Evaluation Report
On
THE WORK OF COMMITMENTS
IN MAHABOOBNAGAR DISTRICT
OF ANDHRA PRADESH
August-November 2010
By
K. Raja Reddy, APMAS, Hyderabad
R. Ramachandran, Bangalore
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge and thank the staff, families and other officials
for giving their feedback. The team also noted and read with interest various
Annual reports, log frames and report from the earlier study by Dr Mohan Raj.
Some of them are voluminous and it is noted that the organization has put in
efforts to look at its working time and again. This is a positive sign.
We thank the staff of Commitments for the hospitality and for arranging the
logistics during the field visits. It was a good learning experience for us to
undertake this study.
The main findings were presented to the Trustees as a power point
presentation at the end of November, soon after the study visits. We
apologise for the delay in submitting this full report.
K. Raja Reddy and R. Ramachandran
Date: May 23, 2011
2
Contents
S.
No.
Chapters
Page
No.
Acknowledgements
List of Contents
Section-1: Introduction
About Commitments
Background of the Evaluation
6
13
18
25
6
Section-II: Findings of the Evaluation
Institution Building
CBR-Education, Livelihood & Rehabilitation Needs
Advocacy & Rights
Organizational Aspects
7
Section –III: Lessons and Recommendations
Lessons and recommendations
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
Annexure
List of Persons Interacted by the Evaluation Team
Checklist to interact with PWDs and Disability Advocacy
Groups
SWOT on Commitments as in July 2008
9
27
34
37
39
40
3
List of Acronyms & Abbreviations
APMAS
BISA
CBO
CBR
CBRA
CBRW
CEO
CIF
CP
DRDA
HM
HR
IB
ICDS
IED
IKP
LH
MDO
MEO
MMS
MR
MS
MVS
MZVVS
NC
NGO
NREGS
PHC
PRI
PT
PWD
SERP
SHG
SJS
SP
ToR
UNCRPD
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VO
VS
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Mahila Abhivruddhi Society Andhra Pradesh
Steering
Community Based Organization
Community Based Rehabilitation
Community Based Rehabilitation Activist
Community Based Rehabilitation Worker
Chief Executive Officer
Community Investment Fund
Cerebral Palsy
District Rural Development Agency
Head Master
Human Resource
Institution Building
Integrated Child Development Scheme
Inclusive Education for Disabled
Indira Kranthi Patham
Livelihoods
Mandal Development Officer
Mandal Educational Officer
Mandal Mahila Samakya
Mentally Retarded
Mandal Samakya
Mandal Vikalangula Samkya
Mahabubnagar Zilla Velugu Vikalangula Sangham
Neighbourhood Centre
Non-Government Organization
National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
Primary Health Centre
Panchayat Raj Institutions
Physiotherapy
Person With Disability
Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty
Self Help Group
Sahajeevana Sangam
Sponsorship Programme
Terms of Reference
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities
Village Organization
Vikalangula Sangam
4
SECTION-I: INTRODUCTION
5
Chapter-1: About Commitments
‘Commitments’ was established as a public Charitable Trust in 1984. It is a
support organization to serve the rural poor and disadvantaged persons.
Major objectives of ‘Commitments’ are:
 Extend economic and social services to strengthen and enhance the
livelihoods of rural poor.

Build capabilities among rural poor.

Improve access to services, facilities and entitlements or rural poor.

Facilitate building of participatory, self-managed institutions among
rural poor and the disabled as vehicles of their self-reliance, socioeconomic progress and self-respect.

Serve as a resource centre for training, research and study upon the
socio-economic conditions of rural poor.

Initiate programmes and projects for sustainable development of rural
poor and the disabled and facilitate convergence of services and
facilities intended for their benefit.

Provide a platform for advocacy upon issues and the concerns of rural
poor.
`Commitments’ shares the Vision of similar public organizations that the poor
and the disadvantage communities are enthusiastic to overcome the social,
economic, cultural and psychological barriers through their own efforts and
self-managed institutions. They are capable of attaining higher productivity
with improved skills, better asset base and capabilities to utilize the resources
to full potential and gain access to services.
The Mission of ‘Commitments’ is to enable the poor and disadvantaged
communities to perceive possibilities for change and bring about desired
change by exercising informed choices through collective action.
(Our observation: Though ‘Commitments’ describes itself as an organization
working with and as a resource center for the rural poor, much of its work is
with persons with disabilities. Most other organizations too perceive them as
an organization working on disability issues, especially with children, by
providing medical and social rehabilitation through Community based
rehabilitation (CBR) approach.)
‘Commitments’ works in alignment with Mahila Samakya (MS), the State level
federation of women SHGs, funded by the World Bank through AP
government. Under the provisions of this program, 10 percent of resource
6
allocation to MS should be spent to the benefit of persons with disabilities. MS
supports the work of ‘Commitments’ under this provision by routing the
welfare and service provisions of the State to persons with disabilities in the
community. This is an important component as the relationship between
Commitments and MS has severe impact on the understanding and work of
the staff.
The operational area of ‘Commitments’ is spread over 196 Gram Panchayats
in eight mandals, covering a population of 4.2 lakhs. 326 Self help groups
(SHGs) for persons with disabilities have been formed with a membership of
4243. Nearly 55 percent of persons with disabilities are members of SHGs, and
the average membership in SHG is 14 persons.
SHGs have federated into Mandal level Federations called Mandal
Vikalangula Sangham (MVS), and eight federations (CBOs) have been
formed. MVS at mandal level is federated at District level as
Mahaboobnagar Zilla Velugu Vikalangula Sangham (MZVVS). This District
level federation is a registered society.
BISA (Steering) committee is the intermediary structure between
‘Commitments’, SHGs in village level and MVS which ensures that the rights
and entitlements of PWDs are accessed. The BISA committee is expected
conduct the project in the region.
Objectives of ‘Commitments’
a. Advocacy and campaign:
To provide a platform to discuss and to advocate on the issues and
concerns of rural poor.
b. Promotion and strengthening of Community based organizations:
1. Build capabilities among rural poor
2. Improve access to services, facilities and entitlements of rural poor
3. Facilitate building of participatory, self- managed institutions among
rural poor and the disabled as vehicles for their self- reliance, socioeconomic progress and self- respect
c. Provide direct services to supplement the welfare services of the State:
1. Extend economic support to strengthen and enhance the livelihoods of
rural poor
2. Serve as a resource center for training, research and study on socioeconomic conditions of rural poor
3. Initiate programs and projects for sustainable development of rural
poor and the disabled and facilitate convergence of services and
facilities intended for their benefits
7
d. Resource partnership for ‘Commitments’
The work of ‘Commitments’ is carried out through four resource
partnerships
1. Resources from the State through the different schemes and project
provisions, including Mahila Samakya and others that are applied for
and accessed
2. From Action Aid and Aide et Action through sponsorship programs
3. Financial resources of SHGs and federations through savings and micro
credits
4. Financial and non- financial contribution from other institutions,
particularly for the rehabilitation of adults and children with disabilities
The approximate proportion of the four sources: 25:50:10:15
Support team for programme implementation
Each mandal has a team of Project Coordinator; Resource team consisting of
therapists and trainers; Community Social workers and CBR activists. Project
Coordinator reports to the Project Director at the head office in Hyderabad.
8
Chapter-2: Background to the Evaluation
1. Purpose of the proposed exercise
Process evaluation of the organizational and programmatic in Commitments
for the period 2001-2010 and identify perspectives for the period 2010-2015.
2. Terms of reference: Expected outcome of the exercise
1. Quantitative and qualitative assessment of the program performance
for the period 2001-2010: Strengths and achievement of objectives.
Constrains and ‘pull back’ factors in the organizational and
programmatic during the period 2006-2010
2. Identification of opportunities and challenges to be taken during the
period 2010-2015. Conditions and course corrections in the
organizational and programmatic of Commitments to address the
identified opportunities and challenges during the period 2010-2015
3. Methodology of evaluation
This evaluation was conducted utilizing some principles of a qualitative
inquiry. It followed a design of interviews and semi structured discussions to
collect the data and tried to remain as close to the authentic interpretations
of the collated data as possible, while identifying and analyzing issues of
concern.
The participants for data collection, belonging to various stakeholder groups
were selected from the various areas to be evaluated as mentioned in the
purpose. They included the CBR workers and Coordinators, Rehabilitation
service providers (Physio and speech therapists), individuals and parents of
children with disabilities, members of Mandal Vikalangula Samakhya (MVS)
and Mahila Samakya, District govt. officials and from SERP. Discussions were
also held with the Project Coordinator and a few Trustees of Commitments.
4. Data Collection Methods
a. Interviews and Focused Group Discussions: These were semi-structured,
open ended in nature that utilized qualitative interview techniques with
Panchayat leaders, members of MVS and BISA Committee, CBR workers,
Disability groups and the field/ programme staff of Commitments.
b. Reviewing Documents on the Activities carried out: The project proposal,
reports on the first two years, training and IEC materials used and
interventions made, and data from Commitment staff were looked into for
relevant information and insights for the identified objectives of this
evaluation.
c. Field visits: The evaluation team visited two clusters in Kosgi and Gadwal
mandals, totally for seven days in the month of October 2010. Interactions
with Project Manager and Trustees took place in November.
9
During the visit the evaluation team was accompanied by the Coordinator of
the mandal. In both mandals, the team interacted with few SHGs, Mandal
Vikalangula Samakhyas (MVS), Sahajeevana Sangams (SJS), BISA Committee
and Mandal Mahila Samakhyas (MMS); local government schools; interacted
with persons with disabilities and their parents; those assisted in livelihood
activities; met the Surpanch of Gram Panchayats, School Teachers and the
Govt. Officials (MDO).
The team interacted with the Coordinators individually; and the Social
workers and Activists in groups. The team interacted with few Trustees
individually and later as a group at Hyderabad. The data were obtained
from the field office as well from the head office in Hyderabad.
d. Reflective Journal: A journal was maintained by each evaluator to record
the observations and personal reflection emerging from the field visits,
interviews, Focused group discussions and meeting with the officials.
5. Evaluation Tools
The following evaluation tools were used:

