2000/03 Development of Community Coalition through Literacy SRI LANKA
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The paper explains how people's organization - Sarvodaya Women's Movement (SWM) launched in 1977- could help develop communities and eradicate the endemic problems of poverty and illiteracy. The SWM continues to provide assistance to women's groups mainly on agro-based small enterprises and income generation activities.



1 Objectives The main Objectives of the project are:
To eradicate illiteracy among marginalized girls and women living disadvantaged areas;
To organize activities with women's NGOs on community-based development programmes;
To develop inter-ministerial linkages to improve the socio-economic status of women in remote rural areas; and
To reinforce several economic development programmes designed and implemented for women's development.
2 Partners
National Federation of UNESCO Associations.
World Terakoya Movement, Japan.
Asian South Pacific Bureau of Adult Education (ASPBAE).
3 Input
Pre-school teachers as facilitators of literacy programmes.
Training of trainers and volunteers selected from ethnic minority groups.
Production of teaching-learning materials.
4 Process The programme is implemented with the financial assistance from the World Terakoya Movement, Japan on the basis of family study circle comprising girls and women. The programme lays strong emphasis on functional literacy through its 15 learning centres spread all over for disadvantaged and marginalized women groups. The training centre established in 1995 is the central vocational training centre for female dropouts.
5 Output
Establishment of women's cooperatives providing both technical guidance and micro-credits.
Formation of the National Steering Committee and a Leadership Training Centre.
Increased awareness among girls and women about their rights and duties.
6 Strengths
Community ownership and involvement at all levels.
Systematic planning and implementation of community development activities.
Efficient use of audio-visual aids and multimedia.
Learning by doing methods.
Strong collaboration and cooperation with other partners.
Sharing of resources and knowledge with other organizations.
Organization of exhibitions, games and play activities to make the programme more interesting and effective.
Systematic and periodic review of emerging problems and issues and their tentative solutions.
7 Weaknesses
Too much emphasis on basic literacy skills rather than on critical issues of health, hygiene, sanitation and income generation.
Under-utilization of audio-visual aids and multimedia.
Lack of critical technical support.
Difficulties in procuring tools and implements necessary for income-generation activities and community development.
Inadequate human and financial resources.
Inability of programme organizers to adjust the timing and scheduling of the programme in accordance to the learners' availability.
8 Name of Author & Implementation Organisation
(name) Ms. Amara Peeris
(position) President
(organisation name) Sarvodaya Women's Movement
(mailing address)

No.32, Rawatawatta Road, Moratuwa, SRI LANKA
(phone) 94-64-7843
(fax) 94-1-64-7843, 64-6512
(e-mail) swm.am.mml.@itmin.com
(URL) -




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