Magan Sangrahalaya Samiti

by Environmental SustainabilityHealthNgo's

Magan Sangrahalaya Samiti

Magan Sangrahalaya Samiti (MSS) is a non-government, social-service organization that started its work in 2003 and is committed to the empowerment of women in rural communities in Seloo Block, Wardha district, Maharashtra. Over the years MSS has supported several women’s self-help groups and helped in starting up various eco-friendly micro enterprises run by women in their own villages.  Some of these enterprises like handmade soaps, candles, herbal products, fruit jam-making, gur (jaggery-organic brown sugar) production, bakery, and an organic cafeteria, etc. have become very successful and led to few more subsidiary units and boosted the employment opportunities in the villages considerably.

IDRF partner since: 2007

  • Focus Area:  Women Empowerment, Health and Eco-friendly Development .
  • Location: Maharashtra
  • Project Title: Economic self-reliance through eco-friendly development
  • Details:  The villages in Seloo Block were once famous for their banana and orange orchards. However, due to changes in climatic conditions, the fruit production started dwindling and poor villagers who were working on these horticulture farms started losing their source of livelihood. At that time Magan Sagrahalaya Samiti formed 1000 self-help groups in 100 villages and helped poor women in starting up eco-friendly micro-enterprises in their villages.

    Due to lack of proper infrastructure facilities like bad roads, irregular electricity, dearth of water, and disagreeable conditions with the landlords in renting their spaces for setting up production units, led to a drain on the Samiti’s resources and spirits. In 2007 IDRF joined hands with Magan Sangrahalaya to purchase a spacious building along with a small well, adjacent to the main road. IDRF grant enabled the Samiti to carry out extensive repairs, extensions and installations in the building and house seven enterprises. These eco-friendly enterprises like solar processed food products, small utility items, spices, pickles, papad, waste paper products and school bags manufacturing provided direct employment to 30 rural women.

    Next came the establishment of a rural bakery, gur production and few more subsidiary units that provided livelihood to women, youth and poor farmers in the areas. At present these rural enterprises are providing sustainable livelihood to around 500 poor rural women and reaching out to thousands of women of 100 villages of Seloo block.

    IDRF has also funded a mini truck that facilitates transportation of women workers, raw material, machinery and finished products to remote villages. When MSS started the movement of Natural/Organic Farming, by mobilizing thousands of farmers to shift from chemical to natural farming techniques, IDRF funded the construction of a building and setting up the first Natural Farming Center in Wardha. This Center for Organic Farmers runs a training center, farm produce processing unit, workshop to repair and manufacture improved farm tools, an indigenous seed bank and organic cafeteria.

    In a time span of ten years, more than 10,000 farmers have been trained in organic farming technology at this center. As the demand for training in organic farming grew, the center started attracting farmers from other states as well and the lack of space at the center could not accommodate the growing number of farmers interested in getting trained. Once again IDRF stepped in and funded the construction of the first Organic Farmers School in this region in the year 2016. The Farmers School is a “green building” constructed by local artisans using mud and terracotta and powered by solar energy. While the construction of the building was still underway, the Government of India chose this center as the Nodal Training Center for Natural Farming.

    With IDRF’s support, what started as an experiment has turned into organized structures where local people, especially rural women are designing, planning and executing their dreams for a better world!

IDRF supported eco-friendly economic activities at Magan Sangrahalaya Samiti

Construction of Organic Farmers’ School

Please click on the link to learn more about the various eco-friendly programs run by Magan Sangrahalaya Samiti.

http://www.gandhifootprints.org.in/

NGO: Dharma Vana Arboretum

by Environmental SustainabilityNgo's

NGO: Dharma Vana Arboretum

Dharma Vana Arboretum (DVA) is under development in the Bhongir mandal, District Nalgonda, Telangana. It is being established to conserve the biodiversity of woody flora found throughout the Deccan Plateau and Eastern Ghats in India. The DVA spreads over an area of 455 acres near Hyderabad and is the largest botanic park focused on tropical dry flora worldwide.

IDRF partner since: 2016

  • Focus Area:  Eco-friendly Development
  • Location: Telangana
  • Project Title: Biodiversity Conservation
  • Details:  Dharma Vana Arboretum is a biodiversity conservation project for tropical dryland flora facing pressures from increasing human and livestock populations. Loss of this biodiversity results in degradation of fragile ecosystem and economic hardship to the poor communities dependent on this ecosystem for their subsistence. Situated just outside of Hyderabad, the landscape is a pristine example of un-spoilt Deccan geology.

