BETHANY SOCIETY : ANNUAL REPORT
APRIL 1, 2009 – MARCH 31, 2010
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES & PARTNERSHIPS.. …HIGHLIGHTS!
Shalan Daka Syndong, lost her eyesight at the age of 3 years due to lack of medical care in her village Nongjngi, Thadalskein Block, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. She joined Jyoti Sroat School in 1999, availed of educational and boarding opportunities to successfully complete her Class X through the Meghalaya Board of Secondary Education in May 2010. She is presently pursuing her Senior Secondary Course!
During the year we supported over 300 such young people to pursue formal and non-formal education, vocational and livelihood programmes and graduate studies.
Members of a women’s SHG of persons with disability from Sohrarim Village, East Khasi Hills availed of capacity building opportunities for micro-enterprise development & are now economically independent!!
60 such groups are now trained to manage their groups and during the year were able to access Rs. 12,00,000 through loans.
SHGs under Mylliem Block, East Khasi Hills, availed of training opportunities for socio-economic independence
More than 2000 persons availed of training across a wide sector of topics such as inclusion, organic farming & appropriate technology for micro-enterprise development!
1st MLP Batallion, Meghalaya availed of opportunities for creating partnerships through giving for a cause.
Such local, national and international partnerships have enabled us to expand our interventions into 600 villages of Meghalaya, reaching out to 5000 persons with disability and 15,000 households spending Rs. 200 lakhs
Our logo…….
Interlocking of people, symbolizing partnerships and inter-dependence. The dark blue and yellow colours symbolize disability and inclusion. All are embraced by the earth, in light blue colour, symbolizing that we are part of the purity and complexity of the web of life and the importance of sustainability as a core value.
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
During the year there were many achievements which may seem insignificant, yet were giant steps! A little four year old boy in a remote village in Ampati takes a step for the first time…..an eight year old blind girl from a village in the Jaintia Hills walks into a school for the first time….a group of persons with disability form a Self Help Group and are able to access a loan from a bank…..a four year old speech and hearing impaired boy communicates……a young visually impaired young lady is appointed as a programme coordinator on merit…..a breakthrough in bio-technology which can revolutionize piggery and poultry in remote villages… the Padmashri Award conferred on Ms. Bertha G. Dkhar, Headmistress-Jyoti Sroat School, Shillong by The Honorable President of India in April 2010. This second highest civilian National Award is conferred for exemplary contribution in any field. Bertha, was chosen for her contribution to education, especially for education of persons with disabilities. Earlier in the year on the occasion of Teacher’s Day she was the was presented with the Meghalaya State Award For Best Teacher. The list continues……..
All the Bethany Society family, join with Bertha’s family and friends and the family and friends of all the other achievers in celebrating. These achievements celebrate differences and diversity. Bertha’s award indeed needs special mention…..she continues to tread the ..’road less travelled’…..in extraordinary ways. We thank her for her contribution to the development of Bethany Society and wish her many more years of interventions.
All these achievements are at the heart of what Bethany Society stands for….forming partnerships and network for bringing about change. The Governing Body, The President, The Managing Committees of individual programmes, Heads of Programmes, staff make these achievements possible.
In a year which saw costs of everything skyrocketing and Government support reducing in actual terms…there were many persons and groups – locally, nationally and across many countries who continued to give consistently. This coupled with the support of our many institutional donors and the commitment of staff facilitated quality interventions.
With the gap among the haves and have nots becoming wider and the impact of climate change very tangible…change and inclusion continue to be major challenges for Bethany Society. We continue to explore the challenges of inclusion – 22% of our staff are persons with disability, we are exploring programmes in renewable energy and natural resource management, we are exploring stronger partnerships with Government programmes both from the rights based perspective and sustainablility, we are working on strategies that will bring about quicker and far reaching change – advocacy for new policies and legislations. These initiatives will continue to be further explored and included in our programmes in the next few years.
We ask all to continue your support. THANK YOU!!
SUPPORT FOR OUR PROGRAMMES CAME FROM !!
