Director’s Desk Recently the Planning Commission of India has come out with a National Policy on the Voluntary Sector (NPVS), based on the Eleventh Five Year Plan recommendations. Government of India has closely examined the role of the voluntary sector from time to time and understood its strategic importance. The Policy is committed “to encourage, enable and empower an independent, creative and effective voluntary sector, with diversity in form and function, so that it can contribute to the social, cultural and economic advancement of the people of India”. The Policy Statement appreciates the fact that, the voluntary sector has contributed significantly to finding innovative solutions to poverty, deprivation, discrimination and exclusion, through means such as awareness raising, social mobilization, service delivery, training, research, and advocacy. The voluntary sector has been serving as an effective link between the people and the Government. This policy recognizes the important role that the voluntary sector has to play in various areas and affirms the growing need for collaboration with the voluntary sector by the Government, as well as by the private sector, at the local, provincial and national levels. Based on the National policy, in collaboration with voluntary organizations, the actionable strategies have to be evolved. More over, all the provincial governments also have to develop their own state policies considering the particular and local social, cultural and economic situation Taking into consideration the above two factors SAFP takes leading role to organize a national conference in partnership with 42 Non Governmental Voluntary Organizations from different states of India. This will help the participating organizations to get clarity on the policy and understand the scope of the policy. Also they will discuss on the possible actionable strategies to be evolved on the policy and try to pressurize the state governments to speed up the process of developing state policies. The policy has three key focal areas:

(a) Establishing an enabling environment for the Voluntary Sector (b) Strengthening the Voluntary Sector (c) Nurturing a partnership in development These are three abstract areas in which concrete operational strategies need to be evolved.

India today is a fast growing economy, with limited growth spillover, and significant regional imbalances. Inclusive growth strategy of the Eleventh Plan implies that large sections of society are excluded from the growth process. The development challenges and imperatives of the Country in recent times has been broadly reflected in the Policy. Concrete ideas, based on live experience in the field who are really working with the poor at the grass root, need to emerge and this is vital for strategy formulation.

The policy says about the Accreditation of NGOs. Though the modalities of accreditation have not been evolved, it is an important area of concern for NGOs. The regulatory measures are very much necessary for ensuring transparency and accountability for NGOs but should not compromise with the meaning of Voluntarism. Strategy should be evolved for a free off external influences, especially political influence. In all government/ public programmes, the VOs should be involved. Self Help Groups (SHGs) in all over India should be a platform for all voluntary activity falling under its area of operation. Its role should be inclusive and should not be under the clutches of party politics. Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara Discussions on National Policy on Voluntary Sector National Policy on Voluntary sector was approved by the Government of India in July 2007. Based on this each State government is to formulate State Policy in Voluntary Sector. Two crucial questions emerge in this context. 1) Benefits to voluntary sector out of this policy. 2) How it helps larger interests of national economy and people of the country. To discuss on various aspects initiative was taken by Save A Family Plan India. Two meetings were organized by SAFP. The first meeting was at Renewal Center, Kaloor, Cochin on 10th July 2008 in which the participants were Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath, Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara, Dr. Thomson, Sr. Alice (WIN), Fr. Paul Moonjely ( Ernakulam DSSS), Fr. Jaison Vadassery (Varapuzha DSSS), Fr. Johnson ( Cochin DSSS), Mrs. Beena Sebastian (CAP), Sr. Jessy (WIN), Mr. Jacob, Mr. Joy, Mrs. Anu- all from SAFP. The second meeting was organized at Aiswaryagram, Parappuram, Kalady on 6th August 2008- Wednesday and the participants were the Directors/ Project Officers- from partner NGOs in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and SAFP Staff. Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara- Director SAFP, explained regarding the need for the NGOs to meet and discuss the various dimensions of the policy and prepare the suggestions and recommendations to be submitted to the State Government. Mr. Jacob. P.O-Program Officer SAFP presented the summary of the “background note by Institute of Small Enterprises and Development on Voluntary Sector in Indian Economy: Opportunities and Imperatives” in the context of the National Policy. It explained the significance of Voluntary sector, status and some dimensions NGOs have to consider while examining the National Policy on Voluntary Sector. Two crucial questions emerging in this context are: what are the benefits of this policy to the voluntary sector? How it helps the larger interests of national economy and the people of

