SELCO Training with Kalanjiam Members
C OVID-19 has impacted the world economy immensely. It is difficult for poor communities to manage the cash flow in this pandemic situation.
Understanding this phenomenon SELCO Solar Foundation started the short Health and Livelihood Training program with the funding of GIZ India. DHAN Foundation has become the implementing partner with SELCO Solar Foundation and the SHG member of the Kalanjiam program have been identified as trainees. So far 164 SHGs and 2380 members have been trained in this program.
Programme Background :
Some of the main objectives of the training programme :
- Creating awareness about COVID 19 and healthy living
- Using the Behavioural Change Communication for SoMaHa (Acronym created by DHAN Foundation stands for Social (Physical) Distance, Mask, and Handwash) practices.
- Orientating rural communities on opportunities available for self-employment through various products of SELCO Solar Foundation.
The three hours of training programme consisted of two interactive sessions. The first one was of better health practices by local ASHA Worker. The second session was focused on various self-employment opportunities handled by the SELCO Solar Foundation BC or by the associates of the DHAN Foundation. During the sessions, various videos like instructions on mask preparations and case studies of successful self-employed women were shared.
Reach and impact of training program:
In Gulbarga district, Aland, Afzalpur, Chittapur, Sedam, Jewargi, and Yadrami Blocks and In Yadgir District Yadgir blocks are covered under this training program.
Way Forward:
Coming 6 months through associates, the reinforcement will be done about health practices and also interested and potential members will be identified and financial and technical support will be provided to take up a new livelihood. Selco SOLAR foundation will support the poor members with the subsidy for new machinery for livelihood.
Feedbacks from beneficiaries:
“The SELCO Solar training was very informative for us. We have received information on various livelihood opportunity for which don’t need electricity and is suitable for rural area. Three members from our federation are about to take up these livelihoods and I am sure that many more will take this opportunity. Also, the information given on COVID-19 changed our habits by which we can now see, as in the second wave comparatively very few of our members got infected.”
~ Mrs Sushila, Treasurer, Aland Pragati Kalanjiam Okkuta-Aland
“The SELCO Solar training was very informative for us. We have received information on various livelihood opportunity for which don’t need electricity and is suitable for rural area. Three members from our federation are about to take up these livelihoods and I am sure that many more will take this opportunity. Also, the information given on COVID-19 changed our habits by which we can now see, as in the second wave comparatively very few of our members got infected.”
~ Mrs. Menaka, Secretary - Yadgir Janashakti Mahila Kalanjiam Okkuta-Yadgir
“SELCO Foundation and DHAN Foundation is collaborating for many years for Livelihood enhancement activities at Gulbarga and Yadgir District. During the COVID pandemic, Health intervention activities have been taken up by the SELCO foundation with the collaboration of DHAN foundation Gulbarga. It has created an effective impact among the Kalanjiam SHG members in their attitude towards health. Along with this Solar based Livelihood activities, were encouraged to take up by SHG members. We will continue the same efforts for reaching maximum vulnerable families at Gulbarga and Yadgir District with the SELCO foundation ”
~ Mr Veerendra C, Regional Coordinator DHAN foundation –Gulbarga Region
