JEP Project Manager Jyoti Danuwar made a short visit of three districts. The major objective of the visit was to discuss VDC Coordination Council (VCC) formation progress and future plans with Siraha, Saptari and Udaypur DCCs (District Coordination Councils). Bote HMJ group was also visited during the tour. Nine HMJ groups of Dhanuk community were handed over cheques of second and last installment. The visit was made during 20-23 August 2008.

1. Siraha DCC

The meeting was held in DCC office located inside Srijana Pustakalaya of Padariya on 21^st August 08. This DCC has targeted to form VCCs in at least 30 VDCs. Out of that, it has formed 7 VCCs. Due to the rainy season, VCC formation process was slow. Now, DCC members have divided works among them to fasten formation process. It is expected that all 30 targeted VCCs will be formed by Dasain time.

Council members complained about negligence of DDC (District Development Committees) Siraha toward indigenous peoples. DDC Siraha has not provided any support to council yet. The meeting also concluded that VCCs need certificate of affiliation with DCCs so that they can easily make access to VDCs (Village Development Committees) and other resource providers showing the certificate.

DCC Siraha decided to conduct an action research on "Access of Janajati in Education" and suggested some possible researchers' name for the research team. The possible names are- Shib Narayan Singh Danuwar, Chandrakishor Tharu, Nira Magar and Durga Moktan.

Presence- Rajendra Chaudhary, Anira Kumari, Nilambar Singh, Members-2 including Uttar Magar, Upendra Chaudharay, Chandra Kishor, Manoj Thakur

2. Udaypur DCC

The meeting was held in an NGO office located nearby DCC office on 21^st August 08. This DCC has targeted to form VCCs in at least 44 VDCs of Udaypur district. Out of that, it has formed 15 VCCs. It is expected that most of the VCCs will be formed by Dasain time.

DCC Udaypur has got support of Rs.800,000 from DDC Udaypur last year. For this year, DDC has planned Rs.11,00,000 for Janajatis. All the VDCs have also allocated Rs. 30,000 for Janajatis. Council aims to build own building for DCC office in this year. Council has demanded 10% tax from the total revenue of DDC. It has planned to organize orientation workshop on Janajati agendas for VCC members after the formation of at least 20 DCCs. For this, council expects financial support from JEP.

Presence- Lilaraj Tamang- President, Members- Renu Bote, Kedar Danuwar, Pradip Chaudhary, Prem Danuwar, Kriparam Chaudhary, Santosh Chaudhary, Upendra Chaudharay, Chandra Kishor, Manoj Thakur

3. Saptari DCC

The meeting was held in DCC office, Birendra Bazar on 22^nd August 08. This DCC has targeted to form VCCs in at least 35 VDCs. Up to now, it has not formed any. Rs.30,000 to form the VCCs were handed over to this DCC in the meeting. The DCC members are committed to start work soon.

DCC Saptari got support of Rs.200,000 from DDC last year. For this year, DDC has planned Rs.11,00,000 for Janajatis. This DCC aims to organize general assembly as soon as possible. Some of the members of this DCC are enactive or not in Nepal. Those members will be replaced by the meeting decision. This DCC also expect computer support from JEP to well manage the DCC office.

Presence- President, Vice President, Secretary, Members- 2, JEP staffs-3, Chandra Kishor Tharu

4. Conflict mediation in Bote HMJ Group

The visit was made on 22^nd August 08. This group has been conducting tile factory in own village, which is the main reason of conflict. Group president was met separately at her house. Other members discussed their matters in separate place. Conflict between president and members has caused delay in group registration in cooperative office. The discussion concluded to call group assembly meeting and select new leadership.

5. Last installment cheques to Dhanuk HMJ groups

JEP has contracted with 10 Dhanuk HMJ groups of Saptari to conduct IGP, skill development and vegetable farming programmes in respective 10 VDCs. Out of that, JEP provided last installment cheque to nine HMJ groups and concluded programmes with them.