Programs & Projects
Health Care
Hospital Clinics
BRWS supports its projects in the village communities through its income-generating hospital clinic
and diagnostic centers in Kolkata that provide affordable health care to urban middle-class
citizens.
These facilities currently have 26 beds with an extension facility of up to 50 beds.
In the clinics, specialists are available for consultation and diagnostic services. The facilities also include modern equipment for inpatient care as well as for both general and micro surgeries.
In the clinics, specialists are available for consultation and diagnostic services. The facilities also include modern equipment for inpatient care as well as for both general and micro surgeries.
BRWS Rural Health Program
Provides information about safe motherhood, family planning, and AIDS/HIV/STD awareness.
Educates women and students about low-cost nutrition options for their villages.
Trains women to be health workers for each village, which enables the villagers to receive proper basic care when needed.
Educates women and students about low-cost nutrition options for their villages.
Trains women to be health workers for each village, which enables the villagers to receive proper basic care when needed.
Women's Empowerment
Self Help Groups
BRWS empowers women in the villages by assisting in the formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs).
Through the SHG program, women collectively gather savings and place them in nationalized banks to create a corpus that generates over time.
When the corpus grows to a significant amount, the group can approach the banks to take out loans.
SHG members can also take out loans from within the group.
These loans are used for starting businesses and various income-generating activities, such as paddy cultivation, small fruit stands, poultry raising, etc.
There are currently 97 Self Help Groups that hold monthly meetings; each with a savings account, a designated leader, a secretary and a treasurer.
Empowerment
Women are able to gain a sense of self-worth through their accomplishments as well as through their increased control of their families' and their communities' incomes.
The Role of BRWS in the Self Help Groups
BRWS conducts introduction training sessions and refresher courses for the leaders of the SHGs. These provide a background in bookkeeping, vocational training, and leadership skills for the women.
Furthermore, BRWS is currently working to facilitate collaboration between the SHG's and their local governments (called Panchayat Raj Institutions) to initiate capital for community improvement projects. The women would therefore play a leading role in building the infrastructure of their villages through their interactions with and suggestions to their local administrative officials.
Through the SHG program, women collectively gather savings and place them in nationalized banks to create a corpus that generates over time.
When the corpus grows to a significant amount, the group can approach the banks to take out loans.
SHG members can also take out loans from within the group.
These loans are used for starting businesses and various income-generating activities, such as paddy cultivation, small fruit stands, poultry raising, etc.
There are currently 97 Self Help Groups that hold monthly meetings; each with a savings account, a designated leader, a secretary and a treasurer.
Empowerment
Women are able to gain a sense of self-worth through their accomplishments as well as through their increased control of their families' and their communities' incomes.
The Role of BRWS in the Self Help Groups
BRWS conducts introduction training sessions and refresher courses for the leaders of the SHGs. These provide a background in bookkeeping, vocational training, and leadership skills for the women.
Furthermore, BRWS is currently working to facilitate collaboration between the SHG's and their local governments (called Panchayat Raj Institutions) to initiate capital for community improvement projects. The women would therefore play a leading role in building the infrastructure of their villages through their interactions with and suggestions to their local administrative officials.
Agro-Environment Program
BRWS also provides advice and training to villages concerning agriculture and the environment.
Promotes home-based planting of nutritious fruit plants.
Supports multi-cropping and year-round agriculture initiatives to ensure for healthy, nitrogen-rich soil and thus high crop production.
Promotes and educates about organic farming techniques.
Assists villagers in improving land irrigation through the construction of watersheds (small dams, ponds, wells, canals).
Promotes organic farming techniques.
Promotes home-based planting of nutritious fruit plants.
Supports multi-cropping and year-round agriculture initiatives to ensure for healthy, nitrogen-rich soil and thus high crop production.
Promotes and educates about organic farming techniques.
Assists villagers in improving land irrigation through the construction of watersheds (small dams, ponds, wells, canals).
Promotes organic farming techniques.
