Feb 2009 - Community Focus for Jeevan Jyothi, India

Jeevan Jyothi, the Oasis India project working in a disadvantaged area of Mumbai, is focusing on a community empowerment programme through building up self-help groups.

For the past six years Jeevan Jyothi has been serving the many needy families in Netaji Nagar, a compact and distinct community adjacent to the Eastern Express Highway leading into Mumbai. OA has supporting the project since 2005 and it featured in OA's appeal resources in 2007 (which are still available: Inside India Appeal).

"A lot of progress has been made in the areas of education and self-help groups," reads a recent report from Oasis India. "The project (now plans) to further develop the women's empowerment programme, not only the savings scheme but also to train leaders who will take responsibility for the programme and change in the community."

The focus will be on identifying problems in the community that affect the lives of families and children. The Federation, which has been formed by the self-help groups, will be challenged and empowered to take responsibility for initiatives which will develop their community. Anticipated issues include education, health care, advocacy, environment and income generation.

"Women will be trained to take the lead in assessing their situation," the project report continues, "and develop plans of intervention and implementation of the various activities of the project. They will be taught to follow-up and monitor improvements, and document the lessons learnt. These women will also be able to assist other women from the community in making right choices in all aspects of their lives."

A survey carried out by Oasis India in 2005 found that over one third of the men in the Netaji Nagar are illiterate, while less than a quarter are functionally literate. Only one in ten has completed secondary education. For women, almost half are illiterate, less than on in ten is functionally literate, although interestingly 15% have completed secondary education (more than the men).

Anticipated beneficiaries during the three years of the project are listed as -
- 500 women by way of savings and loans
- 50 children each year (aged 3-6) through the pre-school
- 200 youth through vocational training
- 1000 families as a result of advocacy
- 200 children placed in primary and secondary schools
- 100 men and women given skills training
- 300 receiving regular counselling, medical assistance, etc
- 500 families benefiting through income generation and skills development
- Over 300 parents will have received counselling and parenting advice.

The staff of Jeevan Jyothi, led by Peter Chettiar, the project manager, benefit from the experience of similar Oasis projects in Mumbai and other parts of India. Oasis is the only group engaged in this type of work in Netaji Nagar. A local church gives spiritual input and pastoral care.

OA is contributing £10,000 to Jeevan Jyothi in the year commencing April 2009 and expects to continue support in the further two years of project subject to receipt of satisfactory reports.