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Annual Report: 2017-18
Bagmari Mother and Child Development Mission (BMCDM)
www.bmcdm.org.in
Annual Report – 2017-18
©Copyright Bagmari Mother and Child Development Mission (BMCDM)
Year of PublicationAugust 2018
Legal Status of the OrganizationParticulars Registration detailsWest Bengal Societies Registration Act, XXVI of 1961 S/1L 15497 Year 2003-04
Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 1976 147110804Section 12 A of the Income Tax Act 1961 DIT(E)/S -198E 8E/295/06-
07Section 80G in the income Tax Act,1961 DIT(E)/30-8E/295/06-07
___________________________________Compiled byMr. Manoj Kumar Sircar, Consultant for NGOs
ContentsForeword 6Significant Milestones 7Awards & Recognitions 7The Organisation 8
Thematic Programme InterventionEducation 12Child Protection 15Women Empowerment 19Livelihood 20Water – Sanitation – Hygiene 21Agriculture & Fisheries 22Climate Change & Bio-Diversity 24
Achievements 25Networking & Advocacy 27Events & Celebrations 28Community Speaks 29Success Stories 30Conference – Meetings – Workshops 33Partners in Solidarity 34Way Forward 35List of Abbreviations 36
ForewordThe collective effort of the entire team of Bagmari Mother and Child
Development Mission (BMCDM) has led to growth of the organization in the areas of humanitarian development of the population living primarily in South 24 Parganas along with other districts of North 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and Purulia. Having started working during 2003 on a very minimal scale, the organization has grown over the years with close relationship with the communities and its people. Over the years the organization has worked closely under the National and State legislations, policies and different programmes focusing on women, children, adolescents and youth.
Starting from adhering to the Millennium Development Goals and subsequently to the Sustainable Development Goals, the organization has improved upon the strategic and programmatic changes. There has been significant initiative taken from the organization to improve the skills of the organization team members for them to cope up meaningfully with the changing scenario of the development sector.
Meaningful relationship has been established with the State and District level Administration, Police and Civil Society Organisations. During last year, these relationships have been further strengthened through collective programmatic support and community level interventions.
The participation of the communities and other stakeholders in the development programmes has also been effective in taking forward the agenda of creating Women, Child and Adolescents friendly across the programme implementation locations. Significant support has been obtained from the Govt. Schools, Village Level Child Protection Committees, Block Level Child Protection Committees and Self Help Groups of Women.
During last year, the organization team has participated in various State and National level conferences and meetings which have contributed a lot in the knowledge and building up relationship with likeminded organizations.
The meaningful contribution of the Govt. Departments, Panchayats, Block Offices and Donor Agencies have contributed significantly both in the form of resources and capacity building towards accelerating the activities of the organization.
Last but not the least; I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the Governing Board members, staff members and well wishers for their continued support, dedication and encouragement in the journey of BMCDM.
I wish all the success to the entire team of BMCDM in taking forward the activities in future.
Regards,
Smasul Alam KhanSecretarySignificant Milestones
Linked of 1300 Muslim women in the organisation Paschim Banga Muslim Mahila Sangathan to work for their rights
School Management Committees (SMC) strengthened in 41 government schools
Parent Teachers Meetings have been initiated in 10 government schools
Village Level Child Protection Committees have been formed in 25 villages
Block Level Child Protection Committees have been formed in 3 blocks Initiated involvement of SMC members in cooking of Mid Day Meal in
10 schools 850 youth have been trained on different skills for livelihood options 20 cases of early marriages have been prevented across the
intervention villages 40 children have been prevented from being involved in labour 33 ICDS functions regularly and provides all necessary support to
children and women Over 2000 families have increased level of income through better
livelihood options Linking of over 200 families with different government schemes 375 Adolescents have been trained on child protection and education
issues 50 Farmers have been trained on Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
and 20% among them have improved upon their income. District administrative (ICDS Department) supported for empowerment
of adolescent girls through Kishori Shakti Yojona (KSY) scheme. 300 Adolescents have been oriented on life skills and ARSH issues.
353 families have received their entitlements from various Govt. schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojona, Footwear design, Rupashree, Kanyashree, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojona.
T h e Or g an is at io n
2500 children studying in schools are now being followed up by the children through their tracking system.
10,300 home based toilets have been constructed by BMCDM of which 7000 are in South 24 Parganas, 3000 are in East Medinipur and 300 in Purulia district.
20 children have been prevented from being child labour.
Awards & Recognition
The West Bengal Judicial Officer’s Democratic Association has felicitated BMCDM for their meaningful contribution in the areas of Child Protection.
Sunderban Anubhav has recognized and felicitated for remarkable work on Eco- System Development in Sunderbans.
