Impact

Inclusive Health

Rasikashraya, a leading district-level organization, has been working for the past ten years to promote the right to health services through a community-based accountability process. As the district nodal NGO, it has implemented community-based monitoring and planning of health services. Over the last decade, the organization has taken several initiatives to strengthen health services through community-led oversight and planning, social action for health, strengthening maternal and child health services, raising awareness and increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage, and addressing people’s concerns through helpline and outreach programs. Key achievements include:

1,556 VHNSC and JAS members were trained for capacity building across 253 villages.
70 Sub-centers saw the formation and operationalization of Janswasthya Samitis (JAS), with active involvement in strengthening health institutions as part of the 15th Finance Commission and Gram Panchayat accountability.
Capacity building of VHNSC members across 253 villages led to 67% regularity in committee meetings, and enhanced participation in local health planning.
14,601 people were vaccinated, with vaccination coverage in Parwa Primary Health Centre increasing from 40% to 93%, and in Rampur PHC from 39% to 95%.
5,559 patients received assistance through helpdesk and helpline services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Status and uptake of maternal and child health services improved by 14% and 10%, respectively.
Economic benefits saw a rise: 40% in Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, 57% in Janani Suraksha Yojana, and 63% in Budhit Majuri Yojana.
Strategic decisions were made to plan these services and benefits more effectively, thereby strengthening maternal and child health services.
465 women's groups were formed to support local committees in facilitating services like vaccination, sonography, nutrition, health check-ups, and delivery-related care.
Regular follow-up of 374 children who were ill, malnourished, or underweight led to 35% of these children recovering from malnutrition.
Women with anemia and pregnancy risks were identified and provided care, resulting in safer deliveries. As a result, in villages where newborns previously weighed around 2.5 kg, birth weights improved to 2.7 to 3.5 kg.

Disability Inclusion

Since 2012, Rasikashraya has been actively working on the Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) of persons with disabilities in 30 villages under 23 Gram Panchayats in Ghatanji taluka of Yavatmal district. The organization focuses on five key areas: health, education, social integration, livelihood, and empowerment for 613 persons with disabilities.

Key achievements include:

38 Disabled Persons’ Organizations (DPOs) have been formed across 30 villages. Their capacities have been strengthened, and they are now addressing their own needs through these platforms.
98 children with disabilities have been brought into the education system, and 253 youth have been given skill development training, leading to employment opportunities.
235 persons with disabilities have started their own self-employment ventures.
03 persons with disabilities are representing their communities in Gram Panchayats.
19 individuals are employed in government and private sectors.
89% of persons with disabilities are actively contributing to their families.
96% of persons with disabilities are participating in social and cultural programs, thus promoting their inclusion in the community.

NRM & Climate Change

Rasikashraya has undertaken several watershed development and natural resource management initiatives in drought-prone villages of Vidarbha, including desilting of dams and ponds, deepening and widening of streams, river rejuvenation, construction of earthen check dams, and farm bunding. As a result of these efforts, a total of 176.62 TCM (Thousand Cubic Meters) of water storage capacity has been created, leading to increased water levels in 412 wells and borewells, and resolving drinking water issues in several villages.

Impact of a total of 354,964 cubic meters of work includes:

Deepening and widening of 19.6 km of canals and river rejuvenation has benefitted 601 farmers.
Desilting of 16 dams and ponds resulted in the creation of 176.62 TCM of water storage capacity.
431 farmers spread silt over 851 acres of land, enhancing soil fertility.
842 acres of farmland have come under irrigation.
Water levels increased in 412 wells and borewells.
Two earthen check dams created 13.6 TCM of water storage, leading to improved groundwater levels in nearby wells and borewells.
The use of silt in farming has improved soil productivity and the availability of water has led to sustainable income growth for farmers.
Parwa village in Ghatanji block has become free from water tankers after 17 years, and villages like Sonkhas, Sukli, Dudhana, Belori, Ajani, and Vatbori in Kalamb taluka have seen their drinking water problems resolved.

Education

Rasikashraya has been consistently supporting underprivileged and vulnerable children for the past decade through various initiatives addressing issues such as education, exploitation/sexual abuse, shelter, child labor, medical assistance, child marriage, missing children, and child begging.

Over 4,804 children from rural and tribal areas have been positively influenced through life skills education programs.
Since 2000, REMS centers have been established by RSKBS (an initiative of Rasikashray) to provide pre-primary education to children from slum areas, thereby offering quality and joyful education to thousands of marginalized children.
RSKBS has supported more than 1,524 underprivileged tribal children with educational materials (KEET kits) to promote their schooling.
679 primary school children received education through a mobile app-based learning platform.
23 poor and needy students were supported with college admission, hostel accommodation, and competitive exam fees. As a result, 11 students have completed their education and are now employed or self-employed.
923 adolescent girls have been educated and empowered with knowledge about puberty and adolescence through the "Guj Gosht" initiative.
12 child marriages have been successfully prevented.

Women Empowerment

Rasikashraya has been consistently working in the field of women's empowerment for the past 24 years. The organization has implemented various initiatives aimed at empowering women socially, economically, and educationally. Special emphasis has been placed on promoting self-reliance, leadership development, health awareness, sustainable entrepreneurship, and rights awareness among women in rural and tribal communities. As a result of these efforts, many women have become self-reliant and are making significant contributions to their families and communities.

Through the RSKBS platform, the organization has formed 650 women's groups comprising 8,526 women members to enhance women’s participation and representation in holistic village development and local decision-making processes, as well as to encourage their engagement in various economic activities.
Through RSKBS, 113 women have been enabled to represent their communities in Gram Panchayats and local committees, thus increasing women's participation in governance and grassroots-level decision-making.
Skill development initiatives have been conducted for 6,512 women representing 475 groups, resulting in an average increase of household income from 20% to 30%.
A total of ₹56.15 lakhs has been provided as financial assistance to 247 widows affected by farmer suicides in the district. This support has enabled them to engage in livelihood activities such as goat-rearing, tailoring, food processing businesses, grocery shops, and setting up irrigation and electricity systems for agriculture, thereby creating additional income sources for their families.
The organization has also addressed 2,457 cases of domestic violence—2,027 were resolved through mediation, while 203 cases were taken to legal proceedings and 407 cases were mutually settled.

Humanitarian Action

Rasikashraya has consistently extended a helping hand to the underprivileged during natural disasters, reaching out to 42,380 vulnerable individuals during floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key relief interventions include:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, over 30,500 families were supported through distribution of ration kits, health check-ups, safety measures, and coordination of vaccination drives.
In 30 villages of Ghatanji Taluka, 146 needy and poor persons with disabilities were provided with ration kits and essential medicines.
1,000 cotton masks and 480 aprons were distributed to healthcare workers.
Awareness efforts reached 10,000 rural residents, promoting the use of masks and sanitizers.
In four flood-affected districts of Maharashtra, 1,400 vulnerable families received primary healthcare services, ration kits, sanitary kits, clothing, and warm garments.
Educational materials were distributed to 260 children.

Networking

Networking & Collaborationsve consistency in participation in various networks and forums at district, State, & National levels that impacted our growth in mobilising resources for community and knowledge sharing along with cross-learnings of best practices that are likely to intervene in our areas of operation.