LEADERSHIP INFRASTRUCTURE

Village Cadres

A six-month programme was undertaken for careful search and identification of possible village Volunteers. who share the same commitment and prospects, have influence on the village to encourage and give information on the programmes to their village, After identification of the volunteers. they were exposed to realities to make them understand we should be their role in solving such problems of individuals and villages. The cadres are very active in organizing meetings in the villages even during the absence of the field staff. The field staff is also taking the cadres to visit other villages. The usual topics in these meetings are related to their daily problems, created by landlords, moneylender and official bureaucrats.

The people's, involvement in these programmes is so valid and their confidence and strength on unity is going day by day. In the end of 1982, a total of 28 cadres had been trained. In April 1983 the selected cadres underwent training in development for a period of seven days in Semiliguda, and in 1985, total of 110 cadres were active in the villages.

The project depends on these committed workers to first identify the need and the reality of each situations find ways for the people to help themselves to better living conditions. The very poor are identified by the cadre, whereas in 1991, 217 landless labourers and 62 bounded laborers were identified, of the 62 bonded labourers, 6 of them were released.

Women Cadres

Women cadres were identified and trained from 45 villages in 1986. They were exposed to different social problems in order to identify their own problems in the village. Women were able to get their wages increased in nearly 50 villages. The women also work against alcoholism. Women influenced the men to share their earrings for home management, instead of wasting it on drinks.

A of 1987, 22 women cadres were trained from the target villages. From 56 villages we trained to strengthen their Organisation and to participate in the village Loko Sangothana. Usually the organisation was dominated by men. In 36 villages women stopped preparing liquor and women from 53 villages fought for equal wages. In 60 villages wages for women had increased for agricultural and contract work

Political Cadres

In 1983 eight young people from eight villages attended a training programme on the electoral process, leadership in the village and for promoting new alternative leadership. During three days in 1998, 25 leaders (male -15 and female -10) from 15 villages were trained at field office. A time schedule was prepared emphasising on different topics meant for the training and were on societal analysis, past & present political structures and status of literacy. Environment, health and sanitation implementation of govt. programmes involvement of people in village development programme were also issues on the agenda.

Panchayat leadership training was conducted in 1999 for 23 leaders from 23 villages. They were trained on political vision and mission.

18 Panchayat Raj leaders (male 9 and female 9.) from 18 villages were trained on the role of Panchayat Raj leaders in 1997. Landlessness, economic programme contains, equal right, education, health, exploitation, tax, unproductive expenses, wages, drinking water, liquor and government programmes was issues taken up and discussed in the training..

Development Orientation Meeting

Five persons from five villages underwent training on development organisation of people and to identify programmes meant for them from the government in 19M.

These meetings were organized frequently in 1984 in the villages and at field office, Several member, from different target villages attended programmes to understand the role of WIDA, The member are bonded labourers, marginal and small farmers.

Bonda Youth Leadership Training Programme

WIDA on the request of the District Collector of Malkangiri extended its work- in 1995 in one of the remotest corner of the district - the Bonda Hills, On these hills a Primitive tribal group called " the Bondas " are living. The Bonda Tribes live consisting of 32 villages of Bonda ghat. We call them as Upper Bondas and villages living down on the hill are called lower Bondas.

With very great difficulty WIDA could establish contact with the Bondas and through the help of the District Collector from 15 different villages 41 Bonda youths underwent training on leadership and Development at WIDA. These Bonda Youths were imparted training on development education and literacy for a period of 8 months. During the training the Bonda Youth discusses and argued their past. present situation and what they want to do in the future.