Different Govt. Officials and Donor agencies have acclaimed through written communication regarding the meaningful contribution of BMCDM towards community development and quality of work over the years.
Bagmari Mather and Child Develop Mission (BMCDM) is a not for profit development organization working with the mandate for a humane social order based on truth, justice, equality and freedom aimed at empowerment of the poor and marginalized community. Established in 2003, BMCDM works for enhancing capacity and fostering development process on the side of the vulnerable communities and address their real needs. Working with the people over the year BMCDM realized that the
root cause of poverty needs to be tackled in order to bring sustainable development. Initial effort of building and strengthening process helps to
evolve people’s organization in different operational area. Organizing and mobilizing process helps to build capacity as well as addressing issue for collective concern.
As on date, BMCDM is one of the of the foremost grassroots development organization under the district of South & North 24 Pargans of West Bengal working for holistic development of poor & marginalized section of the society. Thematic interventions of BMCDM are Promoting Sustainable Livelihood, Disaster Risk Management, Literacy & Health promotion, youth development. Gender equity is an underline theme across all its intervention.
Mission: To improve the quality of living of the marginalised people in the society through awareness generation, capacity building, sensitization, vocational training and ensuring equal rights of all.
Vision: To achieve a value oriented sustainable society by developing a sense of equality and opportunities among the women, youths and children based on social orientation, economic growth, local capacity building, effective training and empowering them for a complete social transformation.
Geographical Reach
BMCDM has been working in three districts of West Bengal and reaching out to over 1 million populations. The population include: Children, Adolescents, Youth and Women along with wider communities across these three districts.
South 24 Parganas : Canning I, Canning –II, Basanti, Gosaba. West Medinipur : Medinipur Sadar, Kharagpur I, Keshiyari Purulia : Jaipur Total Block : 8 Total G.P : 32 Gram Panchayat Total Village : 135 Villages
Core Values:
People Centric: Poor & marginalized communities are in the center of every development intervention undertaken by BMCDM.
Participation: People centric development process requires high degree of participation from various stakeholders to ensure equality and equity of
opportunities including opportunity to expression of thought and takes active part in decision making process.
Gender Sensitivity: Practical Gender Needs (PGN) and Strategic Gender Needs (SGN) are always taken into accounts and dealt with relation to programme.
Equality & Justice: Organization ensures equal opportunity for all irrespective of gender, caste, and creed, ethnical and social differences in its every programme.
Adaptation to Change: Organization responds the fast changing internal or external context by adopting appropriate programme in a holistic manner.
Accountability: BMCDM believes in raising accountability in the development process specially access to entitlement.
Empowerment: Organization believes to built skills, capacities and compatibility of the most marginalized section of the society to control over own destiny.
Objectives
To reach out to the most vulnerable, unreached and underserved people, with special focus on women and children
To facilitate people’s participation in the programme Mobilize people in and ensure their participation in various people’s
platforms To develop skills and capacities of people to ensure their rights and
entitlements To develop linkage with the stakeholders to ensure people’s rights and
entitlements
Priority Intervention Areas
Education Anti human trafficking programme Child Protection Promotion of livelihood and food security Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Empowerment of women Promotion of rights and entitlements of marginalized populations Community based disaster management Agriculture and Organic Farming Human rights Addressing issues of Disability Preserving echo diversity of Sundarbans
Awareness generation on HIV/ AIDS
Programmatic & Thematic involvement of the Organization
Ensuring Health and Education Rights:The organization has prioritized Health & Education thematic areas as the core components of various programmatic interventions from its inception. Owing to various socio-cultural issues the families from the marginalized sections are unable to access adequate health facilities and provide educational support to their children. As a result these families face immense problem of health related problems as well as their children end up with unskilled labourers or become victims of trafficking. BMCDM as an organization has been striving to create space for these populations where they can access better health facilities through Govt. health services and their children can access the benefit of education in spirit of Right to Education.
Gender Equity:BMCDM believes in creating equal opportunities for both men and women in all of its programme interventions. Women from the marginalized communities play a very important role in ensuring access to education, health and skills development for their children and other family members. The organization thus focuses on ensuring equal participation in all of its programme interventions towards ensuring equality of opportunity and access to rights & entitlements for all irrespective of gender. The organization takes into account to prevent women from violence and trafficking.
Youth Development:BMCDM involves youth from the communities to ensure their participation in the development activities and make them responsible citizens. One of the significant areas of working with youth involves their participation in accessing basic minimum education and subsequent skills development leading towards employability. The organization believes that active participation of the youth can help in meaningful development of the communities, peace building and work as change agent to create a society where people can access their constitutional rights and entitlements.
