"The learning improvement programme being implemented by Deshkal Society for enhancement of learning achievement of children in class I-V is praiseworthy. The regular dialogues and discussions being conducted with teachers and parents are proving to be highly effective for making the schools cooperative and accountable and improving the learning level of children, particularly Dalit and Mahadalit communities. I think that through this project we succeed in developing a cooperative and constructive relationship between the schools and the parents and communities, and in constantly improving the quality of education for children."

Shri Shankar Rajak BEO, Korha, Bihar, India

"Since the association with Deshkal, we find the attitude of teachers changing towards the marginalized and agricultural communities children. In fact, very recently we overcame the attitudinal barrier when we went to the Harijan Basti to speak to community members about the performance of their children. We seemed very pleased and proud of being able to do so."

Shri Kameshwar Das is the Headmaster of Primary School, Hariharpur, Kohra, Kathiar, Bihar, India.

"I send all four of her children to school every day and encourages them to study hard so they will not have to be landless labourer like her. The teachers are involved into the teaching practice. Midday meal is regularly severed and the quality of the food is good. I have committed as anyone in the community to the education of my children. Deshkal Society has been able to create an enabling environment towards delivering quality education to children from diverse socio economic backgrounds, more specifically children from agricultural communities."

Anita Devi, mother of a school child, Purnia, Bihar, India.

"Deshkal Society and its network partners has developed an innovative approach for facilitating delivery of parcha and parwana to women-headed households in selected blocks of Gaya district, Bihar. Notable in the initiative is the community-based approach for mobilising the community, which brought them together as cohesive groups and build their capacity to act as an effective pressure group. In the process, Deshkal Society and partner organisation established and strengthened village level community based organisations (CBOs), panchayat level CBOs, block level CBOs and one district level CBO. The Department of Revenue & Land Reforms, Government of Bihar, puts on record the success of this unique state – non-state collaboration in reaching out to the landless poor, especially Scheduled Castes, and helping them secure their legitimate rights from right-based perspective."

Shri Vyas Ji, Principal Secretary Dept. of Revenue and Land Reforms Government of Bihar Message.

"Community based approaches to development translate into mobilising the community, bringing us together as cohesive groups and building their capacity to act as an effective pressure group. We have realised our collective power and efforts through the formation and successful functioning of the Community Based Organisation (CBO) in our village. The members of the CBO initiated community mobilisation for entitlements to homestead land, collected data on those who do not have legal entitlement, assisted in filling up of applications and their submission at the block level."

Ms. Ruby Devi, President, Community Based Organisation, Gaya, Bihar,India.

"I am 45 years and having five members in his family. Presently himself Shiv balak Manjhi and his son Subedar Manjhi, 26 years old only two are earning members. No one get work for full month. We work sometimes in agricultural field and sometimes on tractor as daily wage labour. But the interventions on Homestead Land by Deshkal Society has enhanced the community knowledge and skills particularly of women to take up leadership roles, raise their collective voice, influence decision making processes in local governance institutions and more importantly act as pressure groups. I became aware that with legal paper so many works became easier. Subedar Ravidas says, "Benefits of Indira Aawas Yojana, Kisan Credit Card, Residencial Cerificate and so many other govt. schemes becomes easier with legal paper. It also helps in taking any documents. In absence of parcha-parwana dalits mahadalis are bound to face so many problems."

Shiv Balak Manjhi, Gaya, Bihar,India.