Programmes
- Entrepreneurship Development Programme
- Youth Development Programmes
- Education Programme
- Women Development Programme
- Science and Technology Popularization
- Self-Help Group and Micro Credit Group Programme
- Health Programme
- Environment Programme
- Sports and Culture
- Agriculture
- Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programme
- Youth Development Programme
- Programme on Tourism
- Gender Equality Programme
- Rural Library
- Land and Natural Resource Management Programme
- Health and Sanitation
- Rural Development Programme
- Spices Promotion Programme
- NGO’s Experienced on micro credit and Self-Help Groups
Entrepreneurship Development Programme
The Association aims to promote and strengthen Rural entrepreneurs in the area and build up the capacities of those who want to take entrepreneurship as their venture by organizing an Awareness Programme on 7th July 1999 and the Association also had organized a one month Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programme at Sohkha Village, Amlarem Block, Jaintia Hills District from 7th July to 10th August 2000 in collaboration with NABARD, Shillong, where 30 un-employed youths of the area participated the training with the faculties from Meghalaya Co-operative Apex Bank, Regional Rural Bank, District Industries Centre, Jowai, Khadi and Village Industries Board, etc.Deputy Comminissioner of Jaintia Hills District, Jowai, Shri. W.M.S.Mawlong graced the inaugural function as the chief guest. The Association also organizes every 6 months a review and follow up meeting to help and guide the trainees to start their income generating activities.
Effects of the Programme :
Out of 30 un-employed who were trained during the programme, most of them have started their activities for their income generating and self-employment. Two of them have got loans from banks for running a public bus and bakery unit. The others who started their activities from their own support as well as Government schemes are tailoring unit 4 nos., Piggery unit 3, grocery unit 2, Diary unit 1 no., arts painting unit 1 no, poultry unit 3,2 trainees getting Government job after the training while the others are not able to starts their activities due to lack of financial assistances.
The Association through its Youth Affairs committee had tried to develop the youth and Youths organizations of the area in every field by organizing Awareness Programmes, Seminar, Training, Workshops, etc. The Association had organized a One day Seminar-Cum-Awareness programme on Self employment at Amlarem Village on 23rd Dec. 1999, where the resource person in the seminar was the District Development Manager, NABARD Jowai Shri. R.Jyrwa.
Seminar on”Problems of Youth in the New millennium on 15th September 2000 was also organized by the Association at Amlarem Village, where the resource persons were Dr. H.Ghonglah, Smt. V.Phawa E.A.C.Jowai, Shri. J.Mawthoh Chairman of Youth Federation Shillong, etc.
“Youth and club Development Programme” from 19th -22nd September 2001 was organized at Nongtalang Village. The resource persons were Dr.H.Ghonglah, North East India Drugs and Aids Control, Shillong and Dr. A.K.Nongkynrih (Sociology NEHU), etc.
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The Association through its education committee aims to raise the standard of education in the area right from the grassroots level by organizing free coaching classes to the poor students appearing different final exams and distributing free study materials to poor students. The Association had setup and started one School for the poor and underprivileged by the name “ZION MODERN SCHOOL” at Sohkha Village on 4th March 2000. The additional subjects offered are Computer, Agriculture, Technical and non-technical subjects besides the other compulsory subjects and as of now we are having more than 100 students studying in this School. The Association also gives awards the students who secured the First Division in the Secondary and Higher Secondary Exams every year. The Association has a Mini Library in which was inaugurated by Shri. J.Pala Border Areas Development Officer, Jowai on 7th July 2001.
The Association was also selected to be as one of the members of the S.S.A. Scheme (the scheme of the Central Government which provide free education to children below 14 years)from the Amlarem Sub-division and District as well.
Effects:
With the newly setup of Modern School at Sohkha Village by the NGO, the people are aware about the important of modern education for their children. Even though we started during the year 2000 but now the students who studied in this School is more than 100. With the initiative of the NGO nearly all the non going school children below the age of 14 get registered their name to be benefited with the S.S.A. scheme of the Government especially children belongs to Sohkha village, Kudeng village, etc.
