Final Thoughts on GRAAM Project

Though my time in India is not yet over, I am now formally done with the program. As I look back on my experience this past summer, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to come to India. I have had a lot of different experiences during my time in India, from the cultural activities such as the trips to my academic and work experiences. I know that this summer has been an experience that I will never forget.

I feel privileged to have gotten the chance to work with GRAAM. The people there are working on a lot of different projects and I really saw that they were really invested in the outcomes of all of their projects. I am glad that I got to contribute to the work that they are doing on the NREGA and people with disabilities in India. The NREGA study contains a heavy emphasis on advocacy, which means that the goal for the project is to bring about positive change in the current NREGA situation.

I will be remaining in India for 4 weeks, during this time; I hope to finalize the documents that I have been working on for GRAAM. I also hope that I can remain engaged in the project and provide any assistance that I can. The work that I have done with GRAAM has helped me to further understand the importance of the study that GRAAM is undertaking. It is clear to me from the various literatures that I have reviewed that the issues facing people with disabilities in relation to the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act have not been well studied. I hope that this pilot study can help to start a dialogue about the issues affects the participation of people with disabilities in the NREGA.