Semi-structured questionnaires were prepared for various meetings,
interviews and focused group discussions.

Indicators of targets, data and achievements given
Commitments and its staff were incorporated during analysis.

Observations made on the environment and atmosphere at schools,
PHCs, and on interactions with the officials and workers.
by
the
6. Schedule of visits and interactions
The study was conducted in four phases between September and November
2010. Following table gives details of each phase and its purpose.
Phase
Period
Purpose
I
20-08-2010
Finalization of ToR for the evaluation of
Commitments in consultation with the study team.
II
27-09-2010 to
28-09-2010
Presentation of overview of Commitments to
Evaluation Team at Kosgi
III
04-10-2010 to
07-10-2010
Field visit to Kosgi Cluster to interact with SHGs,
MSS, MVS, SJS, BISA Committee, Mandal Level
Officials, Individual beneficiaries and staff
IV
19-10-2010 to
22-10-2010
Field visit to Gadwal Cluster to interact with SHGs,
MSS, MVS, SJS, BISA Committee, Mandal Level
Officials, Individual beneficiaries and staff
V
18-11-2010 to
19-11-2010
Interactions with The CEO, Project Director and the
Board of Trustees of Commitments
10
The points stated in the following chapters are based on the observations the
team had during the field visits, discussions with workers and other
stakeholders. The two members of the team have discussed these points
intensely and the report is prepared jointly, which is open to discussion and
further modification if necessary.
11
SECTION-II: FINDINGS
12
Chapter-3: Institutional Building
As on November 2010, Commitments has promoted 326 SHGs with 4,243
PWDs. These SHGs have formed eight federations, one each in the eight
mandals of its operational area in Mahaboobnagar district.
Commitments has adopted social mobilization as its focus of work, which can
be interpreted as raising awareness in the community especially among the
affected group on the issues of their concern and mobilizing them to take
action. Following this approach SHGs and federations have been promoted,
and their capacity has been built through training and exposure to take
action. In the process of social mobilization they have focused mainly on
individual meetings, rapport building, and awareness campaigns on disability
(prevention and treatment), Acts related to PWDs, Govt. programmes etc.
Home based approach, capacity building, social education and community
based rehabilitation are the means in the process of building and
strengthening peoples institutions.
1
Self Help Groups
The Evaluation team has interacted with 7 Self Help Groups (SHGs) formed
with persons with disabilities (PWD).
a) Why did they join or form into a group? During discussions with SHGs, the
members reported the reasons for joining or forming groups as i) to get
pensions, ii) to get hospital facilities/medical benefits/apparatus, iii) to avail
job under Employment Guarantee Scheme, iv) to promote savings, v) to avail
credit.
b) Group composition: The groups are
mostly heterogeneous in terms of gender,
age, social & economic categories. All
groups have formed with men and women
of different age groups and social
categories. The group size varies from 10 to
15 members. But members belong to
different economic categories. Majority of
SHGs are more than five years old.
c) Savings: The amount of savings of a
member varies from group to group between Rs. 5 and Rs. 15 per week, and
these are compulsory. Few groups have increased their amount of weekly
savings to increase group corpus fund. The SHGs, which the study team has
visited, have a cumulative savings between Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000. This
amount is loaned among group members.
13
d) Meetings: Weekly meetings are common. Members’ attendance at
meeting varies from 50 to 60 per cent. Though groups have weekly meeting
norm, many are not conducting meeting weekly because of i) transportation
problem, ii) meeting venue is too far, iii) meeting time not convenient to
parents, and iv) the severity of disability. Most of groups meeting agenda
includes i) savings, ii) repayment, iii) hospital services, iv) pensions, v)
certificates, vi) MGNREGS activities. There is almost no discussion on rights or
any issue of discrimination.
e) Books keeping: The promoters have developed good book keeping
systems to maintain accounts at group level. The books of accounts includes
members savings pass book, general ledger, loan ledger, cash book, minutes
book. Except minutes book, no other prescribed group record has been
maintained up to date. All groups have their own book keepers. However,
books are not as on date because of i) irregular meetings, ii) absence of
book keepers and or community workers, iii) complex book keeping system,
etc. Members realize this is important but they need assistance in keeping
these books.
f) Leadership: Leadership change is not a regular phenomenon. It happens
when i) the leaders not acting responsibly or misused group funds, ii)
migrated to other places, iii) died and in case of reviving the defunct groups.
The study team has observed that in many SHGs male members or member’s
parents especially father is in leadership positions. This could be one of the
reasons for poor attendance, meetings and savings.
g) Credit linkage with banks and other
external agencies: Many SHGs that the
study team visited have borrowed
community investment fund from MVS and
credit linked to bank.
h) Repayment: Most of the members are
not repaying their loan installments to
groups and in turn no group to VO and
bank. There is no repayment to VO and
bank from most of the SHGs that the
evaluation team was visited.
i) Defunct SHGs: Saraswathi Vikalangula Sangam was formed in the year 2000
with 14 men and 6 women to get medical assistance through self help group.
At present there are only 12 members; eight dropped due to death,
migration, lost interest etc. Mandal Vikalangula Sangam has given Rs. 50,000
as community investment fund (CIF) to Saraswathi Sangam. In turn the group
has disbursed it Rs. 40,000 to one member and Rs. 5,000 each to two
members. The members did not repay even a single installment to the group.
14
The member who borrowed Rs. 40,000 committed suicide a year ago. During
past two years there are no group meetings, and no savings and lending
activities. No member knows the details of savings, loans, and where the
group books are kept, including bank pass book.
The members reported the reasons for group not functioning as i) misuse of
members’ savings, ii) defaulting of CIF loan, iii) migration, iv) numerical
dominance of male members and v) financial transactions in the hands of
influential people.
Some of the members who felt cheated want to form a new group; and
those who benefited want to revive and continue the old group. It shows
that the even PWDs are also not averse to cheating their fellow members.
However, due to vested interest of some individual members the medical
rehabilitation activities are going on well.
j) How members have benefited: The members reported that they have
benefited from Vikalangula Sangams by i) getting loan to run small petty
shops, ii) access to better medical facilities, iii) getting aids and appliance like
caliper, hearing aids, tricycles, medicines, material for physiotherapy, iv)
access to entitlements - pensions, travel concessions, v) promoting savings in
the groups,
k) Issues reported: The SHG members have shared some of the issues that
have affected the groups as i) large loans given mostly to leaders, ii) no
regular meetings and no savings, iii) only 10% of SHGs are good in quality or
‘A’ grade groups, iv) SHG bank linkage only to few groups, v) no loan from
group savings.
As per the opinion of Social Workers, majority of SHG are belong to ‘C’ grade
(68.85%) meaning attendance of members, procedures followed in meetings
and record keeping are poor; followed by ‘B’ grade (18.85%) meaning these
aspects are satisfactory; and ‘A’ grade (12.29%) meaning the aspects
mentioned above are good.
2
BISA Committee
The study team interacted with members of the BISA Committee to know
their understanding as office bearers, on the purpose and activities of BISA
Committee. None of the member was able to respond how the BISA
Committee was formed and its roles and responsibilities.
In response to question on the activities of BISA Committee, the members
reported that they focus on i) supply of milk and eggs to children and the
severely disabled, ii) identification of persons with disability, iii) review of work
of CBRWs, iv) providing credit to take up income generation activities, v) fund
mobilization, vi) linkages with line departments or service providers, vii)
awareness raising on the rights and entitlements of PWDs.
15
The office bearers of BISA Committee in Gadwal cluster did not know who the
office bearers were, their position, roles and responsibilities, the reason for
forming BISA, its functions, funds inflow & outflow etc. They said they worked
as per the guidance of the Project Coordinator. Project Coordinator decides
the agenda and the activities of BISA Committee.
No BISA Committee member knows the detail of the Jeep and the Guest
House that BISA is responsible to maintain for the past 2-3 years at Kosgi and
Gadwal clusters. They are under the control of Commitments. All BISA
activities are Coordinator centered.
Everything is decided by the
Coordinator. BISA Committee is acting only as an implementing agency.
3
Mandal Samakhya
The evaluation team interacted with the office bearers of Mandal Mahila
Samakhyas of Kosgi and Maldakal (President, Secretary and Treasurer) to
know the kind of linkage between them and Mandal Vikalangula Samakhya.
As per MMS Office bearers, Commitments organizes PWDs into SHGs and their
federations, and facilitates linkages with service providers to access better
medical and rehabilitation services. During the monthly meetings, MVS shares
its progress and plans with MMS.
The study team is of the opinion that the office bearers of MMS don’t know
the rationale of organic linkage between MS and MVS. They know that SERP is
giving funds through MS to MVS promoted by Commitments. The MS office
bearers are of the opinion that MVS attends MS meeting every month
because fund is routed through MS. MS is not aware of its role and
responsibilities towards MVS and Vice-versa.
4
Mandal Vikalangula Samakhya (MVS)
The study team met seven MVS office bearers of Kosgi and Dharoor mandals.
The Office bearers of MVS meet once in a month but they have no
understanding on the governing aspects of MVS. The study team observed
poor attendance of members in meeting (16 out of 41 members). They
formed into a Mandal Samakhya mainly to avail benefits from government.
The MVS members listed the activities of MVS as i) identification of persons
with disabilities, ii) Information on various welfare & development
programmes especially related to PWDs, iii) rehabilitation activities, iv)
nutrition programme, v) participation in NREGS, vi) formation and
strengthening of SHGs, and vii) credit linkage for of livelihood promotion, viii)
organizing awareness and medical camps, ix) scholarships to children, x)
insurance activities.
To improve the functional literacy of Office bearers of MVS, Commitments has
organized exposure visits to other federations. Except exposure visits no other
16
training has been provided to this group on group functioning, institutional
building, financial management, book keeping etc.
The Office bearers of MVS don’t have even the minimal knowledge about
the financial aspects of MVS. The Project Coordinator of Commitments
decides all activities of MVS.
5
Our Comments on Institutional Building

