Strategic Plan:

There is a certain logic underlying development projects, whether we realise it or not. Our project is well designed, the major activities or inputs of the organization (e.g. facilitation, organizing, training, capital, technology) should result in certain intermediate results or outputs (e.g. problem solving capacity, viable organization, improved knowledge and skills, higher level of production etc.). In turn, these results and outputs should lead to the desired long-term impact on the target population (higher income, better health, schooling, people controlled institutions, greater self-confidence etc.).

Poverty has various manifestations, including lack of income and productive resources sufficient to ensure sustainable livelihoods: hunger and malnutrition; ill health; limited or lack of access to education and other basic services; increased morbidity and mortality from illness; homelessness and inadequate housing; unsafe environments; and social discrimination and exclusion. It is also characterized by a lack of participation in decision-making and in civil, social and cultural life.

Poverty can be attacked at two levels. One is short term objectives, which will be linked with long term objectives, the aim of which is to maximize the participation of poor people in order to sustain development. Four major areas of development are emphasized.

• Iliteracy, which breeds ignorance due to lack of education. Therefore the literacy programme is one of the developmental components
• Releasing the physical power of the people through sustainable health initiatives
• Releasing the productive power of the target group through building capacity for maintaining a livelihood, and by creating People's Financial Institutions with credit facilities
• Releasing the self-governing power of the target group by forming local organizations such as Women's Sangha, farmers' associations, Village Development Councils etc., for a people controlled institution

Sustainable livelihoods

The promotion of Sustainable Livelihoods is the second key area of the right-based strategic plan set out by DEEDS. The goal is stated as being “To support sustainable livelihood alternatives for families and communities in order to counter child exploitation and to increase life opportunities for excluded children”. Many of the enrolled families in the operational area are under the Below Poverty Line (BPL). The main causes of poverty in the project operational area are:

The economic conditions of the families are far from satisfactory and the monthly household income varies between Rs. 1000 and Rs. 1500. The effect of these causes is the denial of basic needs and rights, debt, inadequate housing, malnutrition and ill health. In such poor economic conditions the rights of a child are denied, particularly the right to education, as children work to supplement the household income or stay at home to look after siblings. Before the rights of a child can be asserted, the economic situation of the family must be improved so that they are in a position, for example, to pay for a child's education.

The strategic plan targets these causes specifically through its concentration on Sustainable Livelihoods. The aim is to improve the economic situation of the community as a whole so that families are capable of meeting their basic daily needs, which includes the educational expenses of children. A community-based approach is adopted because it encourages collective decision-making and fosters unity and cohesion amongst the community. This approach takes the form of encouraging the creation of local organisations through which the process of empowerment and development can occur. These organisations are:

• Women's Sanghas
• Farmer's Associations
• Youth Associations

Each organisation is based on the same model and operates in the same manner. They are democratic organisations with elected positions of President, Secretary and Treasury that are voted for bi-annually. The members are then encouraged to register the organisation legally with the local government and to renew this registration each year. This is crucial when lobbying governmental agencies about development schemes and funding. It ensures that Departments and officials take the applications of the organisations seriously, something not always guaranteed for rural populations .

The process of empowerment and development has three key areas: capacity building , the formation of a micro-finance system and a monitoring and evaluation system. DEEDS works with the organisations giving training, advice and support in each of these areas, at all times encouraging self-sufficiency and independent thought.

A BASIC REPRESENTATION OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN:

A BASIC STRUCTURAL OVERVIEW OF THE RURAL PONNAI PROJECT:

CAPACITY BUILDING:

Capacity building and training is provided by DEEDS in order to help the members of the local organisations realise their true potential, both personally and economically. This involves imparting knowledge and skills to the organisations and its members so that they can take control of their own development. There are two levels to this as the diagram above demonstrates:

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The Indian Planning Commission has defined the poverty line on the basis of a recommended nutritional requirement of 2,400 calories per person per day for rural areas and 2,100 calories per person per day for urban areas. Indian Economy: Problems, Policies and Development Dr S Sankaran

Article and diagrams contributed by ex-DEEDS volunteers, Paul Gunstensen and Stuart Cameron.