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| Maharashtra - Activities |
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Chandrapur
Chandrapur is an area that experiences severe water shortage every year, although the average annual rainfall is 1100 mm. To counteract this situation, the construction of 4 check dams was undertaken at Bhendvi, Mangi, Ranjiguda and Saleguda, in partnership with Zilla Manav Vikas Mission. Renovation of 2 existing check dams also done. Ten new bore wells were constructed to maintain the supply of drinking water and new hand pumps were installed in the community.
In the year 2009-10, 80 smokeless chulhas were installed in Sonurli and Asan, taking the total number of such chulhas being used in these villages to 630. now 80% of the households in these villages use smokeless chulhas.
Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF) has been allotted an acre of land for agricultural trials and demonstrations by Ambuja Cements Ltd. This land is used to showcase new approaches to agriculture, use of different varieties of seeds and vermi-composting techniques. A drip irrigation system has been installed on the plot to demonstrate modern irrigation practices. In the year crop trials were conducted with soya bean and cotton. The Ekta Mahila Federation, which is a coalition of women Self Help Groups(SHGs) promoted by ACF, obtained a licence to procure and sell seeds and fertilisers. This was an important breakthrough that will help farmers procure good quality seeds and fertilisers at fair prices.
Cattle rearing and dairy farming are activities that help farmers in the field and provide an additional source of income. ACF gave a boost to the dairy societies in Isapur and Lakhampur villages by helping each member of the society buy two cows through bank loans. Improvement of milk yield is an ongoing part of our animal husbandry programme. ACF’s veterinary doctor advises the villagers on cattle management issues such as their feed, immunisation schedules, breed improvement and de-worming, and provides medical treatment when required. Veterinary services are provided on a regular basis by veterinarians who made visits to the village according to a fixed schedule. In addition, the doctor responds to calls from villagers.
Last year, an industrial training centre got affiliation from the National Council of Vocational Training, Delhi. The centre was established to provide rural youth with long term technical training in various employable skills. An advanced tool and machinery workshop was also set up to offer industrial vocational training for electricians, welders, fitters and carpenters. Several of those who have graduated have found jobs.
In the area of health, ongoing activities include mobile dispensary services in 12 villages around Upparwahi and our weekly dispensary in the Pakdigudam area. Under phase II, our home-based neo natal care (HBNC) programme was expanded to include 58 new villages. Health education is an integral part of the HBNC agenda. A refresher training programme was carried out for 94 phase 2 village health functionaries (VHFs). Pediatric and ante-natal care (ANC) camps are conducted regularly to enhance the effectiveness of the HBNC programme. Under the 3rd phase of our community health intervention, 67 VHFs were identified and given training by Amhi Amchya Arogyasathi, a Gadchiroli based NGO. Following the training, a monitoring exercise was carried out to design follow-up training programmes.
Household toilets have been constructed for 103 families helping them make their villages open-defecation free and improving the sanitation of their surroundings. This is an ongoing ACF activity.
Our school support programme continues with 25 schools. The involvement of the local people in the education process has improved due to the efforts of the Village Education Committees (VECs). They play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of education and infrastructure in the schools under their jurisdiction. ACF trained village volunteers continued to run the Balsankar Kendras where they contribute to developing the learning skills of pre-primary and primary students. We now have a total of 30 such Kendras in operation.
Computer centres have been established at seven Zilla Parishad Schools, where ACF provides instructor support. In additional to the existing 7 computer window centres, 5 more were set up in the reporting year at Mangi, Isapur, Sonapur, Bhendvi and Kukudsath. These centres are equipped with interactive software and offer the rural youth easy access to computers. The Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) at Gadchandur provides basic computer skills to VHFs and education volunteers. The VHFs attend the centre during their fortnightly meetings at Gadchandur. They have learned to access the internet and visit health-related websites. ACF conducts a Microsoft Unlimited Potential course amongst others, where VHFs and education animators are trained. Local youth visit the centre to surf the web for job opportunities and related needs.
Women’s Self Help Groups (SHGs) have proven to be a good platform for the empowerment of women. There are now a total of 77groups. The SHGs are strengthened by regular training, skills development and income generation activities. This time round, SHG members were trained in making designer earthen lamps for Diwali. Their attractive lamps fetched good prices in the local markets, including the Ambuja Cements Colony. Their income was augmented with the sale of gel candles along with earthen lamps.
Panvel
The Skills and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (SEDI) was initiated at Panvel in September. The Institute is well equipped with proper classrooms, computers, furniture and a dedicated team of staff. Various skills training programmes like motor driving, basic computer course, catering, toy making were conducted for women and youth at the institute.
After training in catering, women from Panvel were able to use their creativity and training and showcase their skills at “Konkani Food Stalls” at various NGO and government exhibitions.
The ineffective drainage system in Panvel and the heavy rainfall it receives leads of the advent of various water-borne illnesses. Awareness drives for the prevention of malaria were organised with the SHGs in the villages. Posters indicating methods to prevent malaria and other water-borne diseases were displayed at prominent locations and fogging and spraying were organised in three villages.
Around 1,800 persons were treated at the weekly village dispensaries. ACF provides the medicines and the local community provides the infrastructure as the people’s contribution. Micro health planning commenced in Moha and Kombadbhuje villages. Door to door surveys to assess the health and sanitation situation were carried out with close community participation. A community action plan was created following the micro health plan.
ACF’s interventions in HIV/AIDS prevention continue with regular meetings, peer educator training programmes, observance of World AIDS Day and sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics. Peer educators and Master trainers were trained by Population Services International (PSI), an NGO working on awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS. STI clinics and general health checks were conducted the year through. A medical van equipped with doctor, counsellors, outreach workers and a team leader visits our Panvel site twice a month. The day long presence of the van outside the Ambuja plant gates enables workers, truckers and those with irregular work schedules to benefit from its services.
Twenty SHGs are active in the villages where ACF operates. The SHGs meet one a month in each village and discuss their problems and plans. Cutting and tailoring classes were organised in Moha village and 11 women completed the course successfully. A visit was organised for 77 women to Prasad Chikitsa Sanstha at Thane. This organisation encourages income generating activities among women and youth. The women came back motivated with large doses of self-confidence.
The local youth have started getting involved in our skills development programme. Various sports tournaments like carom, badminton, box cricket, chess and general knowledge quiz competitions were held in SEDI as well as the villages. Sessions on HIV/AIDS were held for the youth in Moha. A poster exhibition on the prevention of cancer was also organised.
Several infrastructure development activities were undertaken in the year. Road and drainage repair, levelling of the playground and construction of a stage at Moha School are some of the activities that were completed.
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