Most of the persons with disabilities (PWD) are mobilized and organized
into self help groups (Vikalangula Sangam), and federated as Vikalangula
Samakhya at Mandal level and BISA Committee at cluster level. Parents of
persons with disabilities have been brought together under Sahajeevana
Sangams. Bringing these people together as a group is a significant
contribution of Commitments.

Development of a cadre of human resources (Resource team,
Community Social Workers and CBR Activists) with some skills to work with
the target group at village level should be appreciated.

Functioning of majority of SHGs are poor in quality – irregular meetings &
savings, poor book keeping, misuse of group funds and of CIF, domination
of male members and influential members in the group. This needs to be
looked into by Commitments.

The staff of Commitments have strong linkage with the target group, more
than the leaders of community based organizations and Activists at the
village level. In other words, the bondage within SHGs, MVS, BISA and SJS
are due to the active involvement of staff of Commitments. Though the
work of staff to be appreciated, this is not viable in the long run as the staff
may leave and there would be a vacuum.

Only few members or the office bearers know about some of the services
that MVS, BISA, SJS is providing to their members. Most of them do not
know their specific role and responsibilities as members of these
committees. This is also a serious matter as Commitments expects these
groups to take on more responsibilities in future. Something needs to be
done soon to change this situation.

There is not much focus on institutional strengthening. Very limited
capacity building trainings to the office bearers of MVS, SJS and BISA on
their institutions and their roles and responsibilities have been given.

