|
 Bhokto
Dia has been working with NEICORD since the
Patharkhmah Community Development Project (PCDP)
began in 2000. He began as a volunteer
delivering letters and taking staff to visit
villages. Eventually he was hired for a staff
position. As a long-term staff member Bhokto has
the benefit of seeing the project ‘fruits’ over
the years: “Before NEICORD came people were
living in their own worlds. If you were poor, it
was your problem. If you were sick, it was your
problem. There was no time to talk and no unity
in the community. But since NEICORD came and
introduced Self Help Groups people are talking
and are concerned about each other.”
It wasn’t without its difficulties. When the
program first started people were hesitant to
try something new. Many hours were spent going
from home to home to encourage people to come
out to meetings and informational gatherings.
When asked why he was willing to try out
something new Bhokto shared how after the
NEICORD staff explained the SHG concept to him
he thought that this was something that could
bring change in his life and in his community.
During his youth Bhokto saw the needs and
struggles in his village and always wanted to do
something for his community. Working with
NEICORD gives him this opportunity. Bhokto
described the participatory manner of PCDP:
“Whatever we learn we share with the people so
they can learn too. The people are benefitting
as well.”
Bhokto shared how NEICORD was the first
organization to introduce the idea of savings in
his village. “Before, even if we had money, we
would spend it immediately. We lived ‘hand to
mouth’ and never thought of saving it.” Bhokto
shared how the SHG savings and internal loans
have saved lives because when members are sick
they can get loans to pay for medical expenses.
It gives people a sense of security.
 Bhokto
has also witnessed the transformation of
relationships through PCDP. NEICORD works with
three people groups: Khasi, Rabha and Garo.
Bhokto described how before the project the
three groups never mixed but as they began
interacting through trainings and project
activities the three communities have started to
come together. There has even been a change in
the relationships in families. Bhokto shared
“Before, husbands and wives used to just talk
about how to make money and survive but now they
share what they have learned about health and
literacy.” Parents are also realizing the
importance of educating their children and
school enrolment has increased. Bhokto has even
seen a change in the village headmen. Seeing the
impact of PCDP has motivated them to help others
and to do things for their community.
Bhokto concluded: “Sometimes it’s so busy you
don’t see the changes but when you sit down and
compare before and after, you realized a lot of
changes have happened.” |
Children
have a special place in the heart of Mellina.
This is not only because she is the mother of
four but because she is the village anganwadi.
An anganwadi is a government appointed
community child health care worker. Mellina
works to monitor the health of the children of
her village by maintaining registers on child
weight and growth monitoring, immunizations,
food distribution and conducting home visits.
Her job keeps her busy as there are 105 children
in her village. Mellina is also a member of a
Self Help Group. The health lessons that she
received in her SHG were a helpful addition to
the
government training and Mellina has shared her
knowledge with friends and family members.
Mellina has also observed a difference in the
children of SHG members compared to the children
of families who aren’t PCDP participants: “For
parents who have received the health lessons,
their children are healthier and their homes are
cleaner.” Another notable difference is that the
children of SHG members are up to date on their
immunizations whereas non-member families have
often not immunized their children. Mellina
hopes that the entire village can one day
receive the health lessons that she and other
SHG members have had the opportunity to learn
from. 
With
the encouragement of her fellow SHG members
Julianna Doloi joined the literacy class offered
through PCDP. After the death of her parents
there was no one to support her schooling and
Julianna was forced to drop out of school having
only completed Class 2. Through the literacy
training Julianna learned how to read, write her
name and perform simple math calculations. This
has opened doors for Julianna. She is now able
to calculate change when she runs a stall at the
market. The skills she has learned have also
allowed Julianna to increase her involvement in
her SHG. Julianna shared how if the secretary is
absent she can help by maintaining the register.
As well, she has been able to help her children
with their schoolwork by teaching them the
alphabet and simple numbers. When asked how she
felt after completing the literacy class
Julianna answered: “I feel proud to now be
able to call myself literate.” 
Six
years ago Obalam Bukda was a day laborer,
working from day to day to provide for her
family. The life of a day laborer is
unpredictable and hard. Obalam never knew if she
would find work or earn enough income for her
family. However Obalam was not alone in her
struggles. It was the reality of all the women
in her Self Help Group. 
fellow
SHG members have to work as day laborers, they
now work full-time in the weaving center. 