Promoting Sustainable Livelihood:BMCDM believes in skills improvement among marginalized populations and create different livelihood opportunities for them. The organization provides capacity building, technical assistance and guidance to the
people in the communities so that they get equitable and consistent source of livelihood sources as part of the constitutional entitlements using available resources and opportunities.
Disaster Risk Management:The geographical intervention locations where BMCDM works are prone to various natural disasters and to combat such situation, the organization has established a team of its own to provide necessary support to the affected people in the coastal belts in & around Sunderbans. The team focuses on disaster risk reduction and makes people aware on the various aspects of coping with such situations, understanding climate change and its effect on soil & water. The trained team of BMCDM provides continuous guidance and takes part in emergency response at times of disasters.
Thematic Programme Intervention
Education
BMCDM has been implementing Education programme in 25 villages covering Canning-I, Canning-II and Basanti blocks of South 24 Parganas. The core focus of the programme intervention has been focused on ensuring continuum of education for all the children between 3 to 14 years. In this context, BMCDM has established close liaison with the concerned Govt. departments and communities in executing the programmes.
The first step has been taken to ensure enrolment of all the children to ICDS centres. During last year 201 children have been enrolled in these
centers across 25 villages and among them 163 children have been enrolled in neighbourhood Govt. schools in age appropriate classes.
Multi Activity Centres (MAC) have been set up in the villages to provide academic and other skills improvement support to the school enrolled children to ensure their retention and scholastic excellence. The school teachers, Panchayat members, parents and larger community people have extended all necessary cooperation in operating these centres. Apart from academics and skills development, children also enjoy playing at the centres after studies. These MACs have been a very effective in encouraging children in their studies as well as encouraging their parents in regularizing their children to schools. Community people are also being benefitted from MACs as they get information about child rearing, health care, WASH.
Some of the significant impacts are: More than 85% children are regular in school and ICDS centres. 50 students have ranked within 1st - 10th in their respective classes at
the primary level. More than 120 students have improved in academics and ranked to
Grade-A. During last year one student has ranked 1st at the Sub-division Level
Sports event. Hygiene practice among all children has improved including hand
wash, use of toilets and dustbins.
Enrolment Awareness Camp – During last year, BMCDM programme team has organized 24 such camps in the villages and as a result they have been able to enroll more than 4000 children in age appropriate classes. The indirect effect of these camps has helped another 2500 children to get enrolled in their neighbourhood Govt. schools.
Teacher’s Training – Capacity building of the Govt. school teachers has been undertaken in 42 schools during last year focusing on ‘joyful interactive teaching method’. These trainings have been useful in the retention of children as more than 95% children have been retained in schools. The attendance of children has also improved in schools with use of interactive teaching methodologies by the teachers.
Strengthening the School Management Committee (SMC) – Initiatives have been taken to strengthen the SMCs in the 25 villages for active participation of the parents and teachers towards ensuring regularity and retention of the children. At the same time emphasis has also been given on academic improvement among the children. Involvement of the parents has been taken into consideration as it is one of the major issues in ensuring children participation and continuation of studies. The Headmaster, Teachers, Panchayat Pradhan, SI of Schools and
VLCPC members have also been involved in these meetings.
As a result of this, 20 schools out of the 42 schools have regularized SMC meetings in their schools and participation of parents have improved
remarkably. Further initiatives have been taken to regularize the same in the remaining 22 schools.
Advocacy with DPO (SSM) – The programme team of BMCDM has placed request with the schools for setting up of separate toilets for boys and girls. Subsequently they have also advocated with the District Project Officer – Sarva Shiksha Mission for the same. As a result all the 42 schools have been set up with separate toilet blocks for boys and girls.
Apart from these, training for BMCDM staff members has been organized on joyful learning, classroom management, prevention & treatment from snake attacks, Right to Education and Juvenile Justice Acts, Gender Equality and dealing with Children with Special Needs.
Child Protection
One of another core area of intervention for BMCDM has been ensuring protection of children in their respective communities and preventing them from different vulnerable situations. The organization has been working closely with District and Block Administration, Police and Childline services in preventing and rescuing children from vulnerable situations. More than 100 child marriages have been prevented and another 250 children have been prevented from being trafficked by the organization over the years with help from Police, Block Officials and Childline. BMCDM has strong presence in the communities through its programme interventions and has been working closely with the families, Village Level Child Protection Committees (VLCPC) and Block Level Child Protection Committees (BLCPC). The District Administration has also appraised them several times for their active involvement in prevention of children from abuse and exploitations.
