HealthCare
Health camps work on the simple goal of reliable and affordable and quality health care services to the communities that do not have access to these services or even the basic knowledge on how to access them.This is ensured by providing services of paediatrics, general physicians, gynaecology, ENT and ophthalmology with free check-ups, various free medication, prescriptions and references for further treatment.
The foundation, in tandem with local healthcare facilities, not just provides these services, but educates these communities to better equip them to look after themselves.
Health Camps
These health camps are conducted at regular intervals to diagnose and treat people with ailments. A large camp is set-up for the entire community, even for neighbouring villages to ensure that everyone gets proper care.
If a more severe ailment is diagnosed, a prescription is issued and the patients are given referrals to get the right treatment, and at subsidised rates. The foundation provides continuous support through free medication, by conducting the camps regularly and even by following up on referred patients.
An important objective of these camps is also to educate the local population with basic knowledge of nutrition, first aid and physical health care and monitoring. When an overall healthy lifestyle is promoted, these communities become self-sustaining and can grow further, one step at a time.
Eye Camps
A major concern with vision in rural communities is loss of power and cataract. The eye camps conducted predominantly deal with issuing prescription lenses and even providing treatment for cataract with partner hospitals. With the help of our partners we hold periodic eye screening camps and also disseminate glasses in these communities.
Education
Education is important for everyone. Rural communities are already disadvantaged when it comes to the opportunity of education, and this disadvantage is exaggerated to women and girl-children. Since the foundation’s goal is the eradication of poverty though independence, attention is given not just to overall education, but to bridging the gender gap. Health, income and change are the outcomes when everyone in the rural ecosystem is given the care and support they need.
Hunarshala
A space available to children that attend government school with the freedom to explore their passion, develop their interests, indulge in the creative, co-create and participate in projects of change may seem a fantastical idea, and one we share with pride.
Flexible and adaptive learning is an important change to the current system to stay ahead of the evolving world, and to also account for alternative skills that traditionally are not given attention.
The Hunarshala initiative develops a culture of self-designed learning, where children work on projects of change based on their interests while a facilitator guides and assists them through that journey. It is creativity and innovation driven, inciting holistic development for children and youth. The activities available in the Hunarshala are sport, art & craft, computers, robotics, music, dance and more.
Currently, we drive this space with 40 children in the village of Aaspura, Rajasthan.
Alternative Education Program
This initiative first began in 2010, to provide functional literacy to artisans and the rural community that did not have the opportunity to complete their primary education.
It is a 6 month program consisting of regular 2 hour-long classes, and teaches basic literacy and math, understanding health, hygiene, family life and confidence-building activities to become more self-sustaining. The educated women of the community become the teachers, and are given training to participate effectively.
Government Linkages and Financial Inclusion
The state and central government bodies in India have created multiple welfare programs but these are woefully under-utilised due to poor awareness and literacy in the rural communities. The benefits of all these available services are still out of reach of the people in need, and there is no progress although there is investment of resource.
The foundation joins the hands that don’t meet by educating rural communities on the services available, their rights and monitors the follow through of these programs to avoid any foul play.
Financial Inclusion
The foundation assists in making use of local banking services (conventional and innovative) by basic education in financial planning and opening bank accounts.
As today’s financial system is complex to navigate and rural communities are left with an even bigger disadvantage. They struggle to make ends meet and get trapped in cycles of debt or lose out on providing for their family or even looking after their own wellbeing.
When the rural communities start utilising these facilities, they are open to more opportunities and government schemes as they are linked with accounts and national identification (Aadhaar).
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan
This is a pension scheme for daily wage-earners by the Government of India that provides them financial assistance in their old age.
Artisan Cards
An Artisan card is a photo identity card that is linked to national identification (Aadhaar) that provides access to State and Central government welfare schemes.
Labour Cards
Most rural families are daily wage-earners and more specifically, from masonry and labour. The Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board in each state has comprehensive welfare programs that can be utilised once these families get the Labour Card.
Scholarships
Scholarships provide unabated education to artisans’ children that deserve, so that they can reach new heights and follow a career of their own choosing.