1. PROJECT TITLE:
LIVELIHOODS FOR WOMEN
RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION:
BHARATHI TRUST/UNORGANIZED WORKERS FEDERATION
PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
General Objective: To help implement a rehabilitation and reconstruction program
encompassing livelihood and shelter, to address the midterm needs of the people
affected by the tsunami tidal wave in Tamilnadu.
Specific Objective:
a. To provide SHG concept training to 35 SHGs in Pulicot and Ennore.
b. To provide skill training in three wheeler driving and construction of low cost
toilets in Pulicot and Ennnore.
c. To raise the socio economic conditions of the poor women in the tsunami
affected areas.
d. To develop their self-confidence.
e. To make them understand the need and power of collective decision making.
f. To make them understand and utilize local resources.
DESCRIPTION
The NGO Unorganized Workers Federation (UWF) operates from Purashawalkam in
Chennai. It is headed by a prominent social activist called Ms Geetha Ramakrishnan. UWF is
an unregistered organization. Post tsunami, UWF started involving itself in the tsunami
affected regions of Ennore and Pulicot. Although the death toll was non-existent in these
areas, the people suffered all the same on account of loss of livelihood.
UWF aims to involve in the above mentioned areas in the following ways:-
 Training in the Procedures and Processes of running an SHG.
 Three-wheeler driving training program.
 Training program fro women in sanitation.
Since UWF is an unregistered body having no Bank account of its own, the funds for
the above mentioned programs were routed through Bharathi Trust by Oxfam Trust.
 Total cost of the Project: Rs 1,50,000/-
 Contribution from SHG members: NILL
 Contribution from Oxfam Trust (CIDA): Rs 1,50,000/-
Training in the Procedures and Processes of running an SHG
The evaluator in order to assess the kind of activities carried out by the Agency for the
above-mentioned program visited the areas where the programs as well as the beneficiaries
lived. Two areas namely Pulicot and Ennore were visited over a period of two days. Adequate
time was allowed for the field area members to react upon the requirement of the evaluator,
the evaluator also met the two project officers of Ennore and Pulicot and expressed the way

2. the evaluation would be carried out, the documents that they were required to bring and the
minimum number of persons who could attend the FGD. The evaluation was carried out using
the following methodology:
INPUT (RESOURCES AND
ACTIVITIES)
EXPECTED RESULTS
(OUTPUT)
PERFORMANCE
INDICATORS
UWF
 Training in the
Procedures and
Processes of running
an SHG
 Improved
understanding,
functioning and
administration of
SHGs.
 Record maintenance.
 Routine functioning.
 Improved confidence
levels of the women in
administering and
operation of an SHG.
 Three wheeler driving
training program
 Skill in operating a
three wheeler so that
the same could be
used for procurement
of a three wheeler in
order to be able to
provide transport on
hire basis to be
operated by the
women SHG
members.
 After completion of
training, SHGs would
approach banks for
loans; vehicles would
be bought and would
be used for transport
duties all to be
operated by the
women SHG
members.
 Records and empirical
observations.
 Training program for
women in sanitation
 Selected women
would be imparted
skills in the
construction of the
Shankar-Raman
model low cost toilet
construction.
 The women would
later be used as a
resource group for the
purpose of
construction of toilets
on a commercial basis
in all the fishermen
villagers.
 After the training
session, the women
would be able to
construct toilets in all
villages that lack basic
toilet facilities.
 The UWF and other
NGOs would help in
identifying projects.
 Completed toilets
could be then
assessed for the levels
of skill that the women
have achieved.
Oxfam Trust (CIDA)
Financial Assistance
Successful outcome of
the training
program/project
Narrative report, internal
monitoring, final
evaluation.
Table 3.3
 Interviews.