Though there is an organic link between MS and MVS, office bearers of
organizations, and the staffs (workers) are not clear on the linkage, roles
and responsibilities and accountability. This unclear situation has created
confusion and a sense of frustration among the staff (especially the Com.
Social workers) as they are not clear if they are workers of Commitments or
of MS or MVS. This needs to be looked into and clarified to them.
17
Chapter-4: CBR, Education, Livelihood &
Rehabilitation Needs
1
Neighbourhood Centers
Neighbourhood centers are like pre-school nursery where children with severe
disability or children of parents who go to work and other non-disabled
children come for the day. These children get an opportunity to play and
learn to interact with others. The two centers the team visited were lively with
children and it has given an opportunity for the neighbours to become aware
about disability and related issues. The parents and the neighbours
appreciate the usefulness and the work of the center.
2
Sahajeevana Sangam (SJS) / Parents Association for severely disabled
During interactions with the Sahajeevana Sangams, the parents explained
the purpose of it as to learn about physiotherapy and speech therapy and to
link with service providers. There are 38 members (parents) in SJS of
Daulathabad. They joined SJS to i) share their problems and to get mutual
support, ii) get advise on possible solutions and iii) access services for
improving their children’s health and rehabilitation needs.
In response to a question about governing aspects of SJS no one from
Parents Association including its office bearers, was able to explain the
purpose and functions of SJS. However, they are happy that they have
benefited from SJS in multiple ways such as i) training on physiotherapy to the
parents, ii) training to prepare their children be self-reliant, iii) training on
nutrition, iv) place of assessing the improvement in health condition of their
children and further steps to be followed in therapy activities, v) learning from
the experiences of other parents etc.
The SJS members have listed the problems as i) ill-treatment to children with
disabilities in schools, ii) transportation problems to attend SJS meeting with
18
severe MR and CP children, especially with grown up children, iii) absence of
physiotherapy activists at village level- not attending to their duties and
inadequate skills, iv) poor attendance of parents to SJS meetings (15 to 20 out
38 members).
With regard to expectations of parents from SJS, the members have listed
them as i) income generation activities to parents, ii) opening of residential
schools exclusively for the disabled, iii) neighborhood center at village level,
iv) continuous support of Commitments in linking with service providers.
After two hours of discussions with SJS members, the evaluation team learned
that the SJS members have very less understanding on the governing aspects
of SJS, roles and responsibilities of the office bearers. Members are of opinion
that SJS is the best source in their vicinity to access rehabilitation services;
members are more concerned about the quality and quantity of services
rather than the functional aspects of SJS; and mostly these institutions are
staff centered. Commitments has highly succeeded in providing trainings on
therapy services through SJS than strengthening SJS as community owned
and community managed institution.
3
Visits to Individual Beneficiaries
a) Venkatesh- Mentally Retarded: Venkatesh is 10 years old. His parents who
belong to scheduled caste primarily depend on agriculture and labour. They
have a daughter studying in class 7th and Venkatesh with mental retardation.
His parents are members of Sahajeevana
Sangam. The parents said they have
benefited from Commitments in many
ways such as i) developed physiotherapy
tool kit with indigenous materials, ii)
training on physiotherapy, iii) monthly
food bill under nutrition programme, and
iv) got information on national trust act.
They attend Sahajeevana Sangam
regularly
to
acquaint
with
new
physiotherapy techniques and to get
feedback on the progress of their boy. The parents also said that due to the
combined efforts of SHGs, SJSs, parents and staff, there is lot of improvement
in the boy managing his affairs such as eating, bathing, brushing teeth,
communication, wearing dress, etc. However, they have expressed some
uneasiness on delay in payment of food bills, and feel an increased amount
would be helpful!
b)
Prakash -MR & CP: is 26 year old member of SHG of PWDs, living in
Sarjakhanpet village of Kosgi Mandal. He has a married sister and a
widowed mother who primarily depend on weaving and labour. The
19
physiotherapy team of Commitments has provided good amount of training
to him as well as his family members on physiotherapy with indigenous
materials. As a result, now, he is collecting goods from Kirana shops, and is
able to take care of himself like bathing, brushing, wearing clothes, etc.
c) Polepalli Ramesh is 48 years old unmarried member of Vikalangula
Sangam in Polepalli village. In the year 1987 while working on an electric pole
his lower limbs got paralyzed due to electric shock. He has undergone
treatment and got some relief. He got a tricycle from Commitments through
Vikalangula Sangam. He said Commitments has helped him in many ways- in
getting ‘Disability Certificate’ ‘Pension for Disabled’ and ‘Tricycle’. The SHG
has given a loan to expand the Kirana shop which he is running with the help
of his mother. He borrowed CIF loan of Rs. 10,000 and repaid it on time. He is
earning on an average of Rs. 100 per day and pension for the disabled of Rs.
500 per month. His mother is worried much about his son’s future after her
death. It could be one of the future areas of work for Commitments.
d) Pakirappa – MR and Cerebral Palsy: is a 11 year old boy, a member of
Swayam Krushi Vikalangula Sangam of Meerjapur. He has mild mental
retardation and cerebral palsy. He is the only child to their parents. They have
one acre of wet and two acres of dry land. They depend on agriculture. The
parents said they have benefited from
Commitments in many ways- i) training
on physiotherapy, ii) getting milk and
eggs under nutrition programme, iii)
training on speech therapy, and iv)
learning material provided by Lillian
Foundation through Commitments. He
goes to Anganwadi Centre on and off.
The evaluation team observed that the
materials supplied by the donors reached
the beneficiaries, and being used. Follow
up support is given by staff through Sahajeevana Sangams. They raised the
issue that physiotherapy services are available only at Sahajeevana Sangam
but not at village level. The parents feel there is an improvement in the health
condition (to communicate, to take food oh his own), but it is very slow and
long. They are also worried about his future after their demise.
e) Mentally ill persons: The team visited more than 20 members in
Dondavaripalli village of Dharoor Mandal. The team interacted with the
following persons who are mentally ill.
Name
Profile
Reasons
Mr. Edanna
Married, age 30 years
Financial crisis, credits
Mr. Ramakrishna
Married, aged 35 years
Financial crisis credits,
20
wife neglected him
Narasamma
Married, aged 25 years,
deserted, living with parents
Husband’s extra
marital relations
Sankaramma
Married, aged 30 years,
deserted, living with parents
Husband’s extra
marital relations
These persons benefited with the support of SHGs and Commitments a) in
accessing medical services from both private and Govt hospitals, b) meeting
the medical and travel expenses and c) regular follow up. The members
reported that there is a lot of improvement in their health. Now they are not
pelting stones, fighting with others, walking naked in the streets, talking to
themselves etc. The study team observed that improvement is the result of
continuous effort of Coordinators and Social Workers.
4
Inclusive Education for Disabled (IED Programme)
By interacting with the Mandal Educational Officer (MEO) to know about
implementation of Inclusive Education for Disabled (IED), it was noted that
they are aware of Commitments’ involvement in the IED programme. The
Community Coordinator responsible for IED programme organizes one day
training every year to all the teachers and he/she attends the class once a
week. The officer also commented that Coordinator’s frequency of visits to
school in a month has decreased (not even once in a month) in last one
year. He is aware of the rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities and
about the Acts related to them.
The study team visited the Upper Primary School, Dharoor Mandal. Five PWDs
are enrolled in the school. Commitment has appointed one IED Activist under
IED programme. The Coordinator visits once a week or 10 days to provide
necessary support to IED activist, teachers and the students.
During interaction with the regular teachers and Head Master, they said that
as a result of IED programme there is no dropout of children with disability.
5
Central Primary School
The team visited a Central Primary School, and interacted with the teachers
to know about the Inclusive Education for the Disabled Programme (IED).
Of the four children with disabilities enrolled in the school, two are hearing
impaired; one is blind; and the fourth is with hunch back. The IED teacher
visits the school regularly once a week to help the pupils and the teacher.
The school administration has taken certain measures for the benefit of these
students i) seating arrangement in the first row, ii) support in getting disability
certificate from the authorities, iii) given information on scholarships, iv) given
uniform, v) awareness on rights and entitlements of disabled among regular
21
students, vi) construction of ramps. Of the four students, only one has got
scholarship of Rs. 750 per annum.
The teacher informed that the IED teacher visits the school regularly and his
activities are confined to supporting these children to learn.
The teachers don’t have an understanding on the concepts of ‘inclusive’
and ‘integrated’ education. However, teachers do know something about
the rights of Persons with Disabilities.
6
Livelihood Interventions
a) Swetha- Speech impaired is a seven year old girl studying 2nd class in
Eezpur village of Kosgi mandal. She has an elder brother, studying 6th class.
She has difficulties in speaking from the past five years. She has undergone an
operation for which Commitment assisted through Sahajeevana Sangam.
The group also gave a loan of Rs. 10,000 to Swetha’s mother to buy a sewing
machine. She attends SJS meetings every month to know the improvement
and to know new techniques or the inputs from the speech therapist.
Swetha’s parents felt that improvement of their daughter’s speech is the
outcome of cooperation from the group, Commitment and SJS members.
The family has been supported through rehabilitation services and by giving a
loan for livelihood activity. The SHG, MVS and SJS have played a critical role
in delivering services which are normally difficult to get as an individual. The
parents recognized tangible benefits from groups and their institutions and
the parents too have cooperated well.
b) Ramulu is 40 year old married man who depends on agriculture and
labour. He has 3 acres of dry land. He lost a leg in an accident. He joined
Vikalangula Sangam promoted by the Commitments, and got crunches. He
attended a training on basket weaving organized by DRDA and later took a
loan of Rs. 10,000 from SHG under community investment fund (CIF) for basket
weaving and lighting arrangement for marriages and other occasions. He
earns about Rs. 2000 per month, and also gets an amount as a community
resource person. Though he lost his leg, by becoming a member of
Vikalangula Sangam, and with the help of Commitment, he is supporting his
family and also supports others as a community resource person.
c) Padma - Rehabilitation and Livelihoods: Padma is an unmarried member
of Adharsa SHG, formed in the year 2000. She is affected with polio. She has
four brothers and they have opened a small Kirana shop for her. She is also
working in the ICDS center. She learnt tailoring and took a loan of Rs. 18,000
from SHG. She bought one sewing machine and the remaining invested on
the Kirana shop. Commitments has played a key role in getting her calipers
and sanctioning CIF to Adarsha SHG. During non-ICDS working hours she
manages the Kirana shop and tailoring work. She earns Rs. 50 per day on
22
tailoring; Rs. 2000 from ICDS; and Rs. 50-100 from Kirana shop. On an average
she is getting Rs. 3,000 to 4,000 per month. With support from her brothers and
Commitment she is earning a regular income.
7
Our Comments on C B R - Education, Livelihood & Rehabilitation Needs

