T H E R U R A L D E V E L O P M E N T P R O J E C T A T R A J G U R U N A G A R , P U N E D I S T R I C T

The Bombay mothers and children's welfare society

Contents:

Introduction The Reproductive Child Health Program The Modified Reproductive Child Health Program Novel Activities of the RCH program Other Activities of the Organization Empowerment of WomenEmpowerment of Women Association with TCS The teachers Club More on sanitation, health, and hygiene The Adult Literacy Program (ALP) Conclusion Future Plans Acknowledgements

Introduction

o Charitable trust established in 1919 o Functions via donations provided by both public and private trusts

-the Shahani Trust, the Dorabji Tata Trust, the MahalaxmiTemple Trust, and the Shri Sidhivinayak Mandir Trust.

o The organization has received 1.5 crores in donationso All donations accepted are project specific All donations accepted are project specific o Four major sectors of operation

o 1) Health in both city and rural areaso 2) Child Care o 3) Education o 4) Comprehensive Rural Development Support System.

o Over the years the Trust has been involved in several activities in both urban and rural areas of Maharashtra.

The Rural Development Project

In 2004 we initiated the Rural Development Project Based in taluka Rajgurunagar of Pune district Brought to 29 villages (now 33) around our charitable Rajgurunagar

Hospital

The program stemmed from the Reproductive Child Health (RCH) program of the government of India, Health (RCH) program of the government of India, which caters to mothers and children.

.

The Modified Reproductive Child Health Program

o The modified program included the following new objectives:

Long-term family planning Targeting all age groups, not just one strata of the village population

Improvement in areas of health and hygiene Improvement in areas of health and hygiene Inclusion of vocational training Improvement of schools Environmental protection

and improvement activities

Novel Activities of the Modified RCH Program

Informative audio-visual shows to school children- Health and Hygiene- Historically relevant and Fun

- Stories from the Isop and the Panchatantra Circulating libraries with twenty-five books each Donation of volleyballs and nets as well as carom boards to all schools for recreational purposes Regular health check-ups and vaccinations Development of cordial relationships between the students, parents, and teachers Development of cordial relationships between the students, parents, and teachers Encouraged schools to build playgrounds

Extension of the RCH program: other activities of the program

Eligible Couples Program - Informs young mothers and fathers about:

- Importance family planning- Use of birth control- AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)- Use of informative films to spread awareness of such matters

The De-worming Program The De-worming Program - Part of the regular health checkups- Distributed 7000 de-worming tablets free of cost to all school children and the neighboring villages

Extension of the RCH program cont’d: other activities of the program

Special training for adolescent girls - Focus is on changes that occur during puberty- Informative discussions with mothers and daughters- Utilizing audio-visual shows

Vocational Training - Sewing and Tailoring classes

-Have benefited 1500 women in these areas so that they could -Have benefited 1500 women in these areas so that they could acquire new skills and start a business of their own.

Extension of the RCH program cont’d: other activities of the program

o Horticultural classes - very effective in informing the villagers about the means of increasing

and improving their yield

o Introduction to Compostingo Introduction to Composting

Empowerment of Women

Partivartaks- they are Volunteers/Liaisons - Responsible for 15 to 20

households- Promoting active leadership roles, improvement of self-confidence, & independence

Dai Training program Dai Training program - Primary medical care in the villages in case of emergencies- 80 girls have completed the training and are working in villages and nearby hospitals.

Several women have begun their own tailoring business

Self-cultivation for rural girls- Learning of Rangoli & Mehendi, and participation in various drawing and essay writing competitions

Empowerment of women

We have set up consciousness raising groups

Women in each community discuss their problems, concerns, joys and fears

A group of fewer than 20 women sits in a circle

In so doing, women share common experiences, learn from each other, the community is brought closer together, and women feel empowered

Association with TCS

Our collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has provided a optimistic outlook for the whole program.

A computer lab equipped with 25 computers was donated by TCS for rural students. Thus far 800 students have passed the official MSCIT exam. the official MSCIT exam.

In order for students to best benefit from these computers, we trained 250 teachers from the various schools in the most up-to-date computer skills.

Since English and computers usually go hand-in-hand, we offered, with the help of TCS, English speaking classes for 40 teachers.

The Teachers’ Club

A Teachers’ Club was started to help spread awareness the best way possible: directly by the villagers, to the villagers

It brings various villages together so that they can actively discuss the crucial development of their futures.

The teachers club satisfied the interest of 80 housewives from Rajgurunagar who were looking to get involved. After three were looking to get involved. After three months of training, these women became volunteers for the organization.

A group of 25 volunteers are actively involved in conducting activities at schools; they coordinate drawing camps and also assess the English speaking and computing classes.

Sanitation, Health, Hygiene

The government of Maharashtra has recently begun an innovative contest where a village that has constructed a certain number of toilets gets a sizable cash prize.

We think this is a good program and have spread awareness to the villages on these issues. So far 4 villages have met the 100% sanitation requirement, and many others are following in their path.

We have collaborated with HDFC bank, which has now begun to provide loans for the village sanitation program. This way, the goal has become far more realistic.

We also give lectures in the village schools; we describe the importance of basic We also give lectures in the village schools; we describe the importance of basic sanitation.

The adult literacy program

Adult literacy program in 11 villages. TCS has been kind enough to provide CDs in audio-visual format, which are more interactive. The villagers themselves have been trained in the programs and have now taken on the responsibility of conducting them independently. conducting them independently.

We are also inaugurating 7 resource centers, each equipped with 2 computers, sewing machines, 60 CD’s, and a library.