3.  Focused Group Discussions.
 Transect Walks
 Demonstration activities.
 Empirical observations.
SHG concept training and skill training
 About Twenty women members were present for the
FGD at pulicot and an equal number at Ennore. It was
intended that at least two members from each of the 35
SHGs be present but only about twenty members could
finally make it to the FGD at each place. The group
therefore in no way represented the entire 35 SHGs.
 The training programs commenced in both the areas
separately in the month of January.
 Only one day in a month was devoted for the imparting of training in the various
nuances of SHGs. This apparently included information such as formation of an
SHG, activities, method of work, growth, etc. The evaluator wanted to obtain a
curriculum of the training imparted but was told that there was none. He then
requested the ladies for notes that they probably would have made during the
training session, but once again could not obtain any. This was applicable at both
the places, i.e. Ennore and pulicot.
 The Second month i.e. in the month of February a day was devoted for the
imparting of training in savings and credit maintenance and securing Bank loan.
 The evaluator during the course of discussion observed that in both the villages the
SHGs were not a new phenomenon. In Pulicot, there were SHGs that existed prior
to the tsunami and most of the women were members of various SHGs. Most of
them had obtained loans from banks to start off small business including provision
stores. Many/all such ventures had to be closed down because of faulty
management practices/tsunami (as per the members). On further discussion it was
found that certain women members were also barred from obtaining Bank loans as
they had defaulted on the payment of the same while being members of a previous
SHG.
 Considering the above, it could be assumed that the concept training was nothing
new as the women were experienced in SHGs with some being members of
different SHGs for at least five to ten years. Despite these facts, the SHG members
could not produce the various documents that were mandatory for the SHGs. On
questioning as to why they were not maintaining the mandatory records, no
satisfactory answers could be elicited from them. It also seemed that just devoting a
single day to impart concept training to the women, whose average educational
level ranged between class two to class ten, with the majority being below class six,
the amount of practical/useful knowledge that must have been derived from a single
sitting would have been very minimal.
 Skill training for the women members were provided in the month of March. The
following skill training was imparted:-
o Candle Making
o Washing Powder.
o Soap Powder

4. o Blue
o Incense sticks
o Soap Oil
o Phenol
o Various paper products such as files, bags etc
 The important aspect to be noted is that all
the skills training were imparted in a single
day.
 On the day of the evaluation, members
representing various SHGs did come with
evidence of having manufactured the
various products such as candles, incense
sticks, phenol, blue etc. Particularly notable
were the women from Ennore who had
packed the incense sticks in attractive boxes, complete with the name of the SHG
that had manufactured them.
 On questioning as to why they had not gone on to manufacture these products in a
large scale, the members answered that there was paucity of funds. They were
awaiting for some capital either from the Agency or the Bank for them to start off on
a large scale. Considering that most women from the Pulicot area faced a ban on
further sanction of loan, this seemed a remote possibility
 The evaluator later saw a demonstration of an SHG in candle making at Pulicot. The
candles being manufactured were apparently being sold in the local church.
 The evaluator however came off with an impression that the SHG members of both
the villages were not very keen utilizing the skill training that was imparted to them
by the UWF resource persons.
 It was also apparent during the discussion that the urge to learn these skills did not
emanate from the villagers but on the other hand, the Agency decided as to what
kind of skills training was to be provided. It is doubtful even if a needs assessment
was carried out to assess the actual and felt need of the villagers before deciding
the type of skill training that was to be imparted.
Three-wheeler driving training program
The three-wheeler training program was conceived with the ideal notion of
supplementing the meager transport facilities available to fishermen to transport their wares to
the market. As most of the transportation job is generally done by women folk, the idea was to
provide the requisite training to the womenfolk who could then approach Banks for the
purchase of a suitable vehicle which could then be used for hiring by the fishermen etc thereby
providing the women with a source of income as well as increasing their decision making
role/power by contributing to the economy of the area.
The UWF’s agenda was to train about 40 women from 35 SHGs. These would be
divided into four groups who would be provided training for a month after which they could
then approach Banks for a loan.
Ideally the program was to start wef January 06. If that was the case, the 52 identified
women would have now been fully trained and the process of applying for a loan could have

