A Step Closer To – Swachh Bharat

Introduction

Chaugaon is a small village in Taloda Taluka of Nandurbar district of Maharashtra situated at the foot hills of Satpuda mountain ranges. Most of the inhabitants belong to Bhil tribe and are categorized as BPL families. As agriculture is rainfed, most of the young people migrate out after Kharif season to the neighboring state of Gujarat for employment. There they work as farm labour for sugarcane cutting. Their earnings are very meager. On this background, LHWRF has initiated various development activities in the village since 2016.

Background

Village Chaugaon is marching towards the goal of open defecation free (ODF) village. New innovative and sustainable sanitation model has been developed with the help of Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation (LHWRF), Nandurbar. Since last two years, Swachh Bharat Mission is underway. Under this mission latrines are being constructed in rural areas so that villages will be Open Defecation Free (ODF). Under this scheme, Panchyat Samitti, Taloda provides grant of Rs. 12000/- for constructing latrine to the individual beneficiary. Funds are released only when beneficiary completes construction of latrine. When Lupin Foundation started its work in Chaugaon, it was observed that only three families had constructed latrines. All the families had realized the importance of sanitation and they wanted to construct latrines under the scheme, but the main hurdle was of working capital for purchasing material. In December 2016, LHWRF staff visited Chaugaon and discussed the issue of latrines with villagers and asked them to find out a way.

Breakthrough

LHWRF and village leaders discussed the matter. The sole reason was the lack of initial fund to start the work. Discussion produced a solution. It was decided to form Joint Liability Group (JLG) of five families and latrines would be constructed in participatory manner. These families would dig latrine pits as per plan specifications by doing ‘Shramdan’. LHWRF would provide loan of Rs. 10000/- in form of construction material and labour charges for mason. Beneficiary families would have freedom to choose the type and quality of the material. Excess costs would be borne by the beneficiary families. Latrine construction had to be completed by the trained masons. Beneficiaries would repay the loan in installments or when they receive the grant from Panchyat Samitti – whichever is earlier.

LHWRF trained local youth for constructing latrines. First group completed latrine construction in the month of January 2017. Seeing the results, another 15 families came forward. Joint Liability Groups were formed and each family was provided with loan of Rs. 10000/-. LHWRF model is unique as it not only constructed latrine but also constructed water tank with it. Provision for basin was also made outside the latrine. Total unit construction cost was Rs. 13000/-. Eight families have also constructed bathrooms. The total construction costs for this sanitary block (Latrine, bathroom, water storage tank and basin) was just Rs. 22000/-. Additional construction expenses were borne by the beneficiary families. People from other villages, Government officers and other NGO representatives have visited Chaugaon to see the unique LHWRF model of sanitation.

LHWRF has developed unique model of micro-finance and sanitary block. It has developed skilled manpower and generated employment for them. This participatory model has great potential for replication in areas where BPL families are in large number.

Beneficiary’s Testimoney

“We always wanted to build the latrine for family. It was very embarrassing for us to go outside for latrine. Panchyat Samitti is giving money for the construction but it is after completion. We didn’t have the money for construction. Thankfully LHWRF came to our help. We took a loan of Rs.10000 and did the pit digging by ourselves. Our local mason completed the construction as per our need. We are happy with the quality of the construction. We will repay the LHWRF loan as soon as we receive the subsidy from Panchyat Samitti.

Our family especially the women are very happy with this. Thank you very much LHWRF for helping us and our village. We are very grateful for it.”

Lupin Human Welfare & Research Foundation (LHWRF) is the social responsibility arm of Lupin Limited, founded by Dr. Desh Bandu Gupta in 1988. In its journey spanning over three decades, the foundation has covered over 1.45 million beneficiaries in over 5000 villages in 23 districts spread across nine states in India.

Over the years, the foundation has largely focused on building sustainable livelihood opportunities and triggering economic growth in some of the most backward and underdeveloped districts of India. It has adopted a family-centered approach and initiated measures that help them break the vicious circle of poverty, positively impacting their lives and livelihoods.

Key drivers of economic development have been structured long-term programs and interventions in the areas of agriculture, animal husbandry, women empowerment, and rural industries.

In order to ensure that economic development is substantiated by social upliftment and an improvement in quality of life, the organization has been working relentlessly in the areas of health and education at the grassroots level. Structured efforts have been made to upgrade the local infrastructure, build awareness, catalyse positive behaviour change and facilitate access to healthcare services for the most marginalized and underserved communities.

The foundation works extensively with various government and non-government partners, international development agencies, and like-minded philanthropic organizations to mobilize additional resources and extend its reach to several more isolated and underserved populations, covering a large majority of landless tribal, scheduled caste, and minority populations in target geographies.

Strategic Areas of Work

The livelihood program is a critical and instrumental element of our development efforts over the last decade. Driven to create a profound impact, the livelihoods program focuses on creating sustainable solutions for the poor and needy. Capacity building, skill development, natural resource management, strengthening grassroots value chains, and improving farmers’ access to markets are vital elements of our Livelihoods strategy.

Lives program focuses on enriching communities’ quality of life and ensuring better access to healthcare services. Strategic engagement to strengthen health systems addressing Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is an irreplaceable building block of our Lives strategy.