Most persons with disabilities joined the groups primarily to get
rehabilitation services and to avail benefits and entitlements meant for
them from the government. In this regard, Commitments has been highly
successful in meeting the expectations of group members.

The families, the local government officials and all others we interacted
with were very appreciative of the work of Commitments staff. The staff
members too felt quite satisfied with the efforts they have put in to assist
these persons.

Of all the CBOs at mandal level,
Sahajeevana Sangam/ Parents
associations are playing a significant role in raising awareness and building
the capacity of the community in the form of training in physiotherapy,
sharing of problems, review of progress, indigenous material development,
etc.

As there is better cooperation and demand from the parents for
rehabilitation services, all the team members, irrespective of their work
plan, concentrate on rehabilitation activities than on institutional
strengthening, livelihoods, education or advocacy. As a result, rather than
facilitating the institutions to be self managed, owned and controlled by
its members, the staff seem to have became the ‘doers’.

The requirements of persons with severe disabilities need to be looked into.
The groups (including the parents) as well as the staff are not sure on their
rehabilitation needs, except the therapy aspect. Commitments should
take up this matter as those with severe disabilities are quite left out,
though the parents have got some support for livelihood activities.
Education

Neighbourhood centers have played a positive role in building the
confidence and getting skills in managing their own affair among children
with disabilities and the parents. As stated earlier, these are managed
mainly by the staff of Commitments and there is less involvement from the
members of the Associations promoted.

The project has raised awareness related to children’s rights and
entitlements among the teachers; and has had positive impact on
enrollment, retention of these children in school. The role played by IED
teachers is appreciated, and their continued engagement should be
ensured through regular visits by the workers.

Reason for the decrease in regularity of visit by the Coordinator to schools
needs to be looked into. Is it a conscious decision by Commitments? or
pressure of other work? Such visits indicate the interest and concern of
the organization in education and in out opinion this would help in
23
maintaining the relationship with the authorities and would also act as a
check on the system. This should be reviewed.
Livelihood

The livelihood activities are mainly centered on credit access to PWDs,
especially on mobilization of community investment fund (CIF) from SERP
and SHG-Bank Linkage programme. This is a positive step as such linkage
of people with formal institutions would sustain the process initiated.

Presently much of such linkage work seems to be done by the staff /
workers. Though information and input on such linkages have been given
to SHGs and MVS members, building their confidence and capacity to
approach these institutions would help in the long run.

There is high demand from the parents for credit. Majority of the groups
have not been accessed to SHG - Bank Linkage, which is one of the
largest programmes of financial institution.

There is no focus on skill development of PWDs and /or of their parents to
take up some new income generation activity. Support is extended mostly
in the form of credit under CIF to individuals who are already engaged a
small Kirana shop or in some other income generation activity to extend it
further.

Commitment should consider linkage with the training centers in the
region for placement of young persons with disabilities to learn a skill. This
would be a better approach instead of setting up something on its own.
The logistics and cost of placement for such training needs to be worked
out. This approach has been practiced successfully by several NGOs.
24
Chapter-5: Advocacy and Rights
1
The Commitments Mission and Approach
The Mission of Commitments is to `enable the poor and disadvantaged
communities to perceive possibilities for change and bring about desired
change by exercising informed choices through collective action’. The two
main words in this are `to perceive possibilities for change’ and `through
collective action.’ Commitments is focusing on both of these in its
programmes by building groups (SHGs and MVS) to discuss issues and to take
collective action. This is an important strategy to advocate for the rights of
PWDs and to take up issues of inclusion and non-discrimination.
This is approach is working well to some extent, in the sense that groups of
persons with disabilities have been formed and many of them also meet
regularly to discuss the issues. However, their understanding of rights and
about non-discrimination stops at receiving benefits and entitlements i.e.,
bus pass, pension, aids and appliances, scholarship etc. from the
government. Here too, much of this work is done by the workers with little
active involvement from members. There are exceptions of course as we
met few individuals who were quite well informed and vocal in their
expression. Then they are too few in some select groups.
In the observation of the team, though SHGs, MVS, and BISA Committees
have been formed (functioning of these groups are stated above under
Institution building), their knowledge on the Disability Act, rights and their
capability to take up issues with authorities concerned is far from satisfactory.
Almost no one had heard of UNCRPD !!
2
MGNREGS- Intervention at Marlabeedu Village
The team interacted with some members of Vikalangula Sangams who
participated in NREGS work in Marlabeedu village of Dharoor Mandal to
understand how far they have benefited from this activity.
In Marlabeedu village, 34 PWDs are Job Card holders, and all of them
participated in NREGS activities at the beginning; but now only 20 members
are attending because - a) work location is far from the village, b) work is
hard and many members are severely disabled, d) not so severe disabled
members are not willing to work with the severely disabled and lose their
earning.
The nature of work taken up by PWDs under NREGS includes a) land leveling,
b) jungle cutting, c) tank bunding etc. In the earlier years on an average
PWDs got 108 days of work; and during last year, they got only 80-90 days of
25
work. This year, they got work for only 30 -35 days. The members have
reported the problems as i) not assigned any work from past 3 months, ii) low
wages – Rs. 40-50 per day, iii) No continuous work, iv) too much delay in
disbursing the amount, vi) Field Officers not responding properly to the
request and complaints of PWDs.
In conclusion, though NREGS was started with high intentions, in practice the
effect of changes it has created in the lives of PWDs is minimal due to many
lapses in implementation of the programme.
3
Our Comments on Advocacy Work

The team observed two things while interacting with the community – first,
Commitments has built self confidence among PWDs; and secondly, they
have also succeeded in getting the support of PWDs and their parents by
involving them and the community in the process of addressing their
needs.

Due to advocacy there is improved coordination between CBOs and
various service providers i.e., in private and government hospitals, at the
government offices at mandal and district levels and with panchayat
members. Their requests for support and interventions in terms of needs
and in getting entitlements are honoured without much difficulty.

As stated earlier, much of the liaison work with these officials are done by
the workers. Few members of the groups are also active and engage
themselves actively, but this number is too small to claim that they have
done it by themselves.

The level of awareness among members on the Disability Acts is very much
limited to receiving the benefits and entitlements. There is almost no
awareness on the rights, their responsibilities to access these rights, the
discriminations faced or about being treated equally in society. Their
demands and actions are as more `privileged’ persons to entitlements
and benefits because of their disability!

