Rural India, with its vast population and diverse challenges, has long been in need of sustainable development and upliftment. The Transforming Rural India Foundation (TRIF) is dedicated to addressing the pressing issues faced by rural communities in 73 districts across four states in India - Madhya Pradesh , Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh.
This blog showcases the holistic approach taken by TRIF in building sustainable communities and why it is important.
TRIF aims to help communities tap into opportunities and acquire the means, skills and understanding that will transform their lives for the better from one generation to another. They want to inculcate change that is self-driven, sustainable and impactful.
TRIF implements a multitude of initiatives aimed at various aspects of rural development. Education, healthcare, livelihood development, and infrastructure are some of the key areas where TRIF's interventions have brought about positive change.
Education: TRIF recognizes the importance of education in empowering individuals and communities. They have established schools, libraries, and learning centres in remote villages, ensuring access to quality education. Additionally, TRIF organises scholarships and vocational training programs to enhance skill development among rural youth, enabling them to pursue better opportunities.
Two key initiatives on this front are:
Mohalla Learning Centres - They are local hubs where education facilitators gather children from villages and provide interactive learning experiences in the neighbourhood. The focus is on peer-to-peer learning in small groups, ensuring equal attention and delivery by trusted community members.
Jhola Pustakalaya - which means "bag library" in Hindi, supports the learning process by providing books to households, encouraging continuous learning and involving parents, especially in rural areas where literacy may be limited.
Healthcare: The rural poor in India face limited access to nutrition and healthcare, resulting in poor health outcomes for children and mothers.
Factors such as ignorance, low reproductive age, inadequate medical access, and gender bias contribute to these challenges. Pregnant women lacking nourishing food often experience premature births, underweight babies, and increased maternal and infant mortality. Poverty, ignorance, and limited medical access perpetuate these health issues, with rural healthcare often being poor or nonexistent.
TRIF’s efforts are focused on improving village healthcare centres, establishing primary healthcare centres with trained staff, and promoting preventive healthcare to reduce the prevalence of untreated diseases in deprived communities.
Livelihood Development: TRIF recognizes the importance of sustainable livelihoods for rural upliftment. They have implemented various initiatives such as vocational training programs, microcredit schemes, and entrepreneurship development projects.
Their work in rural livelihood transformation involves shifting their attitudes by finding ways to improve income sources, teaching them self-sustaining skills and creating ways in which poor communities can have a steady income stream. Over time, a steady income helps them save for unforeseen events and be a buffer against being pushed back into poverty. By equipping individuals with skills and resources, TRIF has empowered rural communities to generate income and improve their standard of living.
Infrastructure: TRIF's infrastructure initiatives focus on bridging the gap between rural and urban areas. They have undertaken projects for the construction of roads, bridges, irrigation systems, and electrification.
These infrastructure improvements enhance connectivity, accessibility, and productivity in rural regions, fostering economic growth and development.
Challenges and Future Plans:
Many challenges are inherent in rural development, such as limited resources, infrastructure gaps, and cultural barriers. However, through innovative solutions, community engagement, and sustained efforts, TRIF has been able to overcome these obstacles effectively.
Looking ahead, TRIF's future plans involve scaling up existing initiatives and exploring new avenues for rural development.
The Rang De X TRIF partnership
Rang De Social Investors unlock customised credit options for rural entrepreneurs backed by TRIF who run garment shops, footwear stores, food catering and integrated farming and manufacturing units etc.
Till date, Rang De Social Investors have invested close to ₹38 lakhs in TRIF backed rural entrepreneurs funding 65 investees across the state of Jharkhand. The holistic approach of TRIF in the development of the community adds intrinsic value to the social investments made.
To contribute to the transformation of rural India and to invest in more rural enterprises, visit rangde.in/invest. Together, we can make a difference and empower rural communities striving for a brighter future.
Image credits : TRIF