Ø Government of Meghalaya
Ø Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India
Ø District Rural Development Agency, East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, West Garo Hills. ( Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. )
Ø Deputy Commissioners and their staff from the various Districts especially East Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills.
Ø Department of Social Welfare, Government of Meghalaya.
Ø Meghalaya State Social Welfare Board.
Ø Meghalaya Board of Secondary Education
Ø Northeastern Hill University, Shillong
Ø KVIC, Shillong
Ø Meghalaya Rural Development Society, Shillong ( IFAD and Government of Meghalaya )
Ø Department of Education, Government of Meghalaya ( SSA Programme & DERT )
Ø Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai.
Ø Christoffel Blinden Mission, Germany & Bangalore
Ø Light for the World, Austria
Ø CBR-Forum, Bangalore
Ø DKBW, Germany
Ø Shanti Onlus, Italy
Ø Mr. J. J. O’Dwyer & friends, Ireland
Ø Delia & Christian Klages and Viren fur Hilfe, Germany
Ø Biola and Oscar, Dr. Javier & family, Dr. Eduardo & friends, Beatriz Sanz & family
Ø Sister Rosario Lopez, Founder &Patron Bethany Society, Mr. Isidro Lopez, Lopez family and friends from Spain
Ø Sponsors & friends from : India, UK, USA.
Ø The Christian Brothers, especially from St. Edmund’s Community, Shillong.
Ø The Missionaries of Christ Jesus, Meghalaya & Spain.
Ø The Society for the Welfare of the Disabled and its units, Shillong
Ø Khatarshnong Socio Organisation, Cherrapunjee
Ø The Association of Challenged People, Meghalaya
Ø Bawri Netralaya, Shillong
Ø Sherwood School. Tura.
Ø Schools, colleges, hostels across Meghalaya supporting inclusion
Ø NGO friends from across the State and Region.
Ø The many individuals and groups and organizations from Shillong and Tura who support our programmes on an almost weekly basis throughout the year
Ø Our clients in all our programmes.
We seek God’s Blessings and Protection on each of you and seek your continued support!
The next few pages give a glimpse of various interventions.
Mr. Carmo Noronha
Secretary & Executive Director
July 31, 2010
Organizational Profile:
1. Name of the Organisation : Bethany Society
2. Address & Contact details ( Key Persons )
· Mrs. Shirleen B. Sawkhmie, President
Arai Mile, New Tura, West Garo Hills,
Meghalaya 794101
M- 09436112004
· Mr. Carmo Noronha, Executive Director. ( Shillong )
Lady Veronica Lane, Laitumkhrah, Shillong – 793003
Ph: 0364-2210631 M : 09436119808 email: bethany@ancharnet.in, bethanyngo@rediffmail.com
· Col. T. I. Donald ( Retd ) , Administrator ( Tura )
Arai Mile, New Tura, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya – 794101
Ph: 03651-232396
3. Registration details:
Ø under Meghalaya Societies Registration Act.
Ø 214250065 of 1987 under FCRA
Ø 707/12A/CA/’87-’88 under sec 12A(a) of IT Act.
Ø Registered under Persons with Disability Act 1995 with Dept of Social Welfare, Govt. of Meghalaya
4. Profile:
Bethany Society is a not-for-profit, secular, registered, charitable society established in Mendal, East Garo Hills, Meghalaya in 1981.
We dream……
Of an earth fully alive, where everyone enjoys fullness of being.
We work towards this by…….
Forming partnerships with people, communities and resources so as to create opportunities which empower, enhance dignity and lead to security of health, food, livelihoods , and shelter in a sustainable manner.
We work with…….
Groups in vulnerable situations such as persons with disabilities, children, youth and women living in extreme poverty and the aged, especially in remote villages.
We work in……
Northeast India and the major focus of our efforts is in Meghalaya.
Our strategy is…….
Ø To organize programmes on disability which are inclusive, barrier free and rights based.
Ø To organize, establish, support, develop and consolidate educational, vocational, social, cultural, charitable and economic activities for the holistic development of people and communities in vulnerable situations.
Ø To create sustainable livelihoods, particularly among rural communities, through application of appropriate technology
Ø To care for the environment.
