Social Development is a gradual positive change and transformation happening in the society. Every social being is marching in this endeavor to bring prosperity and progress in and around his life situation. Many a times when the individuals fail to attain these developmental changes other agencies come forward to assist them. SWAD, Rayagada as an implementing agency does the role of an external agency to bring significant changes in the society. Through various projects SWAD is trying to bring an impactful change in the society. This change could be very well identified and measured through various social yard sticks. Be it malnutrition, health promotion, NRM, CRM, Peace promotion, Education or skill training there are some ways to calculate its outcome. Looking at the outcome we learn the degree of the transformation. We take an example of Village Watershed Committee (VWC) how mechanism is operative. They have been capacitated with various exposure & trainings through SWAD intervention. Few years back these units were dysfunctional, neither responsible nor accountable. They never knew what was their role and responsibility. Much less was, they owning up the development. The dream of development was a kind of distant reality. Initially they had lot of apprehension and anxiety to manage the NRM & CRM, transparency in the finance transaction was a huge question before them, maintaining the books of the committee was unthinkable, regular meeting with full participation in the adverse situation was a common factor etc. Now with the constant intervention of SMART SKILL, has brought out the drastic changes. We can see the active participation in the Committee Meetings, maintaining the books of records, cashless bank transaction, owning up the responsibility to maintain the NRM structures, promoting resilient organic agriculture, learnt to do the alternative livelihood and so on so forth.

With this we notice that there is hardly any unsafe migration, people have experienced the water recharge in the soil, better cropping pattern, no degradation of soil, due to availability of water they have cultivation throughout the year. Their livestock management has improved. People have sufficient nutritious food to intake. On the whole, they have addressed many issues around their life situation. Consequently, they live a better life meaning to say the standard of life has improved. they have security of food, good health, livestock, work at home, their family bond is strengthened, parents look for better education for their children; that is exactly is development and transformation.

I am happy to record here that this effort of change making has brought SWAD the glory of best award in the Region of Odisha, by NABARD. Its not all; this mechanism is reflecting in all similar nature of units in and around the villages. The Village Education Committee (VEC), Village Development Committee (VDC) other similar units which shapes the life, environment and culture of the people to better possibilities. This is what I would call social development and transformation. With all confidence I can state that SWAD is committed to this impactful transformation through her social interventions.

Fr. Bimal Chandra Nayak

Director

SWAD, Rayagada