Monitoring and Measuring the Ineffable: Religious Sisters and the Adivasi Peoples in Assam.

ASSAM (India); INDIA

We present an analysis of the work of Religious Sisters in Assam, India. They are involved in anti-slavery/anti-human trafficking work, as well as driving fundamentally feminist, economic equality, and human rights agendas within the wider communities in which they live. Their work resembles that of Non-Governmental Organisations, but unlike most NGO s, the Sisters tend not to: produce annual reports, carry out evaluation exercises, prepare grant proposals, or set 'key performance indicators'. This raises three questions: firstly, while the voluntary sector increasingly requires monitoring and evaluation, what are the methods the Sisters use to achieve social change? Secondly, the Sisters are not trained NGO employees, so what skill sets do they bring to the work? Thirdly, how effective is their work by their own assessment and outside evaluators? We identify six philosophical/spiritual orientations that shape their working practices and a methodology of accompaniment – living directly with those the Sisters work to support in change. While there are no educational/training certifications, there is a rite de passage that every woman must accomplish – the recognition of a divine calling to service and the encompassing commitment of a vocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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