Manthan Sanstha

A long-term rainwater harvesting project, led by the Foundation for Rural Recovery and Development (FORRAD) and funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation, has been implemented in 15 villages across Ajmer, Jaipur, and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan. The project, consisting of 24 structures including anicuts, ponds, and mini dams, aims to address water scarcity and deterioration in quality. It has resulted in improved water quality, revived traditional livelihoods like agriculture and cattle rearing, and generated employment opportunities for daily wage earners. With a total storage capacity of 773 million litres and 1.2 billion litres of water collected, over 54,000 lives have been positively impacted in the target villages.

Barefoot College introduced the concept of night schools to provide basic education to marginalized communities and children unable to attend regular schools. These schools offer a diverse curriculum covering subjects like current affairs, agriculture, health, and social issues such as untouchability and child marriage. Managed through the Baal Sansad initiative, children participate in a Children’s Parliament, electing representatives who oversee the schools and address their needs. Since 1983, 45 night schools have been established, impacting 3000 children, with 6 currently operating in 6 villages, serving around 160 children.