Ø To create and join networks.
5. Major Activities:
Ø Institutional and community based rehabilitation programmes which aim to mainstream disability and promote rights of persons with disability in all districts of Meghalaya, covering 600 villages and reaching out to 5000 persons with disability. We manage an ‘inclusive school’ in Shillong, 2 vocational training centres one in Shillong and Tura and 4 hostels- 2 in Shillong and 2 in Tura.
Ø Rural development and rural livelihood programmes in five districts of Meghalaya – East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills in over 500 villages with a major focus on micor-credit, mciro-finance and micro-enterprise development
Ø Training and capacity building in the sectors of disability, rural development, rural technology and environment education reaching out to all the Northeastern States. Rural Technology Park and training centre established in West Garo Hills.
Ø Forming local, regional, national and international networks and collaborations as a strategy for reaching out to a larger number of clients.
6. Staff:
Institutional staff : 70
Rural Development : 40
Highest Paid : Rs. 12,000=00
Lowest Paid : Rs. 4,000=00
Staff Benefits: Casual Leave, Earned Leave, Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Provident Fund, Pension, Insurance, Gratuity and Leave Encashment, Sponsored professional training.
7. Annual Budget: Recurring about Rs. 200 lakhs.
DETAILS OF GOVERNING BODY { 2010 – 2012 }
| Sl.
No |
Name | Address | Age | G | Occupation | Designation |
| 1. | Shirleen B Sawkmie | Forest Colony,Chandmare
Tura, West Garo Hills Meghalaya – 794101 09436112004 (M) |
45 | F | Educationist &
Entrepreneur |
President |
| 2. | Carmo Noronha | Benville Cottage,
Bishop Cotton Roaad Shillong – 793001 09436119808 |
57 | M | Development
Worker |
Secretary |
| 3. | Joann Havelka | Holy Cross Villa,
Red Hill Road, Laitumkhrah, Shillong – 793003 |
78 | F | Teacher | Treasurer |
| 4. | Solomon Morris | St. Edmund's College,
Laitumkhrah Shillong – 793003 |
42 | M | Teacher | Member |
| 5. | Bertha Dkhar | Grace Cottage,
Jaiaw Shyiap Shillong |
50 | F | Teacher | Member |
| 6. | Sarah John | Nirmali, Red Hill Road,
Shillong – 793003 |
45 | F | Educationist | Member |
| 7. | Referen Diengdoh | Boscobel
Arbuthnot Road Laitumkhrah Shillong – 793003 |
65 | M | Retired Army Colonel | Member |
| 8. | Mondakini Basu | Moti Nagar
Shillong – 793003 |
50 | F | Lecturer | Member |
Mr. Carmo Noronha and Ms. Bertha Dkhar are paid by the Society for their services as Executive Director and Headmistress, Jyoti Sroat School, Shillong.
The Governing Body meets three times a year for evaluating programmes and discussing policy matters. Individual programmes have separate Managing Committees, responsible for the functioning of the programmes. Thus a decentralized approach is encouraged and the same is followed at the individual programme level to develop leadership. Managing Committees have been mandated to work on the core issues of quality and sustainability.
No member of the Governing Body or Managing Committees or staff was supported for foreign travel from Society funds.
Our key personnel…….
