Dreaming bigWhen we analyse our work, it is all too easy to concentrate on the negatives; focusing on what is wrong. A refreshing alternative to this is the positive focus of Appreciative Inquiry. As the Bible tells us, we should encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25) and this approach creates a framework in which to do so.

Recently I have used the few principles of Appreciative Inquiry in a learning review of DBI water project. This helps participants relax and encourages people to dream big and take risks. Here I will tell you the story of Mr. Debendra Pujari who lives in Batasahi village. Once the water reached him through the pipeline, his responsibility increased. He is taking risk and dreaming big. I love the look of joy on his face.

Mr. Debendra (25 years old) completed his Bachelor of Arts in 2015. His education is always motivating him to do some good work to take care of his family, but he finds difficulties in starting that. He was only able to produce millets and corn every year by the help of monsoon rain water. It was very hard work to fetch irrigation water in the non-monsoon season. The closest stream to his home (locally known as Champa stream) is only accessible for daily showers, washing clothes and performing domestic work for Debendra and the other 18 families living in his village. Debendra and his wife, Santoshi Pujari, used to spend five to six hours per day in order to acquire their water requirements. Debendra also mentioned that “the road which connects our village up to the stream site, is very poorly constructed and bushy. Several injury incidents happen frequently because of the bad road. Besides this, water borne diseases are also common in my village,” added his wife Santoshi Pujari. I remembered how much difficulty my wife tackled during her pregnancy to fetch water”.

Local partner ISARA arranged pipes for Mr. Debendra’s village in 2016 and brought water through a DBIS. This support has brought big changes in his garden and in his family with other farmers. Debendra is now a proud farmer, with his income from the small backyard growing by almost 70 percent in just a year’s time. “I was earning about Rs. 12,000/- from corn only. This year I have earned an additional Rs. 5,000/- from beans and another Rs. 4,000/- from eggplant, tomato and green chili”, says Debendra. “And you see, we did not have to buy vegetables for the family and have diversified food,” adds Debendra’s wife. They both go to the local market in Cheligada for selling vegetables. This year they are growing more seedlings in a newly rehabilitated one acre plot of land received through the FRA (Forest Rights Act). Though they have had this land for some time, it was uncultivable because of no water source. Debendra became an encouragement for other young farmers who find agriculture non-remunerative.

Piped water coming from upper stream, this water became engine of the change in his village.

Photo captured by ©Pabitra Paramanya

Photo captured by ©Pabitra Paramanya

Debendra Pujari and his wife Santoshi is selling fresh vegetable at local market