The Association through its Child and Women Development Committee aims to improve the social status of the women living in the society and to empower them to participate in every field of development activities by organizing different training programmes for them. The Association had conducted the Awareness Programme for the women on the income generating activities etc., at the Office of the Association at Sohkha village on 26th May 1999. The Association on 10th April 2000 in collaboration with Nabard, Shillong in the office of the Association at Sohkha again organized awareness programme on Self-Employment. In order to observe the Women Empowerment Year 2001, the Association organized the “Awareness Generation Programme to Rural Women “from 20th -29th December 2001 at Sohkha in collaboration with Central Social Welfare Board, Shillong, and the same programme had also been conducted by the Association at Sohkha from the 18th – 30th December 2002 and from the 6th – 14th January 2003 at Pdengshakap village.
The Association had setup one Tailoring Training Center at Sohkha to help the poor unemployed women of the area on 1st April 2000. The main purpose of the training is to impart training skills in this field, so that they would be able to earn and support their living. More than 50 women have benefited from the center so far.
Effects:
Most of the women who have attended the programmes organized by the NGO are now more aware about their status in the Society and their role to participate in development activities. They have organized themselves to form Self-Help Groups and developed the habits of saving and lending money among themselves. They have started to link with different line with different line departments like the Block office, Border area and veterinary offices to avail financial assistant to start income generating activities like petty trade, farm and non-farm activities, poultry, piggery, etc. There are now 5 tailoring units, which were started by them along with the support from the NGO.
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Science and Technology Popularization.
The Association along with the State Council of Science Technology and Environment, Shillong in order to promote rural technologies in the rural areas had organized the following programmes (a) Technology Awareness Programme (TAC) on 13th Jan, 2000 at Sohkha Village, 17th March 2000 at Muktapur Village and 26th April 2002 at Pdengshakap. (b) Technology Demonstartion Camp (TDC) from 24th – 26th Feb 2000 at Sohkha and from 9th – 11th July 2000 at Pdenshakap village . (c) Technology Training Camp (TTC) at Sohkha village from the 8th – 12th May 2000 and from the 11th – 15th Feb 2003 at Pdengshakap village.
Effects:
With the popularization of rural technology programme of the NGO in collaboration with State Council of Science Technology and Environment had able to provide Improved chawla (Smokeless chawla) to 40 household of the area. One bekery unit was also started by one un-employed youth with the use of multipurpose oven at Sohkha village, which is one of the more successful units in the area.
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Self-Help Group and Micro Credit Group Programme.
The Association believes that development can be thought of as a process whereby people learn to take charge of their own lives and solve their own problems. Development occurs only when people have gained the concept of self-help, selp-reliance, selp-confidence, motivation and knowledge needed to solve their problems. So the Association in order to raise the living standard of the people which is the main thrust for people’s development has started to motivate the people to inculcate the habit of saving and lending loans by themselves and encourage them to form Self – Help groups and micro-credit groups by organizing awareness programme, capacity building training programme, etc. The Association had organized an awareness Programme on SHGs at Sohkha Model and Sohkha Mission on 27th Oct. 2000, 5th Jan. 2001, on 24th March 2001 at Nongtalang village and 27th April 2002 at Amkoi village where the programmes was organized in collaboration with Nabard, Shillong.On 13th April 2002 the Association conducted SHG’s management Training for the NGOs working in the area at the office of the Association at Sohkha, 5 NGOs attended the training. On 16th November 2003 the Association had organized a 2(two) days training on financial Management and Bookkeeping for Self-Help Groups leaders at Sohkha.
Effects:
The NGO so far promoted 6 nos. of Self-Help Group and hoped that in the next few months some more new groups will be coming up. One Self-Help Groups at Sohkha Model village “ Mingle Self-Help Groups” is now working as a partner with the Association to facilitate and train the other groups about the concept and function of SHGs.
