We lost land to moneylenders,know poverty closely: Francis

Magsaysay winner Kulandei Franciss organisation oversees 8,200 SHGs

It was his mothers struggle to educate him that prompted Kulandei Francis to work among the rural poor who are often under the mercy of moneylenders. Years later,recognising his work that has empowered women in the interior villages of Krishnagiri,Dharmapuri and Vellore,the 67-year-old priest-turned-social worker was selected as one among the six recipients of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay award for this year.

Being born in a very poor family at Karipatti village in Salem district as one of the six children,I was aware of poverty from an early age. My mother,Mathalai Mary,wanted at least one of her children to study,for which she and my father,Kulandei,decided to pawn a small piece of land that was their only asset. They lost it to moneylenders who cheated them. That experience has been etched in my mind,encouraging me to work among the poor, said Francis.

After his graduation from Annamalai University in Commerce,he wanted to serve the people instead of joining any company.

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I felt a job would enable me to help just one family,my own,whereas there are thousands who need support. So I turned to priesthood, Francis said.

After joining the Fathers of the Holy Cross in 1970,he was involved in relief works for which he was sent to Bengal during the war when scores of refugees poured in from Bangladesh. Returning from there,he and a few others were sent to remote Krishnagiri village to work among the poor. Soon,he gave up the clergy robe to assume the role of a social worker in the same region. In 1979,Francis set up the Integrated Village Development Project.

The organisation began by conducting night classes for children before taking up construction of minor check dams to address the issue of poor groundwater levels. The IVDP then decided to extend credit to farmers,but this wasnt successful.

We learned through experience that men are not prompt in repaying loan and decided to focus on women, he said. From small efforts in 1989,the organisation now oversees 8,200 self help groups that have extended a cumulative credit of Rs 2,500 crore,which has helped them earn a livelihood.

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The idea is to do our bit to eliminate poverty. Having had first hand experience of it,I can say poverty is a serious issue facing thousands in our country,which is indeed a shame on the society, he said.

Francis did not know that there was an honour called Magsaysay award till he received a call from abroad,informing him that he had been nominated for the prestigious prize. It was surprising as not many even in Tamil Nadu know about the organisation.

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