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consists of professional social workers who work in the colonies
The Colony Development Unit consists of professional social workers who work in the colonies for the welfare of the beneficiaries from leprosy affected families. The unit functions in the northern and southern districts of Tamilnadu catering to the needs of the Leprosy-affected persons. The activities carried out by the Colony Development Unit are:
- Revolving Grant for Business
- Perpetual Educational Grant (PEG)
- Colony Development Activities.
Revolving Grant for Business:
Business Grants are issued to the Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Welfare Committees (WC) in the leprosy colonies to empower them to live a dignified life through income generating activities. The grant is given to the groups and all the beneficiaries repay the money to their respective groups in 10 months of duration. Once all the members complete their first grant, the members again revolve the money among themselves, a second or third time for their socio and economic welfare purposes like paying fees for child’s education, renovation of houses, running a grocery shop etc. So far we have 26 colonies that have received the grants and are successfully running the groups. Revolving monthly reports of 33 groups are regularly monitored and documented.
COLONY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES:
The Colony Development Unit assesses the complete needs of each person in the leprosy colony. Those needs are prioritized based on the needs of the people, and the benefit of the colony. The program is structured so that the entire colony is benefitted by the program. Example: The Colony Development Unit determined that the parents of baby Jacklin, in the Vandalur Colony, needed guidance and assistance in the Differently Abled Certificate and registering for other government assistance.
PERPETUAL EDUCATIONAL GRANTS:
RSOI launched a new program called Perpetual Educational Grant (PEG) in September 2012. 168 students were enrolled from twelve colonies. Each family received a PEG grant, altogether totaling INR 8,10,000. The beneficiaries repaid the money during the next ten months to the State Leprosy/Differently Abled Persons Society, or to the Welfare Committees.
This money was again reissued for the next academic year. PEG feedback was collected from the beneficiaries and success stories were documented. Socio-economic and Leprosy background details of 56 school students were verified by their CDU staff for admission to the Peery Matriculation Higher Secondary School.
The Colony Development Unit guided and place former pupils of Peery School in their college applications and placement. For example, Ms. Uyyala Sireesha was paced in a nursing program; Ms. Jennifer, was placed in a Bachelor of Science (Anesthesia) college program; and Mr. Ismail was placed in a Physiotherapy Bachelor program.
Rising Star Outreach of India provides grants for the members in the Self-help groups and Welfare Committees in each colony. This is a tremendous benefit to these people. They are able to create an identity for themselves, make sufficient income to support their families with dignity and meet their basic needs.