His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Central Tibetan Relief Committee sent an urgent appeal in September, 2023 to organizations such as TRAS for flood relief help in Tibetan Settlements in Himachal Pradesh.
Because of global climate changes, the Himalaya region has been adversely impacted by incessant rainfall, resulting in the destruction of houses and properties.
The cluster of Tibetan settlements in Kullu are located close to the banks of the flood prone river Beas rendering them particularly susceptible to various natura disasters, including floods, landslides, and cloud bursts. Such calamities have become a recurring problem due to the drastic change in climate conditions.
In the recent flooding event that occurred in July 2023, the Kullu Tibetan settlements situated along the riverbanks have experienced severe devastation. The existing flood protection walls at Kullu Yulokoe and 15-mile settlement were mostly swept away, leading to substantial damage and loss of houses. Unquestionably, residing in such locations poses a significant risk to human lives and property.
The cluster Tibetan settlement details are as follows:
15-mile Settlement is composed of 15 households with a total population of 60 members.
Yulokoe Settlement accommodates 65 households with a population of 278 members.
Manali Dickeyling Settlement accommodates 45 households with a population of 145 members.
The primary objective of the project is to construct retaining walls to prevent flooding in the future. This will provide the residents with a sense of security and relief during seasonal heavy rainfalls, as the retaining wall will help mitigate the risk of flood damage, property damage and loss of life.
The long-term result will not only sustain the underneath soil for a longer period but also safeguard from structural damage as well contributing to a long-term environmental sustainability.
TRAS has been able to commit $5,000 to help pay for repairs and the strengthening of retaining walls.
The flash flooding in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand is devastating the region with deadly landslides. Our partner NGO, AMAN, from Voice of Children, is mobilizing relief efforts (see letter below). The villagers are desperate. TRAS is sending emergency funds to AMAN who are working hard to get relief supplies to the villagers. To help with this work, you can donate online (select Donate Now, and then under Fund/Designation, select “Uttarakhand Disaster Relief”). For more information, please contact the TRAS office at 1-604-224-5133 or info@tras.ca.
Dear friends,
The people of Uttarakhand still have to overcome the trauma of disaster in 2010. The recent flash floods have badly affected human lives and many people have lost their lives. Some areas are completely washed away in massive landslides and floods. The livestocks and their properties are washed away.
Thousands of people are displaced and thousands of people are marooned and trapped in the higher reaches though the army and Para- military are doing their best but the scale and magnitude of the disaster is beyond the preparation and imagination. If we could timely generate some resources such as shelter, food, etc, many vulnerable lives can be saved.
The most pathetic part is the marginalized people who are basically labourers; most underprivileged sections of the society have become most vulnerable.
As you all are aware, being a Himalayan state Uttarakhand has always been prone to natural disasters, such as earthquake, landslide, flood, cloud burst, forest fire etc. The state has witnessed flash floods since last few days and has been at the receiving end for the last week, but the incessant rain between 15 June to till now has wreaked havoc.
Approximately, 1000 people have lost their lives in various incidents since the onset of the monsoon. The heavy rainfall has resulted in all the rivers and rivulet getting over flooded causing serious and widespread destruction of lives and property in the state. There were several incidents of landslides and cloud bursts in the whole state compounding the problems and sufferings of people, particularly the Rudraprayag, Chomoli, Utaarkashi, Pithoragarh, Alomra & Bageshwar districts witnessed the worst ever loss of lives and property because of landslide, flood caused by cloud bursts at different places.
All the roads got washed out due to the landslides, causing whole mountain region isolation and unapproachable which hampered the relief work. As per media reports more than 1000 persons lost their lives in various incidents of cloudburst, house collapse and floods as incessant rains continued to lash Uttarakhand.
A large number of people living in Mandakini, Bhagirathi, Ramganga, kali, Saryu, Pindar and Saryu valleys are affected and endangered to life and their properties.
Kedarnath valley of RudraPrayag, Badrinath and Pindar valley of chamoli, Jyosada of Uttarkashi , Dharchula of Pithoragarh , BesiyaChhana block of Almora, Rishikesh of Dehradun has been facing the worst cases of deaths and devastation, nearly 160 villages have been totally devastated. More than 70,000 pilgrims are stuck in different locations and have no food and shelter. So far in accessible places the rescue team recovered 150 bodies and there are no confirm news from inaccessible places in higher reaches where thousands of thousands people are still trapped and marooned and the administration is fearing the worst death tolls.
