Overview

This project focuses on three key aspects that contribute to poverty in remote villages in northern India: a lack of access to clean water, a lack of sanitation facilities and food insecurity. Our partner has ambitious plans to work in 20 villages in the area over 4 years. The project started small to gauge community interest and fine-tune the roll out process. Initially, two water systems were built in two villages and in a joint effort with village women, greenhouses were constructed in four other villages. Vegetables were grown in these houses to improve nutrition (a major issue in this area) and provide cash crops for sale to the nearest big town. 20 latrines were built in four villages and sanitation and hygiene training was provided.

Why support this

This is an extremely poor part of India. The men of the villages are often away in larger towns trying to earn an income to send home. There are no toilets or taps, and electricity is rare. Women work hard in the fields and then have to travel long distances to collect drinking water. Changing weather patterns have resulted in reduced crop yields, therefore malnutrition is a major problem. The lack of sanitation and clean water means health is poor for everyone, but particularly for pregnant women and infants. We love that this project is targeting the keys to breaking poverty in this area. We also really appreciate the wise way each village has been chosen. By choosing villages where success is most guaranteed, our partner is building enthusiasm for other villages to participate. We value the holistic nature of our partner’s approach, working on interlinked issues which, when solved together, provide the greatest chance for breaking intergenerational poverty.

Budget

$13,000 for year 4 of a 4yr project. Total budget of $52,000.

Expected Life Change

• Improved diet leads to less malnutrition and greater energy to earn an income.
• Less time spent collecting water increases opportunities to undertake other income generating activities, or even just to draw breath.
• Reduced risk of injury to women at night and improved health of the entire village through access to latrines.