Supporting self-governance in rural India
Cristina Gaspar (a monitoring & evaluation and documentation adviser) gives an insight to being a VSO volunteer, the selection process, the place, the people and the work involved in developing systems for rural development programmes in Mohuda, India.
She volunteered with a very large non-governmental organisation (NGO) with 30 years of experience in rural development in one of the poorest states of India.
Why I chose to become a VSO volunteer
I believe it is a privilege to have the opportunity to bring a positive change in the lives of disadvantaged people. It's not a sacrifice. You leave behind a lifestyle that you probably feel comfortable with, that it's familiar, for a new way of life that's unpredictable and strange, but it's not a sacrifice. You gain more than you can offer, both professionally and personally.
The selection process
I cannot say that it was tough, but it was an intense day and if, until that moment it was your professional experience that was assessed, in London the selectors look at your personal qualities and your motivation to volunteer in a developing country. It was an interesting experience, especially as you get to meet other people with the same interests and dreams.
Where I am now
I live in Mohuda, a rural area in the state of Orissa. The organisation’s compound is where its headquarters are and also where the families of the staff live as well. It’s in the middle of nature, several kilometres from the village of Mohuda. Mohuda is impressively beautiful and exotic, surrounded by hills mango tree and coconut tree forests, and very quiet.
The organisation that I work for
Gram Vikas is a very large non-governmental organisation (NGO) with 30 years of experience in rural development and has a presence in 700 villages in Orissa. Orissa is one of the poorest states of India. More than 70 per cent of its rural population live with less than $1 a day, and the morbidity rate is alarmingly high. The main problem is the contaminated water and the precarious salubrity, which contribute to the high mortality rate.
Gram Vikas approaches the water and sanitation issue by facilitating the access to potable water and bathrooms and toilets. But this is just a starting point and it’s carried out only with the full cooperation of the entire community. That means 100 per cent inclusion, with all the members of the community getting involved, overcoming social, gender or caste barriers – which are still very prevalent in India. The results are incredible, especially in the reduction of the disease and mortality rates and the general improvement in the population’s health condition.
My work as a VSO volunteer
My role is monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and documentation adviser. I work directly with the Planning and M&E department of Gram Vikas. I will be working on the development of a management information system for an integrated rural development programme. I will also work on the improvement of the organisation’s M&E system, various documentation activities, reports, and project proposals.
I am also involved in a coalition of NGOs from Orissa, as well as VSO India, for raising awareness in rural areas (especially in tribal villages) about a law that has been recently put into operation in India. The Right to Information Act is an instrument intended to eliminate corruption and promote transparency in public institutions. The project consists of raising awareness about the existence of this law and offering assistance to the tribal population in using this right.
The people I work with
Everybody is so friendly and they come to your help whenever you need something. There is an impressive community spirit. I was particularly impressed by the warmth of people from the tribal villages. Despite the shocking poverty, it is overwhelming to see them smile generously and share the good things in their lives, without complaining about the unfair lives they have to bear.
One advantage of being a VSO volunteer is that there is a strong and supportive volunteer network. There are more than 40 VSO volunteers in India and there are lots of occasions on which we interact. It’s always uplifting and supportive to be able to share things with people who are going through the same experiences.
Future plans
My contract will end in March 2010. After that I will see what opportunities will arise. My wish is to continue my career in the field of international development, but in what form I don’t know. I have also considered the idea of continuing my collaboration with VSO and re-volunteer in India or another country, but there is still a long way to go until then. For now I am here and I am focusing on what I can do here and I hope to be able to bring even a small contribution to Gram Vikas’ work.
