Unique Programs of HEAL Movement

Technological Development

Introduction:

Under the title of Research and Development unit for dead mollusk seashell products in Kanyakumari District Zone I, HEAL Movement in partnership with MANOS UNIDAS, Madrid, Spain, launched the in Puthukudirupu and Rajakkamangalam block in Kanyakumari District during the period 2014-2020

Stages of Implementation:

Group Formation
Capacity Building Training
Construction of Work set
Business Management Training
Construction of Research and Development of Dead Mollusk Seashell Products
Construction of Low Cost Unit of Dead Mollusk Seashell Products

Scientific Sea-shell Cleaning Technology:

Process:

The production method and technology are traditional and hence outdated and irrelevant in the context of modernization. In the kiln arrangement there is a provision of blower either hand driven or power driven. Baking takes place in open and emission of poisonous gases and smoke not only pollute the hygienic village environment, but contribute significantly to a host of health related problems to the people directly involved in the production activity as well as to the entire community.

Baked shell is then packed in polythene sheets and kept in bamboo baskets for dehydration for two days. Dehydrated lime powder is then sold in the open market. There are three qualities of the calcium hydroxide powder produced in the kiln. The first quality is used for white washing the houses. The second quality is used as an ingredient in building construction work. The third quality is widely used as an insecticide. The local Panchayats procure them in large quantities as a cleaning agent for sanitation works. They procure only if the powder is certified by the govt. lab from Thoothukudi. In Kanyakumari district no such lab facilities are available and hence the traditional kiln operators are not able to sell them to health department or Panchayats.

Risks and challenges:

Baking takes place in open air and emission of poisonous gases and smoke not only pollute the hygienic village environment, but contribute significantly to a host of health related problems to the people directly involved in the production activity as well as to the entire community. This especially affected pregnant women and hence children with retarded growth or slow mental ability were found in the area.

Innovation to solve this issue:

Problem with the Scientific Modern Kiln is rectified by fixing bigger size fan. This scientific modern kiln is functioning properly and is used for training and processing sea shells. A low cost mechanized Kiln was established at project site, which is operator friendly and can process more sea shell in a slot. This new kiln is hygienic and environment friendly. Reduction of Health Hazards in sea shell processing. The thick smoke coming out from the traditional sea shell processing kiln is stopped by installing low cost mechanized kiln. The smoke is now drifted away through smoke pipe that provided a healthy working environment in the area.

Low Cost Cleaning Sea Shell:

Assessment of the Scientific Sea Shell Cleaning
Analyze the cost benefit analyses(time, electricity consumption, charcoal ratio etc.)
Manpower usage
Women friendly unit
Low cost design

Training of Sea Shell Workers

Activities

Indepth training to the Self Help Group members
On the basis of the experience gained in the last year the 60 Self Help Groups were divided as Independent, Semi independent and Dependent groups and their strength and short comings were analyzed.
Based on their capabilities different training programs were designed and conducted with the main aim of increasing their accessibility to Government schemes and other entitlements.
During the reporting period 10 Deeper level trainings were conducted.
Some of the important topics dealt with were:
Importance of maintaining proper and systematic registers and books of accounts.
Information on the different financial assistances like Bank Loans, Revolving Fund, Direct Loans and other financial assistances.
Applications have been submitted for getting subsidized loans from the Government.
Government Welfare Departments available to provide assistances.
Sustainability of the Self Help Groups
Women Rights and Laws
Benefits and the need for attending other village level meetings like Grama Sabha, Panchayat meetings.
Importance of education.
Health and sanitation.
Benefits of Income Generation Activities like:
- Economic development
- Marketing linkages
Motivation
Creating opportunities for economic development.
Importance of the Federation and the need for their participation in strengthening the Federation.
Child Activities Centre.
Right to Information Act and its uses and importance.
How to write petitions to be submitted to the Government for availing various welfare schemes, whom to approach and how to approach.

Impact

The number of groups functioning independently is 35, semi-independent is 15 and dependent groups are 10.
350members have submitted applications for enrolling them in the Tamil Nadu Fishermen Welfare Board.
The Self Help Group members are themselves conducting meetings.
The members are maintaining proper and systematic accounts and registers.
Earlier staff used to take them to the different departments for submitting petitions. But now they themselves jointly go to the Departments and submit their applications.
The saving practice among the members have increased.
More and more women are interested in joining the Self Help Group.
Earlier meetings were conducted monthly once. But now weekly once meetings are conducted which will make them eligible to get revolving fund from the Government.
Their participation in the Federation and Child Activities center activities has increased.
More and more women have come forward to attend the trainings.
They are regularly attending the federation and parents meetings

Result

Problem with the Scientific Modern Kiln is rectified by fixing bigger size fan. This scientific modern kiln is functioning properly and is used for training and processing sea shells.
A low cost mechanized Kiln was established at project site ,which is operator friendly and can process more sea shell in a slot. This new kiln is hygienic and environment friendly.
Increased income for 20 persons who are involved in it.- Installation of the new low cost mechanized kiln has ensured regular employment for the women. They are involved in collection of sea shells, cleaning and processing of sea shell. They are getting regular wage for the work they put in.
Reduction of Health Hazards in sea shell processing. The thick smoke coming out from the traditional sea shell processing kiln is stopped by installing low cost mechanized kiln. The smoke is now drifted away through smoke pipe that provided a healthy working environment in the area.
Families living in the production unit appreciated the effort of HEAL in providing a healthy environment. The hygienic sea shell processing at this unit reduced the pollution in the local area which is highly appreciated the families dwelling in the area.
Women gained considerable skills in processing and managing the production unit. This project has equipped them to do the processing and marketing of the calcium powder without any external assistance. They are now confident to manage the unit without any external assistance.
Group resources are managed in a transparent manner. Detailed account of the raw-material procurement, wage payment and profit earned are maintained at the unit, which is verified periodically by HEAL. This ensures transparency of fund and resource management.
Effective marketing linkages are established with shops, business enterprises, individuals and government departments to market their finished products. So this will help them to ensure a steady/regular market for their products.