It can cross the figure of thousand as during the pilgrimage season the people travel in flock and they use to take shelter in the tents, cave and open space. There is no mechanism to register the travellers. According to the media and government sources more than 70,000 people are missing.
Rambara town is washed away and 30 houses are collapsed in Augustmuni and Tilwara. In Dharchula-Pithoragarhs villages, 41 houses had turned into debris and at Tijam , Bheti, Shobhna, Gothi. Nine people and 105 cattle lost their lives. In the month of June the villagers of Pithoragad district who live near by the greater Himalaya, they used to go to collect local Himalayan herbs. They used to pitch the tent in the forest nearby Tejam the villagers have pitched 60 tents on the fearful night of the flash flood, as the report says more than 60 tents from Upper Himalaya of Tejam Villages in which only 7 tents are remained.
Media reports says only 9 deaths but other herbs collector are missing. 5 deaths are reported in district Almora. Landslides are reported in Buradhar and Khairkhet villages in Almora. Villagers are forced to live in schools to save their lives. In Pinder valley, near about 35 houses had collapsed in Narayan bagad, Tharali, Govind-Ghat villages.
People are in trauma and fear in whole states and thousands of peoples spending nights under the open sky. Authorities fear the toll may go up as relief workers are busy removing debris and trying to reach out to people trapped in far-off villages. Indian Army and Para military forces are deployed for rescue operation. Near about 10000 people are rescued by the forces. In Kedarnath, the helipad is destroyed, so rescue operation continued through rope support by helicopter. There is also danger of epidemic.
Due to the massive landslides all the basic infrastructure roads, water and electric supply is severely damaged. It will take time to get restored. Due to the blockage of the road most of the parts are completely cut off from the rest of the world.
Garhwal and Kumoun, both the region of the Uttarakhand are badly affected. People have taken shelter in panchayati Bhawans, school buildings and makeshift arrangements such as tents and temporary shelters. People are facing an acute crisis of food, drinking water, doctors and medicines, shelter and communication. Sanitation and hygiene is another problem. There is large no. of children and old age people badly affected and have special need. Child protection and gender centric rehabilitation program is also required as a felt need. There is an urgent need to provide relief to the affected people. We are trying to mobilize relief materials such as medicines, food grain, kerosene oil, drinking water, temporary shelters, light etc for affected area. Beside this urgent need, rehabilitation and risk reduction program are also important needs for people. This cannot be done alone. AMAN appeals to all its friends for providing relief support.
In Uttarakhand,
Raghu Tewari
AMAN,
West Pokharkhali,
Ranidhara Road, Almora
Late flash — we heard today (Sept 24) about disastrous flooding and landslides in the area where the Voice of Children project is. 150 dead, many homes destroyed, 20 villages around Almora alone totally ruined. Crops and topsoil have been completely washed away. The villagers are desperate. TRAS is sending emergency funds to our two partner NGOs, Aman and Vimarsh, who are doing valiant work getting relief supplies to the villagers. Contact the TRAS office at 1-604-224-5133 or info@tras.ca if you would like to make a donation to help with this work, or donate online.
Appeal from Aman, our partner NGO in Almora:
An appeal to support relief work for victims of flood and landslides in Uttarakhand
Dear friends,
As you all are aware, being a Himalayan state Uttarakhand has always been prone to natural disasters, such as earthquack, landslide, food, cloud burst etc. The state has witnessed an unprecedented rain fall since last two months. The state has been at the receiving end for the past two months and a half, but the incessant rain between 16-19 Sep has wreaked havoc. More than 150 persons have lost their lives in various incidents since the onset of the monsoon.
The heavy rainfall continued for four days, from 16 September to 19 September, has resulted in all the rivers and rivulet getting over flooded causing serious and widespread destruction of lives and property in the state. There were several incidents of landslides and cloud bursts in whole state compounding the problems and sufferings of people, particularly the Kumaun division (Alomra, Bageswar ,Pithoragarh and Nainital districts) witnessed the worst ever loss of lives and property because of landslide, flood caused by cloud bursts at different places. Since all the roads got blocked due to the landslides, causing whole mountain region isolated and unapproachable which hampered the relief work. As per primary reports more than 80 persons lost their lives in various incidents of cloudburst, house collapse and floods as incessant rains continued to lash Uttarakhand. A large number of people living in Saryu, Pindar and Revati valleys have migrated to safer places on account of the continuing rains.
