1. About the Organization

2. Intervention Areas
     Health    Natural Resource Management    Child Protection and Education    Livelihood Promotion    Techno-Managerial Support    Advocacy and Policy  

3. External links

Citizens Foundation India is a NGO non-governmental organisation working in various dimensions of the social development sector of India. Their headquarters is located in Ranchi, which is the capital city of the Indian state of Jharkhand. The organisation has presence in 8 states in India, viz. Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Chatisgarh, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya.

About the Organization

Citizens Foundation is a registered voluntary organization established on 3 February 1997, by development-oriented youths. Citizens Foundation operates on a national level, working in multi-dimensional areas of the development sector, spread over 24 districts in Jharkhand, 2 districts in Meghalaya, 4 in Bihar, 4 in Uttarakhand and are heading into Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. It also has presence in 4 other states of the northeast, viz. Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Sikkim.

Citizens Foundation has been working in various sectors such as Health, Child Protection and Education, Livelihood Promotion, Techno-Managerial Support, Natural Resource Management and Advocacy & Policy in the various districts of Jharkhand. The organization has state offices in all the operational states and also coordination offices in Kolkata (for Eastern India) and Noida (for NCR).

Intervention Areas

Health

Citizens Foundation undertakes many initiatives under the Health Intervention, addressing health issues among the rural poor and working towards preventive, curative and promotional healthcare.

With the objective of improving access to healthcare in rural areas, it runs a number of Mobile Medical Units (MMUs), which provide primary healthcare services free of cost to people in under-served areas. Citizens Foundation partners with the Department of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW) and the National Rural Health Mission in this program.

The organization also runs Nutritional Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs), under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in collaboration with UNICEF and Government of India. It aims to provide institutional care for children with acute malnutrition and promote physical, mental and social growth of such children. With an objective of reducing malnutrition and resultant deaths, Citizens Foundation has launched campaigns and mobilized communities to identify such children, in collaboration with Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and ASHAs in the state.

In the state of Meghalaya, the foundation operates health centres (Community Health Centers and Primary Health Centers) in partnership with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya under the PPP mode. The Government of Meghalaya provides infrastructure, medical equipment, medicines and training for technical staff. Citizens Foundation manages hospitals and recruits doctors and paramedical staff. From time to time, it also helps organize health awareness camps and talks on important issues like immunization, institutional delivery, family planning, mother and child care, and ante-natal and post-natal care.Some of the on spot projects are:-

• Health Camps for Girls

All the girls covered under this program receive a thorough medical checkup every month. Their hemoglobin levels, height and weight are monitored. An overall check-up ensures that those with sub spatial ailments are identified for follow-up. If a girl is found to be anemic or under weight, her nutrition and dietary issues are discussed with her parents and suitable options based on the economic conditions of the family are suggested by our doctors.

CASE STUDY- Hijala village in Dumka, which is the subdivision of Jharkhand, located at a distance of 3 km from Dumka town. This village is the village of primitive tribes. The village is full of natural beauty which pass through Hijala river and surrounded by village. The village is surrounded by mountains and it attracts people, but there is another thing that gives a distinct identity to this village throughout the state. It is Hijla Mela. This fair was started in the year 1890. Special kind of shop, exhibition, hammock, sports, dance, and art exhibition takes place in this fair. From the year 2016, this fair was declared as a stately event. The fair is inaugurated by the Head of the village. This fair continues for a week. At such a big fair, there is a crowd of 50-70,000 people every day. MMU plays an important role in this big and attractive fair. People from almost every district of Jharkhand and some shopkeepers from the state also come to the fair. It is

a matter of pride for the MMU to provide a free health service to the crowd of around 70 thousand people. At this fair, blood test along with free medicines is being provided by the MMU. Special focus is given for providing family planning related information to the couple present at the fair and as per the orders of MMU Civil Surgeon, 24-hour long day-night service is provided to the persons.  Festivities and sportspersons, all are given health services. Emergency services are available and we also provide injection and medicines to the patients. Para medical staffs are present for delivering devices.

• Mega Medical Camps at Project Affected village, NTPC Limited, Government of India Enterprises

Citizens Foundation and NTPC jointly conduct the health camps at Tandwa Block in Simaria subdivision of Chatra district, Jharkhand on 9th of every month. Till date health camps conducted.  The event takes place at the Community Health Centre (CHC), Tandwa covering 6 villages i.e. Tandwa, Gaddilaunge, Kamta, Raham, Dendwa and Naiparam. During the last financial year, more than patients were checked free of cost with adequate supply of medicines in this project. Our doctors along with nurses conduct these camps and the diseases which are found common are Fever, Malaria, Diarrhea, Headache, Burns, Stomach Pain etc. and some diseases were chronic in nature, referred to district hospitals. The event is planned to cater to the medical needs of around 400-500 people every month. More than Patients were checked with adequate supply of medicines. A total of patients were treated in the camps. Apart from general health check-ups, ante-natal and post-natal services and ultrasound facilities were provided to the patients. A total of patients benefited from the camps.