the country? Also it explained that national policy should be evaluated based on: What NGOs are doing and what NGOs intend to do. The Voluntary sector or the Third Sector must be considered a partner in the development of the nation. The resource person for the meeting was Mr. G. Placid, Director-Sahai Trivandrum. He explained to the participants the various aspects of the National Policy on Voluntary Sector such as Preamble, Scope of the Policy, Objectives of the Policy, establishing and enabling environment for the Voluntary sector Partnership in development and strengthening the voluntary sector. The Preamble is a commitment of Government of India to have a partnership with Voluntary sector. The characteristics of the Voluntary Organization have to be defined and increased. He discussed the need for accreditation of Voluntary Organizations and the regulatory mechanism/ accreditation team should be having majority members from Voluntary Sector so that it will be an impartial and non-corrupt mechanism. He stressed the need for coordinating the NGOs at the state level so that before the state government approves a state policy on voluntary sector the essential suggestions and recommendations can be submitted to the concerned department at the state level. It is essential that the NGOs raise their voice as one sector. Thus, the way is being paved for incorporating such suggestions while framing the policy on voluntary sector at the state level. Only when a policy is approved the systems and procedures can be developed. Then the need and explanation of the modus operandi of the policy becomes significant. The action plan was:

1. A committee consisting of Fr. Jose Palatty- Irinjalakuda DSSS, Fr. Michael Vettickatt- Kottayam DSSS, Fr. Shajkumar- Neyyattinkara DSSS, Fr. Jaison Vadassery- Varappuzha DSSS and Sr. Alice Lukose- WIN society is formed for further actions. The committee will carry on the further actions in collaboration with Kerala social service forum.

2. In Tamil Nadu Fr. Varghese from Marthandom DSSS and Fr. Jayakumar from Ooty DSSS will facilitate the NGOs.

3. In Karnataka Fr. Rayappa, in Maharashtra Fr. Pius Mathew and in MP Fr. Augustine Varikycal will facilitate the NGOs meetings.

4. The DSSSs will facilitate local or zonal level NGO meetings. There were 40 participants (6female and 34 male) in the meeting. Visit to Partner NGO Mr. C.T. Rappai, Mr. Jose Varekulam and Mr. Jacob. P.O visited Dindigul DSSS on 15th and 16th July to have a special meeting with the, Director, SAFP staff and RB Beneficiaries. Mr. Joy made the internal audit visit to Thrissur DSSS and Mr. Jose

Varekulam conducted the internal audit at Irinjalakuda DSSS on 29th and 30th October 2008. Death Anniversary of SAFP Founder The 7th death anniversary of Msgr. Augustine Kandathil-founder, Save A Family Plan was commemorated on 19th July 2008, Saturday at Nadel Church Vaikom. The Holy Mass was offered in which Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath was the chief celebrant. Special prayers were held at the tomb of Msgr. Augustine Kanadthil. Director and staff from SAFP and Aiswaryagram; Directors from Partner NGOs of Bathery and Kottayam and the relatives of Msgr. Augustine Kandathil participated. Training attended Mr. Jacob. P.O and Mrs. Anu A. Sebastian, attended a 10 days residential training program from August 19th 2008 to 28th August 2008, on Community led participatory monitoring and evaluation and Participatory methods and approaches respectively at Kerala Institute for local self Administrations (KILA) Thrissur, Kerala organized by Praxis International Delhi. The field exposure was for 4 days in various organizations at Wayanad district, Kerala. There were sessions on Attitude and Behaviour Changes by Robert Chambers from London. This was an international seminar and there were participants from around 15 countries. This was very beneficial in monitoring visits to Partner NGOs and SPED villages and guiding the Coordinators. Planning for the new proposal for CIDA The planning for the new proposal for the period 2009-2014 to be submitted in the month of October began in the month of July. The various views in this regard were discussed in the Board meeting of SAFP India. Different discussions were held with SAFP consultants on participatory approaches, gender environment etc. The Directors from the partner NGOs were called for planning workshop at Aiswaryagram on 5th August 2008. Mr. M.J. Joseph-SAFP consultant was the resource person for the program. The villages were selected by the partner NGOs and planning workshops were held at the village level. The analytical report and details of the villages were collected and consolidated. The new proposal was reviewed and modified by the Board and staff of SAFP Canada and submitted to CIDA in the month of October. SAFPI Board Meeting The Board meeting was held of SAFPI was held at Renewal Center Kaloor, Cochin on 30th August 2008 at 6.p.m. The minutes of the previous meeting, the actions taken with

