Posts Tagged ‘Catalyst Grantees’
Katherine Zavala – IDEX’s Program Manager, Grassroots Alliances – recently journeyed to South Africa on a site visit to our partners. She reports from Johannesburg.
Women's Net provided technical training to teenage girls in order to provide a new outlet for advancing women's rights.
Driving into Johannesburg, on the other side of the hemisphere from San Francisco, it is easy to embrace the warm sunny weather. The Jacaranda trees are blooming this month, giving a purple flair to the lush, green environment.
Along the highway, I see the Nelson Mandela Bridge and central “Jozi” as some local people refer to the South African city.
I start my learning journey with Women’s Net, an IDEX Catalyst Grantee.
The goal of Women’s Net is to strengthen women and girls movements for social change through the use of information communication tools and advocacy that promotes access, the right to information and freedom of expression.
Katherine Zavala – IDEX’s Program Manager, Grassroots Alliances – reports from South Africa where she is on a site visit to our partners.
Herschelle Milford, Director, IDEX partner Surplus People's Project
Today I’m driving up north through the Western Cape with IDEX Catalyst Grantee Surplus People’s Project (SPP) to visit several farm workers and farm dwellers.
As soon as we leave the urban areas of Cape Town, I find myself in a semi-arid deserted landscape.
We are on our way to the Cederberg area where there are large white commercial farmers monocropping citrus fruits, particularly oranges. Known as the first place in the Western Cape to be colonized, the region was the starting point of the genocide of the indigenous Khoisan communities, known more popularly in the West as the Bushman.
The people I’m meeting today are descendants of these indigenous communities who, during apartheid, were classified as “coloured.”
Today, white farmers own most of the land. Even the land reform that came into place after 1994 did not produce any significant changes; only 5% of the land has been transferred over to the farm workers.
An estimated 40,000 people from all around the world are arriving in Durban, South Africa this week for COP 17, the UN’s latest round of climate talks. Civil society organizations – including 4 IDEX Partners – are mobilizing from all over the world to put pressure from the outside on the government negotiators on the inside.
Katherine Zavala – IDEX’s Program Manager, Grassroots Alliances – is in South Africa on a site visit to our partners and to support their activities at COP 17. She reports from Durban.
What is COP17?
COP17 is the 17th annual meeting where world governments get together to discuss and negotiate solutions to mitigate climate change. COP stands for Conference of Parties – the parties being the 195 nations that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The ultimate goal of the UNFCCC is to get nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions, so that these gases stabilize at a level that will prevent “dangerous” climate change.
Why COP 17 Matters for Grassroots Organizations
Many grassroots organizations were disappointed with the outcome of the last COP (COP16), held in Cancun, Mexico to the point where many feel (and rightly so) hopeless with this process and foresee governments once again prioritizing false market-based solutions to climate change.
But it is important to continue to mobilize and amplify the voices of grassroots organizations, especially those based in South Africa, as the COP17 lands on the African continent for the second time.
The People’s Space: IDEX’s South African Partners and Their Role in COP 17
Durban is home to two of IDEX South African Partners. One of them, South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), is actively convening and establishing the alternative civil society space (The People’s Space) during COP17.
This space will provide the base for organizations to network and share grassroots solutions to tackle climate change in real, practical ways to ensure their communities’ ability to cope with and adapt to climate change.
Four IDEX Partners in South Africa to Present Their Climate Justice Solutions
IDEX will be present at the civil society space, as an ally and supporter of four IDEX Partners and Grantees who will all be present this week organizing and networking to promote their climate justice solutions:
Susan Kahn and David Kaskowitz
When Susan Kahn came home to San Francisco after travelling extensively in Guatemala and Mexico in the 1990’s, she came home invigorated with the sense of wanting to give back to the international community. When Susan first learned about IDEX, she offered to become a volunteer in a bid to satisfy her passion for grassroots development and supporting local initiatives.
Reflecting back on the time she spent at IDEX, Susan says she was most impressed by the “really close and personal connections IDEX shares with their local partners.” Read the rest of this entry »
This is part 8 in a series written by IDEX Executive Director, Rajasvini (Vini) Bhansali, on her recent trip to Northeastern states of India – where IDEX has recently expanded – to meet with potential catalyst grantees.
