COMMUNITY ACTION FOR SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

CAST is a development agency established in 1984 working for the vulnerable communities including rural women, poor artisans, infected and affected women with HIV/AIDS, Senior citizens, abondined children, women in prostitution and other related problems. , The main objective of CAST is to address the need for self-employment opportunities particularly to women and to enhance the socio economic status of the women to achieve gender equality. , Helping women Help themselves, Empowerment of women is one of the key focus areas for economic development. Women are encouraged to start Micro enterprises that enable them to develop skill and confidence to earn an income. This is done through self help groups (SHGs) where women are given training for a variety of income generating schemes, through Women Development Corporation, DCH NABARD. , CAST the Ngo has undertaken a Cluster Development project for the enhancement of Sisal Fibre craft, based at Kalakad block with the sponsorship of the office of the Development commissioner(Handicrafts) of textiles.government of india This project was realized under the AMBEDKAR HASTSHILP VIKAS YOJANAN(A.H.V.Y) Scheme. Through this natural fibre cluster programme CAST has Identified 220 women artisans in 2008 and they were helped to get trained in upgrading their skills in making wide range of Handicrafts for the Livelihoods.Cast has implemented community driven STD/HIV/AIDS prevention program among the female sex workers and MSMs and their clients in partnership with Tamilnadu AIDS Control Society.To reach the community for targeted interventions,7 blocks in Tirunelveli District were adopted to cover a total population of 1497.The community based approch