regard to the same, the budget, the important events of the year 2007-2008, the CIDA evaluation report, the new proposal to be submitted to CIDA for the period 2009-2014 etc. were the major points of sharing and discussion. Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath, Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara, Mr. M.P. Joseph, Dr. A.M. Michael, Dr. Mary Joseph, Prof. Ransamma and Mr. Jacob.P.O-SAFP staff participated in the meeting. The meeting ended at 8.30p.m. Celebrations The feast of our beloved Director- Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara was celebrated on 28th August 2008. The program included prayer, felicitations and refreshments. All staff members of SAFP and Aiswaryagram participated. Onam the national festival of Kerala was celebrated at Aisaryagram on 11th September 2008. A beautiful Pookalam (decoration with flowers) was made. A delicious and sumptuous and Onam lunch was served. All staff members of SAFP and Aiswaryagram participated. Visit to Canada Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath- President SAFP India and Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara-Director SAFPI left for SAFP Canada on 11th September 2008 for various significant discussions regarding SAFP programs and also regarding the new proposal to be submitted to CIDA.

MICRO ENTERPRISES FOR THE ABANDONED AND UNWED MOTHERS

Many women in the society are victims of suppression and ill-treatment could be from the spouse, children, parents, relatives, in-laws and men in general. Certainly there will be a vast gap between the original available data and the actual context, as many incidences are not reported. The potential for change lies in broader social reforms, primarily the elimination of deep-rooted prejudices against women in general and the development of social support systems for women. Those who are married but did not beget children are abandoned. Many are abandoned for dowry. Widowed elderly women who are dependent on their children are badly treated by them. In majority of cases the perpetrators think that by abandoning them on streets they would be able to rid themselves of their responsibility. The number of unwed mothers is alarmingly increasing. They may either go for abortion or give birth and abandon the children or live with the children. The gravity of their physical, emotional, social, economic and psychological sufferings will be inconceivable.

But the question remains, how long will women suffer? Due to fear of criticism and family pressures women generally do not come out in the open to lodge complaints with the police. Instead, they prefer to suffer in silence. Let us not forget that God created man and woman to live in harmony and also to complement each other. Man alone can help her in lessening her woes. He has to understand the psyche of the woman. Cooperation and lending a helping hand in child rearing and household work, joint decision making and taking care of the elderly and being more responsible towards the family can definitely help in creating harmonious relationship between the spouses. Boys at a young age should be told to respect their sisters and the opposite sex and should be taught not to treat them as an object of ridicule and harassment. The right kind of attitude will definitely help in the long run in lessening crimes against women. Other than these, many more rules and legislations may be implemented and executed to lessen the woes and harassment of women UNWED MOTHERS According to the news report published in the leading newspapers of the world, each year there are around 80 million unwanted pregnancies, out of which 30 millions of these are aborted. There are so many social and psychological causes leading to teenage pregnancies all over the globe. Early marriage, lack of proper sex education and counseling, poverty etc. can be the major reasons for the teenage pregnancy. In addition to that, the recent spate of incidents of rape on minors and the rising levels of promiscuity among teenagers are also a cause of great concern as they lead to teenage pregnancies. The Single motherhood is associated with the causes such as Unhealthy environment at home, stress and depression, delinquency / criminal behavior, living in a community where early childbearing is common and viewed as the norm rather than as a cause for concern, exposure to domestic or sexual violence, unstable family relationships and most important, financial constraints. The problems faced by unwed mothers include psychological and emotional stress, depression, social criticism, ostracism, low self-esteem, limited job prospects and isolation. As a result, they struggle for their sustainability. In addition, the unwed mothers place a burden on their families. The socioeconomic factors of the unwed motherhood in India are complex. So, society has a responsibility for helping them to restore the dignity of unwed mothers. In this situation, if they are engaged in some income generation activities, slowly their income will increase and the social stigma also will be released. In this background, SAFP decided to give an opportunity for those who are living in this situation to increase their income by doing some Income Generation Activities. ABANDONED MOTHERS Intervention by SAFP Social psychologists point towards a grave trend which shows an increasing number of women are facing abandonment from their spouses and more vulnerable to the danger of abandonment. Many are abandoned for dowry. The reason behind the abandonment of women is the easy riddance of women, since they continue to