Almora faced the worst cases of deaths and devastation, nearly 20 villages have been totally devastated. The havoc wreaked by the current floods and torrential rains have claimed 36 lives in the district. Heavy rains have triggered the worst floods that Uttarakhand has seen in recent times. Authorities fear the toll may go up as relief workers are busy removing debris and trying to reach out to people trapped in far-off villages. In Almora nearly 20 villages have been totally devastated.
According to officials, 80 bodies have been recovered in the state. Of these, 36 were from Almora district alone, maximum impact was in Balta village, where half of the village disappeared. When our team reached the village 13 bodies were recovered by that time from this small village itself. There was a landslide and the village was completely wiped out almost all the peoples died.
After Almora, Nainital is worst affected. Nineteen deaths have been from Nainital, followed by eight in Haldwani, five in Chamoli and three in Uttarkashi.
The Nainital-Bhawali road was damaged in a massive landslide that was triggered by the uprooting of a large number of trees. The Machor-Jhakh road in Ranikhet and the road connecting Bhatraunj Khan and Betalghat were also closed for vehicular movement
Bageshwar district was among the worst-affected areas in the region with even communication facilities getting damaged. The Saung-Munar road and the Shama road have been damaged as boulders continue to fall on them. The other routes shut down for vehicle movement are Chami-Kwairali, Dafot, Garud, Pindari, Kanda and Takula roads where debris has accumulated following massive landslides. Large tracts of agricultural land with standing crops have been devastated.
More than 15 villages in the Saryu valley continue to face a severe food grain crisis. There is a shortage of wheat, jaggery, salt, sugar, cooking gas and kerosene.
As per official reports more than one million people and 3500 villages have been effected by floods, landslide. So far 160 deaths have been confirmed with more than 150 seriously wounded. Around 10,000 houses and buildings got damaged. The state is going to face the serious drinking water and food grain crises as crops in 22000 HA land got destroyed and 1200 drinking water schemes (out of 1522 schemes) have been damaged. The road transport is also badly effected which has placed many areas in isolation.
Immediately after hearing the news of massive destruction our teams consisting of Ms Nilima Bhatt, Mr. Shashi Shekhar, Ms Pushpa Joshi, Mr Mankoti, Mr Govind Singh Mehra, Mr Ramesh Tewari . Ms Kavita Badola, Mr. Jagat, Mr Bhuwan and other volunteers visited the worst effected areas in Almora district to took the stock of the situation. The team also contacted several government officials and social workers for arranging relief work.
The primary report of our team is as follows:
Balta-Bathi, Jakheta,Bhalula.Pilkha.Gadholi.Jogiyana, Jyoli, Falsema, Pakhuda, Chhaana, Lodhiya, Devali, Ujgal lat (All in Hawalbag block) , Asgoli, Jamau, Salakhola, Haldua, Rabali ,Chanoli,Basera, Bhet, Bachhet, Kumalt, Gywau and Naula (all in Dwarahat block), Dharigau, Khawar, Dyoli(all in Lamgada block), Khania, Paikhli, Jaina, Naugaon, Daholi, Kanauli, Manbajuna, Bhaurgaon, Simoli, Chaukuni, Mauna, Riyoni (all in Bhikiasain block), Melgaon, Danola, Bathiyar, Bhaisadi (all in Dhauladevi block) villages have suffered heavy loss. The entire crop has vanished and most of the houses are damaged, some of them unfit for living. The agricultural land washed away with landslide and flood, rendering most of them uncultivable for months. In Chaukhiya block landslide and flood in Ramganga & Kuthlar rivers destroyed several acres of agriculture land. The entire paddy crop along with river banks washed away.
Almora also suffered most loss of lives during this period….
Since most of the areas have been cut off from roads and there is mode of communication either, the exact assessment of the loss could only be made after when situation of communication improve.
The Hawalbagh block is one of the most badly affected block. So far 29 people have lost their lives. All roads are having become useless. Many houses have become unfit for living. In Gadholi village more than 50 % houses were destroyed totally. Around 20% houses have suffered heavy damage. 120 people have become homeless, and now have taken shelter in primary school.
The same situation is in other villages also. People have taken shelter in panchayati bhawans or school buildings. People are facing an acute crisis of food & drinking water. Sanitation and hygiene is another problem. Lack of electricity, ration & medical support has worsened their plights. Most of the people are still in trauma.
There is an urgent need to provide relief to the affected people. We are trying to mobilize relief materials such as medicines, foodgrain, kerosene oil, drinking water, temporary shelters, light etc for these villages. This can not be done alone. AMAN appeals to all its friends for providing relief materials.
