Dear friends The year 2011 is gone away with lot of new inter-ventions which were made significant changes in the life of the target communi-ties we all work. We initi-ated a new project which is known as PREMA pro-ject in collaboration with Axis Bank Foundation, which is for vocational and profess ional tra in ing courses for youth and women from the vulner-able communities. The network organization like Odisha Adivasi Manch, Utkal Dalit Manch and East Coast Fisher People Fo-rum have taken up advo-cacy issues and succeeded in some cases. The net-work group where co-coordinated very well for the implementation of For-est Right Act. and MGNREGA. I am very hopeful that 2012 will bring more structural changes from the grass root like Panchayat Raj System to State level for the benefit of the under

privilege people of Odisha. Globalization without hu-man face and fundamental-ism are the dangers for the

humanity. People with secular credentials and values can make a big change through civil soci-ety organization in future. All the stakeholders of the civil society should take the responsibility.

From President’s desk INSIDE

Highlights : Workshop on Natural Resource

2-3

Success story : Where there is a will there is a way

4

Notes from the fields Children’s day Celebration Water, Sanita-tion and Hygiene-WASH Strengthening the community for ECE Fighting against HIV/AIDS Thrashing Dalits’

5-7

Programe Activi-ties : Education Health Livelihood NEG fire

8-13

For subscription Contact details

14

E-NEWS People’s Rural Education Movement

Mandiapalli Village, Berhampur, Dist-Ganjam Pin-760-007, Odisha, India, Phone: +91-680-234-3266

Email: premoffice@prem.org.in, website : www.prem.org.in

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P E O P L E ’ S R U R A L E D U C A T I O N M O V E M E N T

( P R E M )

P A G E 2

Sri Kishore Chandra Deo, Honorable Cabinet Minister of Tribal Affairs and

Panchyat raj, Govt. of India delivering his address at the workshop

Workshop on Natural Resource Management, Food Security and Governance in tribal areas

Realizing that the Adivasi iden-tity is at risk—as they face growing marginalization, depri-vation, oppression and denial

of opportuni-t ies and rights over the land, wa-ter and for-est; the need for strength-ening the governance system under the PESA; and the need to address realities per-

taining to implementation of MGNREGA, forest rights act, health and education, gaps in policies and practices and op-erational issues—PREM and its partners Odisha Adivasi Manch (OAM) and National Advocacy Council for the Development o f I n d i g e n o u s P e o p l e (NACDIP) mooted the idea for holding a workshop on Natural Resource Management, Food

Security and Governance in tribal areas. A three-day workshop was o r g a n i z e d from 4th to 6th of Novem-ber, 2011 at St. Vincent’s Retreat Cen-tre, Gopalpur-on-Sea. The

workshop was inaugurated by Sri Kishore Chandra Deo,

Honorable Cabinet Minister of Tribal Affairs and Panchyat raj, Govt. of India in the pres-ence of Dr. Jacob Thundyil, President, PREM. Among the guests in attendance were Sri Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Former Central Rural Development Minister, Dr. Trinath Behera, former MLA, Gopalpur, Dr. Ajit Mishra, Sub-collector, B e r h a m p u r a n d M r . K.Krishnan, Convener, NAC-DIP. There were195 partici-pants—social workers includ-ing representatives from Adi-vasi and Dalit Organisations, CBOs, Networks, NGOs, Media and PRIs, Government Departments—from 12 dis-tricts of Odisha, Chhatisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and contributed to the process.

The tribal issues including Land Alienation, Forest Rights, MGNREGA, PESA, education, migration, TSP etc were discussed in details. The Honourable Tribal Affairs and Panchyat raj Minister stressed on the effective implementa-tion of the Forest Rights Act, MGNREGA and PESA in let-ter and spirit in the tribal ar-eas of Odisha. In his speech Honorable Min-ister appreciated the role of PREM, NACDIP and OAM for taking up this initiative. Men-tioning the role of Central Government in a federal sys-tem of India, Honourable Min-ister mentioned that the re-sponsibility for implementa-

tion of central government programs lies with the state government and the state government should take ac-tive interest in successfully implementing programs. “I propose to make it compulsory for all the state governments to see to it that gram and palli sabhas are video recorded”. He said “My intention is to ensure that all people come into the mainstream. This will lead to participatory democracy in the true sense,” he said. He also added that every state gov-ernment has its own pancha-yat raj system; but the provi-sions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) are en-shrined in the Constitution. Some states have not even framed the rules to imple-ment this law. We have started to give a lot of im-portance to the development of rural areas and backward regions, especially the tribal belt during the last few years. Acknowledging the problems in the Forest Right Act, the Minister said that necessary corrective measures will be taken by the parliament in the forthcoming session to ensure the tribals and forest dwellers of the country are not denied of their rights. “But, before bringing some amendments, I seek sugges-tions from tribal groups and organizations”, said the Minister.