The main emphasis of the project is on conserving rare and endangered species of native trees and shrubs of the Peninsular India in a ‘wild’ setting. The long-term goal of this project is to re-establish an ecosystem suitable to dry tropical flora and complementary native fauna with over fifty thousand woody plants. While in its early stage of development, DVA serves the local community (Bhongir town and neighboring villages) with all the benefits of an emerging ‘Green lung’, significant water conservation works, and youth employment. IDRF is funding part construction of infrastructure and facilities of the arboretum that is scheduled to be partially opened to public by 2020 for education, research and enjoyment of nature.

Water Lilies at the Dharma Vana Arboretum

Visit to Dharma Vana Arboretum in Hyderabad by IDRF Supporters/Volunteers
Reflections of the visit: December, 2017

On a bright, sunny and cool day in December 2017 in Hyderabad, our small group was given an up-close and personal tour of Dharma Vana Arboretum by the founder and the heart and soul of the organization, Mr. Fred Durr. DVA is a non-profit society that emphasizes nature, environment and its sustenance through biodiversity conservation. In short, it’s all about ecosystem restoration. Located in the heart of India on the outskirts of Hyderabad in Bhongir, it is an expanse of 450 acres dedicated to the conservation of trees and shrubs of arid zone regions worldwide.

The land exhibits several microclimates with their respective flora and fauna on natural vistas of hillocks and rock formations typical of the semi-arid Deccan Plateau region. Seeing the park through the founder’s fertile mind, we were blown away by his imagination, creativity and just plain hard work for his life’ passion. He painstakingly researched plants and brought the best specimens from growers and would spend many days in Indian forests at the time of the seed formation to collect them before the forest creatures would! He then nurtured them in a several acre nursery where he invented and built machinery to grind up coconut husks for compost which was used to bring health back to the land. He even offered the compost to the city municipality!

The plan for the Arboretum calls for discrete areas to showcase different flora and areas to represent major religions with sculptures created by the founder himself. These can be used as places for meditation in the years to come. Since it is becoming increasingly difficult for the general public to access India’s forests, many of the wild tree species planted at the DVA would serve as a major showcase of true representatives of the jungles. The arboretum can be integral to teaching respect for forests and even function as a seed bank for replenishing wild flora as the need arises. Mr. Durr’s dedication and the amazing way in which he manages the intricacies of India’s myriad regulations just makes me even more certain of the fruition of his dream!

Drs. Krishna and Nilima Jayaraman (Maryland, USA)

Please click on the links to know more about Dharma Vana Arboretum project.

http://www.arboretum.org.in/

Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society (SVRDS)

by Environmental SustainabilityNgo's

NGO: Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society (SVRDS)

Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society (SVRDS) was set up to empower the rural poor, by providing them educational, social development and humanitarian services. SVRDS works in the rural parts of Tamil Nadu, where people are not only extremely poor, but also suffer from high rates of malnutrition, illiteracy, unemployment and perpetual cycle of poverty.

IDRF partner since: 1996

  • Focus Area:  Eco-friendly Development,Health and Disaster Rehabilitation
  • Location: Tamil Nadu
  • Project Title: Village Energy Program
  • Details:  IDRF has started an innovative program with SVRDS in 2017, to provide eco-friendly electric power generated from renewable energy resources to 100 villages. People in these villages have either limited or unreliable access to electric power. This program aims to convert solar energy into regular electricity through photovoltaic (PV) system. Solar PV systems of 250 watt capacity, with battery storage, fan and LED lights along with a power strip to charge power tools are being installed at one room-school building (popularly known as Single Teacher School) in each village.
    The installation and maintenance of the solar PV systems is generating rural employment in non-agricultural sector, entrepreneurship and modern energy solutions that will bring total energy independence and self-reliance to these villages.

Students attending night school in a temple compound

A Single Teacher School in one of the villages

Solar Panel on rooftop providing electricity

Please click on the links below to know more about Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society.
http://www.singleteacherschools.org

 

NGO: Society to Create Awareness towards Life and Environment (SCALE)

by Environmental SustainabilityNgo's

NGO: Society to Create Awareness towards Life and Environment (SCALE)

Society to Create Awareness towards Life and Environment (SCALE) was established in 2002, as a non-government organization by a team of experienced professionals. SCALE aims at providing easy access to primary health care, quality education and check environmental degradation in the Kumaon region, Uttarakhand, National Capital Region of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. So far IDRF’s partnership with SCALE has been limited to Uttarakhand with a vision to strive to improve the quality of life of the underprivileged.