Three villagers have already been trained for the operation of computers and will conduct programs every day for different age groups. We will shortly start an internet awareness program in these centers as well.

Achievements:

1500 ladies trained in complete tailoring. 95 girls trained as ‘Dai’.15 in training now. 280 girls trained in Tailoring, Computers, Rangoli Mehendi

and English speaking from vacation batch. (This will be a regular feature now, continuing in all vacations.)

from schools trained in basic computers.regular feature now, continuing in all vacations.)

1435 boys from schools trained in basic computers. 350 students completed certificate exam of Maharashtra Govt. 250 graduates hold good jobs due to computer training 50 housewives are trained in computers.

*They now earn in non-farming seasons.*

Sanitation Programme

4 Villages completed sanitation programme.Were awarded Nirmal gram prize by President of

India.2 villages have completed 95 % work in sanitationSeveral villages have taken loans from HDFC bank to Several villages have taken loans from HDFC bank to

complete sanitation program.Innovative method for loan – no mortgage, no

surety, no Guarantee; small savings Groups.Constant motivation and continuing education

through posters and audio visual shows.

De-worming

7000 students receive anti-helminthes tablets, free of charge, every year.

Initiative has shown remarkable change in health.

Increased attendance in school.

Reduced medical expenses.

BANANA PLANTATION

Planted 7500 banana trees so far.

At first one plant in each house; now two.

Tissue culture plants

-guaranteed yield, pest resistant.-guaranteed yield, pest resistant.

Each tree yields 800 BANANAS IN ONE YEAR

Good healthy supportive NUTRITION, which is especially important for Rural children.

Also will augment family income

-they can sell the surplus fruit as they wish

Small Savings Group Leaders Training Programme

Banana Plant Distribution

A maturing banana tree

A GIANT banana tree!!

Micro-Financing Education

We provide support for education up to Rs 1000/

No interest if returned in 3 months.

Has helped 200 Students to complete

their computer education.their computer education.

Facilitation of larger loans through banks.

School Beautification

Started in 39 schools from 15 August 2007 We hoped it will impact positively:

-School environment and surroundings-Creativity-Pride in -Pride in school and self-Academicperformance-Camaraderieamong peers

Impact of Rural Development Program

250 English teachers from entire Taluka are eager to take English speaking classes.

10 surrounding villages are pressing upon our organization to initiate the programme in their villages; we hope to do so.

Initiative has shown we care and given villagers hope, and therefore the necessary boost to pursue their dreams.therefore the necessary boost to pursue their dreams.

Small saving groups have become advisors to villagers for improving income.

Micro-financing possibilities have been facilitated. Widely spread awareness of various critical health issues. Proactive mitigation of health problems in villages. We have shown an innovative way to reform the RCH program. Will we spark a similar interest in others? We certainly hope so!

Future Plans:

Although the organization has come a long way therestill remains room for improvement. Some of thefuture plans of the organization include:

Planting of one more banana plant in each home(and perhaps more) in August 2008.(and perhaps more) in August 2008.

Building of Science labs for standard 8th, 9th, and10th children at the center.

Continued training of a batch of 250 teachers inEnglish as the demand keeps rising, and

Hobby Home for children Age 7-10 to improve anddevelop flight of imagination

How You Can Participate:

One village can be developed over a period of 2 years.

All the above mentioned activities will be conducted.

2 trained workers from village will conduct the programme.

Supervised by our staff. Supervised by our staff.

We can do this all at very affordable cost.

ONLY RS 350,000/ Three lakh fifty thousand/year/village

Impact an area of your choice:

Support a Patient Rs 2500-10000. Fix someone’s Vision Rs 2500. De-worming Programme Rs 45000(7500kids) Support Child Education Rs 2500/yr. Computer Education Rs 2500/child Bicycle for a Student Rs 2500. Library in School (39) Rs 12000. Science Laboratory (7) Rs 70000. Beautify a School Rs 7500. Sports and activities Rs 7500 Banana plants (2/house) Rs 60. Vermiculture unit/house Rs 4000 Horticulture training Rs 4000/person Fruit bearing trees (5/house) Rs 1000/per house

Impact an area of your choice:

Tailoring training Rs 1000.Rangoli mehendi classes Rs 7500/pmSewing machine for women Rs 3500.Plant 5 useful trees per house Rs 500Construction of toilet Rs 8000.

Summer activities for rural girlsComputer education Rs 25000/pmEnglish speaking classes Rs 25000/pmTailoring classes Rs 25000/pmRangoli,Mehendi,ceramic Rs 25000/pm

Conclusion:

The rural development project is a multi-faceted and innovative program.

It has grown and has already fulfilled almost all of its initial objectives.

The program has also been very remarkably successful in motivating the villagers to make a change in their lives motivating the villagers to make a change in their lives and their respective villages by taking responsibility and initiative for several activities started by the organization.

Perceptible change in one’s Perceptible change in one’s mindsetmindset is the true is the true developmentdevelopment. .

Our Goal: Bestow upon villagers the Our Goal: Bestow upon villagers the KnowledgeKnowledge, , SkillsSkills, , WellWell--beingbeing and and ConfidenceConfidence to pursue to pursue their dreams.their dreams.

Thank you for your attention!

Bombay Mothers and Children Welfare Society

Rural Development Project

Science olympaid

250 rural students appeared for science Olympiad exam.

HIGHEST NO OF STUDENTS APPEARING FROM ANY ONE CENTER IN MAHARASHTRA.ANY ONE CENTER IN MAHARASHTRA.

87% result. And 30%scoring more than 85% marks