CASA
|
The
Churches Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) is the voluntary social arm
of 24 Protestant and orthodox churches in India. It was formed in 1947
as a response to the disturbances following the partition of the country
into India and Pakistan. It conducts operations from regional offices
all over the country, and wants to create conditions for meaningful and
disciplined involvement of all people and their organizations at various
levels. CASA's programmes are undertaken with the government and churches,
as well as with NGO's like KIGS.
|
|
CASA
has been contributing to the integrated rural development of Gramdani
villages in Chaksu block for the last three years. As projects in the
area are completed, the Institute is gradually withdrawing, with the gram
sabha's steadily assuming sole responsibility. The programmes have focussed
on making the gram sabha's active and capable, and creating conditions
for a more inclusive attitude towards women. Savings by newly formed mahila
mandal's have been used to firm up the farming base of the community by
adding cattle wealth and concentrating on vegetable and fodder development.
These initiatives have benefited uneducated and unskilled scheduled castes.
|
|
Animal
husbandry and dairy techniques have been acquired, and the villagers have
accepted the wisdom of vegetable cultivation both in terms of economics
and nutrition. This change in emphasis is complemented by a shift away
from inorganic practices such as fertilizer use towards an adoption of
composting techniques. As the water in some of the villages in this area
has been unsuitable for supporting improved farming practices, the Institute
has used CASA investment to deepen and repair wells.
|
|
As
a consequence of these initiatives, the general health of the villagers
has improved considerably.
|
|
Activity
|
Details
|
| Natural Resource Management | |
| Contour bunding |
40,000
feet
|
| Land leveling |
50
hectares
|
| Deepening and repairing of wells |
70
|
| Gypsum treatment |
209
hectares
|
| Earthen compost pits |
475
|
| Increase in irrigated area |
35
hectares
|
| Bio gas |
4
|
| Income Generating Activities | |
| Dairy |
80
buffaloes
|
| Vegetable production |
9
hectares
|
| Fruit plantation |
2600
saplings
|
| Tailoring |
23
Women
|
| Institution Development | |
| Self Help Groups |
10
|
| No. Of members |
200
|
| Gram Sabha |
7
|