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• In June 1991, Womankind Worldwide agreed to fund a pilot programme at Chockenhalli. We purchased 23 crossbreed cows (mainly Jersey crossers) which have proved very successful. The villagers sustain their own fodder farm and built a bamboo and thatch cattle shed adn they have since constructed a silage pit.

• Womankind and the O.D.A are now jointly funding a 3 year livestock programme covering 7 villages, and based on the purchase of buffalo, sheep and poultry for the women who have set up their own cooperative. Central to the programme is the creation of a revolving loan fund which will be managed by the central women sangham once the project team withdraws.                                                                                                 

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The association has also:

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• Secured government pensions for a number of elderly tribal people.

• Obtained ration cards for all the villages (these are a necessary proof of eligibility for other benefits.)

• Persuaded the government to give land rights for the houses at the new settlement in the womans name- this is a first.

• Another new settlement of 20 houses is being built by the government and we've been asked to supervise the contractors to ensure that the houses are built to a good standard.

• Recently hosted a major awareness programme instigated by the University of Tamil Nadu and attended by representatives from all the government departments. The purpose being to make the tribal people aware of their legal rights and the benefits they are entitled to and to discuss the problems they encounter in trying to obtain these.

• Finally, persuaded a group of wealthy business men from Coimbatore to finance a series of medical camps in the area.Two have been held so far and one more is to follow. The cost was approximately 40 lakhs and over 2000 people were treated.