Society for Rural Development
OUR NATIONAL FATHER HAS SAID:
NOT TO BE SERVED; BUT TO SERVE
"Recall the face of the Poorest and the most helpless man
whom you may have seen and ask yourself,
If the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him?
Will he be able to gain anything by it?
Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny?
In other words, will it lead to swaraj or self-rule for the hungry?
and also spiritually starved millions of our countrymen?
Then you will find your doubts and yourself melting away."
ACHIEVEMENTS BY SFRD
- Initiation of social sector activities like Education, Health, General Empowerment and Economic activities like Mat weaving, Handloom, Basket Making, Carpentry, Bee-keeping & collection of Honey to mention a few, as also motivation on Self-Governance has helped in the erasing of various deficiencies that existed in the society and resulted in the improvement of the family income.
- The introduction of modern techniques in Agriculture in the lands of our Tribal farmers has resulted in the conversion of wasted lands to farmland. This activity of ours has generated additional income for the families.
- Our organization is responsible for the eradication of the Barter system which was prevalent in this belt. Now the tribals get their due value for their products in the open market.
- Handloom training and production has helped in bringing welcome change in the Dressing culture of the Tribal community here. We are proud to mention here that our organization is responsible for this revolution. Now the tribals wear clothes made from cloth woven by their own hands instead of using the used cloth, as was the case a few years ago.
- Through proper education & motivation, our organization has substantially reduced the mortality rate during pregnancy, and of both mother and baby during and following delivery.
- The early marriage system in the tribal community stands totally abolished due to our efforts through the primary and secondary education inculcated on the children and non-formal adult education.
- Our school is instrumental in developing a competitive spirit among schools in the area, which has contributed to their effective working and achieving better exam results.
- Our greatest achievement in our 19 years of existence & service has been in raising the literacy level among the tribal community from a mere 0.2% during the 80's to 30% currently. Our efforts have generated a greater interest in Education among the people.
- The quality of education provided in our school has helped our students to score high marks equivalent to District & State Standards in the public exams and has generated interest in education among fellow students. Our school has been registering a 100% pass result in the public exams of SSLC and Plus Two for the past 17 years.
- Many of our ex-students have graduated in Science, Arts and Engineering disciplines and a few of them are serving as Teachers here in our area. This makes us very happy, as it is evidence and proud testimony of our organization's selfless service to society.
- We are also happy to inform this august assembly that our members have properly utilized all loans availed by them and have reaped the benefits and are now enjoying an improved standard of living.
- Our organization has now taken another step to fulfill the long felt need of the people of this area by establishing the Milling Unit to mill samai and other millets and cereals.
- Our effective service through various activities has resulted in 17,000 families being categorized as having reached self-sustenance level in our 2 block Development areas of tribal and rural villages. We are happy to add that their family incomes have strengthened to such an extent that they are now paying Hostel fees of Rs.150/- per month to their wards. This we consider as an evidence of fruits of our effective social service.
- The Honey procured by our centre is processed scientifically and the processed Honey is much sought after by both the general public and commercial establishments. We are happy to say that more than 2500 families are benefiting from the project. They are assured of a reasonable rate for their produce.
- For ensuring the availability of timely credit to our target group, loans are disbursed through a "Revolving Fund Loan" system. We have disbursed short and medium term loans aggregating Rs.25,00,000/- to the needy for various purposes which include Dug well digging, Oil Engine purchase, Sheep rearing, Plough Bullock purchases, procurement & Sale of Agricultural produce, etc.,
- For the last 2 decades we have maintained 2 Creche centres to take care of children in the age group of 1-3 years. These centres are being maintained with the support of the Central Social Welfare Board.
- Our organization is taking care of the marketing of the produce of our members' through the two retail outlets established at Polur & Jamunamarathur. This ensures obtaining the best prices for members for their produce.
- The Milling Unit is ensuring the generation of employment for 10 women and service to tribal community in all. This centre is involved in the production of Starch from Tamarind Seeds, Herbal Powder, processed food products, Oil extraction and animal feed. We undertake that our organization is ensuring high quality products.
- For the last 5 Years we have run 2 KGBV( Kasthuriba Gandhi Baliga Vidyalaya) Residential Schools to take care of School drop out and never enrolled Tribal Girls children in the age group of 11-14 years, in order to eradicate childhood marriage, practice among the tribal community. These centres are being maintained with the support of the Ministry of Human Resources and Development, Govt. of India through Education dept. of Tamilnadu.
- We are running a hostel for 400 Tribal Girls and Boys with the support of the Ministry of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, Govt. of Tamilnadu. Apart from this, 100 students were also accommodated as hostellers in the hostel and their boarding cost is sharing 50:50 by Parents and SFRD.