Geographically isolated from mainland India and socioeconomically neglected by development agencies and the government, the Northeastern states are experiencing tremendous crises rooted in militarization, land distribution, climate change, migration, displacement, political differences and violence. These states are some of the poorest in India, but they also have many communities working on sustainable livelihood development, women’s empowerment and environmental resource management.
Working with police to stop trafficking
Today I’m at the offices of Impulse, where team leader Hasina is very proud to show me simplified police handbook on trafficking that is now being used by most of the state police training academies. Compared to the text-heavy documents filled with legalese that were previously the norm, this handbook simplifies the information that a police officer must know in order to be effective in his/her role in curbing trafficking.
Breaking Free- A video highlighting Impulse Network’s work to end trafficking
Impulse has trained more than 200 police officers on how to respond to trafficking, and the group currently also collaborates formally with the police. Because of the group’s reputation for effectively restoring trafficked children and women to their families, Impulse is allowed access to border security camps and other regions typically off limits to CBOs and NGOs in the Northeast.
While showing me the database that they’ve developed to better track each trafficking case, Hasina shares some of the unaddressed challenges that the team continues to face. Not only is there an inadequate number of shelters to serve trafficking survivors, there is a huge need for programs that support rehabilitation and enhance livelihoods. Read the rest of this entry »
This is part 7 in a series written by IDEX Executive Director, Rajasvini (Vini) Bhansali, on her recent trip to Northeastern states of India – where IDEX has recently expanded – to meet with potential catalyst grantees.
Geographically isolated from mainland India and socioeconomically neglected by development agencies and the government, the Northeastern states are experiencing tremendous crises rooted in militarization, land distribution, climate change, migration, displacement, political differences and violence. These states are some of the poorest in India, but they also have many communities working on sustainable livelihood development, women’s empowerment and environmental resource management.
Following my immense day and a half with the Action Northeast Trust in the state of Assam, I then move on to the grand state of Meghalaya. Known as a center for arts, culture and progressive politics in the Northeast, the capital city of Shillong is also one of the most visited northeastern states on account of its scenic beauty and relative calm.
I am excited to meet Hasina Kharbih and her crew at the Impulse Network in Shillong, but I underestimate the time it takes to get there. What I thought would be a four-hour drive ends up taking close to 10 hours due to punctures in the car tire, as well as monsoon and construction-related traffic jams.
Lush Surroundings Belie a Lack of Opportunities
Inching towards Shillong, I find myself speechless at the stunning landscape. The Bada Lake emerges at the end of a sharp turn on the hilly road. Lush greenery surrounds the lake and clouds hang low, making it a most picturesque sight. However, I am also humbled by the knowledge that more than 50 percent of Meghalaya’s population lives below the poverty level. In the last decade, poverty levels have worsened in rural areas due to stagnating agricultural production, soil erosion, increasing temperatures, and a lack of educational and economic opportunities.
This is part 6 in a series written by IDEX Executive Director, Rajasvini (Vini) Bhansali, on her recent trip to Northeastern states of India – where IDEX has recently expanded – to meet with potential catalyst grantees.
Geographically isolated from mainland India and socioeconomically neglected by development agencies and the government, the Northeastern states are experiencing tremendous crises rooted in militarization, land distribution, climate change, migration, displacement, political differences and violence. These states are some of the poorest in India, but they also have many communities working on sustainable livelihood development, women’s empowerment and environmental resource management.
The Action Northeast Trust (ANT) has engaged in women’s empowerment through Jagruti dals, literally translated as “consciousness raising collectives,” and technically operated as self-help groups. Through these women’s groups, the ANT’s members have taken collective action against domestic violence, run an innovative bicycle bank for women to increase women’s mobility, and promoted micro enterprises among women entrepreneurs.
“Watch the ANT founding member Jennifer Liang discuss women’s empowerment.”
I had never heard of a bicycle bank before so I pressed Jennifer to tell me more. With a glint in her eyes she invited me to a quarterly “bicycle camp” after lunch. I was intrigued.
