Several hundred NGOs from various districts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand have received training from Manavodaya in methods of self help and empowerment during the period 1994 to 2014. These programmes were sponsored by different agencies like the UNICEF and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
The programmes were based on presentations by experienced resource persons, interactive discussions, reflection sessions, role plays, films, quizzes and visits to members of groups at the village level.
We can proudly claim to have spread the methods of self help for empowerment of the poor in far flung rural areas through such programmes.
As often mentioned by the participants, the real benefit of these programmes lay not in providing “training” in the conventional sense of the word, but in enabling the participants to rethink the goals and processes of development, to share values and beliefs and become partners in the search for an alternative paradigm of development.
Some Observations by the participants
I have attended training courses in several subjects in my life, but this experience is unforgettable. I now understand well what I should do as a social worker to make a healthy and beautiful society. The clean environment, food and spirited experience makes it difficult to leave this place.
Usha Kiran Singh, Bhartiya Sanskritik Unnayan Sansthan
I felt like living in an ashram of the old times. What I realised after cominghere was : Everyone has the right to earn and eat, but I should do something honestly for helping humanity. This can be done gradually and I will try my best.
Rajesh Singh, Datamation Foundation
We were explained in a simple manner how the ill practices of society can be removed. This is easy and any interested person can serve the country without any cost. I will try to achieve the goal set by Manavodaya for human welfare.
Shyamji Rastogi, Banwasi Sewa Ashram
It is difficult to describe in words the usefulness of this programme as the focus of the programme was not just development of a person but that of the whole humanity.
Sunita Singh, Asra Sahyog Sansthan