Getting engaged in NREGS is by advocacy, viewed as a right work and to
have a livelihood. An important step in this is linking SHGs of PWDs with
NREGS. Many PWDs were engaged in NREGS earlier and benefited from it,
but it was reported that participation of PWDs in NREGS has decreased
over a period of time due to various reasons. This needs to be looked into.
26
Chapter-6: Organizational Aspects- Process of
Implementation and Monitoring
1
Interaction with staff members
1.1
Interaction with Coordinators
The study team interacted with all the 8 Coordinators both at Kosgi and
Gadwal independently to know their understanding on i) the vision & mission
of Commitments, ii) roles and responsibilities, iii) capabilities, iv) issues and
challenges and v) the wary forward.
The Coordinators of Institution Building (IB), Physiotherapy (PT), Livelihoods
(LH), Inclusive Education for Disabled (IED), Sponsorship Programme (SP), all
have been associated with Commitments for past 2 to 4 years. Most of them
are post graduates with some professional experience. Before joining
Commitments, many of them had worked for Velugu Programme/ Indira
Kranthi Patham (IKP) of SERP.
According to the Coordinators, the purpose of Commitments is i) formation,
strengthening and creating Models of SHG, Mandal Vikalangula Samakhya
and Sahajeevana Sangam, ii) promotion of livelihoods, iii) providing
community based rehabilitation services, iv) linking with donor and service
providing agencies, v) creating awareness among PWDs and in the
community on disability issues and their rights, vi) access to government
programmes, vii) nutrition programme and inclusive education for children
with disability (IED) programme.
With regard to the activities of Commitment, the Coordinators listed them as
i) conduct surveys on disability, ii)organize awareness programmes on
disability, iii) inclusive education, iv) training on SHGs and federations, v)
livelihoods promotion, vi) employment generation schemes and vii) linkages
with various other organizations.
The Coordinators listed their role and responsibilities as follows:








Roles and Responsibilities
Monitoring of SHG, MVS, SJS, NC
Training on Disability
Review of CBRA
BISA-Review Meetings
Trainings on physiotherapy/IED
Coordination with other teams
Support to Social Workers
Translating letter/documentation
IB
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
--
PT
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
--
Speech
-Yes
Yes
-Yes
Yes
Yes
--
SP
Yes
Yes
Yes
27









Field visits with CSWs
Hospital/Camps follow up
Enrollment of students in schools
Staff meeting
Coordination of Social Workers
Credit –CIF loans
Trainings
Years of association
Education
-Yes
-Yes
Yes
Yes
3
4
PG
-Yes
-Yes
Yes
Yes
1
2
Degree
-Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
-Yes
1
PG
Yes
Yes
1
PG
Training and Staff development for coordinators - All the Coordinators have
attended two to three training programmes organized internally or by other
organizations at district, state, national and international levels. These are on
i) SHG concept, ii) book keeping, iii) physiotherapy, ii) NREGS,
iii)
Gender, iv) PRI & Elections, v) PWD Act 1995, vi) Mainstreaming of PWDs, vi)
Early Interventions for prevention of disability, and vii) Kalajathas,
Issues and Challenges- The Coordinators shared some of the issues and
challenges they are faced with, such as i) there are no regular visits to SHGs,
ii) multiple tasks and more work load, iii) very little focus on institution building
and its strengthening, iv) 1500 children dropped due to non-continuation of
speech therapy, v) less cooperation but high expectations from the
community, vi) high turn over of IED activists, vii) less no. of visits to villages
due to large operational area and multiple works, viii) no HR policy-no travel
reimbursement, no phone bills, no increment, and few staff development
programmes, ix) no fixed schedule and timings for staff meetings, x) no job
security. They also shared that many SHGs have became defunct - no
meetings, no savings/ credit, no book keeping and cooperation from
community is also less.
The evaluation team observed that all the coordinators are not much familiar
with details of the programmes they are working for. Most of the coordinators
are good at doing things than leading the team. They do not have much role
clarity, and most of them do rehabilitation and follow up work, irrespective of
their positions and specializations. The coordinators have less understanding
on PWD Act, and do not know the difference between rights and
entitlements of PWDs.
1.2
Interaction with Community Social Workers
The study team has interacted with 15-20 Social Workers both at Kosgi and
Gadwal Clusters. According to them the purpose of Commitments is to i)
work with disabled poor, ii) protect the rights of PWDs, iii) raise awareness on
disability issues among the rural poor, iv) promote livelihoods for the poor,
28
v) formation of groups with PWDs, vi) provide health services, vii) promote
education, and viii) self development.
The Social Workers listed their roles and responsibilities as i) identification
/survey of PWDs, ii) formation of SHGs with PWDs, iii) providing information
about service providers and government programmes, iv) support to
Coordinators in the implementation of IED, Nutrition, institution building,
awareness, sponsorship, NREGS programmes etc., vii) attend SHG, MVS, SJS
meetings, review and staff meetings, viii) give training to activists, parents and
community members.
Most Community Social Workers have completed SSC and intermediate
courses; and have 5-8 years of experience/ association with Commitments.
All are from local area and several are with disability. Building the human
resources by engaging local people as CSWs and Activists is one of the good
interventions of Commitments, which has helped the organization as well as
the Staff.
Commitments has given training to CSWs during monthly staff meetings on
various subjects. They suggested that in future Commitment should focus on
livelihoods, IED and skills training of the disabled and non-disabled. The CSWs
also had a list of grievances similar to the Coordinator’s and these need to be
looked into by the management.
1.3
Interaction with Activists
The study team interacted with a group of 19 activist (10 at Kosgi and 9 at
Gadwal) to know their perception on Commitments work and their roles and
responsibilities.
Their roles & responsibilities: Activists listed their role as i) identification of
persons with disability, ii) formation of SHGs, iii) book keeping, iv) ensure
repayment of bank and CIF loans, v) support in organizing Kalajathas, vi)
Information sharing with SHG, MVS, SW and Coordinator, vii) training on
physiotherapy to parents and PWDs, viii) support in rehabilitation activities, ix)
support in the preparation of bills.
The Activists also raised many issues related to them and implementation of
programmes at the gross root level. Their issues are mainly on receiving Rs. 500
per month as wages and not getting the travel expenses. The problems
related to programmes were almost the same as those listed by the CSWs.
The Activists also could not understand why they are not taken as CSWs and
get better wages as they do as much work as CSWs. The team felt that this
has not been explained properly to them by the organization.
The Activists also got trained on various subjects along with CSWs and others.
According to them, the activities relating to rehabilitation and education are
29
good compared to all other activities; and activities relating to institution
building and strengthening are very inadequate.
2
About HR and systems
Based on the interactions with staff, the study team has made some
observations regarding the HR and systems being practiced in Commitments.

Many staff members of Commitments have been associated with IKP in
the past and this has been very useful in doing their work in the field.

Most people are from local area and many have had long years of
association with Commitment at all positions. This too is a good sign,
showing gratification with what they do.

Many are though not well qualified educationally, they seem to do well
in the work.

No HR policy in the organization. No service rules. Most of the things go
by oral instructions or informal orders. This does not reflect well on HR
system in the organization.

No list of holidays or number of leave a staff is entitled to in a year. If
any one wants leave, they can go with the permission of superiors. As
an employee they can not demanded it as a right; most employees
feel they have no right and they are dominated by the organization.

There is no issuing of appointment/ contract letters, renewal of
contracts, annual increment etc. Most have not seen or received a
letter of appointment. Interestingly when the team asked the Project
Director regarding this he said that these letter have been issued but
we were not shown any despite asking.

