Jeevadhan Child-focused Community Development Project (Sustained)

The Jeevadhan CFCD Project with the support of Kindernothilfe, Germany; implemented by CSA. The project was initiated in 2006 and ended in 2013 with 14 backward villages at the Nirmal Mandal of Adilabad District in Andhra Pradesh state (Now Telangana) being impacted. The target group of the project was Gond Tribes, Banjara Nomadic tribes, and Dalits.

Main Issues

• The majority of the people were illiterates (50% of children didn’t attend Anganawadis; Nutrition status of children below 5yrs was low).
• Various child-related issues prevalent were malnutrition, school dropouts, child labor, etc. child marriage was rampant. 
• 64% of the population belonged to SC/ST communities, and 68% of them were below the poverty line (BPL).
• The dropout rate among boys and girls was high. 
• Lack of diversified livelihood opportunities and income-earning sources 

Changes Brought

• 14 Anganwadis supported, and the staff was trained to run the centers, which resulted in an increase in attendance at the center. Enrollment of the children in the project impact villages increased up to 100%.
• Nutritional status improved from 90% to 98%.
• School dropout reduced to 0 percent. 5 out of 8 health workers were observed as ASHA workers.
• Income Generation opportunities were created through SHG funds, and the project funds enabled women to earn a decent income through livelihood intervention. 
• More than 500 families began to earn their livelihood activities through small business or animal husbandry, or agriculture.

Total impact - 1500 families, 800 women, 900 children, and 400 youth. 90% of the people in the project area are Hindus who belong to the “Gond & Banjara tribes’. The project funding support came to an end on 31st March 2013 from the donor, but the development works are continued through the registered federation promoted by the project.