NGO: Samerth Charitable Trust

NGO: Samerth Charitable Trust

Samerth is a non-profit organization, founded in 1992, that works towards development of a humane, sustainable and equitable society. Samerth has worked over 25 years in the areas of education, healthcare, water harvesting, rural sanitation, women’s empowerment and livelihoods in different parts of the country especially in the states of Gujarat and Chhattisgarh. 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. The organization works closely with these communities and the government for children’s rights and education.

IDRF partner since: 2009

  • Focus Area: Education, Health and Eco-friendly Development
  • Location: Gujarat
  • Project Title: Samerth Talim Kendra- Day Care Center for Special Needs Children
  • Details:  Samerth Talim Kendra was started in 2006, in order to meet the community’s need for services and facilities for children with special needs. This day care center is operational from 11 am to 5pm, five days a week. Till date the center has been able to enroll more than 175 children, 80% of whom have disabilities of some sort. At present the center provides services to 55 children, 26 young girls and 29 young boys. With IDRF’s support the center has been able to increase the number of children enrolled, create better facilities, hire better trained staff, invest in better tools and equipment and overall improve the quality of services for the center.
    These improved facilities at the center has ensured preparedness of special children for integration in the mainstream society, by helping them to be independent in activities of daily life, vocational training, and, equipping them with basic reading and writing skills, etc. The efforts of the Kendra has also been able to create awareness about needs of people with disabilities and factors contributing to incidences of disability at community level.
    Students at the center are provided Speech and Physical Therapy sessions, Yoga and Pranayam, along with diet changes to get appropriate nutrition. Proper diet, regular physical therapy sessions along with outdoor activities are showing positive results in most students. Some of the children have been associated with the center for the last 8- 10 years and are now looking forward to financial independence as they enter adulthood by making paper plates and bowls. The paper goods making enterprise started by the center also has a special marketing coordinator that is able to sell these products to certain establishments.
    IDRF and Samerth’s partnership is attempting to make these children self-reliant in as many ways as possible and striving to create for them a place in mainstream society. The process of ensuring personality development of such children needs to be extremely sensitive and customized for each child. Such special care can be imparted only in a center that is meant exclusively for such children and Samerth Taleem Kendra is in the process of doing the same.

Students in a classroom at Samerth Taleem Kendra

Please click on the link to know more about Samerth’s Taleem Kendra’s programs to educate children with special needs.

http://samerth.org/ahmedabad/samerth-talim-centre-mentally-challenged-children

NGO: Sahaj Seva Samsthan

NGO: Sahaj Seva Samsthan

Sahaj Seva Samsthan (SSS) is formed by followers of a spiritual way of living propounded by Mahatma Sri Ramchandraji Maharaj of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. This society is focused on propagating the philosophies of selfless service, sacrifice, moderation, and co-operation. They have been working on uplifting the impoverished people of Telangana by providing them low-cost or free medical care and education.

IDRF partner since: 2005

  • Focus Area: Education and Health
  • Location: Telangana
  • Project Title:  Hospital operations and construction of a new hospital
  • Details:  IDRF supports Samsthan in running of its hospital that provides modern medical services at an affordable cost to the common man.

    Starting in 2017, IDRF is working with SSS to construct a 50-bed general hospital (adjacent to the existing hospital) with facilities like: general surgery, laboratory, and emergency services for the urban and rural poor in Hyderabad. The Samasthan takes up health education and nutrition supplementation and nutrition advice to rural population in addition to providing curative health services to rural areas.

General surgery facility at the hospital

Please click to know more about Sahaj Seva Samasthan’s programs.

NGO: Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama

NGO: Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama

Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Kankhal (RKMS), is situated in the city of Haridwar, Uttarakhand. This 150-bed multi-specialty charitable hospital was founded in 1901 and caters to the medical needs of people in the Himalayan mountain region, neighboring states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Since its foundation, RKMS has treated more than 10 million patients and is spread over a sprawling campus of about 18 acres. The hospital houses various departments like: Obstetrics-Gynecology, Pediatrics, NICU, ICU, Pathological labs, Blood bank, Operation Theaters, etc. The campus also has a dairy farm and agricultural land, and their produce is used for feeding poor in-patients.

