Social Project on Mahila Housing Sewa Trust

Social Project – Mahila Housing Trust (MHT), A Sister Organization Of SEWA

SOCIAL PROJECT

ON

“Mahila Housing Trust”

(SEWA)

Prepared by:

Gurjar Pankaj(34)

Jadav Akshay(38)

Kharpate swapnil(47)

Modi Dhara (59)

Submitted to:

Prof. Sonu V Gupta

SKPIMCS, MBA-1, Trimester-2 1


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgement

Introduction

Research Methodology

Objective

Data Collection

Findings

Results

Impact

Summary and Conclusion

Bibliography

Appendices



Preface

There are number of NGOs working around us but we hardly know

about them. They are providing a facilities for the upliftment of poors. They are

contributing themselves as social responsibility. There are millions of people who

are not able to get a cup of tea. As a social responsibility NGOs and government

make efforts for the upliftment of those people.

Mahila Housing Trust is also a part of these wonderful efforts MHT is

sister organization of SEWA(Self Employed Women’s Association ).in this report

we have mentioned the projects of MHT and it’s results and impact in the society.

From these project we can know how MHT works ,from where it is funded, how

many people have been benefited.



Acknowledgement

We are feeling great pleasure in submitting this report and it is our

great opportunity to convey thanks to all of them who have helped us in

completing this report. There are many people who play a very vital role in our

achievements but giving a vote of thanks to that great people is also one

achievement. And this opportunity I have got at a time of submitting this report.

We are thankful to my college authority and especially my project

guide Prof. Sonu Vijayshankar Gupta for continuous encouragement and

guidance.

And lastly, We are thankful to all my friends and others who have

helped us in completing this report.

Thanking you.



INTRODUCTION

SEWA:

The Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) is a trade union of women workers in

the informal sector. Established in 1972, SEWA's main goals are to organise women

workers for full employment and self-reliance by working with them and helping them to

own and manage their own institutions. Practically, the strategy is carried out through the

joint action of trade unions and co-operatives. Full employment means employment

whereby workers obtain work security, income security, food security and social security

(health care, child care and shelter).

At SEWA we organize workers to achieve their goals of full employment and self reliance

through the strategy of struggled and development. The struggle is against the many

constraints and limitations imposed on them by society and the economy, while

development activities strengthen women’s bargaining power and offer them new

alternatives. Practically, the strategy is carried out through the joint action of union and

cooperatives.

SEWA is both an organisation and a movement. The SEWA movement is enhanced by

its being a sangam or confluence of three movements: the labour movement, the

cooperative movement and the women’s movement. But it is also a movement of self-



employed workers: their own, home-grown movement with women as the leaders.

Through their own movement women become strong and visible.

Gujarat Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (MHT)

Preparing and finalizing house designs in consultation with

communities and expert consultants

Helping the district federations in getting the designs / plans

and cost estimates approved by the government

Technical identification and training of masons, housing

construction teams

Procurement of raw material supply

Technical inputs, supervision and monitoring of construction, and

Linking with other technical agencies as and when needed

MHT has total 2 branches. The head office is in Ahmedabad and the 2 branches

are in Vadodara and Surat..

Goals of MHT SEWA

To improve the housing and infrastructure conditions and overall living

environment of SEWA members;

To create improved access to important services such as shelter finance, legal

advice, technical assistance, information on housing market and shelter related

income opportunities for poor working women; and

To influence housing and infrastructure related urban and rural development policies and



programmes and bring the benefits of these policies within the reach



MAHILA HOUSING SEWA TRUST: KEY ACTIVITIES

Facilitating Access to housing, infrastructure and Environment

Upgradation.

Construction related advice and supervision of new houses, cattle sheds, roof rain

water harvesting tanks and house up-gradations;

Grass root community members and government agencies to facilitate access to

housing and infrastructure schemes of the state and central governments;

Setting up of city wide-waste management systems through mobilizing poor

women in the informal sector;

Co-ordination, institutional partnership development and capacity government for

integrated slum development ;

Planning underway to set up a “habitat resource center”

Facilitating Access to housing and infrastructure finance

Member of he national taskforce on ‘housing finance for the informal sector’

convened by HUDCOin 2000

Development of viable housing and infrastructure micro finance delivery and

repayment system for rural and urban areas ,aimed at increasing efficiency.



cy and outreach.

Reseach training and documentation.

