Development of Kathkari Tribals in Raigad

The Kathkaris are one of the most marginalized of all the tribal people in Maharashtra. They face hurdles every day of their life with regard to education for children, access to water, community land, saitation and hygiene, and livelihoods. Most of them are completely illiterate or early drop outs from shcooling system. Since their ancestors were forest dweller, they do not own lands; hence end up working as agricultural labourers during the monsoons and as migrant labour in brick kilns and construction sites. Their migration leads to children dropping out of school and perpetuates illiteracy.

This project aims to facilitate the education and socio-economic development of the Kathkari tribal hamlets in Raigad through the process of People Led Development (PLD), wherein the tribal people are enabled to use the traditional Gavki (decision making forum of the hamlet) to raise awareness levels, to discuss issues of concern, connect to various resources and take appropriate action for their own development.

The key components of the project are:

·  Facilitation of the Gavki to take up issues of concern by the Social Work Animator

·  Supplementary classes in order to ensure children do not drop out of school and Children’s Parliament (Bal Sansad) conducted by the volunteer (wadievika) in order to develop social awareness and deepen sense of democratic responsibilities among the children.

·  Formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and access to microcredit and Government grants for rural micro-enterprises.

·  Creation of livelihood opportunities and linkages with markets to enhance the income of tribal micro enterprises, and formalizing the same to ensure sustainability.

·  Financial Literacy, which includes hand-holding them to open bank accounts, save regularly through recurring deposits, and move their savings into fixed deposits at the end of the year.

·  Trainings and exposure visits for the Animators, Wadisevikas and Tribal people on the above-mentioned aspects

·  Professional monitoring and guidance of the entire project by a qualified and experienced Project coordinator.

We envisage that empowered Kathkari tribals will be able to effectively sustain themselves through traditional or alternate livelihoods, and create significant educational and socio-economic opportunities for their children and youth