Lives Touched
2018 - 2021
Chatra Gram Panchayat, Baduria Block, North 24 Paraganas, West Bengal
The Story
Indienhilfe e. V. Herrsching in the year 2013 introduced the concept of Green Panchayat for Sustainable Development (GPSD) which aimed at developing a sustainable green village model in and strengthening the existing ‘Town Twining Programme’ between Chhatra of North 24 Parganas West Bengal and Herrshing, Germany for an effective partnership.
GPSD conceived its goal in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) focusing on–SDG – 1 (End poverty in all its forms everywhere), SDG – 2 (End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture), SDG – 4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all), SDG – 5 (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls) SDG – 6 (Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all) along with SDG – 15 ( Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems).
Hijli INSPIRATION joined hands with Indienhilfe e. V. Herrsching in the holistic development programme since 2018.
The major verticals of interventions included :
- Livelihood Improvement
- Women Empowerment
- Community Institution strengthening
- Safe Water Practice
- Environmental conservation
- Hygiene and sanitation
- Ensuring rights and entitlements
Champions of Tomorrow
Women Mobilized for Strengthened Collective Functioning
Thongas or the small paper pouches are low cost, popular and environmentally sustainable packaging – which unfortunately had lost its market to poly bags. Under the project where the ban on plastic use has been a major focus, it was felt necessary to promote paper packets in the community and local markets. Training was conducted with 31 SHG members and 6 female participants from the community. This had an immediate impact on enthusiasts like Mandira Sardar, Puja Sardar who instantly took up ‘thonga’ making with the facilitation of the INSPIRATION field team.
Women Farmers in Organic Farming
After being trained on organic farming Pramila Sardar, Swapna Sardar, Meena Oraon of the Rajani Self Help Group, Latika Sardar, Mousumi Sardar and Rajani Sardar from Karunamoyee group and Sandhya Sardar from Matangini Group picked up kitchen gardening and guided other group members to convert their empty homestead land into a kitchen garden. The freshly grown vegetables from the kitchen garden was a real boon during the COVID lockdown period, when availability and affordability of food grains and vegetables was a challenge.
Student Eco Groups in Environmental Hygiene and Conservation - Change Makers in School and Community
Eco Group of Dakhshin Chatra Boys School has brought in behavioural changes among the school authority, midday meal workers school students on waste disposal method and got them installed in the school premises and the midday meal kitchen. In addition to that Eco group had prepared handmade waste boxes (green and red) for individual classes.
Joyful Learning Opportunity for Children – A Back-up Centre in Operation
45 Children from Adibasipara- strengthening the basic literacy skills through joyful learning in a backup coaching centre. The learning continued using digital means during the Covid 19 pandemic situation.