AMAN,
Ishwari Bhawan,
West Pokharkhali,
Ranidhara Road, Almora
Munsel-ling School, Spiti and Dr Yosef Wosk Family Foundation project – New books for school library (#346)
Manjushri Education Services (MES) and Yosef Wosk Family Foundation project -Tibetan alphabet wooden blocks for Tibetan creches, kindergarten and primary schools in India and Nepal (#343)
Manjushri Education Services (MES) and Yosef Wosk Family Foundation project – Early Literacy Development for Tibetan and Himalayan Children – New books for libraries (#342)
Voice of Children and Yosef Wosk Family Foundation Project – Books, furniture and mats for remote village libraries in the Himalayas (#340)
Sambhota Tibetan School, Tenzingang – Supplementary diet for school children, new submersible water pump and repairing toilets in staff quarters (#339)
Project 349/350November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2025
The “Voice of Children (VOC)” project has brought significant positive changes to selected villages by addressing the educational needs of socially and economically disadvantaged children. Community involvement and commitment are crucial for the program’s sustainability and success, resulting in reduced dropout rates, increased opportunities for girls and disadvantaged children, halted child marriages, improved access to services for poor families, and enhanced child participation in addressing their issues. Check our website for more on the VOC project.
The Voice for Children and the Hope for Children projects are run by two TRAS partners, AMAN, in the Almora district and VIMARSH, in the Nainital district, both in the state of Uttarakhand, northern India. These two organizations have been committed to bringing access to education and health in rural villages for the past 16 years.
The “Hope for Children“ project aims to replicate VOC learning and success in neighboring villages facing geographical challenges and lacking basic amenities. These villages, like the initial project area, are mired in severe poverty. Expanding the project’s scope is essential to provide crucial assistance to children, ensuring their access to quality education. This project is focused on integrating the education system and creating opportunities for vulnerable children, including those from single-parent households, impoverished backgrounds, girls, and socially marginalized families
Furthermore, empowering women, children, and adolescent girls’ groups’ stands as a critical step in addressing issues related to quality education, while providing skills training for youth can unlock doors to higher education, employment, and improved quality of life for marginalized sections of society. The Hope for Children project has the potential to make a substantial contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 4 & 5(SDG-4 & 5) and advancing equal access to quality education for all, irrespective of their socio-economic status or gender.
The villages are situated in the Hawalbag block of Almora and Betalghat block in the Nainital District. In these villages, there is a notable absence of adequate educational facilities, as schools suffer from insufficient resources, resulting in a scarcity of quality education and subsequently limiting opportunities for the youth.
Healthcare facilities in remote hill villages are limited or inadequate. Residents have to travel long distances to access medical care, which is particularly challenging during emergencies. Limited economic opportunities in the villages lead to high levels of unemployment and underemployment. It creates poverty and a lack of basic amenities.
Gender-based violence, including domestic violence and sexual harassment, is common in the proposed villages. Women and girls are reluctant to report such incidents due to social stigma and lack of support services. There is a lack of awareness about the importance of prenatal and postnatal care. Women do not seek medical assistance during pregnancy until complications arise. Traditional beliefs and practices often influence maternal health decisions. Traditional beliefs and practices sometimes hinder women from seeking medical care during pregnancy and childbirth. Malnutrition among children, girls, and pregnant women is a concern, as the hilly terrain and poverty make it difficult to access a balanced diet. In villages, there is a lack of resources and support to provide information on sexual health, reproductive biology, contraception, and responsible sexual behavior to adolescents. This has led to an increase in teenage pregnancies, which not only hinders girls’ education and overall development but also poses risks to the health of both the girls and their newborns, sometimes even endangering their lives.
Women in these villages often have limited participation in local governance and decision-making processes, which hinders their ability to address their own needs and concerns. The villages are prone to natural disasters such as landslides and flash floods. Women, girls and children are particularly vulnerable during these crises, facing the risk of displacement and loss of livelihoods.
Many families rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, and children often have to assist their parents in farming activities. This is leading to a loss of educational opportunities and child labor issues. Due to the rugged terrain and limited resources, children in hill villages have limited access to recreational activities and sports facilities, impacting their overall development. There is a lack of awareness about child rights and government programs designed to support children in these remote areas. This hinders efforts to address their specific needs.
