Initiation of Institutional Infrastructure

[Initiation of Institutional Infrastructure [Initiation of Productive Infrastructure]

Formation of Male Community Organizations (MCOs)

To meet immediate economic needs the SRSP Chitral organized multi purpose village organizations that would initiate group action to secure economic and social services for their members.Although these organizations were named on the pattern of traditional societies but they were basically different. They acted as grass root forums for discussing problems and spelling out felt needs. The purpose of social organization was to establish village-based organizations in which people could decide their own priorities. To a varying degree across programme area the MCO/WCO forum enabled its members to have a greater say to public matters affecting their lives. Accountability and transparency were parts of the emerging organizational culture.

Women folk who had been culture bounded and did not previously take part beyond the boundaries of their homes were emerging as an influential interest group in their communities. The successful leaders of the organizations (organization builders) shaped the destinies of the people. They played the principal role on the stage of the history and they organized the march of the masses. The organizations did not have the new ideas of their own but their function was to organize and stimulate the efforts of others. The Organization began to emerge from January 2002 since the office was being established. This process continued till the project was closed on 15th May 2002.

At present the SRSP Chitral has established 70 MCOs in Tehsil Drosh, 47 in Tehsil Chitral, 2 in tehsil Mastuj, 26 in tehsil Mulkhow and 2 in Tehsil Torkhow, which are represented by 147 Presidents and 147 Managers. In Tehsil Lotkoh no MCO has been formed so for. In Drosh 27 % of the households are covered by MCOs while Chitral, Mastuj, Mulkhow and Torkhow have 15 %, 2 %, 14 %, and 3 % coverage respectively. MCO formation remained highest in Drosh tehsil where 70 MCOs were formed with over 2187 members. In Chitral 47 MCOs were established with nearly 1611 members. Lotkoh and Mastuj Tehsils where AKRSP has already initiated infrastructure works remained much behind in the organizational process during the last 6 months. Mulkhow Tehsil showed keen interest in associating itself with the SRSP and has formed 26 MCOs with 854 members. Only 2 MCO with 88 members are formed in Tehsil Torkhow.

The collective deposits have reached Rs.1921714.39 Of the total savings Rs1713700.39 belongs to MCOs and remaining were saved by the WCOs. These organizations are now involved in motivation of the people towards development trend. The SRSP has remained successful in a shortest period of 6 months in fostering spirit of self-help and cooperation among the villagers. Following table shows tehsil wise number of MCOs established in Chitral District during the last 6 months.
 

There are many informal organizations existing in the villages. Therefore, SRSP Chitral faced little or no problem in mobilizing the people for participatory development work. Most of the MCOs/WCOs activities have been limited to execution and maintenance of Pis given to them. Thus the aim of institutional strengthening is largely unfulfilled. For institutional building a sufficiently long period is needed. To the end however, good group have been covered. There are now 19 MCOs with Pis and they are now in a better position than ever before to stretch their development and social welfare activities beyond the given Pis.

By the end of May a total of 15 WCOs have been established through motivation of SRSP Lady field Coordinator. The WCOs so formed have 469 members drawn from 469 households. Their total saving is Rs.208014.35 and per member saving is Rs. 444. The WCOs activities were concentrated on training only while with the initiation of Pis formation of MCOs continued due to the keen interests of the communities concerned towards SRSP and its function. Defunct CADP VOs along with their savings were also transferred to SRSP. Tehsil wise break up of up to date progress in formation of MCOs/WCOs is shown in appendix. 5

The innovative approach of participatory development has created cohesiveness, integration and a spirit of philanthropic attitude. These convenient groupings within the community provide a healthy medium for competition in the performance of civic duties, since they often try to undo one another in cooperatives, promptness and thoroughness in their assigned works. This spirit of competition directly benefits community concerns, such as the maintenance of irrigation work and repair of the link road etc.

Training for Chitral Region

Training for Village Education Committee

Children Studying in a Community Based School