Shortly after, we found ourselves in the middle the one of the most extraordinary and moving experiences in my adult feminist life. At the bicycle camp and race, Muslim women from a nearby village had gathered for their favorite event. To belong to the bicycle club, a woman must both learn to ride and become a member of a women’s self-help or joint liability group. Each woman that learns to ride and contributes a 500 Rupee down payment gets to “own” her bike for a monthly fee.
The scene that ensued is best described as incredible, moving and jubilant. First-time bicycle riders were taught by “old hands” to a lot of encouraging cheers. The neighborhood girls’ hostel let out young women early to the large field where women in sarees were learning to ride their very first bike. One woman, Aisha, got on the bike. After a few minutes of encouragement and some handholding, she was off pedaling fast.
The pioneers of the bicycle camp comprise a group of brave, older women who were motivated by the job-hunting advantages and increased mobility a bicycle could afford. Instead of depending on their husbands for transportation, women could enjoy greater freedom of movement. All of the women were stopped, many even physically abused by the men in their families, who also took the bikes away. To avoid detection, some women even sneaked off at night to practice.
It took three years of sustained effort on the ANT’s part for change to begin to occur. By educating their communities, leading bike rallies through the villages, and talking to men and women about human rights, the ANT’s efforts resulted in a shifting of attitudes. Now, some husbands even come to help women learn to ride for the first time. Jennifer spoke of an especially proud moment during which one husband accompanied his wife to obtain her bike loan.
Men have also begun to fear the wrath of the self-help group, which may show up at their home and hold them accountable should they hurt their wife or daughter for her cycling efforts. I watched teary, as woman after woman boarded her bike and completed her first lap with a smile and newfound confidence.
While the status of women in the Northeast is better than in other parts of India—especially relating to inheritance, property rights and access to education—Jennifer warned that the inequalities are less obvious. She said that even when women begin to gain increased control over their daily lives—including greater mobility and financial independence—more work will be required to promote women’s leadership in public life.
This is part 5 in a series written by IDEX Executive Director, Rajasvini (Vini) Bhansali, on her recent trip to Northeastern states of India – where IDEX has recently expanded – to meet with potential catalyst grantees.
Geographically isolated from mainland India and socioeconomically neglected by development agencies and the government, the Northeastern states are experiencing tremendous crises rooted in militarization, land distribution, climate change, migration, displacement, political differences and violence. These states are some of the poorest in India, but they also have many communities working on sustainable livelihood development, women’s empowerment and environmental resource management.
Along the way to the village of Kanthalguri, I experience one of the most adventurous journeys on a site visit while crossing the rushing red Aie River that connects Lower Assam to Bhutan. In addition to the Action Northeast Trust (ANT) staff member Kaushik Starkar and myself, about 20 fishermen, four motorcycles and six bicycles pile onto the open handcrafted boat. I am the only woman on the boat, and the passengers make space for me to sit in a steady spot at the far end. As the boatman rows us over to the other side of the river, we navigate an intense current and try not to move so as not to capsize the boat.
We reach the other side only to find that the current is too strong for our flimsy boat to withstand. Kaushik and the boat “captain” have us disembark and swim or wade to the shore. I am fully clothed in trousers, shoes and a long kurta—hardly swimming attire! But we roll up our trousers and wade to the shore anyway. Once Kaushik’s motorcycle is unloaded, we have to check to make sure it will still function after being soaked in water. Despite the thick mud around us, the motorcycle revs up just fine.
We have been riding along for about 20 minutes without any further adventures, when Kaushik announces that we have yet another river to cross. The exact scenario repeats itself. Except this time the sun is beating down on us and the air is heavy with moisture. Once again, I disembark and wade to shore.
Although I am soaked to the skin with sweat and water, I realize how alive I feel, how completely immersed in this moment I am. However, I am also outraged for my fellow passengers. For them, this is not an occasional inconvenience, but something they must endure every day in order to make a living. If they don’t cross the rivers, their families go without a meal. And if the rivers flood, which they often do, then the families lose a regular means of livelihood.