IDRF partner since: 2016

  • Focus Area: Health
  • Location: Uttarakhand
  • Project Title: Hospital capacity augmentation and remodeling
  • Details:  The multi-specialty hospital treats about 100,000 patients in a year. Due to the deterioration in provision of medical services by the government hospitals and unaffordable costs of private providers, this hospital is experiencing a rising demand from poor patients. With partial government and donor assistance, the hospital is expanding its existing facilities to add two more floors and additional equipment. IDRF has supported RKMS’s expansion and modernization program by financing medical equipment and air-conditioning of the newly added patient-care wards.

Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Hospital Building in Kankhal, Uttarakhand

CT scan facility at RKMS Hospital

ICU at RKMS Hospital

Please click on the link to know more about the various charitable programs of Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram in  Kankhal, District Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

http://rkmkankhal.org/index.html

NGO: Public Health Concern Trust-NEPAL

NGO: Public Health Concern Trust-NEPAL

Public Health Concern Trust, Nepal (phect-NEPAL) is a secular, non-political, not-for-profit national level Non-government Organization (NGO) committed to health development. It was founded in 1991, with the overall objective of developing a model of sustainable community health care throughout rural Nepal. Despite the progress in development made in Nepal in recent decades, life for the majority of the people remains well below a satisfactory level.

IDRF partner since: 2012

  • Focus Area: Health and Disaster Rehabilitation
  • Location: Nepal
  • Project Title: Managing Genital Prolapse in Women
  • Details:  A genital prolapse is a downward or forward displacement of one of the pelvic organs from its normal location in females. In Nepal over 25% women are estimated to be suffering from Utero-Vaginal Prolapse (UVP) that causes genital organs along with urinary bladder and rectum to come out from their original location. As a result, these women have a miserable and degraded life. Majority of women with prolapse cannot make use of surgical services as they are concentrated in or near large urban areas and they also lack the financial means required to cover the cost of the treatment. IDRF has helped conduct free surgical remedies to needy women with severe prolapse at Kathmandu Model Hospital. In 2019-20, with grants from IDRF, 38 women had successful surgeries and in-patients’ post-operative care for a week at no cost to them. Several outreach free health camps are also regularly organized that address the awareness and preventive measures for pelvic organ prolapse.

Success Story

Rudra Kumari Shreshtha, 58, was suffering from pelvic organ prolapse for 25 years and was reluctant to share her problems. When her daughter-in-law forced her to seek medical consultation, the doctors found out that she was suffering from pelvic organ prolapse, stage 3. Despite her financial hardships, she underwent a surgery and one week of free post-operative care supported by IDRF and phect-Nepal. When she was discharged, she left the hospital with a big smile on her face and feeling free from 25 years of suffering.

Menuka Basola, a 67 years old female was brought to the hospital after suffering from prolapse for three years. She as very reluctant to share her medical problem at home and finally one day, when her son saw her in great discomfort, he immediately brought her to the hospital. Upon examination, the doctors found out that she was suffering from pelvic organ prolapse, stage 3. She underwent a successful surgery and was given one week of post-operative care at no cost to her.  When she was discharged, she left the hospital with a big smile on her face.

 Please click on the link to learn more about Public Health Concern Trust http://phectnepal.org/

NGO: Manav Seva Sansthan

NGO: Manav Seva Sansthan

Manav Seva Sansthan “SEVA”, based in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, is a non-profit organization established in 1988 and works with a mission to ensure socio-economic development of the poor and disadvantaged, especially vulnerable women and children. Manav Seva Sansthan is working on several development programs like, childrens’ rights and protection, development of socially disadvantaged classes, health issues like: HIV; sustainable livelihood, gender rights and disaster management, etc.

