To empower those affected by poverty, oppression or gender to sustainable develop themselves: socially, economically, politically, environmentally and in health.


Secretary's Report, August 2010

Arogya Agam stands for the most marginalised communities and I wish to thank first the CBOs and their volunteers for making our work meaningful. As usual I wish to thank our volunteers, staff, members, partner NGOs and donors - with a special mention to VST- DACT - for their collaboration. Again this year, special thanks goes to the Board, as a group and to individual members who kept up a high level of activity and assistance. I wish to give a special thanks also to Mr. P. Rajan who has been confirmed as Director and his competence has allowed for the post of Secretary to start to change from an 'executive' to a 'governance' role.

It has been apparent for the past 5 years that Arogya Agam has two 'faces'. One as a traditional NGO service provider and the other as a human rights protector. I personally feel that this mixture is a strength, and also that the latter role is more important. There are other NGOs in the district who can provide services, but few are there to protect human rights, and rights based work is sustainable.

Although most of this rights based work takes place through training and facilitating CBOs, it does create some confusion about Arogya Agam's role. Unfortunately, a few false cases have been booked against staff and volunteers, mainly because of backlash from the perpetrators when atrocities are reported. Arogya Agam will not tolerate illegal activity, but assures staff of support when they are falsely implicated. At the same time Arogya Agam, with the help of human rights organisations, is actively clarifying Arogya Agam's role with the authorities in Theni and Dindigul districts.

The budgeting system has stabilised and the overall expenditure remains the same as last year at around 19m. Major new funding from KNH for a children's programme is expected in January 2011 and the general fund is holding its own despite more demands being made on it. VST/ DACT is by far the biggest source of income but this will reduce - the PRI programme ends in June 2011 and DFID Arunthathiyar project in March 2012.

Two inter related processes must be finished by the year end. Firstly a re- visioning process which will also establish Arogya Agam's core areas of work. Secondly an evaluation / process as part of the Christian Aid phase out which is supposed to give some insight on possible funding sources for the core areas decided upon. There is a need to find out which donors are still willing to consider partners in Tamil Nadu. CBOs have to become really independent, financially independent also. Currently funds are needed for Palliar tribals and for Aravanis. The time to identify funding for support to selected PRIs in 2011 is now upon us.

Some of the recent programme highlights include reduction of untouchability, better use of PA and DV Acts, women's federation fundraising, successful media advocacy resulting in good benefit for Palliars, our CCC being given a cherished Grade 'A', the sex worker programme appreciated by Tansacs, identification of a hostel to accept HIV positive children and new funding to support this, a mass meeting of over 3000 Arunthathiyars to demand housing, an increased access to ART, mobilisation of house sites for Aravanis and clear indications that HIV is reducing among sex workers and public. In administration, Arogya Agam's gender and staff support team (GSSG) has been active and undertaken a gender audit process.