CUTS>CHD>Success Stories

 FEW SUCCESS STORIES FROM CHD

Determined to Make a Difference

Ripple Effect of Grassroots Interventions

Determined to make a difference

WWSF Global Newsletter No 10-July 2001

Ratni Bai Khatik (28) has been awarded the ‘Prize for Women Creativity in Rural Life 2001’ by

  Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF) .

more on Laureate  

 Ratni Bai Khatik, from a backward caste and being a girl, did not receive an education but was instead married at 13, She soon left her husband, however, who was of an immoral character, and went back to live with her parents Ratni Bai attended a meeting held by the Centre for Human Development (CUTS) and expressed her desire to collaborate in projects in Keer Kheda (Chittorgarh District, Rajasthan State). Her first initiative was to create a school for the children of her village taking advantage of a government announcement of opportunities to open self-governing schools. Her careful monitoring during construction of the school ensured that it is the only school in the area with a proper construction. She visited parents to motivate them to send their children, especially girls, to school functions. Ratni disseminated education on health and on the environment  with the result that people now boil or filter their drinking water and take care to preserve this resource. Thanks to her efforts, health personnel pay more frequent visits to the village, and medicines are made available in a timely manner. She has also formed self-help groups for income generating activities and helped them obtain credit from the bank. Ratni Bai has become a public figure who villagers and even government officials consult.

more on Laureate

BACK TO TOP

Ripple Effect of Grassroots Interventions

It is not only a matter of satisfaction but also of pride for a voluntary organisation, that people have owned and on self motivation are taking forward the developmental interventions initiated by it.

The members of CUTS Centre of Human Development (CHD) felt the success of their efforts, when the people of Kanpura village of Badoli Ghata gram panchayat in Nimbahera panchayat samiti discussed with them regarding organisation of awareness generation event for enrollment of girl child in schools as a part of the 'encouragement for education of girl child' programme. They also volunteered to make monetary contribution for coordination of the same.

This positive enabling environment for 'education of girl child' in the traditionally conservative and male dominated society of Rajasthan is the outcome of the commitment to the cause and continual efforts of the Centre. As a part of the "Rural Women's Empowerment Project (RWEP) - III", the formal and informal community leaders and other decision influencers of this village were associated in various training programmes, exposure visits and contemplating sessions conducted by the Centre and have been sensitised and made aware on issues related to gender equity, education, local self governance, health, environment etc. The self-help group (SHG) of women, catalysed by the Centre, has evolved as a strong community based organisation (CBO) of this village. Mr. Gheesa Ba Gurjjar, a seventy year old man and Ms. Heera Bai, a separated lady of the village who have been rendering philanthropic service for the development of the village, are central figures of this campaign.

The members of the women SHG discussed the plan of action and financial aspects of the event with the community leaders of the village. It was unanimously decided to invite the local Member of Parliament (MP) and Pradhan. They also identified children of school going age and motivated the parents of these children to send them to school. The villagers contributed a sum of two thousand rupees for this event.

BACK TO TOP

Centre for Human Development
Rawala, Senti, 
Chittorgarh 312 025, Rajasthan, India 
Ph:   91.1472.241 472
Fax:  91.1472.240 072 
E-mail:  cutschd@sancharnet.in ; chd@cuts.org