1. Altogether, 175 Dalit Women Groups with 4,000 members have been formed in all four project districts. Since the formation of community groups, positive activities have been observed in the concerned communities such as discussion of Dalit women’s health issues, advocacy for government provision of health services, taking initiative for group saving activities. The practices of frequent gathering for meetings and discussion session have developed the leadership skills and confidence on the part of Dalit women members.
  2. In the first year, the project has been successful in raising the health and sanitation awareness on the part of Dalit women in its catchment areas of four districts. It has trained DWHW with the objective of empowering them to be able to take lead in making easy access of health services to Dalit women. With the same objective as envisioned by the project, 32 Dalit students have been enrolled in the 15-month-long academic CMA course in Sushma Koirala Memorial Trust, Nepalgunj affiliated with CTEVT. We have been able to enrol 32 CMA students which is 12 more than provided for in the project document. After the completion of CMA course, the students have made commitment to provide services to Dalit women in the project districts.
  3. The project has been able to organize health camps in partnership with the DHO to diagnose Uterus Prolapsed(UP) cases of Dalit women in the project districts. After the diagnosis, the concerned medical specialist suggested for further treatment, including putting ring pressure to undertaking surgery. So far, ------ Dalit women have been directly benefitted from this camp by receiving medical counselling and ---- have undergone surgery for the UP.
  4. In total, 424 school-going children were given primary health and adolescent training in Kapilbastu, Surkhet and Dailekh districts.. The major purpose of this training was to educate school-aged children and young people on the importance of water and sanitation and to sensitize them on the primary health and adolescent health issues, including particularly HIV/AIDS. It is expected they will share this knowledge with their families also, on the premise that mass awareness can be facilitated through educating the younger generation. This training was developed for secondary school boys and girls; however Dalit children were given priority during selection of participants. It is expected that after having this training, health education programs will be organized to prevent health problems of children.
  5. Kapilbastu district has been able to forge a strong partnership with DDC and VDC to execute a water and sanitation scheme with a total cost of NR230,500. Agreement has been reached to construct a water tank in the Dalit community of Khuruhuriya VDC and 5 toilets in the Dalit community of Chanai VDC. The project has to be bore the cost of NRs 45,000 for water tank and 15,000 for 5 toilets. This effort of Kapilbastu district is praise-worthy, as these types of expenses are not covered by the project budget, and show the value of extensive liaison, networking and advocacy with local government authorities which this project facilitates.