In the development sector, one of the most important factors is to be connected with the community who are the co-travellers and co-workers and also with the other stakeholders, such as the duty-bearers, etc.

The close-knit relationship with the community and the stakeholders determines the impact and sustainability of any initiative. Working at the grassroots level, Jaintia Hills Development Society (JHDS), DSSS in Jowai in Meghalaya, has understood and engrained it in its work and approach. It has developed close networking with different Government Departments, especially the District Administration and NABARD.

One of the factors responsible for this change in the approach had been the stress and emphasis given by Caritas India to mainstream the four Key Strategic Pillars (KSP). Dialogue, being one of the four KSPs, stresses and encourages to have a regular conversation and networking with the community and the duty bearers. Therefore, taking the inspiration from the orientation and trainings on KSPs and FPOs, organized by Caritas India, JHDS took efforts in rapport building and linkages with allied departments – such as NABARD, especially to facilitate the process of formation of FPO.

JHDS, under the leadership of the Chief Coordinator, Mr. Denis Kurkalang, approached the DDM NABARD Jaintia Hill District during the month of November 2020. The main objective of the meeting was to seek assistance to facilitate the formation of FPO in the DSSS identified areas. The discussion was fruitful as the DDM expressed his gratefulness on knowing the initiative taken by JHDS. He also mentioned some challenges that may be faced during the journey and encouraged the team to move forward and assured his support and guidance.

Later the discussion went beyond the agenda of sharing the plan of establishing the FPO. The DDM was inspired and excited to know about the various interventions and relief response programs initiated by JHDS, during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The DDM was so moved after listening to JHDS’ efforts, that he suggested the JHDS Team to identify 90 marginalized farming families from the DSSS’ operation areas. The selected families could then be provided with free food kits, sponsored by NABARD.

Hence, the selection committee of JHDS, involving four members – two from the community and two from JHDS, selected two villages – namely Lummuriap and Thadialong Village of Laskein Block in West Jaintia Hills District. The 90 families were selected on need-basis from the two villages. The criteria for selection were two-fold. One, who were below poverty line and second, who did not receive help from the government or other agencies. The identified families mainly involved daily-wage labourers, who usually earn during the day and spend their entire earnings on the very day itself to meet their daily needs. The selection of the 90 families in these two villages, based on the two criteria, was made by the village headmen, community leaders, volunteers, along with the JHDS staff.

The distribution of food kits was held on 16^th November in the presence of DDM NABARD, JHDS Director, Chief Coordinator and two registered volunteers. The 45 kits were distributed at Lummuriap Village and the remaining 45 kits were distributed at Thadialong village. The materials included in one kit were 5 kg of Rice, 1 kg Salt, 1 kg Onion, 1 kg Potato, 1 kg Sugar, 1liter mustard oil, 1 kg Dal and 2 washing soaps. There were 10 volunteers, registered under Caritas India, who were engaged during the packaging and loading process and 2 volunteers engaged during the distribution process.

Even though all the identified families barely managed to meet their ends, yet the collectively decided to prepare the lunch and tea for those engaged in the distribution process. They collected Rs 20 from each family and handed over the money to one family, who took the responsibility of preparing the food. This effort by the community left the officials with no words. They were all deeply touched by their gesture, which truly showed the way to be a Sharing Community.

This is an exemplary model or example of how one small effort of initiating a dialogue with the duty-bearer could lead to impacting the lives of so many families. Also, it shows how development professionals could learn the essence of being a Sharing Community from the community themselves. Thus, as Key Strategic Pillars emphasis, working in the development sector is not a one-way process.

It is a two-way process, wherein both the community and the development practitioners are co-travelers, learning from and motivating each other.