IDRF partner since: 2013

  • Focus Area: Ecofriendly Development
  • Location: Uttarakhand
  • Project Title: Environment Conservation through Solar Energy
  • Details:  In 2013, Uttarakhand flood disaster led to IDRF’s unique partnership with SCALE. As usual, IDRF endeavored and succeeded in accepting the challenge of turning a disaster situation into an opportunity for long term sustainable development. IDRF’s collaboration with SCALE resulted in establishing a Solar Energy Cooperative, first of its kind in India called “Uttarayan Co-operative for Renewable Energy” in Haldwani, Uttrakhand. This cooperative is engaged in manufacturing, selling and supporting solar lights and self-designed solar equipment. 60% of this cooperative’s work force are women, and 80% are underprivileged people.
    IDRF’s current partnership with SCALE is focused in an effort to introduce and integrate affordable solar power as an alternative “clean” energy source in rural Uttarakhand. SCALE has designed and developed a solar lantern with a 5 watt power, using indigenously obtained components, which upon solar charging, can give bright light for 14 to 16 hours.
    In order to execute this multi-dimensional project, SCALE is promoting skill-based training for local people to produce solar powered products such as lamps, and other lighting systems. Further, the manufacture and serviceability of these lamps is providing livelihood to the local population. Workshops conducted by SCALE are spreading awareness towards the use of alternative sources of energy amongst rural masses. IDRF’s grants to SCALE enabled the Cooperative to receive interest-free credit (seed capital) that was critical for its financial sustainability and scalability. Thus by IDRF’s vision in providing solar lights to the poor rural families, not only will education get a boon and drop-out rate will get significantly lower, but, there will be a significant reduction of the harmful effects of kerosene on the environment.

Training & Awareness Workshop for Solar Products

Solar Lamps Production Unit

Solar Lamps Production Unit Provides Employment to Local Youth

Please click on the link below to learn more about SCALE’s eco-friendly projects.
http://www.scaleind.org/environmental-projects.php

NGO: Samerth Charitable Trust

by EducationEnvironmental SustainabilityNgo's

NGO: Samerth Charitable Trust

Samerth is a non-profit organization, founded in 1992, that works towards development of a humane, sustainable and equitable society. The focus is on improving the conditions of marginalized communities and to that extent Samerth helps vulnerable communities to gain access to their social and economic rights and their programs are developed as per the requirement of the respective communities.

A safe and sustainable water supply, basic sanitation, and good hygiene are fundamental for a healthy, productive, and dignified life. And yet, many of India’s poor rural people lack access to an improved water supply and improved sanitation facilities. Samerth Charitable Trust, has been working on these issues in the Kutch District of Gujarat and Kabirdham District of Chhattisgarh, which are characterized as most arid and drought-prone regions of India.

IDRF partner since: 2009

  • Focus Area: Education, Health and Eco-friendly Development
  • Location: Gujarat and Chhattisgarh
  • Project Title: Water Harvesting/Security in Gujarat, Water Security & Ground Water Management in Chhattisgarh.
  • Water Harvesting Project in Rapar, Kutch District, Gujarat: Water harvesting is the technique through which rainwater is captured from the roof and stored for use later. Harvested rainwater can be stored in sub-surface groundwater reservoirs or in storage tanks in semi-arid or drought-prone areas for soil and water conservation. IDRF has partnered with Samerth in Rain Water Harvesting in order to provide safe and sustainable water resources for the poor and marginalized communities in 97 villages of Rapar block, (Dist. Kutch) Gujarat.
    This area is perennially water scarce and depends heavily on water bodies that are refilled each year by undependable monsoons. The environmental conditions are extreme, and due to the scarcity of water, no industry or enterprise has flourished here. The region has rain-fed agriculture that is the backbone of the economy. The communities mainly belong to the poor and backward class, with very limited resources available to them. Due to lack of rainfall, an array of problems like poor health, decreased livelihoods due to agricultural unproductivity and insufficient water for the livestock forces several poor families to migrate for 6 to 8 months each year with their belongings and cattle.
    Samerth has prepared a complete Water Security Plan and a comprehensive report by visiting all 97 villages of Rapar block and shared the information with local authorities. Samerth has constructed total 37 check dams and 12 dug wells in the area. This has led to a considerable decrease in the number of people and cattle migrating from village to village in search of water and employment. The availability of water has changed their sowing patterns in agriculture and also changed animal husbandry conditions, which has not only improved their financial condition, but also improved their sanitation habits. It has also reduced the drudgery of women who use to walk more than 5 km to fetch water for their families and resulting in an improvement in their health conditions. A decrease in migration has also decreased the drop-out ratio of children from schools.
    So far a population of 52,908 in 20% of the villages has benefitted by this project. Samerth has identified the locations for the construction of 6 Earthen Check Dams and 3 Dug wells in near future. This will benefit over 15,000 households comprising of 90,000 people and 57,000 cattle. The current phase of the project started in July 2016 and will end in June 2018.

Click here to watch the success of water harvesting program in Rapar.

Water Harvesting Program: Nakhatrana Block, Kutch District, Gujarat:

IDRF and Samerth have also been greatly successful in developing Water Harvesting Structurers in the villages of Nakhatrana block, District Kutch. READ MORE….