As saying goes “ Health is Wealth”, the Association also sing the same song to make the communities a healthy community by organizing Health awareness programme, Free Medical check up camp. Etc. On 24th April 2000 the Association organized a clearing drive at Sohkha village. On 16th May 2001, Awarenes and Free Medical check-up camp was organized at Pyrdiwah village and an ‘Anti-Malaria cum-health camp’ at Dawki on 2nd June 2001, at and at Amlarem village on 19th June 2002 and Pdengshakap village on 29th June, 2001.
Effects:
Nearly 550 People including children were benefited from the free medical check up camp so far conducted by the NGO.
Association had conducted some programme that relates with the preservation of the environment and natural resources by organizing awareness programme, environmental march, tree planting, quiz and debate competition, etc. On 5th June 2000 one ‘Environmental awareness Programme was organized at Nongtalang village and on 14th June 2001 at Sohkha Government Higher Secondary School.
The Association’s interest to preserve culture and traditional sports through its Sports and Culture committee encourage youth and children to participate and develop interest in this field. Every year Association organized an Annual Sports meet at Sohkha Village, the first was organized on 11th March 2000. The Association with the supports of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Jowai had able to send 24th students of the area to participate the North Eastern School Students Cultural Exchange Programme at Bankura District of West Bengal from 11th to 24th Jan 2001 under leadership of District Youth Coordinator, NYK and Shri. P.B.Khonglah Joint Secretary of the Association. One Adventure Programme for exploring Caves (Lashing Cave) at Pdengshakap village was organized by the Association from 14th – to 15th Feb. 2003 in collaboration with NYK, Jowai.
To improve the livelihood of the poor marginalize people in the area through agriculture the NGO Nam-Rhen Association has through their own sources has provided training related to sustainability of inculcating the various areas on agricultural production systems to address food security and nutritional and health issues.
(1) Introduction of Home Garden which was not existent earlier for promotion of green vegetables for looking to the aspect of mal-nutrition, lactation and pregnant women to address the issues of quality of life in respect to the above.
(2) The concept of multiple cropping systems which was never practiced by the community earlier is also one of the main areas of focus for addressing issues of food security and income generation through systems existing in the villages along with the traditional knowledge on different agricultural systems to promote issues of sustainable livelihood.
(3) To add to it the purpose of producing organic crops through Vermi Composting is also being introduced by our NGO bringing the concept of healthy food, this activity will be started by the NGO in the coming few days.
Effects:
With the support from the NGO new cropping systems was started in some villages like Mupyut village, Moosakhia, Chkenpyrsit village, etc. In the same village also they have started the practice of Kitchen garden for their good health and economic purpose.
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Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programme.
The Association had conducted a Rural Entrepreneurship development Programme for the rural un-employed youth under the Amlerem Sub –Division at Amlarem Enowell Pohshna Memorial Community Hall from 23rd Jan to 28th feb 2004 with the financial support from National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development, Shillong.
The main object of the project is to build the capacity of the rural educated youth of the area in the line of entrepreneurship especially for those who had completed the basic training and even those who are under going the training in different Institution. Through this programme we could inculcate entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities to rural youth. After the training is over most of the participants we hope that they will able to set up small enterprises of their own in the area for their gainful employment.
The project was a joint programme of Nam – Rhen Association (NGO), National Bank for agriculture and Rural Deelopment, the Meghalaya Co-operative Apex Bank Ltd, Ka Bank Nongkyndong Ri Khasi Jaintia, District Industries Center, Khadi and Village Industries, etc.
2. Participants and the selection procedures:
All the participants will be identified by the NGO through the interview scheduled to be held on 15th Nov. 2003 at Amlarem Community Hall. The method of selection is that the selection committee will selected the trained youth both Farm and Non-Farm of different trades including long term and short term training and who wants to start their venture and set up their unit and small enterprises.
