AIDP was launched in 2006 at Aryanad, a village situated 25 km from Trivandrum. Aryanad is characterized by poverty, inequality, low educational standards, and widespread illiteracy. Social evils like gender disparity, domestic violence, and substance abuse are widely prevalent. A large section of the population is engaged in marginal activity. During the planning of the project, the needs of a diverse range of community members were assessed. Numerous visits, data collection for the baseline survey, mapping exercises and informal discussions were carried out. Stakeholders like local self-government representatives and political leaders were involved. Local level leaders, who would be an integral part in the decision making process to ensure that the needs and problems of the community are integrated, were identified. AIDP has, over the years, brought about transformational changes in the community. The aim of the project has been poverty alleviation, generation of employment opportunities, creation of basic infrastructure facilities, building capacities of the community members, and addressing the needs of the underprivileged to bring about socio economic development in the community. The project has promoted sustainable livelihood practices, championed the empowerment of women, advocated the holistic development of children, provided skill training to the youth, worked for the welfare of senior citizens, and provided a barrier-free environment for the differently abled.
Academic Support Program After-school tutorial help, life skill development, communicative English, native language training, awareness sessions on varied topics, science and theatre workshops are carried out at the community centre in Aryanad. School dropouts are rehabilitated through the Free Second Chance Initiative to help them get qualified and competent in the job market.
Senior Citizens Welfare Program Destitute senior citizens, many of whom are victims of neglect and have been abandoned or exploited by their own families, are supported. Economic security, health care services, palliative care, supplementary nutrition, training in independent living skills, mobility training, rehabilitation services, recreational activities, and intergenerational interaction with the students attending the Academic Support Program at the centre are provided.
Women Empowerment Programs Prime focus is placed on the empowerment of women with the belief that, equipped with adequate resources, women can become catalysts of change not just in their families but also in entire communities.
Initiatives undertaken: Self Help Groups, each consisting of around twenty members, are created to build the social capital and functional capacity of women and give them increased access to credit and financial services. These groups help in the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, empowerment of women, and promotion of gender equality. They play a major role in poverty alleviation, women empowerment, savings and thrift, internal lending, availing of bank loans, and provide a platform for solving common issues.
A wide variety of women entrepreneurship activities are promoted through Self Help Groups. Some of the sustainable livelihood projects include tailoring, cattle rearing, poultry farming, and goat rearing. Making of garments, candles, incenses, washing soaps, bathing soaps, and floor cleaners are undertaken. Additionally, training is given in production, processing, preservation, packaging, labeling, quality management, and distribution of food products. Beneficiaries are provided with capacity building training programs as well as technical and logistical support to carry out their chosen activities. Initiatives undertaken:
Drought Management Systems Aryanad has low ground water level with limited access to clean water bodies. Integrated Drought Management Systems are promoted wherein multiple components of drought management are addressed.
– Collecting information on drought indicators and disseminating this to the stakeholders in a timely manner
Aryanad Integrated Development Project (AIDP)
Initiatives undertaken:
