requirements

Reporting RDO is required to submit the following report to NABARD to release next installments. Documentation 1. Under NABARD/FINISH/RDO Sanitation programme, loan is disbursed to SHGs. In turn, the SHGs are lending loan to their member beneficiaries. The following documents are collected before disbursing loan to SHGs. 1 Articles of Agreement 2 Promissory Note 3 Receipt cum linkage letter 4 Group Profile

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5 General Power of Attorney 6 Borrower Statement 7 Copy of Voters ID/Ration Cad 8 House tax receipt Monitoring Monitoring is one of the important tools of project management. It not only helps one to understand current state of performance but also acts as an input for facilitating corrective measures. Frequent visits to the sites by coordinators and reporting to Chairman help immensely. The PMRC members interaction with the beneficiaries and site visits helps both to RDO and beneficiaries. Recovery of Loan As per agreement all the beneficiaries are required to repay Rs. 700 per month. The amount is deposited at RDO/NABARD Sanitation account. RDO remitted the first installment of Rs 1, 67,923 on 5th July 2012. Evaluation The project also provides for an in depth evaluation of the effects of Sanitation. Conclusion All these 50 toilets constructed are being used by the family members of beneficiaries. The beneficiaries are satisfied with NABARD/FINISH/RDO project. The project has infused selfconfidence to expand the project to different villages. Phase II RDO shall submit a new proposal to NABARD requesting Rs. 50 lakhs on the line of phase I project. Research on Tribal Herbal Medicine: (AYUSH) Thanks to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (AYUSH Division) for its support to Revitalization of Local Health Traditions. RDO, under the team leader Dr.Steffy Priyadharsini, made an in-depth study on traditional herbal treatment system of Kothas, Todas, Irulas, Kurumbas, Paniyas and Kattunaickans living in the Nilgiris.

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Dr.A.M.Abdul Khadar,M.D and Dr.P.Ilankani were deputed by the Ministry to evaluate the project in February 2013. A final report is yet to be published by RDO Trust.

Tribal Residential School: Ninety (90) Mullukurumbas, Irulas & Kattunaickan children benefitted in Tribal Residential School of RDO at Gudalur. The RDO, with the support of Sarva Shiksha Abiyan (SSA), supplied teaching and learning materials to students. Besides teaching Government syllabus, the children were taken for regular medical check up and engaged in sports and cultural activities.

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Acknowledgements The RDO Trust wishes to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to the following donors, well-wishers and stakeholders for their contribution and support to successfully carry out its activities during the year 2012/13. Consul, Consulate General of Japan The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India Department of Rural Development, Government of Tamil Nadu Department of Primary Education, Government of Tamil Nadu District Administration, The Nilgiris FINISH, New Delhi WASTE, The Netherlands Shangamithra, Bangalore ICICI Bank Bank of India Canara Bank Water Aid, Bangalore ExNoRa International, Chennai NABARD, Chennai All Nationalized banks in The Nilgiris And the Media

Case Study I A Household Toilet Brings Smiles on Deepikas Face Ms Deepika, a 12 std student of a private school in Gopi in Erode district during 2012-213, is the happiest girl now thanks to the Rural Development Organisation (RDO)s assistance to construct a toilet in her house at Porthiyada village in the vicinity of Emerlad dam in the Nilgiris district. Deepika went out of the district to study Plus One and Plus Two in Gobi due to lack of toilet facility in her house at Porthiyada village. She was staying at the school hostel. Her mother Lakshmi and father Udhayachandran struggled to send her to Gobi as Deepika frequently talked about the lack of toilet facility in their house. Even after the parents managed to send her to Gobi advising her to stay at hostel and come back to their native village Porthiyada during holidays, Deepika refused to come here. Being a worried lot, Deepikas parents approached RDO staff and narrated their story and sought their help to build a toilet. The matter was taken up immediately with RDO Honorary Director N K Perumal, who, inturn, directed his staff to conduct training programmes immediately not only for Deepikas parents but also other families in the village about the possibility to build household toilet at a low cost.