Dug Well at Kidiyanagar Village, Gujarat- Provides Safe Drinking Water to the Villagers

Drinking Water Harvesting and Security in Bodla and Pandariya blocks of Kabirdham District, Chhattisgarh:

With the success of water harvesting project in Gujarat, IDRF has expanded the program to the most impoverished and backward hilly areas of Chhattisgarh, where rainfall is inadequate & erratic. Local tribes are often excluded from infrastructural and government services. People are not able to use water as per their requirements and needs. Scarcity and poor quality of drinking water force women to walk daily for 2-4 kms to fetch drinking water. Gastrointestinal and stomach illnesses, especially among the children, have been a widespread health problem here.

The problem in this region is not only the absence of water, but also the poor quality that hinders life and livelihoods.

Absence of water has also lead to a reduction in agriculture which has increased malnutrition cases and infant and maternal mortality rates. IDRF and Samerth are constructing rain roof-water structures, earthen check-dams and water tanks to harvest rainwater and conserve existing spring water. Rain Roof Water Harvesting structures are cost-effective, easy to construct, operate and maintain.

The youth in these villages are being trained as Jaldoots on principles of participatory ground water management. Villagers are being made aware about the causes of water contamination and efficient ways to store it. This program will create water secured villages and address safe drinking water related issues for 1,021 tribal families.

Rain Roof Water Harvesting Structure being constructed at Sivnikala Village, Chhattisgarh

Please click on the links to learn more about Samerth’s Water Harvesting programs in Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.

http://samerth.org/kutch/water-security

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuoytemd5Pk

NGO: Shiksha Bharati

by EducationEnvironmental SustainabilityNgo's

NGO: Shiksha Bharati

Shiksha Bharati is an educational institution that is devoted to the cause of the empowerment of girls. Shiksha Bharati runs and operates a Central Board of Secondary Education (C.B.S.E.) accredited senior secondary school (up to Grade 12th) on a 20-acre education campus. Tribal Girls’ Education and Hostel Facility, Vocational Training Centermpus, some 65 kilometers east of New Delhi. This school provides innovative and holistic education by utilizing a rigorous curriculum. The program combines academics with physical, moral, spiritual, and cultural development to empower these girls and prepare them to become financially independent to lead a life of dignity.

IDRF partner since: 2001

  • Focus Area: Education,Women Empowerment and Eco-friendly Development
  • Location: Hapur, Uttar Pradesh
  • Project Title: Tribal Girls Education and Hostel Facility
  • Details:  IDRF has been working with Shiksha Bharati to provide free education to underprivileged tribal girls who are unable to access basic education in their states. Girls from the Northeast region and other states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Ladakh are selected by Vidya Bharati and sent to Shiksha Bharati for schooling. An IDRFsupported hostel-Banwasi Chhatrawas with the capacity to house 100 girls operates within the campus of the Srimati Brahma Devi Saraswati Balika Vidya Mandir. IDRF and Shiksha Bharati provide free boarding, lodging, and travel to all girls residing here. The hostel includes a media room, library, game room, and a room for judo practice.

After completing their education some of the girls have returned to their native places, where they teach local girls, thus, contributing to breaking the cycle of gender discrimination and poverty in their communities.

The education of tribal girls at Shiksha Bharati can be supported through two distinct funds:

  1. Endowment Fund: a one-time donation of $ 10,000 endows one permanent educational seat, in perpetuity
  2. Annual Support: an annual donation of $ 550 per girl

Your donation will provide food, clothing, lodging, school supplies, medical expenses, utility charges, etc. The tuition, educational expenses, and counselors will be supported by partner Shiksha Bharati.

At present, 66 students are living at the IDRF Tribal Girls’ Hostel. To fill the hostel’s capacity of 100 students, and to educate girls belonging to economically disadvantaged backgrounds, we need your support! Your donation for educating a girl will give her financial independence allowing her to lead a life of dignity and self-respect.

IDRF also supports the higher education of these girls once they complete their schooling. The girls are also helped by IDRF volunteers with language skills, counseling, and guidance for college and higher studies. 

 Skill development and vocational training for IDRF-hostel girls and marginalized women

To improve their employability skills, students at the IDRF Hostel and other local marginalized women, are offered free computer and tailoring courses at the “Monica Gautam Vocational Training Center” named in memory of the late sister of an IDRF donor.  The training center is located on the education campus of Shiksha Bharati in Hapur.

 

Students at the IDRF Tribal Girls’ Hostel

Hostel students are also provided computer literacy

Girls learn various vocational activities while living at the hostel

Please click on the link to learn more about Shiksha Bharati https://www.shikshabharati.com/