Radhamani Mundari lives in Nagratolla, a remote tribal village in Orissa, India. In 1999 DISHA, a local rural development group and ActionAid partner, brought the concept of people's plans or Lok Yojana to her community. They also introduced villagers to Reflect, an approach to adult literacy pioneered by ActionAid. Events since have changed Radhamani's life. She has learned to read and has represented her village in meetings with government officials

"Life was a struggle to get two meals a day until we saw a light flickering far away. This light came in the shape of Lok Yojana. We learned how to develop our own community plans - by using pictures and performing plays and songs - and how we could work together to get the Panchayat (local government) to accept these plans. Every month all the villagers attend a review meeting. These help DISHA and ActionAid to understand our progress and what support we may require.

At first, it was very strange for women to be asked to the meetings. The village elders encouraged us to take a lead role…and we started shedding our inhibitions. I feel much more confident now and you can see the difference in other young and old women of the villages. We are hoping to now set up our own organisation called Nari Shakti (women's empowerment) to strengthen our voice."