austraLasia 998
BGVK: a Salesian modelling of Self-Help Groups to alleviate poverty and foster rural development
AHMEDNAGAR (India): 14th January 2005 -- BGVK and SHG! No shortage of acronyms in the human development world, but these two go hand in hand in a remarkable way. Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra is an NGO which has been working in the field of human development and poverty alleviation for the past 18 years in Maharashtra state, India. The area lies in the rainshadow area of the Deccan plateau with recurrent drought problems.
BGVK has developed a vibrant Self Help Group methodology which has enthused rural masses to work for their own development, along with watershed development. This latter helps conserve soil and water resources, along with rejuvenation of the environment via tree planting and generally increased green cover.
The success and recognition accorded BGKV in these schemes has meant the building of a fully functional training centre which now trains other rural operators from all over India. BGKV programs include the watershed development processes, including water-saving techniques. 207 biogas plants have been set up to reduce reliance on firewood as well as providing better and smoke-free facilities for cooking.
The rural training centre trains field workers from all over India in such items as: promotion and management of SHGs, poultry management, participatory rural appraisal, training of trainers and field officers.
SHG development is particularly aimed at women's groups. A total of 74 have been set up representing 1170 women members. These groups are shown how to develop internal lending processes to meet household needs and generate income through projects like goat-rearing, poultry, cashew processing. Villagers are shown how to link to banks and to avail themselves of loans for income-generating activities.
The director of BGVK is Bro Alex Gonsalves SDB. The entire operation is under the auspices of the Salesian Province of Mumbai (INB).
___________________________
'austraLasia' is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia-Pacific. It functions also as an agency for ANS, based in Rome. Try also www.bosconet.aust.com and Lexisdb If you would like a copy of the Salesian Thesaurus, do not hesitate to ask by return mail. In hard copy 132 pages; in digital form 157 kb.