Training development and overall capacity building of community based

organization in slum pockets of ahmedabad city, to procure and maintain

improved infrastructure services;

Regular training of construction women workers to upgrade their skills;

Training of housing finance and technical teams for better delivery of housing

credit and technical construction related advice in urban and rural Gujarat;

Development of a capacity building training module for micro finance institutions,

to facilitate access to improved infrastructure and housing;

Preparation of various research publications videos and documentation of local

and national field based learning related to improve shelter for poor women in the

informal sector.

Advocacy and Networking

Organizing of national workshops on topical shelter related issues such as

“housing Finance for poor women in the informal sector ,to inform and influence

sector reform;

Liaiso and interface with government to effect policy change in the sector ; and

Development of a national “CBO Network” connecting people’s community based

organizations working towards facilitating improved access to shelter, across

India.



SKPIMCS, MBA-1, Trimester-2

Accounts Team

Financial

Consultant

(1)

COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION

TEAM(17) Members

Administrative

Team

(4) Members

TECHNICAL TEAM

Members (Engineers)

CO-ORDINATOR (TECHNICAL)

Board of TrusteesBoard of Trustees

SPEARHEAD TEAM

(6) Members

Electrical Engineer (1)

Mechanical Engineer (1)Civil Engineers

(9)

IT TEAM Members

IT Consultant

/IT In charge (1)

Data Entry Operators

(1)

PROJECT CONSULT

ANT(4)

10


Fund sources

Foreign private parties like US AID, donors.

Fund allocation process

Fund are allocated as per the need of the project , but they are mainly

bifurcated in four ways

1. Personal expenses:

Project in charge

Supervisor

Civil engineer

Accountant

Computer operator

Spearhead leader

2. Training expenses:

Raw material

Tools

Conveyance charges

Seminars

Initial infrastructure setup exposes

3. Administrative expenses:

Office expenses

Documentation

Electricity ,water



SEWA Bank

SEWA Bank will:

Facilitate in linking up with the Housing Finance Institutions, in mobilizing needed

financial resources, and

Develop financial management and monitoring systems for the district

federations, SEWA and MHT.

Saving accounts compulsory for all beneficiaries

Minimam saving account starts with 50/rs

Loan is provided till the limit of 50000.

Loan is granted on the recommendation of spearhead and on past record.

Projects Undertaken By MHT

SEWA has undertaken various projects under its wings for slum upliftment. It carries out

these projects as middlemen between the government and the slum dwellers.

The various projects that it has undertaken are:

Ujala Yojna: This is a slum electrification project. It carries out this project in co-

ordination with AEC.

Parivartan Yojna: This project is carried out for the development of slum areas

by providing them with basic amenities.

Karmika Project: Under this project, MHT has undertaken to train the women

laborers so that they become skilled workers and are able to improve their

standard of living.



Reconstruction Project: This project was undertaken by MHT devastating

earthquake of 2001. it reconstructed thousands of houses in Kucth & Bhuj for

people who had lost their houses in the natural calamity. This project is now over

& no more work is carried out in it now.

Aawas Yojna: Under this project MHT undertook to construct house for people

living under poverty line & in villages by charging minimal amount from them. This

project is also over now, but is soon to restart.



RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Our topic for Social Project was Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (MHT). We

were required to study everything about MHT i.e. its structure, working, projects

undertaken by them and the satisfaction level of beneficiary of “MHT” etc. To get

the basic idea about the organization we first searched about it in the internet. We

found out what SEWA as a whole stood for and in which areas it worked. Then we

decided to visit the main office of MHT so that we can interact with them and get a

clear idea about their working.

For paying a visit to them and knowing about their working we first

prepared a questionnaire in our group. We prepared questions such as:

What is the basic role of MHT?

What are the various projects undertaken by you?

From where do you arrange funds for various projects?

In which cities do you have your branches?

So on and so forth.

We interacted with the people who were actually carrying out the various projects

for MHT. They gave us the clear idea about the role they were playing as a mediator

between the government and the slum dwellers for whose development they were

working.



OBJECTIVES

Our basic objectives to choose MHT as a study for our social project were:

To study how MHT functions.

To understand the contribution of MHT in development of the society.

To study the satisfaction level of beneficiary of “MHT”.