It is for this reason in particular that the ANT has chosen to work in the more remote tribal villages, where access to livelihoods is severely limited by infrastructure, seasonal rains and poverty. A core area of work for the ANT involves organizing farmers to promote sustainable agriculture and the practice of animal husbandry. The ANT’s work to organize farmers via farmer resource centers has paid off. Thanks to their efforts, more than 500 farmers have teamed up to promote organic and pesticide-free farming practices and animal husbandry.
We finally reach the village just in time for the conclusion of an exciting public hearing on farmers’ experience with the national health mission’s rural health services. The ANT has also helped highlight the need for greater mental health services in the region, as incidences of suicides, PTSD, schizophrenia, manic depression and epilepsy continue to grow.
Since there’s so much to talk about with the community health workers and the farmers, Kaushik and I do not make our way back until after dark. Bumping along behind him on the long journey, I grin to myself thinking that at least the way back doesn’t involve anymore river crossings. As we rattle along in the humid evening, I am filled with awe and gratitude for the most adventurous of site visit days I have ever had.
Nov
2Beyond Tea, Oil & Conflict – The ANT and the Other Side of Northeast India
2010
Posted by IDEX
This is part 4 in a series written by IDEX Executive Director, Rajasvini (Vini) Bhansali, on her recent trip to Northeastern states of India – where IDEX has recently expanded – to meet with potential catalyst grantees.
Geographically isolated from mainland India and socioeconomically neglected by development agencies and the government, the Northeastern states are experiencing tremendous crises rooted in militarization, land distribution, climate change, migration, displacement, political differences and violence. These states are some of the poorest in India, but they also have many communities working on sustainable livelihood development, women’s empowerment and environmental resource management.
Upon landing at Guwahati airport in Assam, I was immediately struck by the heavy military presence. Assam is a state in India bordering Bhutan and Bangladesh and it’s capitol city is contained within Guwahati itself. Guwahati is a large city in northeast India that produces one quarter of the world’s tea and more than half of India’s. Guwahati is also home to 40 percent of India’s water and 30 percent of its oil. Unfortunately, Assam is also known for internal conflicts and insurgencies that have been raging for more than 30 years. I felt both excited and a little nervous, all the while realizing that it is natural to experience trepidation when visiting completely unknown territory. Mostly I was looking forward to meeting with the Action Northeast Trust (ANT)—a potential IDEX catalyst grantee.
Watch the ANT founding members discuss human rights and civil society.
Based in Rowmari in the Chirang District of Bodoland, Lower Assam, the ANT has a twofold aim to engage in sustainable and holistic development with rural and poor voiceless communities, and to build the capacity of the “voluntary” sector in the region. Since its inception in 2000, ANT has followed a practical and thoughtful program strategy that includes women’s empowerment, organizing farmers, child rights and development, community health, rights promotion, and networking and advocacy. The ANT is cited as a successful, grassroots initiative with dynamic leadership and a large membership base, and I was both impressed and moved to see that ANT works in around 120 village hamlets in Chirang District with a diverse group of more than 2,500 people. Among the communities benefiting from ANT’s activities are Bodos, Bengali Muslims, Santhalis and Koch Rajbongshis.
In an environment tainted by state and non-state violence, organizations like the ANT take a sustainable, non-violent approach to working with rural communities. As the ANT’s founding member Jennifer Liang put it, in order to combat the one-sided publicity of the Northeast’s conflicts, the ANT attempts to “show the real Northeast beyond the violence, floods, terrorism and militarization.” Instead, the ANT opts to share the positive stories that demonstrate strong communities composed of gentle and loving people who are committed to encouraging non-violent change.
As I bumped along the long road from Guwahati airport to Bangaigaon where the ANT headquarters are located, I was struck by the numerous potholes dotting what was supposedly a main road. Infrastructure appears to be neglected in this part of the country. And as we drove along lush paddy fields with men and women harvesting the rice crops in standing water up to their knees, I wondered how many people in the area suffered from malaria. I had been traveling since 4 a.m., and it was close to noon when I finally arrived in Rowmari.
