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| Integrated Rural
Development |
  
JJVS is intimately connected with all aspects of rural village management
and development issues. Our unique breadth of experience on the ground
gives us the qualifications to ensure that any regional development
project is appropriately contextualised for maximum effectiveness.
Rural Water management
and Drought Relief
We have been directly involved with rural water management
issues for over 14 years. JJVS is positioning itself to
be the lead liaison agency in Rajasthan for drought relief
and water management programmes. We released an extensive
analysis and proposal package in conjunction with Peoples
Science Institute (PSI) in 2001.
This project, "Rural Water Management, Proposal and
Report", details the results of extensive surveys
and consultations with key stakeholders, including scientific
experts, rural community representatives, and government
and aid agencies. Surveys were conducted across 134 villages,
including household sampling, participatory exercises,
and technical surveys.
A set of core recommendations focuses on locally appropriate,
alternative solutions to water scarcity.
Education
• Literacy (Shiksadan): JJVS believes
that progress begins with literacy, especially amongst
women and elderly people. Shiksadan is an integral component
of JJVS activities in Integrated Rural Development.
• NFE (Non-Formal Education): JJVS
was instrumental in establishing 23 NFE centres that served
nearly 600 children, 145 of who were later admitted to
government schools.
Women's Development Programmes
While working with marginalised communities, we have a
special focus on the most at-risk groups, particularly
women ex-convict, widows, single mothers, and children.
Every JJVS programme considers these groups as primary
beneficiaries. Some specific JJVS projects for these groups
include: formation of Women's groups; Celebration of Women's
Day; community capacity-building; participation in Village
Democracy (Gram Sabha).
Public Cause
• Rehabilitation:
JJVS is a leader in the demand for rehabilitation packages
for 844 families affected in the 1st phase of Mansiwakal
dam project; we produced a memorandum to the District
Commissioner over the forceful occupation of land by the
Government; and provided support to communities as 4000
soldiers were deployed by the government to counter the
protest by the local residents to drilling work.
•
Rights of Ownership: Staged protest under the
banner of Jungle Jameen Jan Andolan (Land Rights Movement);
assisted in the submission of over 10,000 claims to the
Government of Rajasthan
• Drought Relief
Protest: Conducted a one-month protest during
January 2000 over the Government’s inability to
tackle the drought situation in the 4th successive year.
• Mines labour protection: JJVS
analysed the mining impact on environment and community;
nominated as the lead monitoring agency to resolve all
issues related to mining labour safety and environmental
protection; conducted 11 programs during 2000 -2001 in
this regard.
• Village Democracy:
JJVS actively supports local sovereignty (self-rule) initiatives
Microenterprises
JJVS is involved with the development of small-scale commercial
enterprises with direct benefit to local communities.
JJVS has organised over 300 group meetings and training
workshops associated with development programmes and cooperative
savings (Gram Kosh). We also assist in the formation of
apex organisational bodies and joint fundraising.
Over the past 12 years, JJVS has assisted 93 SHGs (Self
Help Groups) 63 villages in the investment of over Rs.1,071,330
to various local schemes. Examples of these initiatives
include:
• Funding of food grain and fodder
stores
• Development of dairy cooperatives in
2 villages, where around 1500 –2000 litres/day is
collected and marketed to Government milk buyers in Udaipur.
• Seed capital to plant nearly 3,000 fruit plants in 13 villages.
  
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