There is no job description for the staff at all levels; consequentially
there is a lot of confusion, they get multiple tasks and raised the feeling
of work burden among many staff members.
3
Interaction with Other stake holders
3.1
Indira Kranthi Patham (IKP):
The discussion with Sudhakar was useful. He stated that IKP has received very
positive feedback from their field staff on the work of Commitments
especially on fulfilling rehabilitation needs, and they are very appreciative of
the efforts put in by the staff. He hoped that Commitments would become a
Resource and Training Institute for the State as IKP is planning to extend the
`social mobilization approach ‘of Commitments to all the districts in the State.
He further stated that Rehabilitation Council of India is keen to encourage
other States to follow this model of working in the field.
30
The team would like to comment that thought the approach is
comprehensive and engages the community and the affected group, the
aspects of institutional building, advocacy, and management issues need to
be sorted out before this approach is recommended to others and showcase
Commitments as a `model’.
3.2
Mandal Development Authorities
The study team interacted with the Mandal Development Officers (MDO) of
Daulathabad and Dharoor Mandals to know their understanding on the rights
and entitlements of PWDs, Disability Acts, its implementation, and opinion on
the programmes being implemented by Commitments. The MDO shared the
details of the programmes being implemented relating to PWDs as i) Pension
of Rs. 500 each given to 250 PWDs, ii) 10 income generation schemes with
50% subsidy, iii) medical camps conducted at mandal level to issue
certificates, iv) work under NREGS- easy works with 30% additional amount, v)
awareness programmes on disability and its causes etc.
Further, they also mentioned that there is no proper data base on PWDs at
mandal level. They highlighted how they have collaborated or organized
jointly various events such as a) awareness programmes, b) medical camps,
c) information sharing, d) implementation of development programmes, e)
identification target beneficiaries for various government programmes.
3.3
Community - Surpanch
Ms. Padmavathi, the Surpanch of Sarjakhanpet, Kosgi Mandal mentioned the
entitlements meant for PWDs in the village as 37 pensions for PWDs been
given and another 15 applications submitted for sanction; sanctioned 12
houses to PWD under Indiramma Housing Programme; allotment of NREGS
work to SHGs of PWDs, and organizing the International Disability Day.
With regard to the activities of Commitments, she stated that the impact on
the livelihoods of PWDs is minimal. However, she said that organizing PWDs
into groups has created unity among them, and they got and awareness on
their rights and entitlements through Kalajathas organized periodically.
We wish to comment that the MDO and the Surpanch are entitled to their
views which may be based on some feedback they got from the field.
Overall both offices are very appreciative of the work done by Commitments
which is supplementing their efforts. Whether they agree or not, the work of
Commitments is adding credit to their office indirectly, as local people do not
differentiate the work of Commitments and that of IKP, which are intertwined.
4

Our
Comments
on
Organizational
implementation & monitoring
Aspects-
Programme
Most of the Staff members have the experience of working with Velugu
and many years of experience of working in the field; though few have
31
the required qualifications but that is not an issue. Most are from local
area, which is advantageous.

Majority of the coordinator have moderate understanding on the
organizational vision, mission, programmes and the activities.

Despite many training undergone, staff members have moderate
capacity to discharge their roles and responsibilities. This has affected
their ability to monitor the progress of the programmes,

At field level, every thing is done on oral instructions. When things go
wrong the lower staff are blamed. Most do not know the systems in the
organization.

Insecurity and confusion among the staff- whether they are employees of
Commitments, SERP or MVS (the Federations) and about their future. This
feeling is especially among the Social Workers. Activists have almost
stopped attending the SHGs or any doing other work due to wage
dispute.

Most staff members stated that not having service rules i.e., they are not
aware of the facilities in terms of leave, allowances or other terms of
employment. Most have not received their letter of appointment, though
salaries have been received regularly. Some have received the letters but
it is in English, which they cannot read!

This way of functioning seems odd for an organization working for the
rights of marginalized groups.
As has been stated by several
management gurus, `Many organizations sermon about rights and direct
them at others, but do not practice themselves’. This seems to be the
case in Commitments. The Management rectifying this situation will
improve the feeling of responsibility and satisfaction among the staff
which is important to develop in the organization.

Every decision regarding programme implementation is made by the
Project Director. Though there is line management in the organization, the
Coordinators for example stated that they do not have the authority to
take decisions even on small matters. Every decision however trivial has to
be approved by the Project Director. In our opinion this does not seem
like a good practice to be followed in an organization.

Though the staff seem to be doing good work in the field which is much
appreciated by the community, families and other government officials
we met, their issues are not related to their work or the programme but on
management and regarding their employment. This is an urgent matter
for the Trustees to look into, sooner the better.

Finally, the staff were appreciative of our interactions with them, which
gave them an opportunity to vent their feelings and grievances.
32
SECTION-III: LESSONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
33
Chapter-7: Lessons and Recommendations
1
Learning
Lessons learnt and recommendations on each section of the programme –
Institutional Building; CBR – Education, Livelihood and Rehabilitation needs;
Advocacy and Rights; and on the Organizational aspects – Programme
implementation & monitoring are given under each of those sections as `Our
Comments’. Therefore we have not repeated them here. The positive
aspects of the programme and the shortcomings are pointed out. In some
places the recommendations are in the form of pointing out where some
action is required to be taken with some urgency in some aspects, by the
Trustees/ organization. We recommend that these are looked into and
actions taken as appropriate.
We would like to state once again that Commitments has done good work in
a poor area where the services to people, especially to PWDs are not easily
available. The workers have and are continuing to do good work with the
community. With certain improvements suggested in this report, the workers
can do much more to the benefit of people.
Two important aspects that need to be focused are to strengthen Institutional
building, through which the advocacy work can be furthered. Secondly, in
the organizational aspects, the specific shortcomings stated on which the
Trustees need to take further action.
We also would like to refer to the document `SWOT Analysis’ done by Dr
Mohan Raj (?) in 2008, copy of which is attached as annexure. Going
through that report, we note that from the observations made by him, many
are still valid. He too has recommended that the Institutional work be
strengthened and organizational matters be clarified and sorted out. We feel
that though there are some changes for the better in the programme
aspects, not much seems to have been done on the organizational matters.
This is urgent and important as Commitments should not lose the staff due to
such an ambiguous situation.
2
Conclusion
The above are our observations from the field visits. Though some of them
reflect the short comings in the project, mainly in the aspects of
management, it must be stated that the work of Commitments has benefited
a large number of persons with disabilities and their families in the rural areas
to a great extent. This is acknowledged by persons with disabilities, the
families, community and the govt. officials we met.
34
The above points have been stated since this is being reported to the
trustees, who can take / recommend actions to rectify them to reach the
objective of the organization. The work of Commitments is done largely by
the workers in the field, hence their feelings and feedback must be listened
to by the organization and the decision makers.
In terms of future perspective, we note that such an exercise was done in
2008 and a report is available. We suggest such an exercise be done once
again with the assistance of a resource person, by involving the staff,
beneficiaries and the Trustees. This exercise needs to be planned carefully in
which four aspects / measures should be looked at - the Financial
perspective; Internal organization perspective (the strengths of the
organization); Customer (beneficiaries) perspective and Innovation and
learning perspective.
This method is adapted from `The Balanced
Scorecard’ by Robert Kaplan and David Norton which has been used by
those engaged in business, but it is applicable to the working of organizations
too. A paper on this is attached which explains this further.
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ANNEXURES
36
Annexure 1: List of Persons Interacted by the Evaluation Team
List of Trustee, Commitments
 Mr. Yugandar,
 Mr. Gopal Rao,
 Mr. Rajasekhar, CEO, SERP, Hyderabad
 Mr. Sudhakar Reddy, SPM, SERP, Hyderabad
 Mr. C.S.Reddy, CEO, APMAS, Hyderabad,
 Mr. Anjaiah,
 Mr. Venkateswarulu,
 Mr. Vengal Reddy, Chief Executive Officer, Commitments
 Mr. Gangadar, Managing Trustee, Commitments
Project Director/Manager
 Mr. Krishna Murthy, Project Director, Commitments
 Mr. Venkata Rao, Project Manager, Gadwal Cluster
Coordinators
 Mr. Nandaiah, Institution Building- Coordinator Kosgi Cluster
 Mr. Kesavulu, Physiotherapy-Coordinator, Kosgi Cluster
 Mr. Sreenivasulu, Speech Coordinator, Gadwal Cluster
 Mr. M. laxmaiah, Sponsorship Programme Coordinator, Gadwal Cluster
 Mr. Ananthaiah, Institution Building Coordinator, Gadwal Cluster
 Mr. Gnanendrachari, CB Coordinator, Gadwal Cluster
Social Workers
 Kosgi Cluster- Ms. Monamma, Ms. Mogulamma, Mr. Azeez, Mr. Vijay
Kurmar, Ms. Shantha, Ms. Jayamma, Ms. Balakishtamma, Ms.
Ananthamma, Mr. Mogilaiah, Mr. Narsireddy.