DATA COLLECTION

For the purpose of data collection for our study, we personally visited the Mahila Housing

Trust office situated on Gujarat College Road, Ahmedabad. We had prepared a

questionnaire for the purpose of asking them. However, new questions automatically

emerged in our mind once we started interacting with them. We asked them various

questions related to the projects undertaken by them, which are still continuing and

which have closed. The project authorities were generous enough to give their time to us

and answer our questions patiently.

The various questions asked by us to the project authorities of MHT are as follows:

o What is SEWA as a whole?

o What is the role played by MHT?

o Which are the various projects undertaken by MHT?

o How and where are these projects carried out?

o Where are the various branches of MHT located in Gujarat?

o Which areas are covered by MHT for development purpose?

o How has MHT contributed to the development of society as a whole?



FINDINGS

We found various things after we completed our research in MHT. The research gave us

a clear idea about how MHT works and what work it does. We were also able to look

clearly at various projects undertaken by MHT and how work is carried out in them.

Here we discuss about the various projects undertaken by Mahila Housing Trust.

Parivartan Yojna

Objectives: The main objectives of carrying out this project by MHT are

To help the government in slum upgradation.

To provide basic amenities to the slum dwellers.

To motivate the slum dwellers to become a part of the project carried out by the

government for their up gradation.

Activities:

To give shape to this project MHT has joined hands with Ahmedabad Municipal

Corporation (AMC), SEWA bank and the community where the transformation is

to take place.

The MHT plays the role of middlemen between the AMC and the slum dwellers

under the Parivartan Yojna.

It motivates the slum dwellers to become a part of the project and help the

government in their upgradation.



To start with, a survey of the area is carried out where the upgradation is to take

place.

The survey is carried out to find out which basic amenities such as gutter

connection, drinking water, street lights, are used by the slum people and whether

they are using it ‘legally’ or not.

The data such collected is then analyzed and then given to the AMC who then

decide how much development is to be done in the area.

The actual cost of the development of the area comes out to be Rs. 16500 but the

slum dwellers are charged the minimal cost of Rs. 2100 for the same. The rest of

the amount is provided by the AMC.

For this purpose, all the slum dwellers are required to open an account with the

SEWA bank. The slum dwellers do not require paying the entire amount in lump

sum but can pay the same in installments when ever they have he money.

The seven infrastructure services provided to slum dwellers include:

Individual sewage

Individual toilets

Paved roads

Street lights

Basic solid waste management

Storm water drainage

MHT also carries out the awareness and training programs related to

maintenance of the basic amenities provided to them.

Apart from ahmedabad, this project is also carried out in Surat and Vadodara.



Following is the contribution made by various sources for carrying out Parivartan Yojna

successfully.

Component Comm Indu NGO AMC

Physical

Development

2000 2000 --- 2000

Community

Development

--- --- 300 700

Networking with

existing main

system

--- --- --- 3000

Community

corpus

100 --- --- ---

Individual toilet 4500 --- --- ---

TOTAL 2100 2000 300 10200



Ujala Yojana

Objectives: The objectives of carrying out this project by MHT are as follows.

To ensure availability of safe and legal electricity supply to slum residents with the

help of AMC, AEC and NGOs.

To minimize process time for new connection, organize and operate a proper bill

recovery system

To eliminate unauthorized use of electricity, regularize connections and minimize

techno commercial losses.

To involve slum dwellers in the supply and payment of dues through CBOs.

To develop strategies for up scaling the programme at all levels.

Activities:

The successful partnership of the Parivartan slum upgradation programme reinforced

and enhanced trust of the community in the approach (public-private partnership) for

service delivery. They realized that paying for the services would ensure delivery of

quality services at their door step. The informal tenure compromising of non eviction for

10 years provided by the AMC’s Slum Networking Program (SNP) increased their

readiness to invest in their houses in the slum. Almost 90% of the residents in the slum

networking programme voiced their demands for the legal supply of electricity. The

Ahmedabad Electricity Company (AEC) had very stringent norms for electrification.

Following documents were must for legal electrification. Their names in “7/12 records”



(records demonstrating legal ownership of land).The latest copy of tariff bill Rationing

cards in their names (proof of residence). With a background of the existing problems

and the success

of Slum Networking Project, AEC took up a pilot initiative funded by USAID, to provide

electric connections to slum households.

