Unique Programs of HEAL Movement

Dalit Empowerment

Introduction:

In 1996, HEAL Movement came across suffering of SC communities in Radhapuram taluk of Tirunelveli District in terms of worst forms of social and economic discrimination and marginalization compared to the same category of people in Kanyakumari District. Hence, we started functioning in 16 exclusive SC villages and 24 other villages dominated by the communities of Palmyra climbers. This project has enabled this community to uplift themselves in the society in terms of economic and social development in line with the Palmyra workers.

Our interventions resulted in the formation of 58 women SHGs. In 2000, we facilitated the formation of a Federation called Awakening of Rural Women Development Movement (ARWDM) in Tirunelveli district similar to WDM in Kanyakumari district.

In the contest of tsunami victims the livelihood of the local Dalit community was suffering a lot. They were depending upon the fishing community in this region for their livelihood. So we take a special concentration on the particular community in the region.

HEAL Movement organized Dalit women from 16 villages and structured them under Women's Associations. We imparted training focused on realization of their rights and betterment of livelihood options. We also promoted savings, credit and bank linkages at the micro level.

Initially we had a partnership with Welthungerhilfe, Germany, from 2007 to 2010 under the title of Empowerment of Dalit Community in Radhapuram Block of Tirunelveli District. the project resulted in the empowerment of Dalit community in twelve Dalit villages in Radhapuram Block in Tirunelveli District

Activities Carried Out:

Balvadis for Development of 2 to 5 year old 162 Dalit Toddlers:

• Constructed five Balvadi buildings
• Periodical village meetings were organized and all the people are informed about the activities of the Balvadi Centers.
• Nutrition support was provided to the children.
• A two days training was given to the teachers and caretakers.
• Every month Parents-Teachers meeting was organized.
• The progress of children was documented regularly

Development of School Going 560 Dalit Children through the Child Development Centers:

• Constructed Fourteen child activity center buildings
• All the 14 centers are functioning effectively.
• Learning materials were given to the children.
• Each center was equipped with furniture and utensils.
• The teachers were given trainings and orientation on Child Rights.
• The children were provided with supplementary nutrition.
• Every month Parent Teachers meeting was conducted.
• The progress of children was documented periodically

Life Skills Education given to 120 Dalit Adolescents and their parents

• Base work done for identifying the beneficiaries.
• The village meetings were organized regularly.
• Target people were given orientation about the project activities.

Livelihood Promotion of the Dalit Families

• 200 goats purchased and distributed to 100 families.
• 14 sewing machines procured and distributed to 14 families.
• Raw materials necessary for traditional handicraft making distributed to 69 families.

Institution Building and Capacity building of SHGs and their federation

• Capacity building training to SHG members and the institution building training to the federation members periodically