During last year BMCDM has taken up several initiatives in addressing the issues of Child Protection, which include:
Formation of Child Parliament & Kanyashree Club: It has been possible to establish Child Parliament and Kanyashree Clubs in each of the intervention villages. Children who are vocal and leadership skills have been involved in the Child Parliament. Similarly the articulate girls who have received support from Kanyashree Prakalpa have been involved in the Kanyashree Clubs. The major tasks of these groups are to encourage all eligible children for study and also prevent them from all forms of abuses and exploitations. They regularly meet among themselves and also report back to the VLCPCs for necessary mitigation of the cases being identified by them. They also take part in the meetings of VLCPCs and events being organized by the committees on Child Rights issues. Through their collective effort, they have been able to prevent 20 child marriage cases and 40 cases of child labour.
Orientation of VLCPC and BLCPC Committee members – During last year BMCDM has taken initiative to orient the members of these two committees on their roles and responsibilities. The members have been explained about how they can extend support to the children in difficult circumstances and the need for protecting the children from vulnerable situations.
Tracking of Children: The Children Parliament members have organized meetings with other children in their respective communities and have been able to reach out to over 6500 children. These meetings have enabled the children to open up and share their thoughts on different issues affecting their lives. The Child Parliament members have noted the important issues for sharing with the VLCPC members.
Orientation on Childline Service: The children across the 25 villages along with their parents have been oriented on the services being provided through Childline. Some children were already aware about the service and they had called up 1098 just to verify the system. Remaining other children and the parents have been informed about how they can approach Childline service at times of crisis of their children and the nature of services being provided through the system.
Awareness Camps of Child Protection issues: through this activity 50 villages have been covered involving the Govt. service providers like
Anganwadi Worker, ASHA Worker, Anganwadi Supervisor, Auxiliary Nursing Midwife, School Teachers, Panchayat members. The main focus of these camps
was on sensitizing children, parents and larger communities on Child Protection and Education issues. There was wide response from the children, parents and community members.
Block Level Stakeholder Consultation – BMCDM has organized this consultation with the service providers of Canning – II and Gosaba blocks. The Pradhans of all the Panchayats were present along with other members, School Teachers, Anganwadi Worker, ASHA Worker, Anganwadi Supervisor, Auxiliary Nursing Midwife and representatives from BMCDM. The main discussion focused on strengthening community based safety mechanism for Child Protection and prevention of Child Marriage & Trafficking. It was decided that all stakeholders would extend necessary support and cooperation towards ensuring protection of children from vulnerable situations.
Some other significant activities in Child Protection include:
10 adolescent girls have been awarded for active participation and in the School Health campaign titled – ‘My Life…My Decision’.
160 religious leaders have been sensitized on prevention of Child Marriage cases and their role in preventing such cases. The events were organized in Canning – II and Gosaba blocks in presence of the Block Development Officer and Block Welfare Officer. Subsequent to these orientations, 10 child marriages have been stopped by the religious leaders in their respective blocks.
240 ‘Peer Clubs’ have been formed in the project field locations. The members of the groups usually meet in every month to discuss about irregular students, children who have left school and got engaged in work, how they can bring back those children to schools. Apart from that they also discuss on issues of child protection particularly about child marriage and child trafficking. Issues of adolescents are also being discussed in these meetings.
80 adolescent girls have been trained on Life Skills issue in 3 phases across the project intervention locations.
10 children have been linked with WASH and Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK).
A Tracking System has been developed for mapping the school attendance and protecting the adolescent girls from child marriage and trafficking. This is being maintained by the School Teachers, Panchayat and VLCPC.
300 adolescent girls (100 girls from Canning-I, 100 girls from Canning-II and 100 girls from Basanti blocks
respectively) have received training on Life Skills issues. These trainings were organized by the respective ICDS centres in presence of the CPO, CDPO, and AWS & AWW. Another 150 girls (50 girls each from these 3 blocks) have received training on Tailoring organized by the respective ICDS.
Women Empowerment
Empowering women and facilitate them to lead a life with dignity has been one of the core areas of programmatic focus of BMCDM. The organization has a strong belief in Gender Equality and has been catering to women in the communities to make them aware on their Rights & Entitlements and prevention from domestic violence. Measures have been taken and successfully materialized through formation of Self Help Groups towards economic empowerment of the women in the communities.
Formation of Self Help Groups: During last year BMCDM has been able to facilitate in the process of 60 Self Help Groups (SHG) formations. This process has been done together with the involvement of the respective Panchayats. These 60 groups are spread across 3 blocks respectively – Canning-I: 2 Groups; Canning-II: 35 Groups; Basanti: 14 Groups and Gosaba: 9 Groups. Out of these groups, 40 among them have already been linked with the SHG Department for availing loans to initiate their business. Process has also been initiated to link remaining 20 groups with such facilities.
In the meantime, 9 groups have started their business which helped them to access bank loans for enhancing their businesses. The members of these 9 groups are now earning an meaningful amount from the group
activities and subsequently started supporting their family economy. They are also supporting their husbands in their agricultural activities as well.