Villages that will be impacted with this project:
Village
District
No. of household
Population
Children Population (0 to 18 years)
Male Population
Female population
Total population
Scheduled Caste. Population
Pankote
Almora
76
126
181
307
113
107
Bajgal
Almora
48
88
118
206
39
45
Rikhe
Almora
60
107
144
251
29
95
Vadla
Almora
77
149
199
348
78
108
Chauna
Almora
190
406
495
901
312
159
Unchakot Tala
Nainital
106
317
305
622
327
112
Bajedi
Nainital
168
417
471
888
168
100
Khairali
Nainital
48
99
108
207
23
58
Unchakot Malla
Nainital
114
286
289
575
137
172
Total
887
1995
2310
4305
1226
956
Proposed plan of action:
Education Support and Learning Center for Children
Our initiative aims to establish education support and learning centers that cater to the comprehensive development of children aged 3 to 14. These 11 village centers will operate with the assistance of dedicated facilitators and offer a range of facilities to underprivileged children.
Active Learning: We are dedicated to promoting active learning, creating an environment where children actively participate in the learning process through hands-on activities, problem-solving, and critical thinking exercises.
Effective Communication: We recognize that effective communication skills are paramount for success in all aspects of life. Our centers will assist children in honing their speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities.
Building Self-Confidence: Fostering self-confidence is an integral component of a child’s growth. Our education support centers will provide a safe and nurturing space for children to develop confidence in their own capabilities.
Equal Learning Opportunities: Ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, has equitable access to quality education and learning opportunities is of utmost importance to us.
Extracurricular Activities: Alongside academics, we will offer a range of extracurricular activities to help children explore their interests and talents beyond the traditional classroom setting.
Group Learning: Collaborative learning experiences, such as group projects and discussions, will enhance children’s social skills and promote teamwork, fostering a holistic development approach.
By continually expanding and supporting these education centers, we aspire to positively impact the overall development of children, and will be providing them with a well-rounded education that equips them for future success.
Introducing Quarterly Education Enhancement Sessions for Parents
To ensure the optimal operation of our Education Support and Learning Centers, we will introduce our Quarterly Education Enhancement Sessions for Parents. These gatherings are designed to facilitate open communication between parents and educators, allowing collaboratively nurture child’s academic journey. During these sessions, we will not only provide updates on child’s educational progress but also engage in meaningful discussions about their strengths, areas for improvement, and any other factors that might impact their learning and growth. Together, we can create an environment that fosters a child’s development and success.
Sunday Classes for Students for 9th to 12th Standard
The upper primary and secondary schools in the selected villages are facing a pressing challenge: a significant shortage of subject teachers. This shortage of qualified educators and the constant turnover of teaching staff present a substantial threat to the educational advancement of students. Consequently, students are grappling with difficulties in subjects like science, mathematics, and English due to the absence of effective guidance. Often, the anxiety associated with these subjects’ acts as a catalyst for student dropouts.
To address this issue, we propose a solution: connecting students with volunteer teachers through live and interactive classes. At times, subject experts will be motivated to visit the center and conduct Sunday classes in person, while at other times, we will organize online classes using technology to ensure consistent access to quality education for the students.
We introduce two class centers, one located in the VIMARSH area and the other in the AMAN area. These centers aim to benefit students from the 9th to 12th grades. In addition to academic studies, our dedicated experts will guide students in identifying suitable career paths based on their interests, skills, and abilities.
Digital Skills for Children and Women
In today’s rapidly evolving world, digital skills have become indispensable. Ensuring that both children and women have equitable access to and can cultivate these skills is paramount for their personal and professional advancement. To address this need, we propose the establishment of two digital skill centers in these areas, which will offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to empower individuals with the following competencies:
Foundational Computer Proficiency: Equipping learners with essential knowledge of hardware, software, and operating systems. This includes instructing them on how to proficiently utilize computers, keyboards, and mice, as well as providing a basic computer course to kickstart their digital journey.
Online Safety Awareness: Empowering children, girls, and women with the tools to navigate the digital landscape safely. This entails educating them on recognizing and thwarting online threats, such as cyberbullying, phishing attempts, and inappropriate content, ensuring their online experiences are secure.
Efficient Typing Skills: Acknowledging the importance of efficient typing skills for effective computer use, communication, and future career prospects. We emphasize teaching participants how to type efficiently and accurately, a crucial skill in the digital age.
Digital Literacy: Fostering the ability to navigate the vast digital information landscape with confidence. Participants will learn how to find and evaluate information on the internet, honing their skills in distinguishing between reliable and unreliable sources.
Multimedia Competence: Introducing the basics of creating and editing digital media, encompassing images, audio, and video. This empowers individuals to engage creatively with digital content and express themselves effectively.
