STORIES OF CHANGE
Eye Care Program
Arjun Mohan Vasava is a 60-year-old resident of Songadh, Gujarat. He is filled with hope and is happily supporting his family with their farming and his grandchildren. But, before two years, he had lost positivity and was physically dependent on his family members. He developed a cataract a few years ago that limited his physical mobility. As his vision was blurring, he could barely manage to walk and took the support of family members to do his daily chores. Things went from bad to worse, as he often complained of headaches. His health condition also affected him mentally, as he was forced to stay indoors. Belonging to one of the poorest of poor households, his annual family income was Rs.48,000. On this income, they could barely manage basic family expenses for their five-membered family. He could not afford his regular medical check-ups, so cataract surgery was out of the question. He was filled with hope when community members shared with him about the Sparsh Social Foundation's health care program. The program supports cataract surgeries for aged community members. He was able to undergo cataract surgery with the support of Sparsh Social Foundation. He regained his vision, and he wasn't dependent on his family members for their daily chores. He is grateful to Sparsh for treatment. He shares, "After the surgery, I started to see clearly. My eyes don't hurt, and I am relieved from those headaches. Now I can do all the activities myself without any help. I can freely move to my village. This was made possible by Sparsh Social Foundation, and I am thankful to them”.
Digital Literacy Centre
Parveena was a 15-year-old school dropout from 7th grade. She never understood the importance of education and how it could help shape her future; hence, she stopped going to school to pursue further studies. She always wanted to support her family financially but could not apply for any decent jobs as she was lacking basic education as well as computer knowledge and skills.
She learned about the Sparsh Social Foundation Digital Literacy program and enrolled herself in a nearby centre for training on Computer Skills. She has now successfully completed her training at the centre and has got herself a job in a general store. Parveen is now happily settled in her job and is also helping her family financially. The centre is now motivating her to attend private coaching so she can complete her further studies. She now realizes the importance and value of education in one's life and is looking to finish her 12th Grade. She shares, “When I heard about Sparsh Social Foundation Digital Literacy centre which is absolutely free. I was so happy to learn computer education. I was surprised when I saw computers with internet connection, projector, and printer. I didn’t know how to operate even one single device in the centre. But now I have opened up my own email id as well as done ticket booking.”
Sustainable Farming
Sparsh Social Foundation nurtured his hobby of growing vegetables into a never-ending passion for farming. Post completing his graduation, he too faced the dilemma of chasing a city life or staying back in the village and working towards becoming self-reliant. Choosing the latter, he started working at his father’s farm. People often mocked his decision to stay back, but he trusted his roots and soil. He was aware of the Sparsh Social Foundation’s initiatives and their support for farmers in Songarh. He got in touch with them, and it changed his life. Motivating a few of his friends, they started community farming and availed the water from Irrigation Program of Sparsh. Practicing drip irrigation, they were able to grow crops like cauliflower, tomatoes, brinjals, chilies etc. Seeing this, other farmers in his village got motivated too, and are growing cash crops. Sparsh trained him in advanced Farming Practices, and it has helped him expand his farming business. He started farming on less than half an acre of land, and at present, he grows crops on more than 3 acres. He makes Rs 1.5 lac annually from farming. His family is proud of him, and other farmers in his village look up to him.
Micro Dairy
Sparsh Social Foundation has enabled Radha to support her family with its Micro-Dairy program. Due to loss in her husband's business, Radha’s family had to undergo a financial crisis. But she was aware of Sparsh Social Foundation Micro-Dairy program, and she joined one of the Dairy Interest Group (DIG) which has engaged more than 100 households in her village. Sparsh Social Foundation has trained her with technical and financial knowledge, and the fundamentals to run a dairy business. Sparsh has also helped to build her capacity with best practices to increase milk yield and to establish market linkages. Sparsh Social Foundation also supported her to procure loans from Self Help Groups (SHG’s) for buying cattle and expanding her dairy farm. Dairy farming has helped her earn an average income of INR 100,000 per year. Further, to increase the productivity of cattle, Sparsh Social Foundation also supported her by introducing an Artificial Insemination program to non-descript cattle which in the long run will further increase her annual income.
Self Help Group enabling women empowerment
Bangari Palak is 48-year-old women from Jamuleibadi village. She is a mother of 2 daughters and 1 son. Her story is also same as Majhi Mani Phulaka. Till 2016, she was facing many financial problems and always had to take favor of sahukaar for money and in return paid very high rate of interest. After becoming member of SHG she got financial strength as she had her own SHG savings for any emergency. In 2018, she received 1 Goat from Sparsh. Today she owns 12 Goats. In FY 2021-22, she sold 13 goats in Rs 1 Lakh. With that m money she has constructed her own new home. She is thankful to Team Sparsh Social Foundation for their help and guidance.
Irrigation Program
GulabbhaiJatariyabhai stays in Gunasada of Tapidistrict. His village is near by the company. In his village very few farmers dofarm due to very little water available for use. Last year Sparsh social foundation visited his village and formed group of farmers. Also, meeting was taken and information about drum drip irrigation was given to farmers. SSF staff informed them how one can do farming with little water using drum drip irrigation method. They formed group of 15 farmers and registered their name for drum drip unit. All farmers submitted public contribution and received drum drip unit. Mr. Jitendra paal provided them practical training about scientific farming in little water. Gulabbhai did farming of eggplant and got success. He received 300% more production of eggplants than before.
VermiCompost
RaviJanglya stays in Navi Ukai , Gujarat. Ravi was using chemical fertilizer every year which was increasing cost of his farming. Last year SSF staff visited his village and taken meeting of farmers. He formed group of 12 farmers and explained them harmfulness due to chemical fertilizers and benefits of organic farming. He also explained how one can increase production and decrease cost using vermi compost. Ravi also registered his name as beneficiary for vermi compost bed. All farmers were given vermi compost kit and provided training about vermi compost. He went as per his training and prepared vermi compost with help of SSF staff. SSF staff used to visit him frequently to monitor the growth. He got production of around 600 kg vermi fertilizer in first 60 days and later around 400 kg. He used this fertilizer in his farming and received good result compared to chemical fertilizer. Thus, he not only reduced cost but also received good production than before.
SejalbenGamit-Mashroom Cultivation
SejalbenGamit stays in Chacharbundatapi. Like other villages in her village too SSF staff had conducted meeting of farmers formed group of farmers. In meeting they explained about Mushroom cultivation that how one can cultivate itwith less investment and minimal efforts. Sejalben also registered herself for Mushroom cultivation and received training of mushroom cultivation for two days. After that she also received 5 kg seeds and with help of SSF staff she cultivated mushrooms.SSF Staff frequently visited her for monitoring growth. After 20 days she received first production around 1.5 kg. In just 20 days. And later on, she received around 20 kg mushrooms for two months and received good income in less effort and less investments.