Local Projects

COVID-19 Relief Initiatives and Enhancement of Livelihood

We have conducted COVID-19 Awareness programs and provided food grains targeting poor people living in Telangana State, India. As massive policy efforts to contain the global COVID 19 pandemic continue, countries are grappling to minimize the impact on the livelihoods of their citizens. As employees fell ill, reduced their working hours or lost their jobs, paid sick-leave schemes, short-time work schemes and unemployment benefits have kicked in, and JRDS have taken steps to make these programs more widely accessible or more generous.

These measures have helped to sustain the incomes of many and minimize initial job losses. But they have not reached all those whose livelihoods are affected. Even in Telangana with the most advanced systems of social protection, some workers and their families miss out: workers with non-standard jobs – the self-employed, temporary, and informal workers, and those who work very short hours – are often not covered by insurance-based unemployment and sickness benefit schemes. Others, who were already out of work before the crisis, now face protracted hardship. We JRDS found the situation is worse with large informal sectors and weak social protection systems where growing numbers of people lose work without any access to income support.

JRDS observed that COVID 19 crisis has laid bare pre-existing gaps in social protection provisions. In Telangana, the insurance function of social protection works well for employees with stable work histories. But those with unstable or short employment histories, the self-employed and other non-standard workers are often poorly or not protected. At the same time, the assistance function of social protection systems – provided last-resort minimum-income benefits for those with little or no other resources. Thousands of households in urgent received sufficient support by JRDS.

This Policy Brief discusses the measures, JRDS have taken to support the livelihoods of those who cannot access unemployment benefits or short-term work schemes. We provided basic need and amenities as a support for those struggling to meet their expenses.

Books Distribution Programme 

It is rightly said, “Books are man’s best friend”. However, books are inaccessible to a large number people because of their meagre purchasing power which is sometimes perhaps not even sufficient to pay for their basic needs like food and shelter. Underprivileged people are denied their basic rights and are thus victims of the vicious circle of poverty. This vicious circle can be broken by educating these people which can be done if books are made accessible to these people. JRDS believes today’s children are tomorrows leader and hence aims at reaching those children who are denied their basic right to education due to inability to afford education. Hence, JRDS Organized number of book distribution programs to provide free books and stationery to underprivileged children. These campaigns were very beneficial for realizing the sustainable development goal of providing education to all.

 Conservation Historical Monuments and Cultural Heritages 

There are 347 protected monuments located in all the 33 districts of Telangana. The protected sites/monuments include Pre-historic and Proto-historic sites, Rock Art Sites, Megalithic burial complexes, Jain temples (Basadis), Buddhist Sites/Monuments, Brahminical temples, Forts, Mosques, Tombs, Colonial heritage buildings etc., ranging in date right from prehistoric era to the 19th Century A.D.

We took a part in forward for preserving and conserving the Qutb Shahi Tombs Complex, Golconda for this year in coordination archeology specialists.

 Social Justice Empowerment & Tribal Development Initiatives 

Tribal Development Programmes are conducted frequently in Telangana State. A complete awareness on the Govt. Schemes related to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and their importance and the mode of approaching the schemes we clearly explained to them. 

Child Welfare & Child Labour Elimination Initiative

The JRDS organized awareness programs on Child Labour and sensitized the rural people of India. Explained to them about the ‘child labour and its consequences’ and the ‘importance of education’. Identified child labour and joined them in the bridge schools and did counselling and conducted awareness sessions for the parents. Further, the organization has also sensitized the public in its operational area about the rights of women & child and Human anti-trafficking, motivated them on various government schemes meant for the welfare of children & women/girl child.

Women Empowerment and Child Development Initiatives

Poverty not only deprives people of basic needs but also marginalizes them and leaves them vulnerable to exploitation. Thus access to livelihood development and a means to earn a wage is a fundamental need for maintaining a life with dignity through decades of work in the development sector, JRDS has witnessed the power of increased livelihood for women empowerment and youth skills improvement on the ability of the earning member to participate in family decisions and play a greater role in society as well. 

This is why one of our core programmes has been to develop sustainable livelihood opportunities to the marginalized community in rural and urban areas. JRDS made awareness programmes on the empowerment of women and development of children with Women along with children in India. 

National Festivals Celebration and Awareness

National Festival Celebrations as Republic Day, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Jayanthi, Maulana Azad Jayanthi, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi Jayanthi. On occasion of the above National Festivals Our Organization will conduct all these national festival celebrations.

India is a land of multi-ethnicity where people of different languages and cultures live together with peace and harmony. India is worldwide known for its cultural diversity and colorful festivals. Gandhi Jayanthi is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Every year, this auspicious occasion is celebrated on October 2 with great zeal and enthusiasm. People across the nation offer prayer services and tributes to Gandhi Ji on this day. Various cultural programs showcasing Gandhi Ji's life and struggle for independence are organized at school, colleges, government and private organizations every year. Also, different types of competition, such as essay writing, painting etc., are organized to remember the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.

 Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Program

This programmes are to improve the skills of the un-employees to be a self-employed in our society. We gave the trainings in tailoring and embroidery. These are the programs conducted by our society to improve their skill development. This program was to benefit the women. We have conducted many training courses in Tailoring and Embroidery etc., so that this will become an additional qualification for them to attend for any program, which included a program for 3 months’ period. 

Health, Hygiene and Sanitation Drives (HHSD)

JRDS initiating every year free medical aid programmes selecting the very needy villages among its working areas of India. Apart from creating awareness creation on health and hygiene, we initiate support services providing medical check-ups, the supply of medicines, referring needy to referral hospitals at the headquarters of Mandal/District/State level etc. 

The Health systems and status of the people’s especially those who live in the rural areas are so poor that they are subdued to many epidemics, ill health, seasonal diseases, malnutrition, child, menstrual problems in adolescents and maternal mortality and non-access to affordable and quality healthcare. Basic health care, health-hygiene, and sanitary education are also very low in rural areas. In this context, an efficient mechanism or process that envisages improving the health system addressing the key challenges in providing equitable and affordable health care to the rural population is inevitable. 

We organize Health camps every year in India, mainly in the months of June, July, August, and September for thousands of patients have been checked up. Medical officers from PHC attend the patients and prescribe medicines. The concerned PHCs will take part in distributing medicine/tablets to the patients.

Awareness on Gender and Equality (AGE)

Gender sensitization refers to the raising sensitization of gender equality concerns. It helps people in examining their personal attitudes and beliefs and questioning the realities of both sexes. Gender sensitization make people understand the difference between sex and gender, how gender is socially constructed and the stereotypes around gender roles It helps them determine which assumptions in matters of gender are valid and which are stereotyped. Need of gender sensitization is to create awareness among the working professionals about the importance of gender sensitivity in organization. Without being sensitive to the needs of a particular gender, an individual may refrain from understanding the opposite gender. Gender is Socially Learned behavior, based on social expectation from Men & Women. The women and children are most vulnerable group of this situation. And it’s the undue pressure on Boys & Girls to live up to the established norms of Masculinity & femininity. Girls endure unwarranted social control, discrimination & domination. Boys discouraged from being emotional, gentle or fearful. Gender Sensitization gives a clear and precise view about Gender and help to understand that GENDER is not about “Women” it’s about “People”. We have organized awareness programs in India and thousands of members were covered as beneficiaries under these programmes.

Awareness on Gender and Equality (AGE)

Gender sensitization refers to the raising sensitization of gender equality concerns. It helps people in examining their personal attitudes and beliefs and questioning the realities of both sexes. Gender sensitization make people understand the difference between sex and gender, how gender is socially constructed and the stereotypes around gender roles It helps them determine which assumptions in matters of gender are valid and which are stereotyped. Need of gender sensitization is to create awareness among the working professionals about the importance of gender sensitivity in organization. Without being sensitive to the needs of a particular gender, an individual may refrain from understanding the opposite gender. Gender is Socially Learned behavior, based on social expectation from Men & Women. The women and children are most vulnerable group of this situation. And it’s the undue pressure on Boys & Girls to live up to the established norms of Masculinity & femininity. Girls endure unwarranted social control, discrimination & domination. Boys discouraged from being emotional, gentle or fearful. Gender Sensitization gives a clear and precise view about Gender and help to understand that GENDER is not about “Women” it’s about “People”. We have organized awareness programs in India and thousands of members were covered as beneficiaries under these programmes.

Conservation of Nature & Biodiversity Programme

Conservation of Nature and Biodiversity Programmes were organized in Telangana State to discuss the importance of improving green cover. They were told that increased greenery means a healthier environment and healthy bodies, minds, and spirits. Their children could not aspire for the clean quality of life that they had enjoyed during their own childhood. Some of them acknowledged this and noted that their own productivity had been impacted negatively in the process. 

Promotion of Organic Farming and Marketing

In order to convert the domestic and agricultural waste materials in to value added organic materials, a simple vermi-composting unit is designed and installed in houses, farms and educational institutions. The organic manure obtained through vermi-composting replaces the chemical fertilizer and also helpful for the sustainable organic farming. This programmes were organized at Telangana State, India.

Tobacco Cessation and Control Programme (TCCP)

This programmes were organised to bring about greater awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and about the Tobacco Control Laws and to facilitate effective implementation of the Tobacco Control Laws.

1. To bring about greater awareness about the      harmful effects of tobacco use and Tobacco Control Laws.
2. To facilitate effective implementation of the      Tobacco Control Laws.
3. The objective of this programme is to control      tobacco consumption and minimize the deaths caused by it. The various      activities planned to control tobacco use are as follows:
   • Training and Capacity Building
   • IEC activity
   • Monitoring Tobacco Control Laws and Reporting
   • Survey and Surveillance

 Seminars, Workshops, Cultural programmes and Meetings

Many scholars and professors from Universities participate in this programmes as Resource Persons. Further we are scoping we are hoping to organize various seminars as face-to-face events, as we still consider this to be the best form of exchange in many cases. Experience from the past educational year has shown that we must continue to also design and plan online formats. The cultural program is defined as the culture or practices of people in different fields of work or areas of residence, which are conveyed through the organization of activity at a larger level including the number of people. These programs boost the participation of people and children in various activities. We organize these programmes every year in various locations of India.

