_Family Planning SuCcess Stories in Bangladesh and India_ _24_

1. To undertake educational activities for creating an awareness about the population issues and the need for family planning.

2. To act as a catalyst in the overall development efforts of the block.

3. To stimulate community participation through local voluntary groups.

4. To provide necessary support to couples who need family planning services.

The following analysis of the Kundam Project's performance in terms of its objectives is based on a report produced by the Operations Research Group using the survey data collected by it in 1986-87 (Khan and Gupta 1988).

# _Implementadon Process and_ **_Serice_** _Stnrudw of the Project_

As an initial step, a Liaison Committee comprising the president of the FPAI's Jabalpur Branch as chairman and six other members selected from the Branch's executive committee was formed. The main function of this Committee is to undertake liaison work with community leaders and government officials, at the district and block levels.

Project hnplementation Committee (PIC). After the formation of the Liaison Committee, a meeting was organized at Kundam village to inaugurate the Project. It was attended by government officials as well as formal and informal leaders from other villages of the block. The objectives of the Project were explained at the meeting. The community leaders and government officials expressed their support. It was decided at the meeting that a Project Implementation Committee consisting of local leaders, volunteers, and government officials be formed with two main objectives: (i) to create a conducive environment for smooth implementation of the Project; and (ii) to use individual member's influence in mobilizing the community for its effective participation.

The 17-member PIC includes the block development officer (BDO), medical officer incharge of the primary health center (MO-PHC), the local revenue head, a few formal and informal community leaders and a few young persons keenly interested in the Project. The projects-director at the FPAI headquarters in Bombay acts as the Project Coordinator and is an ex-officer member of the PIC. The decision taken by the Committee has to have the Project Coordinator's approval. Participation of the government officials like BDO and MO-PHC and elected members of the panchayats gave the Project legitimacy in the eyes of community members and also ensured support from local staff members of development agencies including the PHC. The PIC also provides a common forum for the local service providers of various sectors (e.g., health, education, and other development programs) to work together for a common cause.

Project Staff **and** Inputs. The Project office was set up in a rented building adjacent to the Primary Health Care building in Kundam village. Six community welfare workers (CWWs) were selected from the local area and trained for about 10 days at the Jabalpur Branch of the FPAI. Five of them were alreadv working as community health guides (CHGs) under the government's voluntary health workers' scheme.' One field organizer, one statistical assistant,

> **4Commuiy health volunteer** (one for 1000 population on average) **are paet-tim.** wohrk **serected hOally by** _pandwyas._ **They an gicen** utining for **thue monnth in rumentary healt d** family **planiug services and expected** to provido msch **sevice** to **their conmnity** in **lieu** of **a odet** honorasum.