Coverage- Pregnant women with potential complications assisted through referral networks.Pregnant women reached through home-visits and provided with periodic counseling during pregnancy and childbirth. Health post staff trained on clinical aspects of maternal and neonatal care outreach workers trained to address maternal and neonatal health in communities.

• Deployment of Mobile Health Clinic at North Karanpura Project, NTPC

A team of support staff composed of nurses, ANM, pharmacists, lab technicians, etc. arrive at the venue to assist the various processes and the team of doctors composed of various specialists such as Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Gynecology and General Health are involved in the whole process. Required medicines, kits and equipment are procured inconsultation with the doctors. We also organize community mobilization, awareness and village meetings to inform the people. Pamphlets are distributed and personal interactions are held with the villagers to communicate the details and benefits of the camp.

• Activities at a glance -

• Total three health camps were organized at Ichamati CHC and one in Nongkhlaw CHC.

• 98 VHND was held at Ichamati CHC & SC with more than 981 participants.

• On the other hand, at Nongkhlaw CHC & SC, 149 VHND was held with more than 1837 participants.

• 12 meetings with 170 participants were held at Ichamati CHC and 10 meetings with 173 participants at Nongkhlaw CHC

. • Sectoral meetings & RKS meetings were done

. • 3 meetings each was conducted by both the facilities in the presence of its members.

• Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities were carried out at both the facility. Ichamati with 23 and 207 participants whereas Nongkhlaw with 8 and 333 participants.

• Neer Nirmal Pariyojna, Drinking Water & Sanitation Division

The Rural Water Supply & Sanitation project for low income states is being implemented by DWSD, Government of Jharkhand with technical and financial support from Government of India & World Bank. Citizens Foundation is implementing this project in Garhwa & E. Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand. The main objectives of the project are to improve sustainability of drinking water sources, equitable distribution of water and security at household and village level and to assess communities to adopt financially sustain improving institutional capacity at MODWS to decentralized RWSS service delivery.

Natural Resource Management

The goal of the Natural Resource Management intervention under Citizens Foundation is to develop the capacity of villagers to effectively participate in NRM initiatives that substantially increase the sustained productivity of their natural resources. A number of initiatives have been undertaken under the NRM programme:

• Water Harvesting, Irrigation and Land Development Project, supported by Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Jharkhand
• Rainwater Harvesting and Agricultural Method (5% Seepage Model) supported by Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Jharkhand
• National Horticulture Mission Programme supported by Department of Agriculture and Cane Development, Government of Jharkhand
• Integrated Watershed Management Programme supported by Rural Development Department, Government of Jharkhand
• Goatery and Poultry Project in partnership with Jharkhand State Implementing Agency and Integrated Tribal Development Society, respectively.

Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP), Watershed Cell cum Data Centre (WCDC)-

Agriculture is the basic practice of occupation for the livelihood of villagers of Jharkhand, but the community is still facing the crisis of water. Watershed initiative is the most significant and sustainable approach for the development especially in the arid region of Jharkhand. The main objective of the project is to provide additional water storage and water conservation measures. The major concern regarding the promotion of water structures is to eradicate the hunger and poverty of the area. Many watershed approaches has been initiated by Citizens Foundation. The water holding capacity of the soil is very poor as result of which even after average 200 cm rainfall, each year the farmers are having scarcity of water for cultivation. The organization is mainly focusing to build up the ideal water conservation approach in the different project areas. The program has been initiated in 25 villages of 3 Districts (Gumla, Lohardaga and Ranchi). Till now the project is directly benefitting 4053 nos. of households and has provided additional irrigation on 4800 hec of land. Another project with the support of has been initiated in the (villages, district, state) .The project is directly benefitting 560 nos. of farmers and the additional irrigation on hec of land has been provided. Till now the ongoing work has provided the additional irrigation on acre of land and crop diversity has increased in acre of land. households are directly benefitted through these water reservoirs.

Jungle Warfare School is located at Netarhat in Jharkhand. The entire area is surrounded with dense forest. Most of the streams in this area are seasonal and rejuvenate during monsoon. Due to steep slope and torrential nature of stream during monsoon, most of the stream from upper ridges brings heavy eroded material and deposits in valley areas which causes erosion in the site area. Lack of water storage bodies, high percolation rate in porous soil and prevalence of soil erosion are the main weaknesses of this area. This area receives an average of 1200 mm of rain, but most of this rain is lost due to inadequate water storage and harvesting structures. It causes erosion in the upper ridges and flooding in the valleys. The major concept of the plan is to hold the rain water within the campus for longer duration by constructing water harvesting trenches at the uppermost areas. These trenches will help to recharge the ground water and availability of water round the year in the low land area. As per the field observation and identification of potentiality water sources, 4 locations have been identified for construction of ponds at the lower area of the campus. These ponds will act as permanent water source to serve the total requirement of school. The ultimate plan is to utilize the head water tank constructed earlier for the same purpose. The water will be lifted from the pond to two separate concrete water tanks at preferable location. The water tank at ground level will act as intermediate structure for water storage and direct source of water to water treatment unit which has been proposed to be a purification unit. Finally, the treated water will be lifted to the head water tank and supply the water to different users by channelizing water through pipe line. It is expected that the plan will help to a solution to present water crisis and serve the requirement of the campus for longer duration.

