Projects – Maharashtra Foundation

Maharashtra Foundation Initiative – Pancham

September 28, 2023

Building vibrant villages based on

MF Five Sutras

We believe that by intertwining these elements, we will create a strong foundation for long-lasting progress

Our Indian NGO Partners
Principal Partner: Resource & Support Center for Development (RSCD)
Local Partners: AWARD, RUDYA, Climate Reality Project, Door Step Schools

How are we doing it?

Partner with NGOs.

Establish Ownership and leadership in the village by creating a village development team

Plan the projects based on village needs

Set budgets and monitor expenses

Leverage available Government Programs

Monthly Status meetings to review progress and engage with the village development team

Estimated 3-year Funding per village

$100,000

Distributed over 3 years.

Work in Progress in two Villages

Kusumbi, Satara

Mutnur, Gadchiroli

Plan to engage with 3 more villages by 2025

Extend the program to more villages beyond 2025

kusumbi

Women empowerment in villages

September 27, 2023

Women’s empowerment is one of the important focus areas of Pancham. Women are a critical part of the development of villages.

Strengthen the Kusumbi women’s microfinancing groups.
Conduct leadership workshops for women
Increase participation in Panchayat ( Village governing body)
Connect with government officers
Skill development programs are arranged for women
Women are helming AgroMilet Women Farmer Company
Women have taken responsibility for spreading the use of eco-friendly chulas in the village.

Mutnur

create water reservoir for farming & fisheries

September 27, 2023

The villagers, local NGO Rudya, and Maharashtra Foundation came together and decided to build a water reservoir. All required permissions were obtained from the local government bodies. The villagers contributed to the effort by doing the groundwork. They were paid under rojgar hami yojana.

The water reservoir is expected to provide several significant benefits to a Mutnur:

1. Agriculture: Mutnur people rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. A water reservoir allows for the controlled release of water, enabling farmers to irrigate their crops year-round. This can lead to increased agricultural productivity, better crop yields, and reduced vulnerability to droughts.
2. Livestock: Mutnur’s livestock will also benefit from the water reservoir. It will ensure a consistent supply of water for animals, which is essential for their health and well-being.
3. Economic Opportunities: Improved access to water can open up economic opportunities for the community. Villagers can engage in activities such as fisheries
4. Drought Mitigation: During periods of drought or water scarcity, a well-maintained reservoir can serve as a strategic reserve of water. It can be used to support the community until water sources are replenished.
5. Mutnur Village Development Committee (VDC) will be responsible for the maintenance, proper water management practices, and equitable distribution of water resources.

Mutnur

Improve Education for Tribal Children

September 27, 2023

During the MF Board members’ visit to Mutnur in January 2022, it was observed that there was room for improvement in the quality of education provided at the primary school for tribal children.

In response to this need, Door Step Schools (DSS), a renowned NGO in India with a strong track record of innovative programs to enhance literacy among marginalized communities, took action. DSS extended both online and on-site training sessions to three dedicated volunteer teachers from the village. The primary focus of this training was to equip these teachers with effective methods for teaching mathematics and language skills to primary school children.

The impact of this training has been notably positive. Children who had previously dropped out of school have now returned to the classroom. Daily classes are being conducted, and there’s a noticeable increase in the students’ enthusiasm for learning. This transformation is a testament to the effectiveness of the training provided by DSS and its contribution to enhancing educational opportunities for the children of Mutnur.

kusumbi

Pure Water

September 27, 2023

Two water ATMs are installed in the village as well as all shools in the village are provided with water filters.

The importance of pure drinking water and water ATMs (Automated Water Vending Machines) in villages cannot be overstated. Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right and a crucial factor in public health and community development. Here are some key reasons why pure drinking water and water ATMs are vital in rural areas:

1. Health Benefits: Clean and pure drinking water is essential for maintaining good health. Contaminated water can lead to waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and diarrhea, which are major causes of illness and death in many villages, especially among children and the elderly.
2. Reduced Waterborne Diseases: The availability of water ATMs that dispense purified water can significantly reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases by providing a convenient and reliable source of safe drinking water.
3. Improved Hygiene: Clean water is essential not only for drinking but also for maintaining proper hygiene. It is needed for cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene. Access to clean water can help reduce the spread of diseases and improve overall sanitation in villages
4. Community Well-being: Access to clean water fosters a sense of well-being and community development. When people have reliable access to safe drinking water, they are more likely to invest in their communities and work together for common goals.

kusumbi

Create Farmer Producer Organization

September 27, 2023

The Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) is a legally recognized entity comprising member farmers who collectively aim to provide comprehensive support and services to small-scale farmers. These services encompass various facets of agriculture, including technical assistance, marketing strategies, processing methods, and the provision of essential cultivation inputs. This contemporary approach is designed to ensure that producers receive optimal returns on their agricultural yields.

Maharashtra Foundation, the RSCD & AWARD helped Kusumbi women establish AgroMillet Women Farmer Producer Company, an FPO with a dedicated focus on cultivating Nachani. Their primary objectives are to secure competitive prices for their Nachani crops in the market, create value-added Nachani products, and effectively market them.

This project possesses the potential to serve as an economic catalyst within the village.

All formalities related to the company’s registration have been diligently completed, and women officials have been selected to lead the endeavor.

In 2022, designated as the International Year of Millets, Pancham played a pivotal role in assisting Kusumbi in declaring itself a “Nachani Gao” or Nachani Village. This declaration clearly communicated the village’s commitment to making Nachani their primary crop, thereby empowering Kusumbi farmers to negotiate better prices for their produce in the market.

A series of training programs were organized, featuring experts from renowned agricultural institutes. Additionally, 80 kilograms of improved Nachani seeds were distributed to the farmers to enhance their crop yields.

Pancham has pledged funding support for a bakery, further diversifying income sources.

The search for suitable land to establish a processing plant is currently underway.

It is anticipated that the FPO will become fully operational by the conclusion of 2023.

proposed processing plant — Proposed processing plant

kusumbi

Transform Schools to Green Campus

September 27, 2023

Collaborating with the Climate Reality Project, we have undertaken an initiative to transform two schools in Kusumbi into environmentally conscious Green Campuses while introducing eco-friendly cooking solutions known as “nirdhur chul”.

Green Campus Transformation:

1. Environmental Education: We are sensitizing school teachers about critical environmental issues to cultivate a culture of sustainability within the school community.
2. Solar Energy: The installation of 3 KW solar panels is underway to harness clean energy, reducing the carbon footprint of these schools.
3. Rainwater Harvesting: We are implementing a rainwater harvesting system to conserve precious water resources.
4. Water Conservation: To minimize water wastage, we are replacing leaking taps with efficient push taps.Waste Management: On both campuses, we are introducing color-coded bins to facilitate waste segregation, along with the creation of a compost pit for the sustainable management of organic waste.

Eco-Friendly Chuls:

The introduction of eco-friendly Chuls is aimed at providing households with smoke-free stoves fueled by wood and charcoal, offering a safe, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative.

Climate Reality Project is helping in :

1. 1. 1. Practical Training: Conducting hands-on training sessions to teach residents how to construct and use these eco-friendly Chuls effectively.
    2. Performance Testing: Conduct kitchen performance tests to highlight the differences between traditional stoves and the improved eco-friendly Chuls.
    3. Women’s Employment Model: Develop an employment model for women in the village, enabling them to offer installation services of the eco-friendly Chuls to village households for a reasonable fee. Kusumbi goal for Kusumbi is to have 100 households equipped with these eco-friendly Chuls, promoting cleaner and safer cooking practices while benefiting the environment and the local community.