Projects
Balichua, Belpahari
Since 2008, BRWS has been working with the community of Balichua in Belpahari, addressing the unique challenges faced by this region through an integrated approach to sustainable development.
Project Focus Areas
Climate Change Adaptation
In response to the increasing impacts of climate change on rural livelihoods, BRWS implements programs to help the community adapt to changing weather patterns and environmental conditions. This includes promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices and sustainable land management techniques.
Nutrition and Food Security
Ensuring access to nutritious food is a cornerstone of the Balichua project. BRWS works with local families to establish kitchen gardens, promote cultivation of nutrient-rich crops, and provide education on balanced diets using locally available resources.
Livelihood Development
The project focuses on creating sustainable income-generating opportunities for the community through diversified agricultural practices and value-added processing of agricultural products.
Key Interventions
Horticulture Development
BRWS provides comprehensive training to local farmers in modern horticultural techniques, including grafting, pruning, pest management, and post-harvest handling. These trainings enable farmers to cultivate high-value fruits and vegetables suited to the local soil and climate conditions.
Essential Oil Cultivation
Recognizing the economic potential of aromatic plants, BRWS has introduced essential oil-bearing crops like lemongrass and citronella. Farmers receive training in cultivation practices, distillation techniques, and market linkages to ensure profitable returns from these crops.
Arid Land Rehabilitation
The Balichua region is characterized by stone-hard and acidic soil conditions that pose significant agricultural challenges. BRWS implements soil improvement techniques including organic composting, green manuring, mulching, and appropriate crop selection to make these marginal lands productive.
Water Conservation
Water scarcity is a critical issue in this region. BRWS assists the community in constructing rainwater harvesting structures, farm ponds, check dams, and contour bunding to conserve precious water resources. These interventions not only provide irrigation during dry periods but also help in groundwater recharge.
Through this holistic approach, the Balichua project demonstrates how integrated rural development can transform challenging environments into productive and sustainable agricultural landscapes, improving both livelihoods and environmental resilience.
Project Focus Areas
Climate Change Adaptation
In response to the increasing impacts of climate change on rural livelihoods, BRWS implements programs to help the community adapt to changing weather patterns and environmental conditions. This includes promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices and sustainable land management techniques.
Nutrition and Food Security
Ensuring access to nutritious food is a cornerstone of the Balichua project. BRWS works with local families to establish kitchen gardens, promote cultivation of nutrient-rich crops, and provide education on balanced diets using locally available resources.
Livelihood Development
The project focuses on creating sustainable income-generating opportunities for the community through diversified agricultural practices and value-added processing of agricultural products.
Key Interventions
Horticulture Development
BRWS provides comprehensive training to local farmers in modern horticultural techniques, including grafting, pruning, pest management, and post-harvest handling. These trainings enable farmers to cultivate high-value fruits and vegetables suited to the local soil and climate conditions.
Essential Oil Cultivation
Recognizing the economic potential of aromatic plants, BRWS has introduced essential oil-bearing crops like lemongrass and citronella. Farmers receive training in cultivation practices, distillation techniques, and market linkages to ensure profitable returns from these crops.
Arid Land Rehabilitation
The Balichua region is characterized by stone-hard and acidic soil conditions that pose significant agricultural challenges. BRWS implements soil improvement techniques including organic composting, green manuring, mulching, and appropriate crop selection to make these marginal lands productive.
Water Conservation
Water scarcity is a critical issue in this region. BRWS assists the community in constructing rainwater harvesting structures, farm ponds, check dams, and contour bunding to conserve precious water resources. These interventions not only provide irrigation during dry periods but also help in groundwater recharge.
Through this holistic approach, the Balichua project demonstrates how integrated rural development can transform challenging environments into productive and sustainable agricultural landscapes, improving both livelihoods and environmental resilience.
Ghoradhara, Jhargram
BRWS extends its rural development initiatives to Ghoradhara in the Jhargram district, working alongside local communities to build sustainable livelihoods and strengthen resilience against environmental and economic challenges.