The normal rate for providing electric connection varies from Rs 4,000-6,000 (91-136

US$) per household. Through this initiative, AEC gave connections at the rate of Rs

2,170 (49 US$) per household, the remaining amount being subsidized by USAID. As in

the SNP, the facilitation for this initiative was done by the NGOs. With a background of

the existing problems and the success of Slum Networking Project, AEC took up a pilot

initiative funded by USAID, to provide electric connections to slum households. The

normal rate for providing electric connection varies from Rs 4,000-6,000 (91-136 US$)

per household. Through this initiative, AEC gave connections at the rate of Rs 2,170 (49

US$) per household, the remaining amount being subsidized by USAID. As in the SNP,

the facilitation for this initiative was done by the NGOs. The pilot project turned out to be

a win-win situation for all partners. The slum residents were able to access regular

(legal) electric connections at affordable rates. The AMC’s purpose that more number of

citizens could lead a better quality of life was furthered through this initiative. For the

AEC, the electricity theft rate decreased and simultaneously, the regular electricity usage

rate increased. The project helped NGOs move further ahead in achieving their mission

of making initiatives for equity in development. Both, Saath and MHT facilitated loans for

payment of one time connection costs by the slum dwellers

The One time connection cost have been phase wise downscaled from Rs. 6000 (136

US$) to Rs. 2300 (52 US$). Slum residents are willing to pay provided that electricity is

affordable and accessible. Conducive conditions have to be created for electricity to be

affordable to the economically vulnerable section of the society. AEC realized that a

large portion of their customer base was slum residents. Slum residents can afford to

pay for the services provided to them. Irregular suppliers were meeting the demand



resulting in loss to the utility company. Dangers associated with irregular electricity

supply

can be done away with. Profit margins of the utility company also increased. Today, the

partners have been working proactively to ensure that maximum number of legal electric

connections are provided, in the slums of Ahmedabad. A total of 94786 households

have been electrified. The slum dwellers have paid Rs. 40,000,000 (909,091 US$) as a

one

time connection cost to the AEC. Considering an average consumption of two units a

day the people are paying monthly revenue of Rs.18600000 (422727 US$) to the AEC.

Unrestricted and regularized power supply has made their life easier. Overall there is

improvement in the quality of life and regular electricity supply has also increased the

overall productivity level of the slum residents. There has been a positive impact on the

health status of slum residents at large. Children are able to study without fearing power

cut. Access to more electrical appliances has made them more informative. Now they

have a proper residential proof by paying their bimonthly electricity bill. Most significantly,

the self worth of the slum residents has increased manifold and this also paves a way

towards integration of the slum residents into the social and economic fabric of the city.

Before the Pilot Project

Difference in estimates for the connection in households of the same slum ranging

between Rs.6000-9000 (136– 204 US$) Issuance of bimonthly consumption bills was a

high costs for the slum dwellers.

After the Pilot Project

Uniform costs for all households in the slum i.e. Rs. 5200 (118.18 US$). AEC

commissioned changes in their operational structure to facilitate issuance of bills.



Sardar Aawas Yojana

Objectives:

To analyze the availability of existing national and international sources of

housing finance for the poor and report on the current status of housing finance

flows to the poor.

To review and make recommendations on housing finance needs, as well as on

support systems and services necessary for communities and households to

maximize access to and utilization of housing loans.

To develop an integrated working system for housing micro-finance at the

grassroots level that would be capable of replication throughout the country.

To undertake an analysis of barriers to accessing funding for housing and develop

recommendations for overcoming them.

MHT has implemented the Aawas Yojana of the Government of Gujarat for providing

a pucca house to the rural poor. Over 1000 houses have been constructed in the

district of Patan, Surendranagar, Kutch and Kheda. MHT has linked the participant

community with other infrastructure scheme of the government to provide water

connection and electricity.

Activities:

Provision of basic infrastructure in slums and low income areas in partnership with

Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).



Developing slum up gradation plans with urban local bodies to plan and design

basic infrastructure in slums.

Electrification for low income households.

Karmika School for construction workers.

Planning and construction of low income housing.

Technical assistance for disaster resistant housing in rural areas.

Training awareness and capacity building of community based organization

(CBO) and Urban Local Bodies.

Facilitating access to housing and infrastructure finance with technical support.

Action, research and documentation.

Policy influence, advocacy and networking.