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Highlight of the Issue

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P A G E 3

Mr.K.Krishnan, Con-vener, South India pre-senting the memoran-dum to Honorable Cabi-net Minister of Tribal Affairs and Panchyat raj, Govt. of India

Workshop on Natural Resource Management, Food Security and Governance in tribal areas

On behalf of National Adivasi Council for Development of Indigenous People (NACDIP), Mr.K.Krishnan, Convener, South India presented the cur-rent Adivasi situations in the country. He highlighted the precarious status of Adivasis in the country. Mentioning about the deprivation and marginali-zation and the nagging prob-lems in the Adivasi areas, Mr. K. Krishnan presented a memorandum to the Central Cabinet Minister of Tribal Af-fairs and Panchyat raj, demand-

ing streamlining FRC and PESA in tribal areas, ensuring quality education and stipend for the students passed 10th standard and for professional courses, education in tribal language, provision for residential schools in the tribal areas The second and third day of the workshop followed with panel discussion on natural resource management, food

security, governance and ac-tion plan presentation. This workshop could achieve all the proposed objectives. The forum has been success-ful in influencing the policies, decisions at different levels of the government. Though the movement has been success-ful in addressing certain mat-ters, more has to be done in the coming days.

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Highlight of the Issue

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P A G E 3

Ms. Jayamani Sabar.

Where there is a will there is a way

Ms. Jayamani Sabar is a 22-year-old differently abled Adivasi girl who works as a preschool teacher in her village Sargal of Rayagada sector, Gajapati district—one of the PREM preschool centers—since four years. Four years ago in her village no children were attending preschools. The community members also were not aware of the importance of education and literacy. Due to lack of awareness in the community there was no focus on early child educa-tion, regular and in time im-munization and accessing different Govt. schemes. In 2007 Jayamani received different skill trainings on ECE/ECCD, and she at-tended different ECE related meetings and workshops at sector and central level through PREM-Plan Project. In this process she showed her efficiency to manage a center and handle the young children of age group 3 to 6 years. In the classroom transaction she adopts vari-ous teaching play way meth-odologies to teach children by using various TLMs—supplied by PREM-Plan. All the children like her very much and they attend pre-

school regularly. Now Jayamani is one of the active preschool teachers in her village, and also she has taken responsibilities in other aspects of her com-munity—monthly village meetings, maintaining birth and death registers, updat-ing center records, main-taining monthly minute books, monitoring immuni-zations of pregnant w o m e n and chil-d r e n —w h i c h are hav-ing im-p o r t a n t roles for the de-

velopment of the children. My children are very ac-tive and regular in the center. They come to the center before me be-cause of their parents’ responsibility and aware-ness, said Jayamani by expressing her happiness. Out of 18,eight children from the center have suc-cessfully transitioned to primary schools—6 in Odia medium and 2 in English

medium—in this academic session. The community people are very happy and like her very much for her involvement, success and commitment working for the development of the children. Recently, Jaya-mani was selected as a Mini Angan Wadi Worker of ICDS department, based on her talent, effi-ciency and commitment.

Despite her physical defi-ciency she has been able to prove herself to be-come mainstream through her self confidence, will-power, hard labour and commitment to work for the children of her com-munity. PREM congratulates Jaya-mani Sabar for her work-ing for the development of the children.

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Success Story

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I am thankful to PREM for giving me this oppor-tunity to work as a preschool teacher and now ICDS department selected as AWW through which I can contribute to the development of the children in my community. --Statement from Jayamani Sabar

P A G E 5

Children’s day celebration

PREM in collaboration with Plan India celebrated Chil-dren’s Day—on 14th of No-vember—at all 40 ICDS centers of three blocks—Mohana, Nuagad and Gumma—of Gajapati dis-trict. On this date—which is also the birthday of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru—children, anganwadi workers, ICDS supervisors, village volun-teers, parents, PRI members and sector staff came to-

gether to celebrate this important occasion and affirm the role of children in community develop-ment. On this day drawing com-petitions were organized in all 40 centers for the chil-dren. In the competitions the children participated actively and had lots of fun, and also they were pro-vided with snacks and sweets to make them happy.