Orientation on Gender Equality and Domestic Violence Act: During last year BMCDM has organized 4 such orientation programmes in Canning-II block covering over 120 participants involving SHG Women, VLCPC members and Panchayat members. Major discussion held on sensitizing the communities on Gender Equality and also prevention of women from domestic violence. The participants expressed their concerns about the two issues being discussed and has also committed about their role in taking forward the issue further with other community people. Livelihood
As an organization one of the core focuses of BMCDM has always been on creating adequate opportunities for the community people for alternative livelihoods. Since the intervention areas are close by the Sunderbans and natural calamities are very common in these areas thus community people struggle to survive at times of such crises. BMCDM has kept on exploring all possible means to provide training and start-up business support to the poorest of the poor families in the communities. Agriculture, fisheries, hatcheries, small scale businesses are some of the major intervention areas where the organization has spent its resources for economic well being of the communities.
During last year, BMCDM has taken certain activities related to livelihood which include:
Farmer’s Training on Agriculture and Animal Husbandry: 2000 farmers have been directly trained on these issues across Canning-II, Basanti and Gosaba blocks. These farmers were earlier dependent only on paddy crops but after this training they have started integrated farming including cultivation of fodder crops. During the lean period of the year, they are now involved in fisheries as well. The Block Land Development Officer and Animal Husbandry Doctor facilitated the sessions and explained the scope, process and opportunities to the farmers. They also explained about the procedure of accessing the facilities available with the department.
Training of Women Group for alternative livelihood: The Block level officials have extended support in organizing training for the SHG groups on exploring alternative source of livelihood. The primary training has been given to 45 women and in turn these women have been able to train another 450 women in their respective locations. The 45 women were
selected from Canning-I: 2, Canning-II: 25 and Gosaba: 8. Now that the secondary members who have been trained through these 45 women have been able to form their groups and also started their businesses through bank loans.
Apart from the above several other activities on livelihood have been undertaken which include:
Support for start-up business through hatcheries, jam & jelly making, pickle making.
Linked farmers with Pradhan Matri Fasal Bima Yojona for accessing low interest loans and crop credit.
More than 50 families have received support on start-up for poultry farming
Water – Sanitation – Hygiene (WASH)
Like all other activities that BMCDM undertake at the field, WASH is an integrated part of all these activities. The issues of WASH are being discussed and shared with the groups and communities throughout the year. The organization has been able to involve the respective government department in the process of supporting the cause and extending necessary cooperation in accessing resources and training support.
Some of the significant activities which have been undertaken last year on WASH include:
Sensitization camps and events have been organized in Canning-II, Basanti block and in Purulia under the Swaccha Bharat Mission, together with the district administration and block level officials.
5000 toilets blocks have been installed in these 3 blocks under the same programme and it has directly benefited more than 25,000 populations.
20 families have received support from the Block Agriculture department for improved marketing of their products in the market.
2500 school going children have been oriented on WASH issues with support from the respective schools, VLCPCs and Panchayats.
Meetings have been held with the district level officials for provisioning of appropriate WASH facilities in schools of Canning-I & II and Basanti blocks.
Agriculture & Fisheries
The organization has put significant input in guiding the farmers and fishermen on improved technologies for their respective purposes. As the people in the intervention areas of South 24 Parganas suffer from climatic disturbances and natural calamities, they face several problems in agricultural and fisheries activities too. The farmers do not have adequate knowledge and information of coping up with the changing scenario and thus face immense loss out of their investment in agriculture. Similarly the fishermen also lack about the updated information about pisciculture. They do not even know the procedure of accessing the services being provided from the government department. BMCDM as an organization took up the initiative since last 6 years to provide adequate knowledge and linking the farmers & fisherment with various schemes of the government so that they can survive through their respective occupations in a meaningful way.
During last year some of the major activities taken from BMCDM include:
Orientation and Access to Credit Card: This training has been organized for the farmers & fishermen to know the benefit of the credit card and how they can get benefit out of the same. The Block level Agricultural & Fisheries Officials and Panchayat members were present
during such orientation. The events have been organized in Gosaba where 25 fishermen received credit cards that would help them in commercial fisheries. 50 farmers (40 from Canning-II and 10 from Basnati) have received Kisan Credit Cards which would further enhance their agricultural activities.
Farmer’s Training on Integrated Farming: During last year 3 such trainings have been organized by BMCDM for orientation of the farmers on integrated process of faming with support from the Block Agriculture Development Department and Panchayat. These trainings have been organized in Canning-II block for 100 farmers, Basnati block for 20 farmers and Gosaba block for 30 farmers respectively.