I was greeted warmly by founding member and managing trustee of the ANT, Jennifer Liang. Her larger than life laugh and infectious enthusiasm for this work was palpable. After introducing me to introduced me to her husband, Sunil Kaul, also an ANT founding member, Jennifer, Sunil, and their daughter gave me an overview of the ANT’s work over a delicious, home-cooked lunch.
This is part 3 in a series written by IDEX Executive Director, Rajasvini (Vini) Bhansali, on her recent trip to Northeastern states of India – where IDEX has recently expanded – to meet with potential catalyst grantees.
Geographically isolated from mainland India and socioeconomically neglected by development agencies and the government, the Northeastern states are experiencing tremendous crises rooted in militarization, land distribution, climate change, migration, displacement, political differences and violence. These states are some of the poorest in India, but they also have many communities working on sustainable livelihood development, women’s empowerment and environmental resource management.
The Women's Market in Imphal. Photo courtesy of ZeHawk
After leaving the group meeting Reena took me to Imphal’s famous Ima Keithel, which means “Mother’s Market” where only women sell their wares. This is the only all women’s market in the world and has historically been so since long before anyone can remember. There are some 3000 women selling textiles, vegetables, fruits, crafts. Reena told me that long after her grandmother no longer needed to work here to support her household, she continued to come here and sell her wares because she loved the place’s energy, camaraderie and old friendships.
Reena introduces me to Sinam Chandrajani. Sinam is spinning silk thread from boiled cocoons. Her daughter-in-law will use the threads later in the day to weave skirts and scarves for sale in the local market. Sinam is a masterful artisan working with the silk and she welcomed me warmly into her home. We sat on her outdoor patio on a blisteringly hot day in Malom village and I tried to hold back tears as she narrated the story of losing both her sons in one day.
On November 2, 2000, Sinam’s sons were aged just 17 and 25 years. They were shot dead along with 8 other people by Indian security forces. The security forces rained fire on completely innocent men and women as they waited for a bus to take them to work. This shooting is known throughout the Northeast states as the Malom Massacre. Today the local community has constructed a small memorial at a bus stop on the Imphal-Moirang Highway to remember this catastrophe.
Although charges have been filed, to date no one has been prosecuted for this crime. Excuses were made about how the security forces were retaliating against militants for a bombing earlier in the day however, none of the people killed were found to have any connections with militants.
Sinam and her eldest surviving son remember their sons and brothers. They talk to me about how the 25-year old was a teacher. He was on his way to school when he was killed. The 17-year old was the family’s dream. He was going to be a doctor. Since a tender age he had shown great promise in mathematics and science.
After the massacre, the family was offered 1 lakh rupees ($2,200 US) for each dead son. Sinam talks about the pain of losing two innocent sons in one day and I listen with outrage and sadness.
We left Sinam to join the 12 member Panthoibi Self Help Group (SHG) in neighboring Lairenjam village. They had prepared a Manipuri feast. We sat on mats made from local water reed and enjoyed a most scrumptious meal on banana leaves. The women of Panthoibi SHG had made mustard leaves, rice, daal, and other special dishes.
After this delicious meal I was invited on a tour of their looms. They started the SHG just three years ago but already, their silk garments are popular in the area. At most, each woman earns 1000 rupees through the weaving activities but they know there is potential to earn a lot more if they can link to the right markets. The Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network is working on this with them.
Bhavita is the oldest daughter of a household in Lairenjam. She is literate and having studied up to 12th grade, was more comfortable than other women to talk in Hindi with me directly, without translation from Mettei (Manipuri). She proudly demonstrated her creative designs and explained how the group wants to train other women to work with thread that is more expensive.
Many of the gun survivors like Sinam and Bhavita are skilled in making handloom items. I bought a Phanek, a wrap around skirt made of the most woven fabric, for $30. I also purchased an Enaphi, a special shawl that wraps around the shoulders and a most lovely, Leiroom, a hand woven scarf used on ceremonial occasions. Every time a woman handed over a handmade item, she said, “This will bless you, wear it and think of us.”
And I know I will. How does one even begin to forget these courageous women, who are literally weaving peace, growing possibilities and creating opportunities, one thread at a time?
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