Child Protection and Education

Under the Child Protection and Education intervention, Citizens Foundation has undertaken a few initiatives with the objective of promoting growth and development of children, especially those belonging to the marginalized sections of the community. A major initiative under this intervention has been the setting up of Jharkhand State Bal Bhavan (JSBB), on the lines of National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi. In February 2009, Citizens Foundation got affiliated to National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi. The Jharkhand State Bal Bhavan supplements the work of National Bal Bhavan at state level by conducting activities like integration camps, children utsav, environmental conferences, exhibitions and art competitions. It has over 1100 registered students who participate in various seminars and competitions, and undergo training classes in computers and paintings at its centers. JSBB under the aegis of Citizens Foundation also selects the best talent from Jharkhand to represent it at the Bal Shree Honour Awards, awarded by the National Bal Bhavan in New Delhi.

• Jharkhand State Bal Bhawan (JSBB) Jharkhand State Bal Bhawan under the aegis of Citizens Foundation in the state nodal agency for National Bal Bhawan activities since 2009, actively organize selection process of the best talents to represent at National level. Jharkhand State Bal Bhawan is also taking initiative to organize preparatory sessions for children who will be participating at National level competition. The preparatory sessions are being conducted by eminent resource persons.
• Bal Shree Awards Bal Shree honor is organized by National Bal Bhawan, New Delhi, under Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. The honor is awarded by the President of India. This award is for the creative children falling in the age group of 10-16 years in the four specialized areas of expression which include creative performance, creative art, creative scientific innovations and creative writing. In the past few years, Jharkhand students have established a good image at Bal Shree Awards.  Three children from Jharkhand State Bal Bhawan (JSBB)- Sumit Prajapati, Joyon Mazumdar and Ashutosh Sahay have been selected from National Bal Bhawan, Delhi for Bal Shree Honour 2015. These children will receive Bal Shree Award from the President.
• Shelter Home - A home for homeless- The National Urban Housing & Habitat Policy (NUHHP), 2007 aims at promoting sustainable development of habitat in the country with a view to ensuring equitable supply of land, shelter and services at affordable prices to all sections of the society. However, the most vulnerable of these are the urban homeless. The Urban homeless persons contribute to the economy of the cities and thus the nation as cheap labor in the informal sector; yet they live with no shelter or social security protection. The urban homeless survive with many challenges like no access to elementary public services such as health, education, food, water and sanitation. Citizens Foundation has set up the Shelter Home in Ranchi and Jamshedpur districts of Jharkhand to rehabilitate unidentified homeless people. We Manage shelters for both male and female at Jamshedpur and Ranchi respectively.

Livelihood Promotion

The Livelihood Promotion intervention focuses on empowering the tribal population and thus ensuring food security, increased incomes and an increase in the overall quality of life. It builds on the Natural Resource Management in developing resources which can sustainably provide livelihood opportunities for the community. It has identified activities like Homestead Poultry, Goatery Promotion, and Horticulture to enhance livelihood opportunities. A few projects being implemented under this intervention are:

• Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hastashilpa Vikas Yojna, supported by Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
• Homestead Poultry Promotion, under the MESO Prototype Programme supported by Department of Welfare, Government of Jharkhand
• Goat Development project in Gumla through Breed Services, Community Participation and Extension Services under JSIACBD, supported by Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Jharkhand
• Sustainable Market Linkage Promotion for agriculture and non-agriculture producers supported by Department of Welfare, Government of Jharkhand.

Techno-Managerial Support

Under this intervention, Citizens Foundation is involved in consultancy on Technical, Social and CSR projects across different areas. It provides services in Resettlement and Rehabilitation projects, Natural Resource Management projects, Health, Livelihood, Base Line Studies, concurrent and end line evaluations, impact assessment and collaboration. The foundation has conducted over 100 Social Economic Surveys, Technical Surveys, Resource Surveys and Market Surveys of varying magnitudes for its own projects as well as for other organizations.

Got Prestigies Project from Bihar Government and ADB for R&R and LA of 6 Lane Ganga Bridge Kachi Dargha- Bidhur, PATNA.

Advocacy and Policy

Under the Advocacy and Policy intervention, Citizens Foundation organizes issue based workshops, seminars, conference and deliberations helping prepare vibrant platforms for discussions and influencing policy-making. Campaigns and public hearings on issues like AIDS awareness, Child Rights, Drug Abuse and Trafficking have been organized by the foundation in the past.

External links

• Citizens Foundation Official Website

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