Linking Farmer’s Families with Social Protection Schemes: BMCDM has taken initiative to support the farmers who have been engaged in organic farming. These farmers have changed from traditional farming process to organic farming thus their profit margin would be less. Keeping in view of that situation, they have been linked with
Azala Cultivation
various social protection schemes of the government through the Blocks and Panchayats. 550 farmers have been trained across Canning-II, Basanti and gosaba blocks during last year. More than 60% of them have fully engaged into organic farming and remaining is practicing both traditional and organic means of farming. These farmers and their family members numbering to more than 4500 have been linked with suitable social protection schemes of the government. The respective Block Officials and Panchayats have extended all necessary cooperation in the entire process.
Mangrove has been planted through the river banks of Amtoli and Pujali blocks covering 1000 meters area.
150 families across Canning-II, Bansanti and Gosaba have started Kitchen Gardening in their houses after being trained on integrated farming process.
Climate Change & Bio-Diversity
The global climatic change is one of another significant issue which BMCDM has been working on over the years. The organization has been sensitizing the communities on better coping up methods and risk management. Being located in the coastal areas of Sunderbans, it is one of the important issues which BMCDM has been addressing in the communities.
Some of the activities undertaken by the organization on these issues include:
Community Sensitization: The organization has organized several sensitization camps in the coastal zones to make people aware about the effects of climate change and risks arising out of it. The camps also imparted information on the probable threats to understand the issues
coming out of flood, soil erosion and mangrove destroy. About 1000 families have been sensitized on mangrove conservation and prevention from soil erosion.
Capacity Building on Disaster Management: The organization has formed 40 groups across Canning-II, Basanti and Gosaba blocks and trained them to act as Task Force to sensitize community people on protection and prevention from disaster risks.
Achievements:
The graphs below represent major achievement of BMCDM during 2017-18 through different programme interventions:
Summary of Achievement
Status showing retention of children in ICDS and Govt. Schools
0 - 5 6--9 10--12 13 - 15 Total0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400N
o. o
f Chi
ldre
n
It shows that through community led follow up process and monitoring from BMCDM, it has been possible to retain 100% children in ICDS and schools.
Status showing participation of Youth in Vocational Training programmes
Computer Motor Mechanic
Mobile reparing
Tailoring Beautician Electrician Total0
20406080
100120140160
No.
of Y
outh
116 youth have completed their training out of the total 142 participants. 31 youth have been involved in jobs and another 45 youth have started their own business. A total of 76 youth have already placed into income generation sources.
Status showing empowerment of Adolescents in Schools and Communities
0100200300400500600700800
320
75 75 126
480
8 8
385
800
83 83
511
Status showing involvement of families in different livelihood options after receiving training from Govt. Departments
40 (15%)
103 (39%)
8 (3%)
20 (8%)
58 (22%)
33 (13%)
Agriculture
Agriculture & Fodder
Food Processing
Integrated Farming
Kitchen Garden, Duckary & Gotary
Chicks Farming
Networking & Advocacy
It has been possible through meetings and dialogues to ensure participation of Child Parliament members at the VLCPC and BLCPC meetings.
After having quite a number of meetings with the DPO and CDPO of ICDS it has been possible to get an approval for organising training programmes under the ICDS scheme for adolescent girls’ issues and vocational trades.
Process is being continued for formation of School Management Committees (SMC) and also ensure organising parent Teachers Meetings across all schools on a regular basis as against the provisions of Right to Education Act, 2009.
Through the advocacy of Right to Food forum it has been possible to ensure maternity benefit of Rs. 5000/- for the pregnant women and issuance of digital Ration Card for them.
BMCDM has become a network partner with District Police under the ‘Swayamsiddha’ programme in prevention of women and children from trafficking. The District Police has involved BMCDM for school level awareness and strengthening of children’s groups.
Events & Celebrations
Observation of Raksha Bandhan Observation of Rabindra Jayanti
Observation of Girl Child Day
Community Speaks....
Abu Zafar Laskar (A Youth trained in Tailoring from Satbibi village, Canning II Block:
“Tailoring training has changed my life. I was confused when I left my studies and used to spend time with friends here & there. In between I came in contact with BMCDM and learnt about the vocational courses. Completed the tailoring course and bought a sewing machine. Currently I am earning a good amount and surviving happily. Thanks to BMCDM for
Samir Sanfui (Member of Child Parliament of Najarul Pally, Canning II Block):
“After becoming a member of the Child Parliament I have understood the meaning of Out of School Children and issues that can affect the life of such children. Being a member, I have helped three children for re-admission to schools and want to support other children at times of their problem. I want to some good work for my village. I have learnt many
Tuktuki Mondal (Earlier dropped out Children of Patikhali, Canning II Block):
“I left school two years back and was re-admitted this year. This year I have ranked fifth in my class. It has been possible for BMCDM. My sincere thanks to BMCDM for their education programme and all other activities.”