Digital Communication Proficiency: Enhancing communication and networking opportunities by equipping participants with proficiency in email, social media, and online networking tools. These skills enable individuals to connect, collaborate, and build valuable relationships in the digital realm.
By establishing these digital skill centers and implementing this holistic curriculum, we aim to bridge the digital divide, promote inclusivity, and provide the younger generation and women with the tools they need to thrive in our increasingly digitalized world.
Education for All: Children’s Fellowship Programs
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on rural villages, particularly on their health and education systems. This crisis has had long-lasting effects on our society, particularly concerning livelihoods and employment, which in turn poses a substantial threat to children’s education. Children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are especially vulnerable to dropping out of school, engaging in child labor, or falling victim to human trafficking. It’s important to recognize that a child who drops out of school is at risk of becoming a child laborer.
To mitigate the risk of children dropping out of school, we propose to provide fellowships to support vulnerable children. In previous years, our fellowship program, aimed at covering school-related expenses, has proven effective in retaining children in schools. Therefore, we propose to continue this initiative by offering school-related expense fellowships to 100 children each year. This fellowship will cover various essential aspects of their education, including school fees, learning materials, notebooks, school uniforms, and shoes, among other necessities. The distribution of fellowships will be determined on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that the specific needs of each selected child are addressed through collaborative discussions.
Village Gender Education Resource Centre (VGERC)
In each area, we propose the establishment of Village Gender Education Resource Centers (VGERC). VGERC are essential in bridging the gender gap in rural areas and fostering positive social and economic changes. They create a supportive environment where girls and women can access resources, build skills, and gain the confidence to challenge gender disparities and contribute to their communities’ development. The specific functions and activities undertaken by VGRCs:
Gender Awareness and Education: VGERC will take the lead in organizing workshops, training sessions, and awareness campaigns aimed at educating adolescent boys and girls, women and community on matters pertaining to gender, women’s rights, and the significance of gender parity.
Access to Information: VGERC will function as information hubs, affording women access to vital resources, government initiatives, and services related to health, education, legal rights, and financial literacy.
Legal Aid and Advocacy: VGERC will be instrumental to women encountering gender-based violence or discrimination. It will also engage in advocacy efforts to promote women’s rights and gender equality at the local level
Health, Hygiene, and Sex Education: These centers will actively work toward enhancing women’s and girls’ access to healthcare services while promoting hygiene practices and providing comprehensive sex education to improve their overall well-being. This includes the organization of educational sessions will focus on sexual health and awareness. VGERC will also develop educational materials on gender and caste equality, which will be distributed to educational support and learning centers.
Child and Maternal Health: VGERC will prioritize the improvement of maternal and child health by arranging antenatal care programs, immunization drives, and nutritional education for mothers.
Awareness about Gender-Based Violence: VGERC will conduct impactful campaigns aimed at raising awareness about gender-based violence.
In sum, Village Gender Education Resource Centers will serve as pivotal institutions in rural areas, fostering gender equality and empowering girls and women to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of their communities.
Bal Mela
This initiative aims to nurture creativity and boost self-confidence in young individuals. To foster the sharing of children’s experiences and the expression of their hidden talents, we will organize Children’s Fairs in both regions.
Community Awareness program
Regular monthly Meetings will be arranged with women’s groups to enhance community awareness regarding education, healthcare, hygiene, local self-governance, nutrition, information about government welfare programs, and the National Livelihood Rural Mission. This initiative aims to expand the knowledge base of women’s groups and inspire them to collaborate in addressing local challenges. These all meetings will organize in the VOC field areas women groups and new proposed villages. Sharing and exchange of the programs will strengthen the all the village women groups.
Engaging with Children and Youth: Monthly meetings will be scheduled with children and youth to discuss topics related to education, health, hygiene, and environmental issues Its primary role will be to educate members about safe and healthy living while advocating for timely healthcare services from the government. These all meetings will organize in the VOC field areas Children groups and new proposed villages. Sharing and exchange of the programs will be strengthening the all the village children groups.
Capacity Building of the Staff
AMAN and VIMARSH will schedule monthly meetings and an annual training program to enhance team capacity and ensure the effective execution of the program. Additionally, in the second and fourth years, we will facilitate experience-sharing visits for the Hope for Children team. These visits will provide valuable opportunities for mutual learning and witnessing the program’s impact.
This project will run from December 1, 2023 to October 31, 2025. The committed total is $59,688.00 – a mere $63.00 per child