be soft targets. The problem is deeper than it appears on the surface and more and more women are feeling alienated. They face social, emotional, mental problems other than the economic insecurity. Due to fear of criticism and family pressures women generally do not come out in the open, instead, they prefer to suffer in silence. Despite the difficulties that are likely to be encountered, SAFP believe it is possible to bring about major improvements to their lives. For securing a better life for the abandoned women, the right to life is a basic thing. In reality, the struggle for survival of them continues throughout their life. The real solution lies in a holistic approach that deals with all the major interrelated issues of economic welfare, social justice, education, health, and traditions/spirituality. In this situation, SAFP is desirous to address the abandonment of women and support them through financial and mental health resources by setting up income generation activities to help them to increase their income and which will lead them to come out from their isolation at home. Well-planned and properly managed micro enterprises can succeed in empowering women, provided the approach taken is sufficiently holistic. Effective and sustainable programs can be executed with limited initial investment, while ensuring that significant benefits flow to the families.

SAFP is intending to initiate a new project named “Micro Enterprises for the Unwed and Abandoned Mothers.” The project is focused on women who are the real victims. To address this situation, SAFP has decided to invite applications and project proposals from the partner NGOs who are interested in implementing this project The project is implemented in partnership with Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) under the project SPED II 2008-2009.

Goal

To increase the dignity of the unwed mothers and abandoned mothers in the society

Objective

The objective of the project is to identify women who are unwed and abandoned mothers and to strengthen and sustain them through developing skills and knowledge required to begin livelihood initiatives.

Expected results

1. 720 poor women beneficiaries and their families from 24 partnering NGOs will be brought to the mainstream of the society.

2. The skills and knowledge will be developed in them to begin sustainable livelihood activities.

3. The partner beneficiaries and their families will have a better income.

4. During the process they will be freed from the milieu of psychological and emotional stress, depression, social criticism, ostracism, low self-esteem, limited job prospects, isolation and economic insecurity.

5. The better economic context will gradually wipe away the miseries of the victims and it will become a model for others to begin such ventures for fetching income.

Strategies and Guidelines

• This is a pilot project of SAFP, planning to continue on the basis of the results derived.

• Since this is a women focused project the beneficiary partner should be a woman. • The selection should be made from poor women who are either unwed or

abandoned mothers. • The beneficiary should not be one receiving SAFP support of any kind. • Identify any particular locality or area where in more victims can be observed. • If no SHG exists there, one can be formed in which the victims can be members. • The identification can also be at random from within the geographical boundary

of the NGO. • Partner NGO should select the deserving partner beneficiaries. • The partner NGO should submit the project proposal along with the beneficiary

profile of the identified beneficiaries in the prescribed format. • On receipt of the proposal and the details of the beneficiaries in the prescribed

Format SAFP will release the amounts for conducting two day EDP training. • On completion of the two day EDP training the partner NGO will submit a report

of the Training in the prescribed Format along with the list of beneficiaries and their selected income generation activities. On receipt of these reports SAFP will release the subsidy amount.

• Then only the actual project implementation begins. • There should be a Bank/ SHG loan component for all the beneficiaries. • SAFP needs a separate agreement with the concerned NGO for the transfer of

fund. • The maximum subsidy to a beneficiary will be Rs.4,000/- and the maximum

number of beneficiaries for a partnering NGO is limited to 30. In addition, a lump sum amount of Rs.5,000/- will be paid to a partnering NGO for conducting two day EDP Training to 30 beneficiaries.

• So, the total amount of grant from SAFP to one partner NGO is Rs. 1,25,000/- (Subsidy of Rs.4,000/- each to 30 beneficiaries and Rs.5,000/- for EDP Training)

• The project is coming under PAR IGP and hence a quarterly monitoring report should be submitted to SAFP in each quarter.

• A process history should be submitted to SAFP on or before 31st January 2009. • Letters of Thanks should be submitted along with family photo inclusive of the

livelihood initiative. • The last date of submission of the project proposal is on 30th Sept 2008. • The implementation of the program should be completed before 31st December

2008.

Printed & Published by:

Director, Save A Family Plan India,

Aiswaryagram, Parappuram P.O., Kanjoor Via, Ernakulam District, Kerala State, India – 683 593

Phone: 0484-2462130, 2462230, 2466324 & 3943325

E-mail: augustineb@safp.org safpi@safp.org

Editorial Team:

Fr. Augustine Bharanikulangara and Mr. Jacob. P.O Issue Number 2 July-September 2008 We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Govt. of Canada, to this Newsletter. www.acdi-cida.gc.ca