The program was a new experience for the chil-dren, communities, angan-wadi workers in encour-aging the children and fa-cilitating their inner po-tentials.

An innovative drawing by a child from Pindiki village at Gopalpur

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Notes from the Field

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Water, Sanitation and Hygiene-WASH PREM in collaboration with Plan India has constructed 9 Toilet Blocks, 6 Rain Water Harvesting Structures and 6 Bore wells in 6 schools scat-tered over the project op-erational area in Program unit Chilika. The main objec-tive of this construction in-cluded to create a healthy Environment in schools, to meet children’s need for pota-ble water and protect them from water borne diseases that keep them away from school and to attract grown up girl children who face difficul-ties in the absence of toilet and water facilities in schools. One each WASH (Water Sanitation & Hygiene) Com-mittee has been formed in

the schools for the proper use and maintenance of the infrastructures and to build related awareness in the schools, families and commu-nities. In October the Program Unit, Chilika organized se-ries of meetings in each of the 6 schools—Sukhophakori High School, Basudev High School, Khatuardy Primary School, Gopinath Dev Bidyapitha, Charichhaka and Badanalo Panchayat High school and Epping Primary School on. In these meetings each of the school children dis-cussed on WASH, the roles of the WASH com-

mittee and the proper use and maintenance of the infrastructures. 100 stu-dents in each school par-ticipated in the meeting. Also the teachers of the schools participated in the programs. At the end all stakeholders recognized the importance of WES. The rights of the children to a quality education and good health are realized through school and com-munity-led processes that are supported by local au-thorities and non-state ac-tors who are capable, pro-active, and well informed regarding school.

Ongoing

Initiatives

P A G E 5

GP level public hearing on education at Dabarkona, Nuagad GP of Padam-

pur block, Rayagada district

Strengthening the community for ECE

Three Capacity building training programs to pre school committee, vil-

lage education committee and matru mangal com-mittee were organized at Gumma, Daring-badi and Gou-dogotho areas in which 260 par-ticipants—center facilitators, pre-school commit-tee members,

village education committee members, PRI members

representative—participated in these pro-gram. The main objectives of this program were to strengthen pre school educa-tion and create awareness on mother tongue based early childhood education in the Adivasi area. Topics covered in these training programs were the importance of Early Child-hood Education (ECE) and education, mother tongue based ECE, roles and re-sponsibilities of pre-school and Matru Mangal commit-tees, monitoring and super-

vision process, available schemes and provisions under ICDS, establishing a linkage among preschool, primary school and com-munity, process—how and where—of demanding availing schemes at differ-ent level. In these trainings the participatory method of discussion enhanced the level of knowledge of the participants and they realized the importance of their involvement in ECE and the primary education process. The participants expressed their commit-ment towards delivering

HIV / AIDS Rally

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Fighting against HIV/AIDS On 1st December, PREM in collaboration with Plan India

observed World AIDS Day in its operational areas—Gajapati and Puri districts. The main objective of this obser-vation was to create awareness among the communities about the symptoms, causes and preventives of the pandemic disease

HIV/AIDS and to remove fear, stigma and discrimination that

are attached to this disease. In Gajapati district more than 500 participants—students, SHG leaders, youth, PRI members, school teach-ers, Govt. ICDS and health staff—gathered in four differ-ent sectors—Adava, Mohana, Parimal, Gumma. Rallies were organised in this areas— students, youths and women were the active partici-pants—on the theme of “Getting To Zero” AIDS Deaths.

After the rallies meetings were conducted in respective areas on the topic of role communities and other stake-holders in fighting against HIV/AIDS. An essay writing competition on the topic “role of youth mass bringing AIDS death to zero” conducted among the young students and prizes were distributed to the win-ning participants in the meeting.

P A G E 6

Fighting against HIV/AIDS

Similarly in Chilika project area this day was celebrated with greater enthusiasm in

every village of this project area. A rally proceeded in every village through the coordination of concerned SHG and VDC lead-ers. Different awareness mes-

sages on HIV/AIDS were chanted during the rallies. Village youths, children, mothers, PRI members were the active partici-pants. The main motto was to spread message on HIV in their village as well as nearby villages. This pro-gram was very successful and the participants prom-ised to fight against the HIV/AIDS and take care of sick people and motivate

them to attend health camps and ICTC centres.