| S. No | Name | Responsible For | Designation & Location | Contact Details |
| 1. |
Mrs.Shirleen B. Sawkmie |
Public relations, Senior Citizens' Programme, Fruit and Vegetable Processing, Overall evaluation. |
President Tura |
9436112004 shirleen@rediffmail.com |
| 2. |
Mr. Carmo Noronha
|
All Programmes, Resource Mobilisation & Public Relations, Monitoring & Evaluation. |
Executive Director Shillong |
9436119808 bethanyngo@rediffmail.com bethanymegh@hotmail.com |
| 3. |
Col.T.I.Donald (retd
|
All Programmes at Head office and Garo Hills |
Administrator Tura |
9436112955 |
| 4. | Ms. Bertha Dkhar | Jyoti Sroat Scholl, Advocacy,Development of Braille across Northeast. | Headmistress, Shillong |
9436340137 bgdkhar@yahoo.com |
| 5. | Ms. Avegail Sohkhlet | ROILANG Livelihood Academy | Director, Shillong | 9436103018 |
| 6. | Mr. Michael Sangma | Community Based Rehabilitation Programmes, Garo Hills, Advocacy and Hostels, Garo Hills. | Programme manager, Tura | 9436160292 |
| 7. | Mr. Herald Massar | Marian Centre for Appropriate Technology, Shillong and Finance | Programme Coordinator, Shillong |
9863068032 massarherald@yahoo.co.in |
| 8. | Mr. Gary Nengnong | Legal Awareness Cell, Deaf Blind Programme, micro- credit, Disability related trainings, placement. | Programme Coordinator, Shillong |
9856122072 garynengnong@rediffmail.com |
| 9. | Ms. Marian Makre | Hostels, Shillong & Campus Coordinator, Shillong | Warden, Shillong | 9862721585 |
| 10. | Mr. Ricky Renthlei | Sustainable Livelihoods and Micro-enterprises. | Programme Coordinator, Shillong | ricky_renthlei@yahoo.com |
| 11. | Ms.Carmelia Wankhar | Community Based rehabilitation Programmes – West Khasi Hills | Programme Coordinator,Mawkyrwat | 9863122672 |
SUMMARY OF PROGRAMMES { 2009 – 2010 }
| S.No |
Name of the |
Started |
Nature of Project/ |
Outcome / Follow up |
Coolaboration/Source |
Expenditure |
| 1. |
Hostels – Shillong & Tura |
1986 |
4 hostel-2inTura & 2 in Shillong for 172 PWDs with different types of Disabilities. PWDs avail of formal and non-formal education programmes and vocational training. 20 pursuing higher secondary and university education.
|
Studentsundergoing formal education are supported for higher studies as per need. Students in vocational training are supported for income-generation programmes. 172 students completed cources sucessfully. |
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, GOI. 7,90,961 = 00. Sponsorship from Spain, Italy, USA, India & Bethany Society 19,60,082 =00 |
27,51,043/- |
| 2. |
Vocational Training for self-employment of PWDs. Tura |
1986 |
Training in Knitting for women & cane & bamboo articles for men. 12 PWDs given training per year. |
12 PWDs completed training in 2009-2010. Bethany Society follows up all trainees through full time Field Workers. |
Department of Social Welfare, Govt.of Meghalaya. 85,710 =00 Bethany Society, 14,491 = 00 |
1,00,201/- |
| 3. |
Jyoti Sroat School, Shillong |
1992 |
An inclusive school with a special focus of students with visual impairement. Out of 200 students, 90 are children with disability. Nodal Centre of NIVH for promoting Braille in Northeast. Support B.Ed.& other trainings for teachers. Special Unit for the deaf-blind |
4 students appeared for class X & 2 were sucessful. Students are supported for Higher Secondary, Graduation and Post-Graduation. |
Christoffel Blinden Mission, Germany 3,44,310 = 00 Bethany Society 14,57,081 = 00 Sponsorship, Donations, Local Fund Raising, SSA 7,28,594 = 00 |
25,29,985/- |
| 4. |
ROILANG Livelihood Academy,Shillong |
1996 |
Vocational, Livelihood and open school Programme for 75 PWDs Training offered in cane & Bamboo handicraftss, leather & rexine items,tailoring,knitting,handmade paper products,screen printing,weaving,bakery and processing. |
Students continue higher studies after openschool or are supported to set up income generation programme.30 completed training. |
Income from sale of items produced,sponsorships,local fund raising : 5,18,417,=00 Bethany Society : 5,11,704 =00 Deptt. of Social Welfare 1,40,000 = 00 |
11,70,121/- |
| 5. |
Community Based Rehabilitation ( CBR ) Programme. |
