India: SASAC-SOJASI training in agroecology

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India: SASAC-SOJASI training in agroecology

SASAC/SOJASI implements economic, livelihood, social, educational, and environmental programs to address the needs of marginalized people, empower them, and help them care for our common home. Photo: Juan Emilio Hernandez/CJI

Canadian Jesuits International supports the St. Alphonsus Social and Agricultural Centre (SASAC) and the Society of Jesus Agricultural and Social Institute (SOJASI), both founded by Canadian Jesuit Fr Murray Abraham in 1975 and 2010, respectively.

They share a common goal, vision and conviction that poverty, unemployment and hunger are the root causes of many of the problems facing families in rural Kurseong, India. Today, SASAC and SOJASI operate under one banner as SASAC/SOJASI and continue to believe that people have the right to a dignified life through education (formal and non-formal), shelter, vocational/training program in agriculture, livelihood support and health.

SASAC/SOJASI implements economic, livelihood, social, educational, and environmental programs to address the needs of marginalized people, empower them, and help them care for our common home. Their economic and livelihood programs include Square Meter Vegetable Gardens (SMVG), dairy farming, piggery, mushroom growing and weaving. These projects are complemented by educational programs such as study centres for rural children, vocational training, computer training, winter training and a hostel for students.

SASAC/SOJASI's social programs focus on medical health, good hygiene, legal aid and human rights, human trafficking awareness, and Bal Panchayat (children's parliament). SASAC/SOJASI's environmental programs include tree planting, social forestry, and water source protection and conservation.

SASAC/SOJASI has helped generations of women, men, youth and children in the communities they work with. Each year, 300 women participate in the livelihood program; 500 school children participate in the education program; 23 community members with mental and physical disabilities are included in the education and livelihood programs; and 100 unemployed youth are empowered through skills training.

Canadian Jesuits International has supported SASAC/SOJASI since its inception in 1975.

Director: Pramod Dabhi, SJ
Visit the website of the Darjeeling Jesuits: http://www.darjeelingjesuits.org

Watch video about SASAC-SOJASI: 'Helping the poor to help themselves'

Click to read the SASAC-SOJASI Newsletter

The project at a glance:

Beneficiaries

566 students to be trained in agriculture, animal husbandry, carpentry and other trades
100 rural people to be provided with livestock and support system to start their own small-scale poultry/piggery/dairy farming, carpentry, tailoring, weaving, and other sustainable economic activity
1,500 women participants in a women's empowerment program, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)
320 rural people to receive healthcare
80 participants in ecology programs
60 persons from the poorest of the poor to receive livelihood opportunities through agriculture and other economic activities
1,500 migrant workers and students to receive support through a networking program called the Migrant Assistance and Information Network (MAIN)

CJI contribution: $130,051.00

Activities:

Provide regular training/education to needy farmers and students in Kurseong and elsewhere.
Bringing SASAC activities to the villages; SASAC will provide livestock and the necessary support system for people in rural areas to start their own small-scale poultry, piggery, dairy, carpentry, tailoring, weaving or other sustainable economic activities.
Strengthen a government health program called ASHA. ASHA workers are trained by SASAC to work to improve the overall health and hygiene of rural villages. Once trained, the government will pay them a salary.
Organize 3-5 medical camps for poor people in the villages around Woodcot and Chimney and nearby rural areas; Provide online consultation with doctors; Strengthen network of hospitals, doctors and organizations involved in health care.
Implement reforestation programs to help protect the environment and conserve water sources
Provide livelihood opportunities for the poorest of the poor through agriculture and other economic activities in SASAC-I (Woodcot) and SASAC-II (Chimney).
Support migrant workers and students through a networking program called the Migrant Assistance and Information Network (MAIN)
Construct an underground water tank to solve the water problem at Chimney Center

Please support SASAC/SOJASI with a donation: