MAHAN SEVA SANSTHANMAHAN SEVA SANSTHAN (MSS)

Jhadol The Face of change

More than what meets the eye

Jhadol Tehsil, Udaipur district, Rajasthan – brings to mind, undulating hills, scattered hamlets, Mahua trees, Bhil dancers, Bhil hunters posing for tourists’ benefit, beautiful havelis converted to grand hotels...

Tourists’ Paradise

The reality however, is much different — poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, lost childhoods are rampant problems faced by the people of the area.

Behind the Scenes

70% of the population is below the poverty line

Average family income is between Rs. 5,000 – 6,000 per year

Almost every family is indebted to local landlords

Low Immunization rates among children

70 out of 1,000 infants die of avoidable reasons – malnutrition, pneumonia, dehydration

Untold Woes

7 out 1,000 mothers die at child birth

60-70% of the marriages are child marriages

Distance of water sources for 70% of the households - 3km

There are 9 Upper Primary Schools, 31 Primary Schools. But hardly any are functional due to lack of infrastructure, poor teacher attendance and lack of funds

In 46 village hamlets in Jhadol Block:

Stemming from ignorance and poverty, these issues are worsened by unfriendly geographical conditions.

Harsh Conditions

At 400mm pa, rainfall is unpredictable, affecting agriculture—their main source of income

It is also the cause for high cattle mortality during the drought season

Ranging from 35º C in the summer to 8º C in the winter, extreme temperatures make life a hardship

The situation is worse for Failing household economics force children to work for survival

Some children drop out of schools as a result

Some get left behind with elders in the village while the adults migrate seasonally

Even in the normal course, children help out the family in agriculture and cattle grazing

Children are the Worst Hit

This repeats generation after generation—children deprived of proper childhoods have nothing but deprived

adulthoods to look forward to.

A Vicious Cycle

Germination of hope

Since 1989, CRY supported project - Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS), a Not-for-profit organization has been working at integrated development by promoting sustainable education, health, environment conservation and livelihood initiatives for the marginalized communities, in rural Rajasthan. They employ a community-based model to address each issue parallely, so their combined results are holistic and lasting.

Work at the Grass Roots

Using their community based model, MSS began work in Jhadol.Their forum Manav Vikas Manch served as the centre for all interactions. Their issue-specific communities pooled back here to combine forces.

Beginning of a New Direction

Mahila Samiti: Works on women’s social and

health issues

Jagruk Manch: Helps amplify the villagers voices on various issues, including employment

NTFP Cooperative (Non-Timber Forest Produce): Manages collection and marketing of minor forest produce, a secondary source of income

Dai Morcha: Community for midwives; ensures training and works at getting them recognition from the government. It serves a symbiotic cause – job recognition for the Dai in the health sector of the state, assistance during child birth and care for women

Bal Panchayat: Emphasising on children’s role in the decisions affecting their lives and future, building confidence, encouraging leadership

Communities-based Approach

Awareness on birth registration, immunization of children, and nutrition were increased through health camps

10 Integrated Child Development Centres (ICDs) were made active

Government is forced to conduct regular health checkups providing advice and treatment to the villagers

Gauri, a Dai (mid-wife) says, “We know the villages and villagers well and can help in institutionalizing deliveries”

Health on the Forefront

MSS worked at bringing 100% enrolment and retention of children in schools

4 schools lying defunct have been reactivated, teachers appointed, new rooms built where necessary and their smooth running is monitored

Regularity of teachers’ attendance is monitored

7 Bal Panchayats were formed with children between the ages 9-17 years, giving the children an opportunity to raise their voices and their Right to Participation.

A Bal Sarpanch is elected to ensure smooth operation of the Panchayats.

Back to School

Mahendra Singh, 10 years, Head

of the Children’s group says,

“Every Panchayat (village council)

should have a Bal Panchayat

(children’s council) and all the

children should enlist in them.”

And Change Happens

The combined efforts of all the communities have borne fruit

Birth registration increased by 100%

100% immunisation of children has been achieved in 4 villages and 80% in 26 villages

235 children in 26 villages have been provided with supplementary nutrition

Infant and mother mortality has been brought down drastically

100% enrolment of children ages between 6 -14 years

Ensured 100% retention of children in schools

Healthier Lifestyles

Leela, a 13 year old girl, part

of adolescent boys and girls

group (Kishor- Kishoriya)

says, “One shouldn’t get

married before the age of 18

”

With the root causes being addressed, Jhadol now wears a happier, more prosperous look

Hopeful Futures

People have better incomes and job security even during the drought seasons

The women are aware of their health issues. They receive proper medical aid during child birth and post natal care

Children receive good, quality education, are well nourished, immunized against diseases and are healthy

CRYMore Than a

Catalyst

MSS was involved in the day-to-day issues of the people and CRY worked from behind the scenes, providing funding, planning, management, training, and ensuring quality of work.

An Active Partner

CRY and YOUThis, in a nutshell is what CRY attempts to do with each of the organisations and thousands of communities it works with. The core of this is the belief that each child has rights that the society and the state owe him/her. We work towards restoring to them what is rightfully theirs.

The right :to survival to developmentto protectionagainst exploitationto participation in the

decisions affecting their future

Jhadol is a success because

of the support provided by

people like you. You could

help us improve the

situation of many such

Jhadols and create a just

world for the

children of India.

What do you think about CRY’s

work in Jhadol? We will look forward to hearing from you.

You can mail us at webinfo@cry.org.

Special thanks to Kaushal for volunteering to shoot the project pictures

To know more about CRY visit www.cry.org