::: BIRDS :::

Since 1997, the Presbyterian Hunger Program (USA) is supporting BIRDS for socio-economic empowerment of poor women in Midthur, Kolimigundla and Owk mandals. The programme is initiating income generation activities and building the capacities of women self help groups. Till now, the financial support amounted to about 10 lakh. In 1999, the implementation strategy of PHP changed from project approach to campaign approach. Fourteen NGOs across the country have come together and formed into a national level network, named CHETANA. BIRDS is acting as a financial custodian for CHETHANA. BIRDS receives funds from the donor and disburses the same to the NGOs in the network. BIRDS is also responsible for reporting to the donor and monitoring the works of other NGOs in the network. Organogram of the CHETANA network is depicted in Organizational Structure of CHETANA Network

CHETANA network implements Livelihood Resource Program (LRP), with the financial support of the Presbyterian Hunger Program of USA and their associates, apart from Sacramento Presbytery. LRP is implemented by CHETANA as part of a program called “Joining Hands Against Hunger” for mutual learning, support and solidarity. CHETANA is a fellowship of grass-root groups and community based organizations working with marginalized and deprived communities such as dalits (the lowest group in the caste hierarchy), adivasi (tribal population), agricultural workers, traditional artisans, women and children. It is an autonomous entity committed to empower them ad to work toward building a just social order where human rights, concerned for the marginal, preservation of the ecosystem, participatory democracy, cultural pluralism and decentralized governance etc are seen as fundamental values.

CHETANA seeks to address the issues of hunger and poverty not through isolated and individual efforts for development, but collectively and with micro and macro analysis, advocacy, non-violent and democratic form of resistance and action, alternative survival strategies and by developing international solidarity. It also seeks to live out an alternate faith perspective in a fundamentalist and communalized context.

The operational area of CHETANA covers 6 states in India viz., Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa and Tamilnadu.

CHETANA understands poverty to be the result of lack of resources but rather unequal access and distribution of resources, lack of relative power, social opportunities, culture and governance. Most specifically it is the denial of the right to life of the people. Sustainability of life is seen as a political question of transforming the structures of power in society so that the hitherto marginalized and deprived sections of society could have access to and control of natural resources, participation in decision making and equity in social opportunities.

Dalit Empowerment: Empowerment of dalits by addressing the issues of land right, untouchability, minimum wages, human rights etc and resorting to non-violent and constitutional measures for legal and political action.
Survival issues of the tribals: addressing the issues of the tribal population – their right over forest land, Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and their cultural and livelihood concerns
Women’s Rights: empowerment of women, particularly, marginalized communities; dealing with the issues of sexual harassment and abuse; focusing on livelihood, and specific survival concerns arising from the “developmental” programs, communal conflicts and violence and structures of patriarchal dominance and exploitation.
Child Right Campaign: Addressing the concerns of street/neglected children, child labor and child rights and also creating a process of social awareness among them.
Livelihood rights of the traditional artisans: dealing with the survival rights of the traditional artisans and people who are engaged in traditional occupations such as bamboo workers and handloom workers by campaign measures against the use of plastic and synthetic products, and campaign for having access to natural resources, capital, appropriate technology and people friendly market etc in a highly competitive and globalized world.
Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting and popularizing integrated farming and sustainable agricultural initiatives; helping small and marginal farmers to withstand the onslaught of agri-business companies and MNCs, organizing training programs in organic farming, pest management etc, and building alliances for alternative marketing strategies.
Land Rights Campaign: Land right issues of the marginalized communities have to be undertaken through legal and peaceful political means

Hence, CHETANA is committed to address these issues at the global and local levels, networking with larger collectives and international solidarities. Campaign agenda of CHETANA groups is furnished in the above