International Women's Day
Exposure Visit to Sri Ram Krishna Ashram, Nimpith, South 24 Pgs
Success Stories
There have been ample numbers of meetings….rallies….deputations….for ensuring safe drinking water and toilet facilities in all schools in spirit of the Right to Education Act. A large number of schools have been benefitted out of those advocacy initiatives. But those advocacies were routed through NGOs and other likeminded people.
This story is based on an initiative routed through the students and it has happened in Charpara village in Canning – I block. Children Parliament has been established in this village under the Education and Child Protection programme of BMCDM comprising of students aged between 10 to 14 years. They have been oriented about their
duties and responsibilities on the process of raising concerns. Subsequent to such trainings and Child Parliament meetings, the children engaged as members started pointing out problems that stop many children to attend school.
In their search they explored that the quality of drinking water in the neighbourhood government school is extremely poor and children cannot drink it. At the same time they also found out that the school does not have appropriate toilet facilities.
They put up the problems in paper and placed it before the School Management Committee, VLCPC meetings and Panchayat for necessary action. In their
Ms. Aditi Das (Child Development Project Officer of Canning II Block)“The activities of BMCDM have been very effective for protection of children. We are also working for the children, so I will be extremely happy to help any child to the best possible ways. Thanks to BMCDM and VLCPC to safeguard the children particularly the girls who are much more vulnerable than boys.”
Mr. Subhas Purkait: (Panchayat Pradhan, Tambuldaha - I Gram Panchayat)“The activity of Child Protection is very much appropriate at the present day situation. Another important activity of re-admission of dropout children admission is deserves high appreciation because this will lay and strengthen
Rasid Mollah (Farmer), Kawrakhali, Canning II“Usage of organic manures in agriculture farming is a new journey of pesticides free vegetable production. I believe that this will bring down deadly diseases in the community. I will give my full effort in the process as I have benefited from use of organic manure in cultivation.”
Ms. Hamida Laskar, (Panchayat Pradhan Tambuldaha - II Gram Panchayat)“I highly appreciate various activities of BMCDM. The concept of Child Parliament is new but after observing their work, I fully agree that it is very effective at the grass root level. I express my gratitude to BMCDM for their
Empowered Child Parliament –
Facilitated Safe Drinking Water &
letters to these authorities they explained that such facilities would benefit 325 students enrolled in the school. The Panchayat and VLCPC members extended cooperation and installed deep tube well in the school in consultation with the school authority. The school also allocated some funds through which separate toilet blocks have been built up for boys and girls.
This is one of the success initiative led by the Children Parliament and set up an example for other such Child Parliament operating from other villages. It indicates that effective communication and
This is an incident of South Homra village under Tambuldaha - II Gram Panchayat of Canning II block. Kashmira Khan (name changed) of Class – IX and a beneficiary of Kanyashree Prakalpa was to be married unless the Panchayat, VLCPC, School Authorities and BMCDM team members had come forward. Her father Azad Khan being a daily wage earner thought of marriage of her daughter with the son of Manchur Halder, a neighbour in their community. The son of Manchur Halder has studied up to Class – VI and later on started to work as daily wage earner. At the time of this incidence, Riyajul Halder was about 20 years old. Neither of the families was aware about the legal and social aspects of child marriage. Rather they decided to go for the marriage of their children.
This information was circulated to the VLCPC and BLCPC members by the members of the Children Parliament. The Chairperson of the VLCPC took initiative to prevent the marriage and involved the Head Teacher of Homra Palta High School, members of the Panchayat and five members from BMCDM. Collectively they reached Kashmira’s house and made them understand. Subsequently they also met the family members of Riyajul and made them understand the facts.
Later on both the families signed off a declaration that they will stop the event and would wait till both of them attain legal age of marriage. This process was completed in presence of the Block Development Officer and Block Welfare Officer. At the same time the Pradhan of the Panchayat and Head Teacher assured them that all necessary support would be extended to both the families for continuation of studies. Riyajul would be provided with support so that he can start some small business before getting married.
Collective effort helps prevent Child
Marriage
Asamgir Gine, a student of Class – X has decided to protect children in his own village and other neighbouring villages together with his friends. He and his friends are studying in Howramari High School in Magrahat-II block in South 24 Parganas. They have taken active part in the ‘Swayangsiddha’ initiative of West Bengal police from the very first day and got involved in the preventive activities.
