- GENESIS: –
In the year 1991 some dedicated social activities from various disciplines observing the object poverty among the rural people, decided to devote themselves to counter the situation by forming an organization. In fact those individuals in social development activities with individual efforts. When their efforts failed to produce desired result, they combined themselves to form an organization. The aspiration materialized in the year 1994 when SRHEDS got itself registered under the appropriate law of the Government of West Bengal beginning with organization of seminars, workshop, symposium etc. with a view to create awareness among the under privileged section of the population.
Since 1991, SRHEDS has been operation at village Samsia in the district of West Dinajpur (now Dakshin Dinajpur). Initially SRHEDS had only dependent on small donation from individuals, other funds of Government of West Bengal, Government of India and some Foreign Donors.
The project head quarter is located at Samsia about 75 km away from the district head quarter of Balurghat.
The NGO presently organizing above mention activities and there is also a special project assistant by CARE – West Bengal known as Integrated Nutrition And Health Project (INHP = II), which has helped SRHEDS to build effective linkage with ICDS, Government and Panchayet. In addition, the project is runs Health Awareness and health Check up programs in the remote areas and regular health awareness camps. There are regular sanitation programs in the flood-affected areas to check past flood epidemics. Recently the organization has taken a step to shape a model village regarding health, nutrition, sanitation, smookless chullah, improved agriculture, kitchen garden, enhance education and economic status through various IGP activities etc. thus SRHEDS has developed into an Integrated Rural Development Organization, though it was initiated as a relief agency with health and support to the flood affected victims.
Very recent some Doners also visited our society and they will support for rural development program especially vulnerable section communities and women in the remote rural areas.
- THEORY OF CHANGES: –
Main thrust of the organization is to uplift the socio-economic condition of the poor and depressed section of population in order to bring them back in to the main stream. In fact, people living in the project areas under sever circumstances have very limited access to proper education, safe drinking water and sanitation, health and nutrition care and are often deprived of even a square meal a day. A majority of them is illiterate and are attempting to take out a living by cultivation small lands and are often agriculturally marginal farmers. Marginal not merely due to small size of the holding of lands but often due to the absence of adequate of supplementary resource support and lack of irrigation added with man made flood almost every year.
Therefore, SRHEDS plans to generate a people’s endeavor to bring about an environmental catastrophe, which is mainly ma made. For this purpose it’s strategy is to mobilized committed social and technical based organizations, individuals and application of helpful constitutional provision by away of creating people’s pressure and advocacy.
Regarding the context of the target area / beneficiary, it was felt by the organization that appropriateness of the approach, principals, contents, working procedures, failures and prospects need to be documented for the benefit of the actors, SRHEDS and people of reference area who are the subject of this development attempt.
- ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE: –
The organization has grown into its present shape and status as a leading organization in the field of community development and flood relief measurers. The program is divided into different development sectors if the field with a coordinator as the head of each sector. The Secretary / Chief Functionary is a visionary social activist, experienced in leading the organization. The sect – oral heads are assisted by a team of Supervisors and Field Level Workers under the leadership of the Secretary in the operational areas.
- STAFF AND THEIR COMPETENCE: –
SRHEDS is a good team to work on development activities. Most of them are from local S.C. (Dalits) and minority community and come from the target villages. Many of them had given service to the community because of non – availability of required funds. Now workers are engaged with different social development activities and also they are working with Government programs and also have a good relationship with the people. Aminul Hoque, the Secretary of the Organization is a qualified person with over 20 years of rich experience and exposure poverty scenario and intervention model. He is instrumental in development of the area and able to relate organizational mission with other stakeholders’ interventions and cooperation. SRHEDS governance is very transparent and the organization is known for its high level of creadibility with the community it works with. Though this is in organization evolved from grass root need and stake, it operates and manages its activities very professionally. SRHEDS has group of professional young minds highly dedicated to the purpose of the organization.
- BROAD OBJECTIVE OF THE SOCIETY: –
Integrated community development by way of fighting against the socio-political problems of the Society through the active involvement and participation of the people, specially the women.
- APPROACH AND STRATEGY OF THE SOCIETY: –
The activities of the society are process oriented. The activities are planned at the field level with the full spontaneous participation and involvement of the local people. The co-operation of local Government in the process of the work is always given the highest priority. The activities are implemented keeping in mind the local socio cultural background. Personal involvement in the activities of the society is represented by local community who is given training fruitful performance. It focuses in women empowerment, local governance, information access, capacity and skill enhancement, food security and livelihood issues.