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Initiatives

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Thrashing Dalits’ issues for their solidarity A state level Dalits’ con-sultation workshop was convened by PREM at Saint Vincent’s Retreat centre Gopalpur-on-Sea in the month of December. 160 participants—Dalit repre-sentatives—from all the 30 districts participated in this program. The main objec-tive of this workshop was to thrash Dalits’ issues, find out solutions and strategic direc-tions towards the liberation and development of the Dalit communities. Sri. Madhusu-dan Yadav, Retired Joint Secretary, Mass education, Government of Odisha, Dr.

Trinnath Behera, Ex-MLA, Gopalpur, Dr. Jacob Thundyil, President, PREM, Fr. Bijay Nayak, Secretary, Odisha, were among the dignitaries present for the workshop. The highlighted topics in these two days were social justice, quality education and inclusive development for Dalit communities in Odisha. Each district dis-cussed and presented their respective issues, steps taken to address these is-sues and the future course of action to be taken fol-lowing visioning exercise

through a tool called SCOT (Strength, challenge, Opportunities and Threat). The workshop was highly participatory and discussed the subjects from various angles and had new mem-bers elected to the State level Dalits’ association called ‘Utkal Dalit Manch.

P A G E 8

Education

There was a two days long training of Primary school teachers at Hotel Padma on

Positive disci-pline in the month of De-cember. The objective of the training pro-gram was to make schools inclusive, dis-crimination free and help de-velop in the schools a joyful

learning environment. More than 90 teachers partici-pated in the workshop. A BRCC, 4 CRCCs and 2 School Inspectors of schools were among the guests pre-sent. On the first day, teach-ers in 3 groups had a debate

on corporal punish-ment. While a group supported punish-ment as essential to keep children on track, another did oppose it as harmful and the other spoke on positive measures towards discipline. A power point presen-

tation was presented on the following day pertaining to Positive discipline versus Punishment followed by in-teractions and clarifications. It was highly participatory and well appreciated by the

teachers and the block and cluster resource centre coordinators. Also this training has enabled teach-ers to develop positive re-lationship with students. To deliberate on the promo-tion of Early Childhood Edu-cation in tribal areas of Od-isha, PREM in collaboration with Plan India organized a Workshop on Promot-ing Early Childhood Education in Tribal Ar-eas in the month of De-cember. In this platform 120 participants represent-ing CBOs, NGOs, Media, PRI members, academi-cians, lawyers, and activists were present to contribute the process. The main speakers included Dr. Jacob Thundyil, President, PREM; Mr. Smruti Ranjan Jena, Program Manager, ULLASH; and Mr. Jayk-rishna Hota from Dharitri newspaper. Dr. Jacob Thundyil, Presi-dent, PREM in his address highlighted on the impor-tance and need of early childhood education in tribal areas of Odisha. He then focused on multilin-gual education which is es-sential for the tribal chil-dren to mainstream in the present society.

The Guest of Honour, Mrs. Gayatri Devi, CDPO, Mohana said that though Govt. has formulated vari-ous schemes for the wel-fare of the people but due to man power constraints and poor coordination between Government and Non-Governmental or-ganization these program are not benefiting the people. She seek support of the Non Governmental organization to bridge the gap.

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PREM Program Ativities

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P A G E 9

Education

The panel discussion on promotion of child hood education in tribal areas was organized in which topics

such as impor-tance of mother tongue and multi lingual language for the cognitive and psychosocial development of the children were discussed. In the group presenta-tion the partici-pants presented

on importance of mother tongue based education for the integrated development, role of AWW for creating a child friendly atmosphere in the center and visualizing an ideal Anganwadi Centre in the tribal areas and what should be the roles of the stakeholders. This two days workshop created good platform for the participants to learn from each other and as the goal is same for all to ensure quality preschool education in tribal areas. As the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 is a major step to-wards India achieving uni-versal elementary education in India to make sure that all the children from 6-14 years

of age attend school. This act seems an affirmative step to ensure elementary education for every child of India. In order to address the large existing issues of equity and quality within the education system un-der the umbrella of Right to Education Act and to bring the children from 6-14 years to the school in the operational area, PREM organized a District level workshop on Right to Education at Hotel Padma, Puri in the month of November. The pur-pose of this program was to borne out of a felt need to bring the education community collectively for reflecting on this issue with special reference and to generate awareness among the people at grassroots level and ensuring social monitoring of the imple-mentation of the Right to Education Act. CI, SIs, BRCC, Head Mas-ters and other Govt. Offi-cials from Education de-partment—student, teacher, SMC &VEC, ICDS workers—and pre-school teachersfrom four sectors participated in this work-shop. The major topics discussed in this platform were effective implementa-

