Trees For Socially And Economically Disadvantaged Women In India

FUNDING AGENCY: CON ACT e.V.GERMANY
In the year 2001-02, Coodu was entrusted with a project to socially and economically improve the status of disadvantaged women in Coimbatore district, by Con Act e.V., an Organisation to support Independent Projects of Germany. Accordingly, COODU., which has been working all over the district in the sector of women development, among others, selected Kallipalayam village and Panchayat, populated by large numbers of people belonging to BPL category.

Aims

a. Environmental shaping and improving by organising planting of endangered species in public places and organising their care.
b. Initial aid to be used to build up producing or services trade in the second year so as to get further income for the disadvantaged women.
c. First part of initial aid (Rs.5000-) is meant to be used as a tax-free credit for those women of SHGs who are in need. This tax-free credit has to be paid back at the beginning of second year. For this credit, payment by instalments can be arranged. In this way, serious financial plights of members may be avoided.
d. Each member of the SHGs receives four fruit trees for her own use to support her livelihood. The trees can be planted and cultivated on her own piece of land.
e. This project is meant to make a contribution to intercultural contacts by joining the women in India and persons who sponsor the tree project in Germany.
The Organisation interacted with the women of the village, apprised them about the objectives of the Project and ascertained their preferences for the tree species to be nurtured by them. Thereafter, the Organisation purchased fruit crops and tree crops each numbering 500 and distributed the seedlings to the selected women, before imparting them with training on planting techniques and maintenance. The COODU multi-dimensional team periodically visited the village to monitor the progress of the plants which were all planted in the backyard of the houses of the women. It was ensured by the COODU team that, with the monsoon rains normal, the plants were growing healthily.

IRISH AID:Empowerment Of Women:

With the objective of empowering women, the Organisation was entrusted the holistic task of sensitising women on empowering them and creating awareness on empowerment of women among the women as well as among the general public. COODU organised a massive rally of women SHG members from VOC Park to Red Cross building in Coimbatore and conducted a meeting at VOC Park attended by more than 2500 women. Representatives of Voluntary Agencies from various states attended the meeting.