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Following this, adequate training programmes were organized in the village. Almost all the families in village actively participated. RDO arranged for loans. A group of families from this village went to Mettupalayam, brought construction materials in a lorry and built toilets. Now Deepika said with a smile:I thank the RDO for helping to have a nice toilet in our house. I can invite my friends from any place to our house because I am proud of toilet facility. I express my sincere thanks to the NABARD which extended a loan for construction of the toilet in our house. Deepikas brother Rahul is also happy now as he need not walk a distance to attend a natures call. He and parents too thanked the RDO and NABARD for the toilet facility in their house. Case Study-II Toilet Fills Happiness in 85 Years old Ponnammals Heart 85 year old Ponnammal and her 60 year old daughter Chinnamma of Porthiyada village close to Emerald dam are at present leading a peaceful life as the RDO took great efforts to provide a toilet facility in their house. In fact, the life of these two elderly women was horrible as they found it difficult to walk a km for open defecation. As their health due to ageing refused to permit them to walk a long distance, they became sick often and spent for doctors and buying medicines. Chinnamma really suffered after her husband died ten years ago. She is taking care of her mother Ponnammal. Like Deepikas parents, Chinnamma approached RDO staff and told her story shedding tears. The message reached the ears of RDO Honorary Director N K Perumal. Mr Perumal immediately activated his employees to give priority to women. Immediately, Chinnamma was assisted by the RDO staff to obtain a loan and bring construction materials along with a group of families from Mettupalayam to reduce the transportation cost. Chinnamma enthusiastically involved in the construction of a toilet in her house. A local mason trained by the RDO constructed the toilet without the role of contractors. Chinnamma and her mother Ponnammal said happily:Our sufferings are over. Frankly speaking, the toilet filled happiness in our heart because we could not even now imagine about the walked for open defecation near Emerlad dam. We want to thank RDO employees, NABARD bank officials and our brother Perumal. Case Study III RDO Helped to Find a Kidnapped Minor girl Santhya, a 17 years old Dalit girl, was living at Ranganathapuram village in Thummnatty Panchayat, Nilgiris. She was employed in a tea garden at Thummnatty village. As usual she left for work on 26.6.2012 but did not return home till late evening. Her mother Karuppiyammal, father Nagarajan and grandmother Kannammal started looking for Santhya

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in the tea garden and nearby forest fearing that Sandhya might have been attacked by wild animals, which is common in the area, but in vain. They lodged a complaint with the rural Police who did not did not file an FIR. So, they approached the Rural Development Organisation. Mrs Revathy of the organisation contacted Kandal rural police inspector and asked him to file FIR. After filing of FIR and subsequent investigation, the family got information that one Thiyagu, who was working in the same tea plantation where Sandhya worked, Kidnapped her. The untiring efforts of the RDO helped to find Santhya in a relatives house of Thiyagu at Mettupalayam. With the help of Police, Sandhya was rescued and brought back to the village. Since she was not willing to marry Thiyagu, she married her close relative. Santhya is now blessed with a baby girl and living with her husband happily.

Case Study IV A Married Dalit Girl Counselled A 19 year old dalit Dalit girl Jothy, whose parents are Sri Lankan repatriates, approached the RDO for counselling on her family problem. She married Dharmaraj as per Hindu customs. Within two months, Jothy had to return home due to domestic violence. The RDO personnel called Dharmaraj and counseled the young couple and advised Jothy to go with her husband to lead a peaceful life. But within a month, she was again back to her parents home and complained that her husband and in-laws beat her. Though she suffered from terrible stomach pain, her husband refused to take her to hospital. She was denied proper food though she was two months pregnant. At this juncture, her in-laws brought a witch saying that Jothy was possessed. She was beaten and tortured by the witch to drive a devil in her. Again the RDO officials made great efforts to solve the family dispute amicable but could not succeed. Hence, the RDO approached the District Social Welfare Officer at Ooty to take an action. The District Social Welfare Officer called the couple to the office and conducted an enquiry. After that, Dharamaraj agreed to allow Jothy to stay at her parents house till she delivers a baby. He would visit Jothy once in a week and pay Rs. 500 per week for maintenance of Jothy and her unborn baby.

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Financial Statement

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