Reconstruction Project:

This project was undertaken by MHT during the devastating earthquake of 2001. It

reconstructed thousands of houses in Kucth & Bhuj for people who had lost their houses

in the natural calamity. This project is now over & no more work is carried out in it now.

Gujarat Earthquake – 26 January 2001:

Following the major earthquake (7.9 on the Richter scale) that hit Gujarat on 26 January

2001, the most severely affected districts of Gujarat were:

1. Kutch

2. Patan

3. Surendranagar

Post Earthquake Survey Results: Damage to Housing:

Following no. of houses were damaged in the earthquake:

Sr. No. District Talukas No. of

VillagesNo. of Houses

Damaged

Totally Partially

1.Kutch Abdasa 26 1416 2216

Nakhatrana 23 1503 1926

Lakhpat 16 915 246

Patan Santalpur 44 7000 4000



2.Radhanpur 21 500 2000

3.Surendranagar Dhrangadhra 10 2500 800

Halvad 9 2500 700

Patadi 13 600 450

cTotal :

162 16,934 12,338

MHT’s Proposed Housing Reconstruction:

As far as building reconstruction – housing was considered MHT covered161 villages in

the three districts – Kutch, Surendranagar and Patan. The total number of completely

damaged houses in these 161 villages in three districts was around 16,000. The no. of

houses, that were severely damaged, and which were inhabitable were around 12,000.

Totally around 28,000 houses were rebuilt in 161 villages.

Activities:

a. The entire housing reconstruction programme was participatory and owner driven.

b. There are 10 major communities in these 3 districts. Each community has its own

housing design and style

c. In consultation with the different communities, MHT developed community-

specific housing models. The draft model was finalized in consultation with expert

panel of architects and engineers.

d. Meanwhile SEWA’s district association’s field teams conducted "Sandesh Yatras"

in the selected 30 villages. The main objective of "Sandesh Yatra" was to orient

the villagers on safety and scientific building practices.



Karmika Yojna:

Objectives:

To provide skills training for various trades in construction industry to all

construction workers with a focus on women workers.

To provide basic functional literacy to construction workers.

Testing, evaluation and certification of skilled construction workers.

Development and promotion of alternative and low cost construction methods and

material.

To carry out distance learning and refresher courses.

Activities:

Construct industries is the second largest employment providing

industry after the Agriculture industry in un-organized sector. Also

93% of working labors are women.

Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) initiated a construction women workers skill

upgradation program in 1999 based on the demand from over 20000 women

construction workers organized by SEWA.

MHT established a training center providing skill upgradation training like

masonry, plaster pointing and tiling.

It partnered with the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) to

undertake testing and certification of trained workers.

Later with collaborative effort of MHT and CIDC, Karmika School for Construction

Workers was established in March 2004 near Krishna hart institute Manipur

village.

It provided training like masonry; plaster pointing, tiling, carpentry, plumbing and

lab technician to unskilled and semi-skilled women construction workers.

The testing and certification was jointly carried out by CIDC and IGNOU



Fund Procurement:

Every organization requires funds for carrying out its various activities. MHT gets its

funds from the following sources for the purpose of carrying out various projects and for

meeting its various needs.

o SEWA Bank

o From government – it has joined hands with AMC & AEC for carrying out various

projects and a part of fund is provided by them.

o Donations

o Grants from government

o Funding agencies like US Aid

The following is the data of SEWA bank which is the core fund for various

projects carried out by MHT.

Particulars

2000-2001 2001- 02 2002- 03 2003-04 2004-05

2005-06

No. of members

25,464 26,793 29,595 34,834 44,938

44,909

Share Capital (Rs.)

1,10,19,000 1,17,77,000 1,48,72,000 1,79,53,000 2,05,98,000

2,57,83,000

No. of Accounts

1,13,583 1,72,010 2,02,706 2,56,617 2,76,684

2,91,535

Total Deposits (Rs.)

26,81,22,000 46,43,91,000 62,39,28,000 61,96,99,000 62,47,66,000

66,57,94,000

Working Capital (Rs.)

38,99,79,000 62,54,26,000 84,90,95,000 87,23,62,000 89,14,47,000

94,12,07,000



No. of loans & Advances Accounts

39,284 44,187 50,849 53,472 64,326

76,857

Loans & Advances (Rs.)