IDRF partner since: 2013

  • Focus Area: Health and Disaster Rehabilitation
  • Location: Uttar Pradesh
  • Project Title:Prevention of Japanese Encephalitis and Musahar empowerment project
  • Details:  The deadly virus of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has afflicted Himalayan foothills (Terai) in eastern Uttar Pradesh for nearly three decades. The virus kills approximately 15,000 people of the estimated 50,000 cases reported annually in India. Among the survivors, up to 75 percent suffer from disabilities, including paralysis and mental retardation. Gorakhpur Division is one of the worst affected areas of the region. Experts have calculated that in the last 30 years the killer disease has claimed the lives of more than 50,000 children. In 2016, out of the 276 deaths, 260 were children in the age group of 6-14 years. IDRF is engaged in fight against JE since 2016.
    Immunization is the best preventive measure but equally important are: public awareness about the symptoms for early detection, link between sanitation and the vector, capacity among local doctors to diagnose the disease, and, access to safe drinking water. IDRF grant is helping develop a sustainable community based model to manage JE. The project covers 93 villages in Gorakhpur district. Baseline assessment has been carried out in all these villages, focusing on status of safe drinking water, health and hygiene status of the community, status of using toilets, use of mosquito nets, create awareness about the virus among the community and service providers, and effectiveness of government initiatives to prevent JE. With IDRF’s support, Manav Seva Sansthan has also conducted a school-to-school campaign to generate awareness among the children on the issue of encephalitis and hygiene.
    Manav Seva Sansthan has also conducted stakeholder consultation among Gram Panchayat, Block and District officials, cluster level public meetings to spread awareness, counselling of cattle and pig farmers, and training of trainers to convert normal mosquito nets into medicated nets. With the new Chief Minister of UP being from Gorakhpur, and having worked for many years on this issue, this project should get more attention and gain momentum in the coming years. IDRF’s new grant will help in the installation of 35 hand-pumps in JE affected villages. This project will help around 7000 villagers to have access to safe drinking water for 8 years.

Musahar empowerment and livelihood project, Uttar Pradesh 

The Musahars are one of the most socially and economically marginalized communities in North India. A three-year project in partnership with Manav Seva Sansthan in 20 villages  of Kushinagar district, will focus on increasing economic opportunities for these people through the promotion of market oriented livelihood streams such as vegetable cultivation, goat rearing, candle making, and backyard poultry, etc. Skill development of youth in various marketable trades to enhance their employability and an improved access to health, nutrition, sanitation and social entitlements will also be undertaken. Apart from creating community awareness on rights and entitlements, the project will also facilitate, train and handhold the community to avail these services in order to empower them. This project will require us to raise $120,000 over three years to help the downtrodden Musahar community.

An infant suffering from Japanese Encephalitis

Medical Checkup of Children by a Health Worker

Japanese Encephalitis and hygiene awareness workshop at a school

Please click on the link to know more about Manav Seva Sansthan’s various programs.

http://www.manavsevaindia.org/

Magan Sangrahalaya Samiti

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: Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy

NGO: Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy

Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy (IAMD) is working since 1992 to provide relief and rehabilitation to the people afflicted with Muscular Dystrophy in India and also to create public awareness. Muscular Dystrophy is a progressive neuromuscular genetic disorder wherein the muscles gradually loose strength and results in immobility and dependence on others for everyday activities. It can occur at any age and affect more than one sibling in the family. In India, 4,000+ children are born with Muscular Dystrophy each year.

IDRF partner since: 2015

  • Focus Area: Health
  • Location: Himachal Pradesh
  • Project Title:  Integrated Muscular Dystrophy Rehabilitation Centre -“Manav Mandir”
  • Details:  IAMD received tremendous accolades from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi 02 in his ’Man ki Baat’ broadcast IAMD is coming up with an Apex Centre at Solan, for complete care management including DNA and carrier testing, diagnosis, rehabilitation, orientation, rejuvenation, research and all therapies for the muscular dystrophy patients. After hearing about this rehabilitation center called “Manav Mandir” that will provide a wide range of services required to the patients under one roof, the Government of Himachal Pradesh took a proactive stance towards setting-up a central facility for dealing with muscular dystrophy, by providing 20,900 square feet of land to IAMD on a very nominal lease in 2009. Manav Mandir has received wide recognition and acclaim for treatment and rehabilitation of patients suffering from muscular dystrophy into society’s mainstream.
    IDRF has partnered with IAMD to support the construction of this 7-storied building which is earthquake resistant and incorporates many features of a “Green Building”. This eco-friendly building is about 75% completed and will reduce environmental impacts by using less energy, water, and natural gas, provide rainwater harvesting and use solar panels to reduce power consumption.
    At present it provides on-site residential care for 25 patients through physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, genetic and psychological counselling, diet plans and recreational activities. Health care and wheel chair support are provided at nominal or no cost to financially week patients. The institution plans to expand these facilities and accommodate at least 50 patients on-site, offer training to physiotherapists, volunteers and an advanced diagnostic and testing facility.
    We are seeking your generous help in raising the much needed funds for the construction of an auditorium, lecture hall and activity center for patients on the fourth floor. Funds are needed urgently to provide equipment and furnishings for the treatment of the patients on the second, third and fourth floors. In addition to the construction, it takes about $7-8,000 per month recurring expenses to run the institute for which we are seeking support too.