3.Duration and content of the Course:
Rural entrepreneurship programme had both theory classes and practical at the same day. The training lasted 5 (five) and half weeks. The NGO for the coming 2 (two) years will conduct escort and follow up the Entrepreneurship and Units. Theory classes will be from 1st Dec.2003 till 17th Jan 2004.
The Association at the outset thanks to the Officers and Staffs of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Shillong for their willingness to support and sponsored the above programme and through their financial support which makes the programme success. The Association further convey its thanks to all the line departments of the Government and individuals who attended the programme as resource persons. The Association conducted the programme for the 25 un-employed youths of the area at Amlarem Enowell Pohshna Community Hall from 23rd Jan. to 28th Feb 2004 which is the schedule of the programme is enclosed herewith.
The main objectives of the programme is to train and build up the capacity of the rural educated un-employed youths of the area within the Amlarem Sub-Division of Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya, in the line of entrepreneurship especially for those who had completed the basic training and even those who are under going the training in different trades in different Institutions. The Association aims that through this programme we could able to inculcate entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities to rural educated and un-employed youth. By enhance capabilities to them they could able to set up enterprises in different activities as gainful employment.
The training is a joint programme of NAM-RHEN ASSOCIATION (NGO), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development(NABARD), the Meghalaya co-operative Apex Bank, Regional Rural Bank, District Industries Center, Khadi and Village Industries, Agriculture Department, Spices Board, etc. and other resource persons which is the trainers in different fields.
The methods of selection the candidates is through interview to all the applicants, there are 42 applicants and only 25 selected for the training which is most of them women applicants were selected. The selected trainees were given the criteria that they have to starts their activities after the training is complete and who already attended the training for both Farm and non-farm of any trades and also for those who is under the training in different Institution.
The main subjects covered during the training are:-
(1) Achievement and Motivation
(2) Management of resources, money, man power, etc.
(3) Marketing perspective
(4) Production and purchase technique
(5) Project preparation
(6) Banking concept, Bank loan and Bank refinance
(7) Financial Management
(8) Livestock promotion
(9) Self-Help Groups/Micro credit concept
(10) Spices promotion
(11) Agriculture products for enterprises
(12) Factory visit
(13) Sharing and experience from success entrepreneurs
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Youth Development Programme.
The Association in order to buildup the capacity of the Youth Clubs and Grassroots NGOs working within the Community had organized another Two Clubs Development Programme in collaboration with NYK, Jowai. One programme is being organized at Mupyut form 26th to 30th Aug. 2003 and the other programme at Sohkha Village from 16th to 20th Nov.2004.
The employment Generation Committee of the Association had organized an Awareness Programme on Tourism at Amlarem Village in collaboration with PERC,NEHU Shillong on 27th March 2004. The main objective of the programme is to motivate the Youths of the area to promote the tourism as one of the employment avenues for the income generation. Shri. J.Mawthoh lecturer NEHU attended the programme as resource person.
The Association in collaboration with Marchaphrang Development Society, Jowai had organized a two days Programme on “Gender Equality” at Bosco Pnar Jowai from 2nd to 3rd Oct. 2003. The main objectives of the programme is to motivate the NGOs working with the grassroots about the gender issues and equal rights in the Society. The participants of the programme were the NGOs and Voluntary Organisations of the State of Maghalaya as well as those NGOs /Voluntary Organisations operate in Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya.
The Association in order to raise the literacy of the area had expanded its Library by opening a Community Library at the Office of the Zion Modern School Sohkha on 18th Nov. 2004. The Inspector of Schools Jowai, Smt. B.Lamare inaugurated the Community Library and presence as the Chief Guest, where as Smt.Lytan as the Guest of honor of the programme. The other who present the programme including the Principal of sohkha Government Higher Secondary School Shri. M.Lyngdoh. Shri. S.Ghonglah ex-headman of the village, students of the Nongtalang College, the Class XI and XII students of the Sohkha Govt. Higher Secondary School, the Teachers of the Zion Modern School Sohkha, Youths of the area and many more attended the said programme.
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Land and Natural Resource Management Programme.
