The Rural Health and Environment Programme successfully demonstrates how communities can be involved in the sustainable and affordable development of their own community infrastructure and housing. This holistic approach starts with the provision of water and sanitation and moves on to the self-funded development of housing.
Over 8,000 households have been involved to date in the programme which continues to expand throughout the state of Orissa. A total loan approach is used for the housing so that all costs are met by the villagers themselves. The housing programme is linked to the provision of training and income generation opportunities to ensure its long-term economic sustainability.
It aims to enable a critical mass of poor and marginalised people in the rural areas of the state of Orissa to empower themselves to achieve a better quality of life characterised by:
food security and access to secured livelihood opportunities
assured access to basic education and adequate health services
sustainable use and management of natural resources
options for appropriate family and community infrastructure and sources of energy
strong self-governing people’s institutions with equal participation of men and women
increased self-reliance, self-esteem and political awareness
Watch this short video about the work to provide Sanitation Facilities & Clean Water to rural poor.
