Rajasthan Human Care Foundation

The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), initiated by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in India, involves RHCF as a National Key Resource for SBM-G. RHCF conducts diverse training, including One Day and Five Days Residential Training. These training sessions, facilitated by MDWS, aim to maximize the number of community facilitators and motivators. The training focuses on strategies for selection and implementation, addressing post-triggering issues like the provision of durable and affordable latrine hardware and technical guidance for latrine construction.

The Rajasthan Agricultural Competitiveness Project aims to explore the potential for enhancing agricultural productivity and farmers' incomes sustainably. This involves a unique approach that combines agricultural water management, technological advancements, farmer organisations, and market innovations in specific areas within Rajasthan's ten agroecological zones.

RHCF collaborated with the Forum for Organised Resource Conservation and Enhancement (FORCE) to execute the "Eco Agents for Change Programme" in Jaipur. Together, RHCF and FORCE are assisting citizen groups in Jaipur in adopting water conservation and sanitation practices. The programme will focus on five selected schools within the city of Jaipur.

The Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme, promoted by the Indian government through the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare, benefits farmers significantly. In Rajasthan, where many farmers are uncertain about the quality of their soil and the ideal crops to cultivate for maximum yield, SHC plays a vital role. To address this, 12 Soil Testing Labs were established and are now operational. These labs issue Soil Health Cards to farmers across five districts, providing them with a comprehensive report detailing the specific characteristics of their soil, thus aiding in informed decision-making for crop cultivation.

The Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) is an employment generation initiative that offers income-generating assets through a combination of bank credit and Government subsidies. In 1999, SGSY took over the role of the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), which was the government's primary rural development programme. SGSY has now evolved into the largest self-employment programme in the country. The programme encompasses a baseline survey, facilitation of Self-Help Group (SHG) formation, capacity building, the establishment of bank linkages, and the opening of bank accounts for SHG groups. Approximately 380 SHGs were formed, and they received loans to support their micro-level activities under the SGSY scheme.

The programme aims to introduce short, informative video episodes addressing topics like gender discrimination, misconceptions about puberty, body rights, sexuality, peer pressure, decision-making, and early marriage. It utilizes devices such as tablets, private mobile screens, micro SD cards, and pico projectors to deliver this content. This approach allows RHCF to reach out to young people during their most vulnerable phase, typically between the ages of 13 to 19. Key activities within the programme include conducting a formative study on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) knowledge and perspectives among 360 adolescents in the Shahpura Block, spanning different castes and genders. Team leaders are trained to facilitate these efforts, regular sessions are held with adolescent groups, communication tools are developed, and reflective workshops on 'Stories of Life' are organised to address these crucial issues.

RHCF is operating a programme called 'Swadhar' with the primary objective of assisting and supporting women who are living under challenging circumstances, often lacking social and economic support. They face significant hurdles in the absence of family support and limited state interventions in India. 'Swadhar' aims to create a foundation for these women by providing them with essential humanitarian necessities, social and economic rehabilitation, offers emotional and developmental counselling. Currently, the project is establishing a shelter home in Dausa, Rajasthan, to assist ten women in dire need of support. The programme has identified 40 women. It is expected that many other women across India are facing similar challenges. Ultimately, the goal of the project is to empower these women to become self-reliant, enabling the programme to extend its assistance to more women trapped in difficult circumstances.