The Association in collaboration with Khatar Shnong Socio-Organisation, Sohra had organized a one day programme on 4th Dec. 2004 at Amlarem Enowell Hall. The main objective of the programme is to enhance understanding of the need to formulate judicious and progressive on the rights to use and the responsibility of care, protection and conservation on Land and Natural Resources. The main resource person of the programme is Dr. A.K. Nongkynrih, Department of Socialogy NEHU, Shillong. The participants of the programme were the Headmen of different villages, Clans Youths, NGOs, Students, Women’s Organisation and many more.
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Health and Sanitation: Rural Development Programme.
The Association also organized a one day programme on Health and Sanitation: Rural Development at Amlarem on 26th Feb. 2005. The programme is being organized jointl;y by the Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei, Shillong and sponsored by State Institute of Rural Development, Nongsder Shillong. The main resource persons of the programme are Smt. Sara Lyndem, Faculty SIRD, Smt. Theilin Phanbuh, Smt. C.Khonglah, Dr. S.M. Pohsnem Sub-Divisional Medical Officer Amlarem. Shri. R.L.Tariang Local MLA attended the programme as the Chief Guest. The programme attended by the Headmen of different villages, Clans Youths, NGOs, Students, Women’s Organisation and many more.
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Spices Promotion Programme.
The Association through its Employment Committee promoted and facilitates the community to promote economic spices for their income generation. In collaboration with Spices Board Shillong the NGO had conduct a programme on Black peeper processing at Amlarem village as the Training Cum-Demonstration on Turmeric at Shangpung village on 6th Nov. 2004. The programme started at 10 A.M. under the chairmanship of Shri. S.R.Suiam President of Umsahep Social Sports and Cultural Organisation, Shangpung. The other who delivers speech during the training was Shri. C. Ymbon Headman of the Village, General secretary of the Association where as Shri. J.Das Field Officer Spices Board Shillong as resource person of the programme.
The Association also with the supports of Spices Board Shillong had able to construct 8 (eight) Nos. of Vermi Compost unit to 8 (eight) farmers within the Amlarem Sub-Division.
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NGO’s Experienced on micro credit and Self-Help Groups.
The Association For raising the economy of the poor and vulnerable group of people, has promoted and strengthened the Community Based Organisation (CBOs) like Self-Help Groups (SHGs), etc as forum for addressing micro-credit needs of the poor people of the community like consumption needs, Income Generation Activity loans etc., in order to organize the people to engage themselves in income generating activities and raising the economy of their livelihood and support them in capacity building and financial aid through systematic system development to empower them to manage their own lives. Since long term interventions especially in developmental activities require strong institutional arrangement, the Association also tries to build people’s institution as the keystone in the development process. Micro credit entrepreneurs etc in order to organize the people to engage them in income generating activities and raising the economy of their livelihood.
Some related salient features of the Self Help Group promoted by the NGO:
A group comprises people who have gathered together for a specific purpose at a specific place and who share a common interest and have unity and infinity to one another and homogeneous.
Affinity Groups are groups of people bound by, mutual trust, respect and affection who support one another and amongst whom exploitative relationships do not exist, with no dominant leader but working through collective decision making process.
Homogeneous Groups are groups of people with similar characteristic – caste, creed, sex, occupation, geographical area, place of origin, language, age income etc.
A group who’s having community ownership and stronger sense of accountability with higher participation.
To enhance savings capacity and establish habit of credit and thrift.
To take up social issues and social service activities for the welfare of the community.
The institutions themselves are responsible for the planning of village development activities and key activities for income generating activities with perspective planning. Implantation of development initiatives and management of funds as well as the monitoring of the activities under taken by them.
These institution have been trained in having a long term vision for their development and through these institution, they can achieve their goals. Capacity Building on strong Organisational management and financial management systems with accountability for furthering the process of development through people’s participation is the most important steps taken by the Association. Linkage with other agencies monitoring and evaluation are other components for creating effective institutional systems for furthering the process of overall development through participation.
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