Nestled in the heart of Uttar Pradesh, Sonbhadra is a land rich in culture and natural beauty, yet for years, it remained untouched by the waves of development. Home to a large tribal population, Sonbhadra faced challenges in education, health, and basic infrastructure. Recognizing this need, the Avaada Foundation has been working tirelessly over the past year to bring meaningful change to these communities — focusing on education, empowerment, health, and rural development.
Building Strong Foundations: Education Initiatives
Education is the cornerstone of any progressive society, and at Sonbhadra, we made it our mission to provide every child with access to quality learning.
- We constructed a kitchen shed and dining hall to ensure students could enjoy mid-day meals in a clean and safe environment.
- Tablets with recharged SIM cards were distributed to 50 students, helping bridge the digital divide and ensuring continued learning.
- The spirit of sports and play was celebrated with the Avaada Foundation Khelmohotsav, encouraging teamwork and physical fitness among 700 children.
- We launched free coaching classes catering 80 students, offered 4 additional teacher support, and established libraries, stocked with 2,500 educational books across primary and upper primary schools of Chichlik, Khodela, Basuhari, and Adgud,
- To promote equality and dignity, school uniforms along with school shoes, sweaters and socks were distributed to 433 students, and school bags for 432 children each.
- We also supported teachers by providing laptop bags to 20 government educators.
Recognizing the importance of real-world exposure, we organized an educational tour to Prayagraj for 75 students, broadening their horizons beyond the village.
Empowering Communities: Women and Youth
Our journey wasn’t limited to education; we knew empowering women and youth would lead to long-term community transformation.
- Sarees were distributed to 1,500 women, ensuring they have basic necessities with dignity.
- To help people cope with the winter, 1,200 sweaters were provided to tribal women and adolescent girls, 900 blankets were distributed to underprivileged families, and 200 children between the ages of 2 and 5 received sweaters and slippers.
- Through an organic farming training program, 115 housewives were introduced to sustainable farming techniques, creating new avenues for income.
- We organized a tribal fair, with 5000+ attendees celebrating local culture while promoting economic opportunities.
- Mobility was addressed by distributing bicycles to 150 students, helping them travel to schools and coaching centers with ease.
A Social Security Camp was also held, creating awareness about government schemes and helping villagers access benefits.
Fostering Health and Wellbeing
Health is the foundation of a thriving community. We implemented several measures to improve healthcare and hygiene in Sonbhadra:
- Fogging operations and mosquito net distribution to 1,300 households helped in fighting malaria and dengue.
- Eye check-up camps were organized, 15 cataract surgeries done, ensuring early diagnosis and treatment for vision-related issues.
Recognizing the importance of nutrition, 1,170 ration kits containing essential food supplies were distributed, ensuring sufficient nutrition and food security during the winter season. Additionally, 1,200 children, adolescents, and women were provided with balanced and nutritious food kits.
Lighting Up Lives: Rural Development
Infrastructure gaps were a major hurdle in Sonbhadra’s development. Avaada Foundation took crucial steps to overcome these challenges:
- Solar street lights were installed in four villages, with about 20 lights brightening the streets and making villages safer at night.
- Rural electrification projects included inverter installations at Chichlik, Basuhari, and Adgud schools, ensuring uninterrupted learning.
- As part of our commitment to educational infrastructure, renovation work for 5 government schools and installation of drinking water stations are currently underway.
Furthermore, teacher training sessions are being conducted for both government and private school educators, ensuring that teaching standards continue to improve.
The Road Ahead
Our journey in Sonbhadra has only just begun. Every initiative, whether big or small, is a step towards building a brighter, healthier, and more educated future for the tribal communities of this district. The resilience and enthusiasm of the people inspire us to work harder and dream bigger.