8,97,26,000 10,67,49,000 13,35,85,000 16,69,44,,000 18,41,72,000

24,37,47,000

Profit (Rs.) 18,22,000 35,70,000 51,76,000 88,59,000 62,20,000

61,38,000

An Interview with the Beneficiary and the spearhead leader of MHT

Name : Savitaben SindhavAs ; spearhead leader and Head of the slumsArea: Talavdi na chaapra Amraivadi , Swastika char rasta.Work experience: Since 7 years with MHT Task: To collect the installment from slums , to work as the cementing factor between Bank and Slum dwellers, appointing the Garbage pickers etc.Facts we got: Is on the payroll of MHT of Rs. 120/dayProblems like liquor barrens and their sell and production in their area.No co-operation from MHT or any other admin bodiesPeople are less interested in the activities of Karmika as less stipend is provided (Rs. 90/day).Constant harassment by the contractor.



Karmika School: Building Capacity of Construction Workers


I. More Working Days

5%

69%

26%

2%

58%

40%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Less Than 10 Days 11 to 20 days 21 to 30 days

(Base N = 193)Working Days

Perc

en

tag

e

Before Training

After Training

32


For trained women there has been increase in the number of days of work. After training 40% of women reported working for 21 to 30 days in a month as compared to only 26% before training.

Eighty percent trained women reported rise in their income after training.


II. Rise in Income

20%

80%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

No Yes

Per

cent

age

III. Total Daily Income Before and After Training

26%

48%

26%

0%2%

18%

70%

10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Less than 50 Rs. 51 to 70 Rs. 71 to 100 Rs. More than 101 Rs.

(Base N = 193)Daily Income

Per

cen

tag

e

Before Training

After Training

33


There has been a very substantial increase in the income of trained women. Seventy percent of the women reported earning between Rs. 70 to 100 per day after training as compared to only 20% before training.

The income of trained women rose from Rs. 10 to Rs. 50 per day. Nearly 42% reported rise of between Rs. 21 to Rs. 50 per day in their income. While 13% reported a rise of more than Rs. 50/- a day.


IV. Amount of Rise in Income

20%

12%

25%

15% 15%

13%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

1-10 11 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 50 More than 50(Base N = 193)Amount (Rs.)

Perc

en

t

34


As is well known women in construction work were only manual laborers. After training 30% of the women reported getting the work of helper to the karigar and 20% reported doing Karigar work such as masonary and laying of tiles, toilets, bathrooms and even overhead water tanks. Four women trained by us have become independent contractors besides nearly 10% doing minor works independently. Karmika School for Construction Workers now employ five trained women as trainers in Masonry, Tiling and Carpentry while one woman assists the trainer in electrical training.


V. From Labourer to Karigar

100%

0% 0%

50%

30%

20%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Labourer Helper to Karigar Karigar

Labourer to Karigar

Per

cen

tag

e

Before Training

After Training

36


Increase in Women’s ability to do skilled work after training

Sixty eight percent of the trained women reported that their confidence in doing more skilled construction work has gone up. Among them forty five percent said they have now the confidence of doing any skilled construction


VI. Ability to do Skilled Work

45%

2%25%

18%

10%

Any Type of Work Electric WorkAble to do Chantar, Plaster Better Finishing with Greater SpeedOther

VIII. Confidence Level

32%

68%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

No Yes(Base N = 193)

Per

cen

tag

e

37


work. Four percent women reported that they have now developed courage to go alone for the work. Post training some women told us that their bargaining power has now increased. Their status within the family and the community as well as at work had decidedly gone up. Their own perception suggested that their confidence levels in their work as well as in general had substantially gone up. Training gave them literacy, numeric and capacity to take even precise and minutiae measurements. On the whole they had better work and home life.

A very common complaint of women construction workers was the behaviour of the contractor and Karigars towards them. Rude and insulting behaviour and sexual harassment was frequently and commonly reported by women during training. Usually women will go in group for work to avoid sexual harassment and if on any day they could not find anybody to go with them for work then they would rather not go. After training some women developed confidence and could go alone for work. Eighty five percent of the trained women reported that contractor talked nicely and with respect. Also only 7% of the trained women reported sexual and verbal abuse as compared to nearly one fourth of the sample before training.