tion of Right to Education at school, Panchayat and home by SMC & VEC, effective implementation of ICDS Program, so that children can enjoy the Right to Education in the school, the socio-economic, political and cultural development as-pects for the effective implementation of Right to education and role of the teachers. These topics were discussed both in panel and group discus-sion. The best group who presented this above topic in an effective way was awarded. The presenta-tions of the groups indi-cated greater learning over the last 10 years. The workshop proved the effectiveness of the pro-grams implemented over the years.

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P A G E 1 0

Health

At St. Vincent Retreat Cen-ter, in Gopalpur-on-Sea in the month of December PREM in collaboration with Plan India convened a workshop on Commu-nity Based Disease Man-agement and Promoting healthy community in Odisha for two days. This

work-shop was organized to further sensitise the com-munity on the vari-ous sys-tems of treatment and en-sure com-munity

involvement in the manage-ment of health system in the rural areas. 110 participants including health workers, community members, PRI members, doctors and NGO members attended the programme. The Chief guests included Dr. Dipak Kumar Bisoi from MKCG Medical College. Dr.Jacob Thundyil, President of PREM in his keynote ad-dress highlighted different successful health interven-tions of PREM which im-proved the health condi-

tions of the people which declined the mortality rate. He appreciated the role played by MKCG Medical College in helping the rural poor and the association of PREM in different health programs. Dr. Bisoi in his address highlighted on public health—promotion of health, prevention of dis-ease and prolong of life which can ensure quality, productive and meaningful life. He focused on the need for coordination among different depart-ments of Government for ensuring better health fa-cilities. Mr. S. N. Gupta, Retd. Govt. Health Trainer an-other guest of this work-shop explained different Govt. health schemes in brief. He also emphasized on

the role of NGOs and civil society in supplementing the activities of Govern-ment. Dr. S.N.Patra, Principal, Electro Homeopath Col-lege, Berhampur shared about the efficacy of elec-tro homeopathy in curing the conical diseases. In the second day in the panel discussion topics like role of PRI and civil society members in health management was deliber-ated. This platform created a linkage between com-munity and Govt. ser-vice provider to avail different health facilities.

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Livelihood

Under project PREMA a total number of 10 beneficiaries have com-pleted the Driving training at Vijaya Techni-cal Training School, Ber-hampur

(Ganjam District). Similarly,

19 beneficiaries have com-pleted the driving training at Anand Bazar (Puri District). They have procured driving license from the District Road Transport Officer, Ganjam.

All of them were awarded course completion certifi-cate and driving license at a special ceremony organized for the purpose at PREM Headquarters by Dr. Jacob Thundyil, President, PREM, Mr. Pravat Mohanty, Branch Manager and Mr. Shanoj Thomas, Assistant Manager of AXIS Bank, Berhampur Branch. A total number of 17 batches of Grihini train-ing program were con-ducted by December 2011 and 2 batches are sched-uled to be completed by the first week of January 2012. During December, 4 batches of training camps began at Puri district. While the training started at Satapada, Astarang, Brahmagiri and Konark re-spectively. A portion of the participants of Grihini training at Satapada who did not know how to put signature. All of them were taught signing their own names on priority basis. A group of Bachelor of Social Work students from NISWAS, a social work school at Bhubaneswar visited the camp and inter-acted with the participants. The trainees promised to initiate efforts for starting kitchen garden after com-

pletion of the training. The organizers of Asta-rang camp invited the lo-cal Sarapanch and Child Development Project Offi-cer as external resource person for their Grihini training programme. The participants of Konark camp organized a village cleaning drive on 30th December which had a good impact on them also to the villagers. The Second batch of par-ticipants for Advanced Agriculture Training conducted at Kerala Agri-culture University and Jananeethi returned to Odisha on 13th October 2011. They shared their experiences with the ‘Project PREMA’ officials at PREM Headquarters. They also prepared their plan-of-action for imple-mentation of their learning in their own localities. The Second batch com-prised of 19 members and all were young women.

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Dr. Jacob Thundyil and Mr. Pravat Mohanty (Axis Bank, Berhampur) in the driving licence distribution function at

Grihini women Participants at Arak khudo village and VISWASS study team.

