A pilot project on community based rehabilitation in south India--a preliminary report

A pilot project on Community Based Rehabilitation was launched by the Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh in South Arcot District of Tamil Nadu with the help of the Hemerijckx Rural Centre, Rawttakuppam on an experimental basis to assess the cost effectiveness and suitability of its application in other districts. Twenty cured disabled leprosy patients with grades 1 and 2 deformities from 17 villages were given training in trades like cycle repairing, tailoring, pesticides spraying, doll making, cane work, cigar making, fish net knitting and incense stick making. The duration of the training varied from two to six months depending upon the trade. Local artisans and craftmen from among the community members were identified, motivated, and utilised as trainers. The travel and maintenance costs paid to the trainees was an incentive to learn the trade and the honorarium paid to the trainers motivated them to spare their time to impart the skill within the specified period. On completion of training, start-up funds needed for purchase of tools and accessories required for pursuing the vocation were arranged through banks under DRI scheme, IRDP schemes from BDO office and from other voluntary agencies. The total expenditure incurred for training 20 cured disabled leprosy patients worked out to only Rs. 25,350/-i.e., approximately Rs.1,250/- per patient. Out of the 20 patients trained, 17 have already started earning through the skills imparted to them.