Posted in SBI YFI Fellowship

Major Activities by MSSRF at Vedaranyam

Posted on by Kavya Menon

Joining the activities of the MSSRF office: helped me best to understand the place, its culture and people. Some of the activities supported by MSSRF:

1. Medical Camps: – team led by Capt. Dr. Rajan, our nurse – Mrs. Sussela and lab technician – Mr. Sivakumar; help in solving the difficulties to healthcare, posed by deficiency of transportation and financial issues.

nurse
Our nurse, Suseela doling out some health tips along with the medicines
A blood test... she is very scared
A blood test… she is very scared, but rest assured says the friendly Sivakumar

2. Agriculture:- Coconut Tree management and harvesting training, organic farming in homes and farms, floriculture – Nerium and Jasmine; improving incomes and social status and reducing the toxicity (nicotine) of ground water in farms where previously tobacco was grown.

Dr. Rajan imparting breathing and yoga lessons before the commencement of coconut tree climbing lessons
Dr. Rajan imparting breathing and yoga lessons to the participants before the commencement of coconut tree climbing lessons
Instructor training the participants; Lady winner of coconut olympics
Instructor training the participants                                                     Lady winner of coconut olympics
Rows and rows of rich pink Nerium flowers
Rows and rows of rich pink Nerium with the buds only

3. Revolving Funds: – utilized for all kinds of activities by each family in the village. Money disbursed after taking consensus from within the community.

Attentive villagers in a revolving fund meeting
Attentive villagers in a revolving fund meeting

4. Village Knowledge Centre: – where people gather to collect information, attend classes, have meetings etc.

Kids learning to videos provided by the Azim Premji Foundation; taught by the Knowledge worker Mr. Balachander
Kids learning to videos provided by the Azim Premji Foundation; taught by the Knowledge worker Mr. Balachander

5. Preservation of Flora: – creation and maintenance of Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest and Genetic garden for Halophytes

Saplings of Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest protected by the overgrowth of wild pines
Saplings of Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest protected by the overgrowth of wild pines
Genetic Garden of Halophytes
Genetic Garden of Halophytes

Author:

Environment, Society, Rebellion, Music and Adventure are keywords playing in my mind from as long as I remember. A default introvert and an obsessive extrovert, I have strong beliefs and I stand for them. Currently as a Fellow in State Bank of India's Rural Development Fellowship called Youth for India, I plan to share my journey to all.

One thought on “Major Activities by MSSRF at Vedaranyam”

  1. Good to know that organic farming is being adopted in villages. And you have taken up a good job, volunteering is the best way to experience the best and worst of what the world has to offer. I met a German lady who was living in an Indian village for seven months serving an NGO, and she told me that volunteering is a culture in the west. High time we also take up volunteering seriously in India, not only for their benefit, but also ours.

    Destination Infinity

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