P A G E 1 2

Livelihood

By end of October, a total number of 38 participants have completed the training and the 3rd batch will leave

for Kerala on 20th Janu-ary. A review meet-ing of the alumni of 1st and 2nd

batch in Advanced Agricul-ture Training was held on 29th December at PREM Headquarters. Emphasis was laid upon video documenta-tion of the important activi-ties undertaken by the alumni at various locations. It was reported that a few alumni have started cultivat-ing mushroom at Dahilima (Mohana Block of Gajapati District). After consuming the nutritious food, a por-tion of the produce is also sold in the local market. Two training programs on organic farming to the youth farmers were organized in the month of October. The main objec-tive this program was to enhance the capacity of the

farmers to promote the or-ganic farming. Around 120 farmers attended this pro-gram with greater interest. Agriculture officer, Nuagad block was the resource person in this program. The topics covered during the two days training pro-gram were cropping prob-lems, Capacity building of the farmers on land use patterns and crop rotation including intensive agro-horticulture development, short duration paddy varie-ties to be used in rain fed area and adopted new va-rieties of paddy, knowledge on government schemes and provisions, method of seed collection and treat-ment and Pest control through natural process, use of bio-compost , pesti-cide and its method of preparation, main features of SRI method of paddy cultivation, agriculture schemes and subsidiary system of the government, beneficiary criteria and sub-sidiary system of National horticulture mission. The outcome of the train-ing program was to follow up the activities such as, demonstration on paddy crops on SRI method where water source is available during the Rabi

season. Farmers planned to use pesticide and local remedies for pest control through natural process in crop field. More emphasis was given on access of agriculture and horticul-ture resources from the government, the sector level team will facilitate the follow up activities for better result. In October PREM con-ducted 19 Trainer’s of Training(TOT) pro-grams of 1 day duration for 30 youth club repre-sentatives—15 boys and 15 girls—in 19 clusters of 4 sectors of Program Unit Chilika. The main objec-tive of this program was to participate Palli Sabah and Gram Sabha for decision making process.

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Livelihood

Topics discussed at the pro-gram include community development, women’s em-powerment, child rights, different developmental schemes of govt. and its role in enhancing economic con-dition, youth entrepreneur-ship and employment, food security and other aspects of ensuring economic secu-rity for households, ensuring children's rights to survival and development were dis-cussed. The session plan for the training was included the topics like approach to com-

munity development, child/human and fundamental rights, provisions/schemes of government for commu-nities, role of youth as so-cial watch groups, gender equity. Also the partici-pants were provided with detailed information and also different techniques adopted for disseminating the messages on MNREGA, RTI and other government programs like MDM, IN-DIRA AWAS YOJANA, Old age pension, widow pension.

This program was highly appreciated by the partici-pants and it also had good impact among the youths to create self confidence and awareness on differ-ent government programs.

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NEG-FIRE Cluster Monitoring Visit

In the month of December 2011 a team of 30 mem-

bers—from Sadhana, An-dhra Pradesh, NEG-Fire, PREM—participated in cluster moni-toring review held in 28 program vil-lages of Pad-

mapur block, Rayagada dis-trict. The purpose of the review were to assess the impact of capacity building

process of the approaches of Edu-leadership program of working with aganwadi, schools, governance and community, to understand each other’s efforts on RTE and innovative approaches for effective implementation of RTE in their respective project area.

In the first two days the team visited, interviewed and had group discussions with different stake-holders—children, commu-nity members, school

teachers, SMCs and PRI members. Finally in the last day, a sharing meeting was organized at St. Vin-cent Retreat Center, Gopalpur-on-Sea. In this review they appre-ciated PREM’s initiative and role in strengthening the SMCs in the interior inaccessible tribal areas. It also treated an opportu-nity to understand the programs, strategies, and approaches and learn from each other.

Mandiapali, Rangeilunda

Bhanj Vihar, Berhampur- 760007

Ganjam, Odisha, India

Web site: www.prem.org.in

Phone: 0680-3202416

E-mail: premoffice@prem.org.in

Q u o t e…. “Local innovation and initiative can help us

better understand how to protect

our environment.”

People’s Rural Education Movement (PREM)

PREM E-NEWS

Editing Team: Himani Dash & Kailash

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People’s Rural Education Movement is a registered voluntary organization under the Societies Registration Act of India. PREM is also regis-tered with the Credibility Alliance of NGOs in India.

Diploma candidates at NTTF