EDITIONS: | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |   [ MANRECAP ] Bulletin No.15 November 2006 - December 2006 No. 15 Article #1: Open market has been launched at Santhipuram   Construction of an open market building at a newly established marketing complex in Santhipuram was completed by Women’s Rural Development Society (WRDS) in August. In November, some shops have commenced their businesses at the open market building on a trial basis. While preparing for handing over the building and management to Pradeshiya Sabha*, WRDS and RDS (Rural Development Society) take a responsibility to manage the building and closely monitor the businesses. * An elected body at Divisional Secretary level in rural area, through which all rural development programs and public utility services are implemented. This open market facility as well as the Multi Purpose Cooperative Society’s outlet constructed on the same premises (See Bulletin No.12) has contributed to improve the accessibility to the market in Santhipuram.     Article #2: Awareness program on sanitation for preschool children   In November, three Awareness programs on sanitation for preschool children were conducted in Santhipuram, Samayapuram and Puthukkamam respectively by public health officers in collaboration with the Project. In those three villages, sets of toilets and water tubs were constructed on the preschool premises by CBOs under the Ministry’s Counterpart Fund. These Awareness programs are targeted for preschool teachers to instruct how to use toilets properly to their students and for preschool children to get basic sanitary knowledge.     Article #3: Officers from Papua New Guinea came to meet MANRECAP   4 officers from Papua New Guinea came to Sri Lanka to learn community based activities. On 22 November, they met MANRECAP staff and leaders of CBOs from our focal villages in Anuradhapura, and had lively discussion on land issues of resettlement areas, procedures and impacts of community contract (Community Managed Rehabilitation), roles and responsibilities of CBOs, Micro Finance activities etc. Although they couldn’t come to the MANRECAP Project sites due to the prevailing security situation, they expressed their satisfaction and appreciation to get new insights on community based activities.     Article #4: 1st Anniversary of Regional Banks   As of the end of September 2006, 38 Women’s Saving Groups (WSGs) with 411 members function in all the focal villages. They have saved about Rs.300,000 and out of it loaned about Rs.140,000 to the group members as emergency loans. In addition to that, three “Regional Banks*”, namely the Vaddupiththanmadhu branch and the Santhipuram branch in Mannar DS Division and the Pali Aru branch in Manthai West AGA Division have been operated by the women participating in this activity since August 2005. WSGs have deposited their savings in the respective Regional Banks and the group members have obtained bigger loans from it. The WSG members celebrated the 1st Anniversary of Regional Banks on 27th and 29th December 2006 in Santhipuram and Vaddupiththanmadhu respectively to share the progress and personal attachment among members. This saving group activity has provided safety nets to the members living under a severe condition and successfully created unity and cooperative minds among them. * As new WSGs mature in the operation of savings and loans in groups, and micro finance services expand in the area, a branch called “Regional Bank” is established with 10-30 WSGs. The branch does most of operational decision-making, such as member enrollment, deposits and loans.   Article #5: Agricultural activity in Sewa Village   At the nursery farm, seedlings of Jack fruit, lime, cashew nut, orange etc are grown by Farmer’s Organization. After a certain period, the seedlings will be distributed to the farmers in Sewa Village at cheaper prices.     MANRECAP BULLETIN Editor and publisher: MANRECAP All correspondence should be addresses to: T. Saisho, MANRECAP / JICA, District Secretariat, Mannar, Sri Lanka Phone: 023 – 2250029, Fax: 023-2250067, Internet address: http://www.manrecap.com  Comments and Suggestions: info@manrecap.com  PREVIOUS MONTHLY BULLETINS | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |