Self Shakti

The United Nations Commission on Environment and Development (UNCED) released the Brundtland report that establishes a basis for sustainability that rests on three related disciplinary dimensions, or pillars: environmental/ecological, economic and social. The same paper also argues that if the social dimension is addressed by making individuals participate in decision making and help communities continuously find near solutions then the economic and ecological will follow. It is with this in the backdrop that our Community anchor/Gelathi program has to be looked at.

We believe that social change, especially that pertaining to behavioral change is a long-term process. Therefore, long-term community owned engagement is important to achieve our goal of changing mindsets and attitudes. Post our first level of intervention the batch of trained women are asked to identify their ‘Gelathi’ or Community Anchor. She becomes the point of contact between Buzz and the community. We envisage that the role of Buzz Volunteer Community Anchors as local women leaders who will be coaches for the community women.

We offer training along with a printed kit to the Buzz Volunteer Community Anchors that involves lessons on courage, confidence, communication, community building, problem solving and taking ownership. This is called the Spoorthi fellowship (Inspiration fellowship) which focuses on bringing community anchors of neighboring villages together where 10-15 women community anchors form a circle and attend the fellowship together. This formation of women into a collective also helps women to learn from each other as they embark upon the journey of becoming the leaders of the community who problem-solve for the welfare of the entire village. The Volunteer Community Anchor also shares a few stories, if need be, in the monthly circle meetings among other Volunteer Community Anchors. This is to build an ecosystem around the community anchor towards community problem solving.

Community Anchor facilitates monthly Beehive meetings in their villages among the Buzz trained women where they share knowledge, skills, and tools that they have received during the Spoorthi Training. During the Beehive meetings, smaller modules of Spoorthi training will be used to help the other women learn and grow. The attendees also share their personal and community issues with their peer group and together they try to come up with solutions. The community women will also gather at these meetings to effectively organize community dialogues that will lead to problem solving for the community.

Outputs-

1. Number of active community anchor
2. Number of active Beehive

Outcomes-

1. Women collectively solve personal and community problems
2. Women become community leaders
3. Number of women who become community role models and leaders
4. % of women engaged in community dialogues
5. Number of women who find solutions in beehive sessions
6. Number of women who believe that she has a social capital in the community

Impact-

1. Community Anchor/Gelathi Enrollment Process where not yet enrolled
2. Circle creation/formation
3. Circle Meetings of 10 Gelathis conducted by Gelathi Facilitator
4. Capacity Building of Community Anchor/Gelathis through Spoorthi Program including mental health awareness
5. Capacity Building of Buzz community through Bee hive meeting by Buzz Community Anchor