VII. Contractor Behaviour Towards Women

64%

24%

12%

85%

7% 8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Speaks Nicely and Respects uswhile doing work

Sexually Harrasses and Abuses Other

(Base N = 193)Contractor Behaviour

Per

cen

tag

e

Before Training

After Training

38


Results Achieved

As of May 2008, 45 slum communities/projects covering 8,348 households benefiting 39,045People have been completed. At present 4 slum communities covering 1124 household &5620 people is in advanced stage of completion. Additional 5 slum communities covering 588household & 2940 people is proposed for infrastructure development in year 2008 – 2009.

So far the community members have paid a total of US $ 3,80,600 to the AMC as theircontribution towards the services, something never done by slum dwellers anywhere else inIndia.

Health and hygiene interventions are carried out in all SNP slums that help families utilizehealth advisory and referral services to improve their quality of life.

- Organized over 275 training programs conducted separately for men, women, girls andboys for giving them basic health and hygiene awareness

- Organized over 115 camps (General camps, TB camps and Eye camps) with the help ofmedical experts.

- Distributed low cost generic medicines worth over INR 1, 35,000 to poor patients.- 18000 children immunized in 45 SNP slums.

- Generating awareness for TB and AIDS by conducting Role Plays in the slumcommunities.

- Operation of 9 child care centres in the slum communities in partnership withGovernment’s Integrated Child Care Development Scheme (ICDS) and other privatecontributions. Through these services the programme provides child care services to over402 children. Additional 4 slums are linked to nearby child care centres benefiting 79+children.



Impact

- By May 2008, 45 slum communities covering 8348 households benefiting 39045 peoplehad been successfully upgraded.

- The slum communities in Ahmedabad have access to water, sanitation, electricity, streetlighting and paved footpaths.

- Renewed infrastructure: 18057 sq.mt. concrete and 14814 sq.mt. stone pavements havebeen made, 832 electric poles have been erected, 4868 bib cocks and 30499 m water lineshave been put in place, 300 garbage bins have been strategically placed, 27380 m sewagelines, 4860 gully traps, 955 inspection chambers, 421 man holes and 4150 private toiletshave been built.

- The community members had paid a total of US$ 380,600 to the AMC as theircontributions towards the services, something that has never been done by slum dwellersanywhere else in India.

- Over 275 training sessions for men, women, girls and boys have been conducted.

- Over 115 medical camps held and generic drugs worth over US$ 2,988 have beendistributed.

- Over 18000 children have been immunized, while 9 child care centers are in operation,providing services to over 402 children.



CONCLUSION

MHT as a sister organization of SEWA is working on various projects whose main aim is

development of lower income group of the society.

It works for their upiftment and to improve their standard of living in the society as a

whole.

It has improved the housing and infrastructure conditions and overall living environment

of SEWA members;

It has provided safe and legal electricity supply to slum residents with the help of AMC,

AEC and NGOs through its Ujala Yojna. It also involves slum dwellers in the supply and

payment of dues through CBOs.

It motivates the slum dwellers to become a part of the project carried out by the

government for their up gradation through Parivartan Yojna.

The seven infrastructure services provided to slum dwellers under this project include

Individual sewage

Individual toilets

Paved roads

Street lights

Basic solid waste management

Storm water drainage



BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Asnani P. U., Slum Networking Project – Ahmedabad Good Urban GovernanceCampaign – India Launch; Learning from One Another, Page # 308 – 331, September2001

- Bhatt Bijal, Ahmedabad Parivartan Programme, Good Urban Governance Campaign –India Launch; Learning from One Another, Page # 285 – 290, September 2001

- Wealth Creation & Well Being Impacts of Slum Up gradation & Improved ServiceDelivery to the poor – WSP – SA

- Bhatt Bijal, Good Governance Through Partnership: Ahmedabad – Parivartan ProgrammeShelter – Volume IV, No. 2, Page # 22 – 27, April 2001,

- Parivartan & Its Impact: A Partnership Programme of Infrastructure Development inSlums of Ahmedabad City – Gujarat Mahila Housing SEWA Trust

www.sewa.org

www.sewahousing.org

www.sewabank.com

Annual report of SEWA

Brouchers published by SEWA for various projects undertaken by them.


http://www.sewabank.com/

http://www.sewahousing.org/

http://www.sewa.org/


APPENDICES

PARIVARTAN PROJECT

BEFORE



AFTER

KARMIKA PROJECT



UJALA YOJNA



SARDAR AAWAS YOJNA


Social Project on Mahila Housing Sewa Trust

Documents

Transcript of Social Project on Mahila Housing Sewa Trust