Gadwal Cluster- Mr. Sivakumar, Mr. Raju, Mr. Sekhar, Mr. Nagya Naik, Mrs.
Thimmakka, Mrs. Veeramma, Mr. Ranganna, Mr. Chandposha, Mr. Patrulu
Officials other than Commitments
 Mr. Chandrakanth Reddy, Project Director, IKP, Mahaboobnagar District,
 Mrs. Venkatamma, Mandal Development Officer,
 Mr. Mohmmad Alyas, Madal Development Officer, Daulathabad,
 Mr. Buggappa, HM, Central Primary School, Sarjakhanpet, Kosgi Mandal
 Mr. Kondanna, MEO, Kosgi Mandal
 Mr. Rajashekaraiah, UP School, Maddelabanda, Maldakal Mandal
Individual Beneficiaries
 Baby Swetha,Ezeepur, Kosgi
 Master venkatesh, Ezeepur, Kosgi Mandal
 Mr. Ramulu, Sarjakhanpet, Kosgi Mandal
 Ms. Padma, Sarjakhanpet, Kosgi Mandal
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







Mr. Prakash, Sarjakhanpet, Kosgi mandal
Mr. Ramesh, Polepalli, Bommarasipet Mandal
Master Pakirappa, Meerjapur, Kosgi Mandal
Baby Narasamma, Mannapuram,
Mr. Edanna, Maddelabanda, Maldakal Mandal
Mr. Ramakrishna, Maddelabanda, Maldakal Mandal
Mr. Narasamma, Maddelabanda, Maldakal Mandal
Ms. Sankaramma, Maddelabanda, Maldakal Mandal
Federations of Vikalangula Sangams
 Office Bearers, BISA Committee, Kosgi Clusters
 Office Bearers, BISA Committee, Gadwal Cluster
 Members of MVS, Dharoor Mandal, Gadwal Cluster
 Members of MVS, Kosgi Mandal, Kosgi Cluster
 Members of MMS, Kosgi Mandal, Kosgi Cluster
 Members of MMS, Maldakal, Gadwal Cluster
 Members of Sahajeevana Sangam, Daulathabad Mandal, Kosgi Cluster
Vikalangula Sangams/SHGs







Priyadarshini SHG, Sarjakhanpet, Kosgi Mandal,
Adharsa SHGs, Sarjakhanpet, Kosgi Mandal
Saraswathi SHG, Polepalli, Bommarasipet Mandal
Saraswathi SHG, Dorepalli, Daulathabad Mandal
Siva SHG, Maddelabanda, Maldakal Mandal
Anjaneya SHG, Maddelabanda, Maldakal Mandal
SHGs, Marlabeedu, Dharoor Mandal
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Annexure 2: List of questions asked to PWDs and Disability Advocacy groups
1.
What do you know about disabilities/ and type of disabilities?
2.
What kind of restrictions they have due to their impairment?
3.
What do you think can be done to help PWDs overcome the restrictions?
4.
What are the difficulties in accessibility?
5.
What are the rights of PWDs? Are these the same as non disabled
persons?
6.
What benefits do they get from the government?
7.
What are the medical needs of PWDs? Are medical services easily
available?
8.
What are PWD’s needs for their rehabilitation support?
9.
What do you do when they ask for medical services?
10. Are there severely disabled persons in your area?
11. What do you know about their (severely disabled) rehabilitation needs?
How are they covered?
12. What training did you get on disability? Are you able to identify PWDs
easily after training?
13. What are the rights of persons with disabilities? How much are they able
to exercise their rights?
14. How do PWDs travel to PHCs and district hospitals? Are buses
accessible?
15. What do you know about Disability Act and the recent UNCRPD?
16. Are PWDs able to access the reservations as given to them in the
Disability Act?
17. Are PWDs able to get the benefits and concessions easily?
18. What do you know about this project implemented by Commitments?
What is your understanding and impressions?
19. Any suggestions to make this project more efficient and to be able to
reach all PWDs?
Note: Questions were asked according to the situation, and not all questions
were asked to all the groups.
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Annexure 3: SWOT on Commitments as in July 2008
Strengths
1. Establishment of a functional channel for delivery of welfare and
services from State to PWDs
2. Establishment of ‘Mandal Vikalangula Sangham’ as a satellite identity
of the Mahila Samayka to implement the activities and statutory
provisions for rehab of PWDs under the provisions of MS and Velugu
program of the State.
3. Activities of ‘Commitments’ meeting the rehabilitation needs of PWDS
through Government schemes and provisions. MVS working as the
statutory forum of ‘Commitments’ as per the prescriptions and
mandatory of the Velugu program
4. Formation phase of ‘Commitment’ in the program of cycle of
formation, formalization and consolidation completed successfully
Weaknesses
1. Absence of perspectives and progression towards holistic development
of the community of PWDs. Absence of ‘vision’ for development in a
holistic perspective
2. Culture of dependence. Dependence of Commitments on Govt
provisions and schemes, Mahila Samakya and Government resource
provision. Dependence of MVS on Commitments. Absence of
perspectives for long term, sustainability, growth and, ‘time and
change’
3. Absence of the process to address the developmental needs of the
community of PWDs. Absence of identity of MVS as a community
based organization with vision- mission and objectives defined for it.
4. In the absence of planned organizational preparatory for transition
from formation to formalization and succeeding consolidation,
indefinite continuation of the formation with consequence of ‘
diminishing returns’: Reduction in proportion of input- output and
impact.
Opportunities
1. Developmental perspectives for ‘inclusion’ of PWDs as a community
through rights based programmatic approach
2. Scope for sustainability, growth and self reliance through structural
relationship between ‘Commitments’ and the CBOs as individual
organizations based on consensus of vision and negotiated
development partnership
40
3. Change from the ‘activity and project mode based on references to
Government schemes’ to ‘ developmental program mode based on
universal measurable and indicators for development and quality of life
in the market society’
4. Planned conclusion of the formation phase of ‘Commitments’. Formal
transition into succeeding phase of formalization and consolidation as
a policy decision of ‘Commitments’
Conditionality to utilize the identified opportunities
1. Organizational and programmatic reformulation of Commitments
2. Partner relationship between ‘Commitments’ and its CBO identities
(MVS) based on role division and transition of role on program cycle of:
formation, formalization and consolidation
3. Consolidation of the activity path of ‘Commitments in the present
mode’ with 2008. Work on a new base line and bench marks from 2009.
Organizational and programmatic reformulation of ‘Commitments’ for
2009-2012.
4. Impact evaluation of ‘Commitments’ ending 2008: Summative
evaluation of the formation phase. Re statement of Vision and mission:
Perspective plan development for the formation phase to be
implemented during 2009-2012. Strategic plan to implement the
perspective plan. Organizational renewal of ‘Commitments’ for its
formalization phase
41