FFL Vrindavan is dedicated to the poorest of the poor, educating and guiding them in pursuance of a fulfilling life, enabling them to become exemplary members of society. FFL Vrindavan is also dedicated to protecting and developing Vrindavan’s natural environment.

Our work includes:

• food distribution
• basic medical assistance
• training courses for women
• drilling for drinking water and constructing water tanks
• assistance to the elderly and the disabled
• distribution of clothes
• environmental projects and education
• taking care of cows
• providing primary school education for disadvantaged children.
  

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e-News Archive

June 2007
July 2007
August 2007
September 2007
October-November 2007
December 2007
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008

April saw the social development team working hard in an effort to survey 20% of families from 16 villages. A total of 969 families were surveyed and data for more than 4000 people was gathered. These selected villages are part of a plan for FFLV Social Development team to expand our field of work. We are new to most of this villages and it is important to us to have indicators so that one year down the road we can look back and see the impact that our social development programs are having. We were shocked to find that in some villages, up to 85% of people would not seek medical assistance if one of their children were suffering from diarrhea and vomiting for over 24 hours. We found infant mortality rates of 30-40%. Child marriage is still a big problem with our survey finding that up to 40% of village women get pregnant for the first time before turning 18.

On 23^rd April, FFLV hosted a meeting of Panchayat leaders and members to discuss the progress of the AROH movement and gain the support of these influential local government figures. AROH means “ascending” and is a movement run by Oxfam in association with many NGO's across India. It works to gain rights and recognition for women farmers. In India, land is usually held in the (male) head of the family's name, depriving women of economic status and official recognition as farmers. The Panchayat members at the meeting agreed to back the movement, and FFLV has started the groundwork of convincing villagers to transfer half of the property to their wife's name. In one village, after much convincing, FFLV got names of 11 villagers who are willing to give their wives legal status as farmers.

April saw the completion of our village sanitation construction project, with a total of ten toilets constructed. The pilot project has been a success with all the residents using their toilets and keeping them clean. Women have been particularly appreciative as having a toilet saves them from the danger and inconvenience of going out to the field at night. We await funding to continue the project.

April was exam time for SMS primary and secondary school children. Most children did well in their exams with a total of 71% of primary school students, and a total of 61% of junior high students, passing their exams.

On 26^th April, all parents of SMS school children were invited to the school for an information session about their children's academic performance, how to help children succeed at school and the importance of allowing children to finish their education before getting them married.

April was really a big month for water projects. On behalf of Neti Sharma and Sheila Chauhan, from UK, two new bores were drilled in municipal Vrindavan. The new bores were needed because the existing bores were drying up so the water supply to people's houses was insufficient. A similar organization to Food For Life Vrindavan called Food For All (UK) funded a third bore in Varahghat, as well as a hand pump in Govindkund, bringing the total of residents that will benefit to over 25,000.