SELF-HELP DEVELOPMENT GROUPS:
The 'Sanghams' (associations) are being promoted with the main aim of bringing together the disadvantaged target categories into the fold of self-help development groups, which shall look various aspects of development.

The CDDP is providing 'Sanghams', the necessary motivation, guidance through training and support services. The aim is to make them function independently. The CDDP is working towards promoting these Sanghams as self-supportive development/governing groups. They are being trained to critically analyse their problems and to come out with suitable development plans and activities. They are also motivated to undertake their activities by themselves with support services from our Organisation and the Government.

The CDDP is also providing training to service minded youth to undertake voluntary development work individually as well as collectively.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING:
The leaders of Women/Youth/Village Sanghams formed by CDDP are being provided with periodical training to improve their leadership skills. People's meetings are being held at the villages at regular intervals in order to make them aware of their problems and needs, and help them to plan their development activities accordingly. Participatory training methods are followed in the training programmes. Some of the common subjects covered in the training are community organisation, education, human rights, health, sanitation, environment, economic upliftment, Government development schemes, self and group decision making, collective development action, etc. According to the needs and target categories, specific training programmes are being arranged.

NON-FORMAL AND LIFE EDUCATION:
We have launched a Literacy Movement as the literacy rate is far below 20% in some of our service villages. The CDDP has trained more than 1000 literate persons to undertake literacy classes to the illiterate-folk through various innovative methods. The CDDP is also conducting adult education classes for women in the evening hours in the villages.

SPECIAL LIFE EDUCATION ACTIVITIES FOR RURAL WORKING CHILDREN:
There are a number of 'working children,' who do not go to school due to their indigent conditions. Most of these children are involved in rearing of goats and milch animals. Some children are traditionally bonded. These children need suitable education for enhancing confidence and awareness, which will uplift them from their miserable life conditions. In this connection, we have started special life education schools in the villages. The 'basic education' methods form part of the teaching and learning process. We prepare special syllabus tailored to their needs.

We also work for the release and rehabilitation of bonded Children.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMES FOR RURAL CHILDREN:
The children in the rural areas are unable to exibit their talents, as they lack required opportunities. In order to provide these opportunities, we organise programmes such as holiday camps, competitions in literature, dance, drama, sports and cultural activities. We identify highly talented children in particular fields and send them to speciallsed training institutions.

We hold special classes for children with learning disabilities. We have community-based education programmes for orphans, destitudes and physically challenged children.

MICRO-CREDIT(RURAL WOMEN'S THRIFT AND CREDIT SCHEME):
We have launched a credit cum saving activity with funds shared by each member of 'Women's Sanghams' and CDDP. The fund, so created, is utilized by the members to obtain small loans for urgent household needs. Ever since the creation of this fund, the dependence of poor women on exploiting moneylenders has largely reduced. The fund is also utilized for providing small loans for self-employment activity for women. The scheme is helping the women to become economically independent.

COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME:
We have started a programme on Community Health. "Prevention is better than Cure" is the watchword in all our health education activities. Natural and herbal medicinal sytems are being introduced wherever possible. HIV/AIDS education is one of the important components of our health education programme. we are also developing herbal gardens in the Villages. Family and alcoholics counseling programmes are also arranged.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES FOR RURAL WOMEN:
In order to uplift the socio-economic conditions of rural poor women, we have initiated training and self-employment activities in mushroom growing, tailoring and in occupations relating to organic farming. These activities are undertaken through local 'Women Sanghams' promoted by the CDDP. We are also promoting small enterprises for uplifting the socio-economic status of the disadvantaged women.

We have also promoted a collective self employment venture for more than 25 women from tribal communities for producing the new technology fumigation device that will be used by tribal rat catchers. Click here to know more about this innovative technology.

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION PROGRAMMES:
In order to impart consciousness and awareness on the importance of protecting our environment, we are undertaking several activities.

We have formed 'Environment Clubs' among the children/students. We also encourage people to plant trees. We hold Eco-development camps for women/youth. We conduct exhibitions highlighting problems of various forms of pollutions and the importance of utilizing alternative sources of energy. We distribute smokeless ovens to the rural people. We print booklets on various environment subjects.

SUSTAINABLE NON-CHEMICAL FARMING ACTIVITIES:
We undertake training to farmers in sustainable non-chemical agriculture activities such as indigenous seeds collection and preservation, plantation and non-chemical pest control methods etc. We are also forming farmer groups who are interested in such activities.

RURAL HOUSING AND DRINKING WATER PROGRAMME:
We help the rural poor in constructing cost effective houses.
Hand pump bore wells have been installed in the villages to make available potable drinking water.

CONSULTANCY SERVICES:
We provide consultancy services to voluntary organizations in undertaking various development activities for the disadvantaged sections in our society. On request, we conduct training Programmes for their staff. We also undertake evaluation and monitoring work for NGOs.

RESEARCH:
We have taken up a research in containing the rodent menace in agriculture fields and also in the utility of compost manure. As a follow-up, we have invented and introduced new techniques to control rodents in agriculture fields. Similarly, new composting techniques are introduced to the farmers.

SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS:
We regularly organize seminars and workshops dealing with various rural problems. Representatives of NGOs and Government departments attend these programmes. We also help other organizations to hold training, seminars and workshops on various subjects relating to rural development.

Some of the Seminars and Workshops conducted
'Potentials and problems of self-employment programmes for rural women'.
'Project formulation and management of voluntary agencies'.
'Participatory approach to rural issues'.
'Alternative agriculture for India'.

CONCLUSION:
We undertake all our activities with the total involvement and participation of the target people. In fact, most of our activities emerge from the people themselves. This ensures considerable success and enables us to repeat and expand our activities.

We are thankful to all those who are helping our ventures for the upliftment of the most disadvantaged sections of people in the society. However, what we have achieved is very little. The demand on us is so heavy that we have to seek patronage continuously from various quarters.