Project Overview
Like the Balichua project, the Ghoradhara initiative addresses the interconnected challenges of climate change, nutrition security, and livelihood sustainability. This region shares similar geographical and socio-economic characteristics, with communities facing difficulties in agricultural productivity due to challenging soil conditions and water scarcity.
Core Program Components
Climate-Resilient Agriculture
BRWS introduces farming practices that help communities cope with erratic rainfall patterns and temperature variations. This includes promoting drought-resistant crop varieties, intercropping systems, and conservation agriculture techniques that improve soil health while maintaining productivity.
Nutritional Enhancement
The project emphasizes cultivation of locally adapted nutritious crops including millets, pulses, and green leafy vegetables. Kitchen garden programs enable households to produce fresh vegetables year-round, improving dietary diversity and family nutrition.
Sustainable Livelihood Creation
Beyond traditional agriculture, BRWS supports diversified income opportunities through horticulture, aromatic crop cultivation, and value addition activities. This multi-pronged approach helps families reduce economic vulnerability and build financial security.
Technical Support and Training
BRWS provides hands-on training in modern horticultural practices, enabling farmers to cultivate fruit trees and vegetables suitable for the local ecosystem. Training programs cover nursery management, integrated pest management, organic fertilizer preparation, and market-oriented production planning.
The cultivation of essential oil-bearing plants offers an additional revenue stream, with training provided in cultivation, harvesting, and basic processing techniques to maximize returns.
Land and Water Management
Recognizing the constraints posed by degraded and acidic soils, BRWS implements comprehensive land rehabilitation strategies. These include organic matter enrichment, lime application for pH correction, and selection of appropriate crop varieties that can thrive in marginal conditions.
Water conservation remains a priority, with construction of small-scale water harvesting structures, improved irrigation systems, and promotion of water-efficient farming methods. These interventions ensure water availability during critical crop growth stages.
Through sustained engagement and participatory approaches, the Ghoradhara project empowers communities to overcome environmental constraints and achieve sustainable rural prosperity.
Project Overview
Like the Balichua project, the Ghoradhara initiative addresses the interconnected challenges of climate change, nutrition security, and livelihood sustainability. This region shares similar geographical and socio-economic characteristics, with communities facing difficulties in agricultural productivity due to challenging soil conditions and water scarcity.
Core Program Components
Climate-Resilient Agriculture
BRWS introduces farming practices that help communities cope with erratic rainfall patterns and temperature variations. This includes promoting drought-resistant crop varieties, intercropping systems, and conservation agriculture techniques that improve soil health while maintaining productivity.
Nutritional Enhancement
The project emphasizes cultivation of locally adapted nutritious crops including millets, pulses, and green leafy vegetables. Kitchen garden programs enable households to produce fresh vegetables year-round, improving dietary diversity and family nutrition.
Sustainable Livelihood Creation
Beyond traditional agriculture, BRWS supports diversified income opportunities through horticulture, aromatic crop cultivation, and value addition activities. This multi-pronged approach helps families reduce economic vulnerability and build financial security.
Technical Support and Training
BRWS provides hands-on training in modern horticultural practices, enabling farmers to cultivate fruit trees and vegetables suitable for the local ecosystem. Training programs cover nursery management, integrated pest management, organic fertilizer preparation, and market-oriented production planning.
The cultivation of essential oil-bearing plants offers an additional revenue stream, with training provided in cultivation, harvesting, and basic processing techniques to maximize returns.
Land and Water Management
Recognizing the constraints posed by degraded and acidic soils, BRWS implements comprehensive land rehabilitation strategies. These include organic matter enrichment, lime application for pH correction, and selection of appropriate crop varieties that can thrive in marginal conditions.
Water conservation remains a priority, with construction of small-scale water harvesting structures, improved irrigation systems, and promotion of water-efficient farming methods. These interventions ensure water availability during critical crop growth stages.
Through sustained engagement and participatory approaches, the Ghoradhara project empowers communities to overcome environmental constraints and achieve sustainable rural prosperity.