:: SOCIO-ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT ::
Socio-economic empowerment is a staple of NBJK-India as it promotes sustainable development. Both Jharkhand and Bihar are tremendously disadvantaged with limited opportunities available for economic growth, especially when compared to other parts of the country. There are very little government programs that reach the rural poor, who are the most vulnerable. Jharkhand and Bihar have large tribal populations who have been neglected by government programs. Due to this, NBJK-India has established many programs to assist in the development of the economy and empower the most marginalized in the region, especially women, scheduled castes, schedule tribes and other backward castes. NBJK-India follows an integrated approach to development, which seeks to address all the needs of its beneficiaries allowing them the opportunity to increase their incomes and livelihoods through sustainable development. Below are many of the programs and projects implemented by NBJK-India that focus on socio-economic empowerment.
MICRO CREDIT
The micro credit program was established to assist poor women and men, who have historically not had access to credit, through the organization and creation of Self Help Groups (SHG) and Joint Liability Groups (JLG). Through SHGs and JLGs, NBJK-India's Micro Finance Office (MFO) provides financial support through small loans, similar to the work being done by the Grameen Bank. Micro credit programs are operational in Hazaribag, Kodarma and Tilaiya, with the potential for extension into the even more underserved areas of Khunti and Dumka. Due to micro credit, employment has increased in areas such as livestock rearing, agricultural endeavors, jewelry making, tailoring, vegetable marketing, pottery and pickle making. The main goal of NBJK-India's MFO is to address the credit needs of poor communities in rural and urban areas who have never before had access to loans which enable them to become self-sufficient. In addition to providing the loans, NBJK-India also promotes awareness building by participating in rallies such as World Women’s Day, International Hand Washing Day and Farmer Advocacy Program.
WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT
Water is a major issue facing India, both in terms of pollution and scarcity. Although Bihar and Jharkhand receive high annual rainfall, much of that water is lost due to runoff. It was through this problem that NBJK established the Watershed Development program. It is designed to promote water conservation by constructing several structures that enable communities to be self sustainable in regards to water and soil, while also educating villagers on the importance of water conservation and sanitation. A series of watershed development initiatives has been ongoing in the Kodarma, Pakur, Dumka and Hazaribag districts of Jharkhand. Implementation of a new watershed development program was initiated in April, 2009 in Munger, Bihar. In addition to generating awareness and building watershed management structures, the program also provides wage employment. Landless laborers have been involved in constructing field and counter bunds, farm ponds, check dams, irrigation wells and plantations. By conducting routine visits to villages, NBJK-India has been able to provide continuous watershed education. Farmers are gaining awareness about agriculture, soil and water conservation while incomes are also increasing due to employment opportunities.
E M P L O YA B I L I T Y T R A I N I N G CENTER
The employability training center and development institute, which is funded by the America India Foundation and jointly executed by the CAP foundation of Hyderabad. The objective of the program is to provide training to disorganized youth, especially high school and college dropouts with a special focus on adolescent girls, women and people with disabilities. The basic idea is to provide training in several trades ensuring competency and the ability to compete in the open job market. The trades are hospitality, customer relations and sales, electronics, spoken English, bedside patient assistance and automobile repair. Employability training centers are located in Ranchi (one in Booty More and Piska More), Khunti, Kodarma, Barhi, Hazaribag, and Ramgarh. Students are enrolled and registered for a three month course for a fee of Rs. 500. Contact was made to businesses to ensure the employment of the 200 students and much success has thus far come from the program.
FOOD SELF RELIANCE AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD
NBJK-India with support from SRTT implements this project with the goal of improving land and water management practices of the tribal poor in five villages of Murhu Block in Khunti district. The project has four main objectives, (i) to stabilize the production of Kharif paddy; (ii) to promote alternative crops; (iii) to construct water harvesting structures and (iv) to promote off-farm livelihood sources in the project area.
CREDIT PLUS
The Credit Plus program is designed to work in conjunction and to supplement the work being done by NBJK-India’s Micro Finance Office. Credit plus provides training, capacity building and other support mechanisms to enable greater levels of success among members of SHGs. Through generous financial support from Cordaid, Credit Plus is able to interact and provide assistance to over 4,000 women in six blocks of Hazaribag District. Credit Plus is currently working on a project proposal document that will enhance the work being done by providing innovative technological inputs, such as drip irrigation, water purification and compost latrines. In addition to these inputs, Credit Plus will continue to support and train the women on issues such as advocacy and the importance of sanitation to enable greater socioeconomic development and over wellbeing.
LAC DEVELOPMENT
This program, with financial assistance of Tribal Welfare Commissioner’s Office-Ranchi and technical assistance of ILRI, Namkum reaches 500 families in 14 villages in Murhu Block, Khunti. The program focuses on enhancement of Lac production through extending technical support to the tribal families. This is especially important as many people in tribal areas rely on Lac for their livelihoods and it offers an opportunity to make their efforts more effective thus increasing their incomes.
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