5. been initiated. But this was not the case. At the time of evaluation, the evaluator was to find
out that the Agency had identified only about six women from Pulicot and six from Ennore. The
training had not yet started. For the women hailing from Pulicot, the training was to be
provided on a four-wheeler vehicle, which belonged to a local church, whose driver would
double up as a teacher. The competency of the driver and the difference between learning to
drive a four-wheeler vis-à-vis three-wheeler is considerable. The ability of the women to be
able to mange the same is questionable as the evaluator had a chance of meeting and
interacting with the chosen twelve of both Ennore and Pulicot. The average age of the women
lay anywhere between thirty to thirty - five. The educational qualification to seemed below the
one that was pre decided. Also the evaluator was not able to see the other volunteers (40 as
per the Agency).
The evaluator further discussed with the volunteers as to the purpose of the training.
Both the Pulicot as well as Ennore volunteers were not able to precisely point as to the spirit
behind this training. While one group thought they could use the skill to carry passengers, the
other group pleaded ignorance. This showed that the idea was once again thrust upon the
SHG members and was far from participatory. Also it was apparent that the entire scheme of
the program was hardly discussed with the SHG as well as the volunteers and there was not
plan as to how the newly learnt skill would be utilized.
Training program for women in sanitation
The coastal villages generally lack toilets. The villagers use the open seashore to
defecate as well as to carry out their daily ablutions. In fact it is claimed that a lot of women,
children and men were washed away while carrying out this activity. Now as per the Agency a
fear psychosis had developed wherein it was found that the women and children were fearful
of using the sea for this important human activity. The net result being that they used to go out
into the open to defecate thereby causing problems of hygiene and sanitation.
A model toilet called the Shankar Balram model was proposed by the Agency as a
viable alternative for this pressing problem of the coastal villages. It was planned that since
there is a pressing demand for toilets, a low cost toilet would offer a huge employment
generation opportunity, if a few women were trained in its construction they could earn a
steady income.
It was therefore decided by the Agency that a batch of six women (three from Ennore
and three from Pulicot) would be trained in the construction of these toilets and after the
imbibing of the necessary skills, these women could form an SHG wherein their skills in toilet
construction could be utilized as per demand.
The evaluator during discussion intended to meet the chosen six from both the project
areas. But this was not possible as both the project officers were not able to furnish the exact
names of the volunteers. The few people who were available were not able to exactly relate to
the spirit and aim of the project. As was expected by the evaluator, all the women who had
volunteered for toilet construction belonged to the scheduled caste. There was no keenness
displayed by the women as was displayed for learning to drive an auto. Also the idea of toilet
construction was definitely not derived out of a participatory discussion from the stakeholders.
The evaluator on questioning the volunteers as to how they would benefit from the program
could not elicit a proper answer. In Ennore the women gave a vague reply of as to how a
Balwadi lacked toilet and the toilet construction project was aimed at the construction of a

6. toilet for the Balwadi. The volunteers displayed a total lack of knowledge on the Shankar
Balram model toilet. They also pleaded ignorance of the Agency’s aim of forming the toilet
construction trained women into an SHG, wherein they could be utilized for constructing toilets
when the demand rose. It was obvious that the idea was not discussed amongst the
stakeholders.
Ideally the training was to have been completed by the 30th
of June 06, but the Agency
claimed that due to the government’s ban on mining of sand, an essential commodity for
construction, the whole process of the toilet construction program was delayed.
Comments/observations
Of the total budget of Rs 3,34,300/- allocated towards the
overhead livelihood for women, about Rs 1,50,000/- was
allocated towards the project for UWF, or 44.86% of the budget
allocated under the overhead livelihood for women. The
evaluator met initially the Agency staff associated with the project
to obtain an overview of the same. The evaluator interviewed the
Director as well as the project coordinators associated with the
project in order to be able to ascertain the various nuances of the
project. Accordingly the following observations were made wrt the
Agency:
 The NGO was chosen by the Oxfam Trust office New Delhi directly.
 The NGO has a long track record for championing for the rights of the Unorganized
Sector workers in Tamilnadu.
 Lack of documentation of the various projects that were being funded by Oxfam
Trust were a severe hindrance for obtaining of secondary data.
 No detailed account of the SHGs that were trained or the list of the members who
were the beneficiaries of any such training that the Agency had provided were in
existence.
 There was palpable tension between the PO and the Agency staff.
 An attitude of non-cooperation existed between both the parties concerned.
 The program manager Ms Krishnaveni could not be interviewed to satisfaction as
she was a resident of Trichy and generally commuted to and fro Chennai on a need
to basis. Therefore it was questionable as to the amount of time that one was able
to devote to the program since the areas i.e. Pulicot and Ennore was at a distance
from Chennai. She was also not able to accompany the evaluation team to the
Project areas as she sited certain personal problems and therefore had to leave for
Trichy. There was no alternative arrangement made by the Agency to ensure that
knowledgeable persons could accompany the evaluation team so as to facilitate the
process of evaluation at the field areas.
 Despite the lack of any documentary evidence, lack of certain resource persons
from the agency, the evaluation team proceeded to carry out the evaluation because
of the absolute paucity of time.
 The evaluator also evaluated the financial utilization of the agency where the
projects were concerned. The receipts that were produced did not even carry the
dates on which the respective payments were made.

7.  A major chunk of the budget has been utilized for the travel cost of the Program
Manager, this could have been avoided by hiring a Manager within Chennai city.
 Payments made to the Project officers were not necessarily done from the month of
commencement of the Project i.e wef. January 06. This was further confirmed by the
evaluator when he interviewed the Project officers in the respective field areas.
Whereas the Project Officer at Pulicot informed that she was asked to take charge
wef April 06, the Project Officer at Ennore informed that she was with UWF wef
November 05 and that no additional payment was being made for looking after the
present project. Both the persons hailed from the respective villages where the
project was being implemented. The payment receipts however indicated a different
story.