OSM main objective is to reduce poverty among the tribal and dalit population in Odisha by building strong community based organization with a focus on their entitlement to work and food.

As we are growing and expanding hence we have inculcated new ideas and approaches, such as the idea of AGUA GAON, wherein we would be working on multilateral issue cutting across in food security, MGNREGA, building of Village Leadership, not only this we have decided to intrude other themes important for  inclusive development of the villages. Through AGUA GAON we would be internally evaluating our work by not only looking at qualitative impact of our intervention, but also equally focusing on quantitative or tangible outcome.

Through multilateral approach we have incorporated no. of things which are directly or indirectly related to Food Security and MGNREGA i.e. water and sanitation, community health, Schemes/rights such as ICDS etc. We have also realized the importance to intervene in other area for the importance of their inclusive development. However we have decided to address such things through Agua Kajikariya Samiti, a committee which would be unanimously elected by local community. The committee would ensure the effective implementation of government schemes/rights/entitlements as well as escalating the matter to right department if found any discrepancy. Moreover they would also ensure the villagers should also adhere to best practices as obligation towards the inclusive development of the villages.

Through AGUA GAON we are trying to address socio-economic and political issue, which so far have not been addressed adequately since independence. State failure towards most marginalize section is very evident even after 67 year of independence.  Forget about socio-economic security it has even failed to deliver on basic amenities to the most marginalized communities. Such ignorance on basic rights and unequal distribution of resources had resulted emergence of Maoism in Central India covering large chunk of Odisha. Such ongoing protracted political turmoil is further harassing Tribals and Dalits population in their day to day life. Who are unnecessarily becoming sandwich in between rebel group and police/security forces. Hence Lack of opportunities and continuous day to day challenges is leading to migration in different states or urban cities, which further aggravating their socio-economic condition. Because it has proven by several independent researches that such migration in search of basic amenities for their every day survivor lead them to live in slums in urban cities. Similarly we strongly believe that if government would like to counter or contain left wing terrorism, they have to focus on governance rather spending too much on state security. Hence Government has to think beyond welfare schemes, if they are really intent to curb left wing terror. Good governance is the only solution for peace in the region, moreover it’s a ripe moment for the government due to leadership vacuum in moist leadership, and even recruited cadre has started disillusioned by internal party politics and autocratic attitude of moist leader. Hence state and central Government need to immediately intervene and work towards the inclusive development for Tribals and Dalits in the region. Such opportunities should be exploited by the government and civil society in order to transform the long drawn conflict into perpetual peace.

HOW AGUA GAON SHOULD LOOK LIKE?

Through AGUA GOAN we are trying to work on inclusive development of the villages, wherein we would be working on issues which are troubling the native people in their day to day life such us:

1. MGNREGA
2. Food Security
3. Water and sanitation
4. Education
5. Personal Health and Hygiene

AGUA GOAN should have to have no. of thing in the villages:

1. Enough water resources in each  village /hamlets
2. Promotion of Proper and effective  drainage system
3. 100 DAYS work for every interested Household
4. Promotion of 100 % toilets in AGUA GAON
5. Creation of water and sanitation related assets
6. Using MGNREGS support for  Job card  holders
7. Solid & liquid waste management
8. Promotion of self sustains health kit, which would provide the basic medicine to the villagers, so that they don’t have to suffer in case of any emergency.
9. Promotion of good health and hygiene practices
10. Effective working of schools with proper implementation of government schemes and entitlements to students/children
11. Focusing on infrastructure , man power , parents sensitization , leveraging govt. schemes
12. Linkages amongst ICDS, MDM, AGANWADI, MAMATA, ASHA with insurance & financial inclusion.
13. Continues campaign for inclusion of nutritious food in PDS
14. Effective PDS system
15. Strengthening of AGUA Kajikariya Committee, which would ensure the effective working of government schemes/entitlements, as well as government and villagers obligation towards the inclusive deployment of the villages

PARTNER SUPPORT IN AGUA GOAN

Atmashakti and Argagham are working together to address the water and Sanitation issue cutting across in MGNREGA and Food security. We would be leveraging the government entitlements/schemes/rights related through Sangathan building.

As per the agreement we would be working with 1000 villages with special drive of AGUA GOAN in 200 villages in Western, Southern and Central Odisha. The no. of objectives on which we would be working is as follows:

• To assess the ground situation on water and sanitation
• To promote improved household sanitation leveraging Govt schemes
• To create awareness on good practices related to water and sanitation
• To facilitate better drinking water availability by renovating the sources
• To facilitate effective monitoring and implementation of the government WatSan schemes by the village Sanghatans

 Expected Outputs

Atmashakti plans to assist all the eligible households in these 1000 habitations to build and use toilets and ensure access to safe water by empowering the village Sanghatans in accessing relevant Govt schemes in the next five years. However, the specific outputs for the first year are:

• Water and sanitation status report of 1000 villages
• Water quality test results for 1000 villages
• 2000 village leaders in 1000 villages capable of testing water quality
• 1000 village leaders trained on monitoring and implementation of the government water and sanitation related schemes
• 50% of the target population aware of the good practices related to water and sanitation
• Improved drinking water availability in 200 villages
• At least 50% of the households build toilets in 200 villages
• A process document capturing the journey of achieving better sanitation through village Sanghatans including the obstacles faced at different levels, strategies adopted to overcome etc.
• A document on the institutional model; role of Village Sanghatanas, Jan Sathis and village Panchayats

Atmashakti’s Role

• Responsible for delivering the outputs mentioned above by taking up the interventions listed above
• Developing activity plan with timelines within
• Keeping track of the funds leveraged from Government sources for water and sanitation
• Submitting quarterly progress reports and annual audited utilization certificates
• Facilitating site visits by Arghyam and its partners
• Submitting Project Completion Report and audited Utilization Statement within two months of closure of the project

OPERATIONAL AREA & TIMELINE OF AGUA GAON 

As per the time line in first phase we would be working with 80 villages in 80 different GP’s in the respective blocks:

1. Jamankira, Laikara, Hemgir and Barkote in Western Odisha;
2. Mathili and Koraput in Southern Odissha;
3. Baliguda, Harbhanga and Daspalla in Central Odisha. 

Timeline