On 30th
January 1998, during the prayer meeting
organized by AFH, it was proposed that
based on ideals of Mahatma Gandhi that
progress must start with the development
of small villages, Asian Foundation
for Help decided to adopt a village
for development.
After a mammoth task, Devkundipada,
a small village located approx 60km
from Mumbai in Taluka Vasai, District
Thane in Maharastra with a population
of approx. 250 was selected for adoption
and a five-year plan implemented to
develop this.
Villagers here are lacking in essential
facilities like health, Education, Water
supply, Employment and Sanitation. Furthermore,
the village remains totally disconnected
from main land for 7 months each year
due to a lack of bridge over the river
and connecting roads.
Taking into account the local problems
of this and adjacent villages, AFH conducted
diagnostic research and have realized
that malnutrition, diarrhea, tuberculosis
are quite common in addition to health
and education.
Subsequently, free medicines for this
cure are being distributed and the villagers
are being made aware of personal hygiene.
A primary school, Balwadi was started
from academic year June 1998 and textbooks;
educative games etc have been freely
distributed.
The following additional plans are in
hand and funding is required as shown
to make them happen: |
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Health |
Treating malnutrition, diarrheal
diseases, tuberculosis and hypertension.
Vaccine programming for Polio, measeals
and triple vaccines. Family Planning.
Requirements:
Estimated cost: Rs.25 Lakhs:
- Health Center Building including
10 rooms and an Operatory
- Monthly Diagnostic and Treatment
camps by specialists
- Vaccination and family Planning
Programme
- Educating and Persuading villagers
for maintenance of personal hygiene
- Providing nutrition for growing
children
|
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Education |
We would like to promote each class
in every academic year.
Free distribution of text books, note
books and educational games.
Construction of school Buildings.
Requirements:
Estimated cost: Rs. 28 Lakhs
- Construction of School Building
including 10 classrooms and 1 office
- Two toilets and wash rooms
- Drinking water tank
- Playground for physical education
- Stationery Garden and maintenance
|
Water Supply |
At present, a single open well is
used for drinking water. We plan to
provide purer water by separate pipeline
through the well or river.
Requirements:
Estimated cost: Rs. 5 Lakhs
- Purification of river and well
water and its supply via pipelines
to each house
|
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Sanitation |
Construction of toilet facilities
for each house separately is considered
to control diarrheal diseases. A separate
drainage pipe is also proposed for
drinking water.
Requirements:
Estimated cost: Rs. 5 Lakhs
- Provision of Toilets and bathrooms
and closed drainage pipelines to
each house
|
Bridge Construction |
Construction of a bridge over the
nearby river shall assist transportation
and logistics.
Requirements:
Estimated cost: Rs. 10 Lakhs
- Construction of a bridge approx
400mtrs long, Height 300 mtrs, width
40 mtrs and connecting roads 7 kms
long
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Craft Education |
Training for the handicraft to be
provided to the villagers with end
products to be sold in Mumbai to provide
employment and income to the villagers.
Requirements:
Estimated cost: Rs. 2 Lakhs
- Training for creation of handicrafts,
raw materials and transportation
for its sale.
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Farming |
Villagers to be trained and encouraged
to use in modern techniques of farming
and logistics provided to sell their
produce in Mumbai.
Requirements:
Estimated cost: Rs.3.5 Lakhs
- Provision of training of farming,
seeds, plants and transport.
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