MYRADA CHALLAKERE PROJECT

Community Initiatives to reach the people with Disabilities & Aged

When it came to responding to the requirements of people with disabilities and aged, MYRADA usually took an individual approach; Referring them to appropriate hospitals and Government Departments, organizing health camps, mobilizing spectacles, mobility-related equipment, etc., through service institutions, requisitioning the services of specialized institutions for training, etc. Yet, supporting them in an organized way was challenging to MYRADA. During 2001, the staff of Challakere Project took the initiative to create concern for people with disabilities, aged, and deserted women/men.
This influenced some SAGs, who took the responsibility of bringing these people of their village together to interact/share with each other. SAG members also visited families of these members and discussed the issues that were shared in the interactions.

Twenty groups are formed exclusively for people with disabilities and aged; they meet every week, some of the groups have started savings and credit activities. The Project has also supported them with working capital of Rs.1,00,000, of which Rs.5,000 came from Rotary. Working capital is being revolved in the groups and being utilized for health, consumption and even to start small enterprises. (Sheep rearing, chick rearing, flower vending, petty shop etc.)

Health Camps, referral services, skill training through RUDSETI, support to get departmental benefits such as tricycle, bus pass, old age pension, handicap pension etc are some of the regular services that are being provided by the federations.