What does the Cultural Programmes all include?
1) Local festival celebration
2) Charity Events
3) Parades
4) Sports events
5) Dance and music competitions
6) Painting competitions
7) Debates and speeches
8) Exhibition and workshop
9) Dramatics etc.

 Studies on Livelihood of Post-COVID 19 Villages

A Study was engaged by JRDS on the areas which effected a drastic change from COVID-19 effect. 

In these villages, the livelihood became hard and there are no opportunities for further livelihood. Hence we show them the way to livelihood by this programme.

 Initiatives for Fish Farming and Selling Families (FIFSF)

Fish Welfare Initiative who believe that fish welfare is critical for environmental sustainability, business resiliency, and global health. It's also the right thing for fish. Over the next few years, we are building a dedicated team that can work with industry and NGO partners to implement higher fish welfare standards and practices.

We help fish farmers in understanding fish welfare initiatives by Government of India and selling families and the way to approach and get the benefits under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. 

 Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired and Differently Abled

Our NGO has conducted Eye camps for the poor people with the help of Local doctors. JRDS NGO found that the patients are in need of Cataract Operations. The NGO took the patients in hospital and was made the people for cataract operations. They were provided medicines, optics and food at free of cost. After 20 days’ post care was also conducted for complications.

 Provision of Potable Water and Water Conservation 

Water Conservation awareness programmes were conducted in Various locations of Telangana State, India. We have listed their water problems and coordinated with local government and made them available to get provision of portable water.

Water conservation includes all the policies, strategies and activities to sustainably manage the natural resource of fresh water, to protect the hydrosphere, and to meet the current and future human demand (thus avoiding water scarcity). Population, household size and growth and affluence all affect how much water is used. Factors such as climate change have increased pressures on natural water resources especially in manufacturing and agricultural irrigation. Many countries have already implemented policies aimed at water conservation, with much success. The key activities to conserve water are as follows: any beneficial reduction in water loss, use and waste of resources, avoiding any damage to water quality; and improving water management practices that reduce the use or enhance the beneficial use of water. Technology solutions exist for households, commercial and agricultural applications. Water conservation programs involved in social solutions are typically initiated at the local level, by us with the help of Donors. Common strategies include public outreach campaigns, tiered water rates (charging progressively higher prices as water use increases), or restrictions on outdoor water use such as lawn watering and car washing.

Road Safety Advocacy and Action Programme (RSAAP)

We have organized road safety awareness programmes with stake holders in Telangana State of India. Now a day’s people facing road accidents frequently due to ignorance of road safety rules. Sometimes they may also lose their lives and they may become handicapped persons in those accidents. In order to control these type of accidents people have to know about road safety rules. So we have conducted program on road safety. In this program we have explained about road safety rules and how they have to give guidance to their children while passing on road with some figures and showing road signals. We have given instructions to the youth how to ride bikes with less speed. Most accidents are happening by the drunken lorry and truck drivers. So we suggested them not to drink while they are driving. So we hope that by explaining these type of road safety rules we can stop some of the road accidents.

Digital Literacy and Community Development (DLCD)

• Digital Literacy is the ability of individuals and communities to      understand and use digital technologies for meaningful actions within life      situations.
• JRDS is conducting courses under Digital Literacy Mission as part of      Prime Minister’s vision of “Digital India”. 
• Under the Mission our aim is one in every eligible household in      selected Blocks in each State/ UT of the country will be imparted computer      skills. 
• The objective is to impart basic ICT skills relevant to the need of      the trainees, which would enable the citizens to use IT and related      applications and participate actively in the democratic process and      further enhance opportunities for their livelihood. The persons shall be      able to access information, knowledge and skill through the use of digital      devices.  The following is the course structure:

Levels of Training

• Two levels of training under the SCHEME

The two levels of IT training envisaged under the Scheme will have the following broad objectives:

1.    Appreciation of Digital Literacy (Level 1)

To make a person IT literate, so that he/ she can operate digital devices, like mobile phones, tablets, etc., send and receive emails and search Internet for information, etc.

2.   Basics of Digital Literacy (Level 2)

Besides IT literacy at a higher level, the citizen would also be trained to effectively access the various e-Governance services being offered to the citizen by the Government  

Places of Learning

The eligible households can nominate one person from their family. The selected person to get himself enrolled under this programme in a Common Service Center (CSC).

Course Duration :

Level 1  : 20 Hours (Minimum 10 Days and Maximum 30 Days)

Level 2  : 40 Hours (Minimum 20 Days and Maximum 60 Days)

Evaluation:

Independent external evaluation will be conducted by a National level certifying agency like CSC.

We have been organizing these programmes since 2021 and around 1000+ beneficiaries covered under this programme.