We love Kalahatti! …. But as a team we have identified some of
the main problems that are apparent here in the village. We are hoping to help
them as much as possible and get the village back on the right path. We have created some dedicated and
enthusiastic Committee groups in order to work with the community here to target
many of these key problems.
Kalahatti consists of approx 80 families, all of which are
very poor. They work mostly in agriculture and as casual labourers. One of the
key problems in agriculture is the land being so close to the forest, this
means that wild animals destroy the crops and we have even been told a few cows
have got eaten in the past by wild animals… Gulp! The crops farmed here include
sugar cane, banana, cotton, mango and ragi (a type of seed that is very
nutritious and made into ragi ball). Casual laborers have to travel a very long
way from their families to find work. The days are long and the work is hard.
The annual wage is approx 10-20,000 Rupees (equivalent of 250 GBP)
There are also massive water problems. There are only four
mini tanks to supply the whole village with water – only three work and they have
not been cleaned in years. Five temperamental bore wells also exist, although
the water is slightly cleaner, they rarely supply enough water. None of the
water is purified or safe to drink.
There are many health problems in our village, many people suffer
from joint and back pains. Dysentery is also a massive problem as many families
have little knowledge about health and hygiene. The majority of Kalahatti
villagers openly defecate as there is no other option. The women have to go
before sunrise as they cannot be seen defecating and in the rainy season they
have to travel even further.
Here are what our committees have been doing to tackle some
of these issues:
PRA Committee
These guys workso well together, like cogs in a clock. We
have a beautiful poster documenting the history of Kalahatti, in Kannada (the
local dialect) and in English which will be donated to the school at the end of
the project. The Venn/Chapatti diagram was made to help assess the needs of the
villagers. There was a large social map made on the ground outside the school
and we are lucky enough to have an engineer in our midst who made a very
accurate blue print.
Community Based Organization
Many women in Kalahatti are fearful of joining Self-Help
Groups as in the past a lot of money has been stolen. Fraud is possible if the
majority of the group is illiterate which is the norm. However, there are 11
ladies in Kalahatti ladies eager to start a new SHG. MYKAPS is coming to teach
them about accounting, though unfortunately this has been put back a few days
by a death in the village. A nearby village has 4 successful SHGs who have
organized for the local government to build each household a toilet. Girl
Power! Hopefully the Kalahatti SHG will become just as successful.
Beneficiary Selection
This committee really had their work cut out. Juggling the
needs of the villagers and negotiating the village politics was no easy task.
The household surveys were very useful in deciding on the beneficiaries. Georgie added some additional questions to the
survey that gave us crucial information. If they were not willing to learn how
to use the toilet, not willing to use it at all (you would be surprised), or not
willing to contribute in any way then they were immediately removed from the
list. All the families that have been selected we feel really want and deserve
them.
Health Awareness
We have three health awareness lessons that improve every
time we do them. One team focuses on disease awareness, another on the spread
of disease by flies and mozzies and preventions - Rob has perfected the art of
miming a fever very well. The last group focuses on the importance of hand
hygiene, which the school kids love, especially when Anil is talking.
Health Camp
Our advertising worked a dream (Ravi and his drum came in
handy) 205 people attended our health camp held in Kalahatti school on 8th
March. The doctors were an hour late but after a bit of ‘re-organization’ a
healthy queue of unhealthy people had developed. It was really special to see a
woman gynecologist on International Woman’s Day. The next heath camp is very
soon in a nearby village and we hope for an even better turnout!
Construction Team
The community hall that we live in is next to a field that
is used for open defecation. Not for long though! The most frequent visitor is
a member of a family who is soon going to benefit from a toilet. 13th
March is a big day for the volunteers. CONSRUCTION STARTS!!! We are going to be
learning from the masons as we go and the majority of the 20 beneficiaries are
digging their holes at this very minute!
Secondary Project
This committee decides upon all of the extra bits and pieces
that we can do around the village. One of the potential projects is making the
inside of the pre-school toddler-friendly. It is in desperate need of TLC. The
sports events that have been organized have been a real hit. We have had cricket,
volleyball and table tennis. The local teenagers love it. Making Mother’s Day
cards was a real hit with the school children and they personalized them with
their name and their hand print.
Personal Messages:
Sally – Namaskara! Wishing all the Crockers & Prestons
lots of LOVE & gingerness from Kalahatti! The 2nd Phase is going
great and all the team are working their socks off! Speak soon, Lots of Love
XXX
Will – Hello mum and dad, hope your settling into to Ludlow
life, I’m halfway through the project and just about to build some shitters.
Hope everyone is well,say hi to ed and everybody.lots of lovex
Georgie- Bonjour maman! Et keith! AND nan! I finally got
your letter. I’ve sent you and nan more post so hopefully you’ll get it soon…
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MUM!!! Can’t wait to
see you all, missing you all loads. JE VOUS AIME BEAUCOUP! Maman, dit bonjour a
Joelle pour moi! Bisous
Alethea – Poo Hem Eye
Loaf in de air! Wee loaf cal-ah!-hat-tea. Two get hair wee ‘R’ in de air yank
key shine! Decipher that! LOVE YAWL!! Those who collaborated with me will
get another photograph, in de air style. X x x
Robert – Still don’t like spicy food.
Emma - Happy Mother’s
Day Mum, had a great birthday! Love you lots, HEmma
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