Swayangsiddha is an initiative to encourage youth-led action and partnership to combat human trafficking and prevent child marriage. Swayangsiddha means self-reliance. It envisions empowering young girls and boys with knowledge and skills so that they are aware, alert, able to make informed choices and are less vulnerable to violation and abuse of their rights. Swayangsiddha initiative by West Bengal Police aims to combat human trafficking and prevent child marriage. Swayangsiddha Groups have been formed in schools and colleges with interested students. These groups were formed with students between the age group of 12 to 21 years. Child Protection Committee is monitoring and guiding these groups.
After being attached with this initiative during end of 2017, he has been able to prevent 2 girls from child marriage and re-admitted them into schools. His friends have also become partners in this initiative and they have taken a oath to protect children in their localities with support from police and BMCDM.
Conference – Meetings – Workshops
Workshop on Child Protection issue attended by the Secretary in New Delhi
Partners meeting at difference places organized by the donor agencies Attended meetings organized by the Right to Education Forum
Swayangsiddha:Student’s Frontier
BrigadeFor Child Protection
Attend meetings of the Right to Food forum Participated at the District Level coordination meetings of Childline
service Attended District Level review meetings organised by the Additional
District Magistrate and District Social Welfare Officer of South 24 Parganas
Attend the conference of West Bengal Judicial Officers’ Democratic Association
Attended meetings of the Disaster Risk Reduction forum in Baruipur
Apart from the above the organisation programme team members have attended community level meetings of the Panchayat, Village Level Child Protection Committee, and Block Level Child Protection Committee, Block Level meetings on Irrigation and Horticulture Meeting with PRI and Block level stake holder
Partners in Solidarity
Government Departments District Administration of South 24 Parganas Sarva Shiksha Mission, South 24 Parganas district Block Land Development Office Block Agriculture Development Office Block Development Office Sub-Divisional Officer District Social Welfare Department District, Sub-Division and Block Police Stations District Project Office – ICDS District Rural Livelihood Mission Office District Disaster Management Cell Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis Mission Nirmal Bangla
Donor Agencies Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) Big Lottery Fund Action Aid, West Bengal UNICEF West Bengal Railway Children
Way Forward
The organisation has focused on developing the next five year’s strategic plan in spirit with the Sustainable Development Goals, National Plan of Action for Children and State Plan of Action for Children. While the organisation has grown up with their core work on development of women, children and adolescents, it has thus become significant to lay down the roadmap for next course of action.
BMCDM would strive to enhance the field level programme interventions to reach out to more underprivileged populations in the coastal blocks of Sunderbans. There are several issues that require adequate attention and coordination with the Govt Departments for crating access to services for the populations who are struggling to survive.
Strengthening existing linkages at the State and National level with Govt. Departments, with the Networks and Donor agencies would be another important area of focus to accelerate the activities of the organisation. Along with this, the organisation would also focus on strengthening its work on integrated model of development covering Education, Child Protection, Adolescents, Women Empowerment, Livelihoods, WASH and Bio-Diversity.
The organisation also feels about the exposure for its team members at the State and National level through training, workshop and short courses. This would help establishing the network with other National Level organisations and subsequently accelerating the activities of the organisation.
The organisation wishes to generate meaningful resource for its activities from the Govt. Departments, supporting partner donor agencies and individuals. We at BMCDM are really thankful to all our supporters, donors and Govt. Officials for their continued encouragement, capacity building support and helping us out in appropriate execution of the projects. We are hopeful to receive such support in future course of our partnership with them and taking forward our agenda of integrated community development.
I wish all the success to the entire team of BMCDM in taking forward the activities in future.
Regards,
Smasul Alam Khan
Secretary
List of Abbreviations
ADO – Agriculture Development OfficerANM – Auxiliary Nursing Mid-wifeASHA – Accredited Social Health ActivistsAWS – Anganwadi SupervisorAWW – Anganwadi WorkerBDO – Block Development OfficerBLCPC – Block Level Child Protection CommitteeBWO – Block Welfare OfficerCDPO – Child Development Project OfficerDPO – District Project OfficerGP – Gram PanchayatICDS – Integrated Child Services SchemePTA – Parent – Teachers AssociationSHG – Self Help GroupSMC – School Management CommitteeVLCPC – Village Level Child Protection Committee
Bagmari Mother and Child Development Mission (BMCDM)
Bagmari Mather and Child Develop Mission (BMCDM) is a not for profit development organization working with the mandate for a humane social order based on truth, justice, equality and freedom aimed at empowerment of the poor and marginalized community.
Established in 2003, BMCDM works in North & South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and Purulia districts of West Bengal in India for enhancing capacity and fostering development process on the side of the vulnerable communities and address their real needs. We appreciate your continued support and guidance in our endeavour
All donations are exempted under the Section 80G and 12AA of the Income Tax Act.