2002 in West Garo Hills 2007 in West Khasi Hills |
Focus on Health, education, livelihoods, social & empowerment issues within the communities. Reaching out to 1200 PWDs in 360 villages in 5 Blocks of West Garo Hills. 360 PWDs in 38 villages in Mawkyrwat Block of West Khasi Hills. A fully equipped Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Centre provides services for clients of the programme in Tura. |
Over 600Pwds nave been rehabilitated. 60 new villages introduced to the programme in2009. PwDs linked to Govt. programmes through District Rural Development Agency, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme etc. |
Christoffel Blinden Mission, Germany : 12,87,174 = 00 CBR-Forum, Bangalore : 4,96,800 = 00 Bethany Society : 61,165 = 00 |
18,45,139/- |
| 6. |
SHAILYNTI – Aprogramme for the deafblind in Meghalaya, Shillong & Tura. |
2006 |
Formal education in Jyoti Sroat, Shillong. CBR Programme in West Gro Hills & West Khasi Hills. Advocacy & awareness programme in all districts and in other NE states. |
Fully functional unit in Shillong with 3 students. 15 identified and provided services in CBR programme. |
Sense International ( India ), Ahmedabad : 28,400 = 00 For finance the programme was merged with Jyoti Sroat School. |
|
| 7. |
Legal Awareness Cell, Shillong |
2003 |
Coordinates the formation of Disabled Persons Organisations ( DPOs ) in Meghalaya and formation of Sate & Regional networks. Conducts awareness programmes on rights based approach. Soecific focus on UNCRPD and access to Govt. Schemes for PWDs. Coordinates Training Programmes for teachers B.Ed., Foundation Course. |
DPOs formed in each Districts with collaboration of District NGO Partners. DPOs in 20 Blocks out of 40 Blocks A network of 6000 PWDs in Meghalaya. State & Regional network of NGOs formed. PWDs included in schemes of government. Facilitated the formation of CBR INdia Network ( NE ). |
Light for the World, Austria : 10,86,783 |
10,86,783/- |
| 8. |
Marian Centre for Appropriate Technology, Tura & Shillong. |
2000 |
Providing Transport facility for all programmes in Shillong. Training in appropriate Technology & Micro-enterprises. Managing Rural Technology Park at Tura. Monitoring the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in West Garo Hills, East Khasi Hills. Organic certification Experimenting with innovative technologies. |
Recognised by dept. of Agriculture, MRDS as Resource NGO. More than 2000 Ruaral persons trained. Established models of organic practices for tea, coffee, horticulture, piggery, poultry. |
Generated from various programmes : 31,00,000 = 00 Sir Dorabji Tata Trust & Khatat Shnong Socio Organisation : 4,00,000 =00 |
35,00,000/- |
| 9. |
Livelihood improvement Project, Tura & Shillong |
2006 |
120 villages in Songsak & Samanda Blocks East Garo Hills & Pynursla Block, East Khasi Hills. SHG formation and training in micro-finance and livelihood improvement. |
400 SHGs formed Micro credit programme & Livelihood programme commenced |
Meghalaya Rural Development Society ( MRDS ), IFAD : 18,72,000 = 00 |
18,72,000/- |
| 10. |
Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Programme |
1983 |
5 Creches in East Garo Hills for 125 Children. Nutrition, pre-school and mother & child programme. |
125 Children and mothers being provided with pre-school and nutrition programme. |
Meghalaya State Social Welfare Board : 2,11,920 = 00 Bethany Society : 31,570 = 00 |
2,43,490/- |
| 11. |
Eye screening and Medical intervention for eye services in Meghalaya |
2006 |
Collaborating with Bawri Nethralaya, Shillong for Medical eye interventions inurban and rural areas of Meghalaya |
Early intervention programmes in rural areas. Comprehensive eye services available locally. |
Light for the World, Austria : 54,85,218 = 00 |
54,85,218/- |
| 12. |
Caring for the aged |
2002 |
Facilitating Old Age Pension Scheme and food grains to Senior Citizens from remote rural areas of West Garo Hills. |
Over 500 availing of this programme under the supervision of the President, Bethany Society. |
DRDA, West Garo Hills. |
In kind |
Mr. Carmo Noronha
Executive Director
May 30, 2010