Existing/Proposed Services Floor-wise at Manav Mandir

Services OfferedLocationStatus
Alternative TherapiesGround Zero FloorConstruction completed
ParkingParking LevelConstruction completed
Multi-therapy Unit: Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Hydrotherapy, OPD, Doctors’ Rooms, Admin Block, CafeteriaGround FloorConstruction completed
Patient Ward-1 Unit: Male and Female Dormitories, Kitchen, Dining Hall, Multi-purpose HallFirst FloorConstruction completed
Special Ward and Dormitory UnitSecond FloorUnder construction
Diagnosis and Research Unit and Residential area for ResearchersThird FloorUnder Construction
Auditorium, Lecture Hall and Activity AreaFourth FloorNeed Funds

Once all the facilities are established at Manav Mandir, this institution will not only be a first rate center for mitigating the sufferings of muscular dystrophy patients, but also provide guidance and understanding of the disease to the patients and their families and, help them to find courage and strength to uplift themselves mentally, emotionally and physically in order to lead a more normal life.

Manav Mandir– a 7-storied, earthquake resistant and “Green” Building

State of the art physical therapy using special gadgets is offered for patients

Hydrotherapy in an indoor heated pool and steam facility is available for patients

Psychological counselling is an important part of rehabilitation

Outdoor picnics and recreational activities are regularly held to bridge the social gap and help the patients and families bond with each other

Please click on the link to learn more about Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy.

http://www.iamd.in/

NGO: Dharma Vana Arboretum

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)

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: S M Sehgal Foundation

NGO: S M Sehgal Foundation

S M Sehgal Foundation was set up in 1999, with a mission to strengthen community-led development initiatives to achieve positive social, economic and environmental changes across rural India.

IDRF partner since: 2017

  • Focus Area:  Women’s Empowerment
  • Location: Rajasthan
  • Project Title: Strengthening the role of Women Farmers (Jaagruk Krishak)
  • Details:  IDRF shares Sehgal Foundation’s commitment to promote gender equality and improve the lives of women farmers, who account for 55 to 66% of the total labor force in farming activities and responsible for 60 to 80% of food production. Women are key contributors to rural economic activities and also play a traditional role of looking after the household. Despite playing a key role in the rural economy, the role of women as an agriculturist in the community is often not recognized. In order to improve the role of women in farm sector, a three year project on agricultural development is being implemented in ten villages of Alwar District.
    With IDRF’s help, nine training programs were organized in 2017, with the objective of educating farmers on modern agricultural practices for growing vegetable. The focus is by design on vegetables because it is more employment intensive and remunerative than staple food grain farming.
    Women farmers’ self-help groups were given portable solar-spray machines to provide them with an efficient and convenient tool for protecting their crops. These machines would be rotated among the women farmers to make its maximum utilization during the growing season.
    This three year project will benefit at least 2,000 plus farmers in the villages that are focused on vegetable farming. Due to an improvement in the information of best practices of cultivation among farmers, there will be an increase in the yield and the marketable quality of vegetables. This will lead to an increase in their household incomes and help recognize women’s role in the rural economy.

Jagruk Krishak-Training Workshop for Farmers Growing Vegetables

Jagruk Krishak-Training Workshop for Women Farmers