Together with China, India is a front runner in the area of economic growth in the Far East. Yet, there are many in India who do not profit from this enormous growth: the differences between poor and rich are extreme and outside help to the poorest remains a bitter necessity. One organization that does a lot of good work in this area is the Rural Relief & Development Foundation. Different projects have been started at two places in India; one of them is the 'Slum Project' in Chilakaluripet.
The RRDF works from the 'End of Poverty' vision: the goal is to use an integral approach to get the villages out of the poverty trap. Here, the RRDF has chosen a business line of approach: development aid with the purpose of getting people to stand on their own legs in a few years. At the end of the project, the following targets must be achieved: houses will be built, there will be a school and people can reckon on medical care. The basic principle is that, from that moment on, people will be able to provide their own livelihood.
The RRDF Slum Project
For €6 per month, a child is included in the RRDF Slum Project. For this money, these children get:
- milk (in the age range from 0 to 2 years)
- a hot nourishing meal per day (in the age range from 3 to 12 years)
- shoes (this helps to prevent medical problems)
- medical care
- basic education (learning to read and write, also in English; the importance of hygiene and pure drinking water)
The education in 'Slum 10' was started in October 2006 and is producing good results. There is still a great need for school books: all classes can be fully provided with school books for less than €1,000.
Medical care is a point that requires much attention. There is a doctor present, and the care is supported from the Netherlands. A Dutch doctor has examined 204 patients, of which 133 children with medical complaints, in the age range from 0 to 16 years. The examination showed up such problems as four cases of HIV, for which at least medication is required.
In the meantime, the building of new homes has been started. Several people have already exchanged their 'mud hut' for a 'real house'! Part of the costs is paid for by the government in India, a part must still be financed. In the first instance, the RRDF aims to build 120 houses, for which a contribution of €300 per house is required.
Besides the passion and devotion that characterizes the work of aid organizations, the RRDF’s working approach also displays a company-like approach to development aid. The RRDF has set itself the target of getting the community to be able to stand on its own legs in a period of five years. This requires an integral approach with a concentration on many facets. All these facets are now continually being evaluated, so that it is possible to steer developments immediately if necessary.
Much has been achieved in a short time, but there is still much more to do. Triview therefore also supports the RRDF Slum Project in Chilakaluripet and has pledged to 'adopt' 15 children for the coming five years.
For more information about this project, see www.rrdf.nl