Community empowerment through water and sanitation project among an indigenous people group

This paper is an experience of the water and sanitation project in an indigenous group in Kerala, South India where community empowerment has been achieved through the support of world bank assisted water and sanitation project “JALANIDHI”. The experience in Sholayoor Grama Panchayath reduced the burden of women and children for fetching water. Through this project the tribal women played active roles in decision making, implementation, operation and maintenance. This experience is a showcase of restoring dignity of socially disadvantaged people, increased access to WATSAN services etc. Hither to, not heard concepts like cost recovery, participation of tribal community especially women community contracting etc became a reality.