OUR PRESENCE Chhattisgarh

ACF introduced innovative approaches to agriculture involving women and package of practices to make farming a more profitable business for farmers. Farm mechanisation and implementation tools are promoted for enhanced efficiency. Modern techniques of agriculture such as SRI and Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) for Paddy, along with line sowing of wheat are promoted –Goat rearing is also introduced as alternate source of income.

ACF supports the formation and strengthening of Self-Help Groups in villages, providing a platform for gender integrate roles, income generation and tackling social issues. The focus is on building the capacity of women in various income-generating activities like detergents, sweet boxes, soap making, masala unit, or poultry. Training is also provided in business skills like running a shop or collective marketing. In Raigarh one Gram Sangathan has promoted a Kelo Rural Mart (Village Mart) to support income generation. ACF strengthens SHGs by providing training and helping them to function strongly as an institution.

Sakhis ensure basic health care and information at the village level, and referral of patients. They also tackle issues like lack of health awareness, home deliveries conducted by midwife, superstitions, anaemia, and high rates of neonatal and maternal deaths. Health camps for antenatal care, blood testing, detecting diabetes, anaemia and cataract surgery are coordinated. In Bhatapara, screening and awareness programs for truckers on HIV AIDS, Blood Sugar, Eye Check-Up and TB Awareness are held. Kitchen gardening is promoted to help families meet their nutritional requirements, and provide additional income.

Bhatapara, Rawan and Bilaspur are home to ACF’s Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Institutes. ACF’s skilling program trains local youth in varied skills including Retail, Hospitality, Masonry, Welding, Electrical, Beautician, and Heavy Metro Vehicle. Well-equipped labs, and course curriculums, are developed as per the NSDC norms and our focus is on placement of trainees in good quality jobs.

ACF Bhatapara is currently focusing on quality education through physical literacy, reading promotion and provision of infrastructure like the development of WASH facilities in schools. Teachers are being trained on physical literacy, reading promotion and WASH, Menstrual Hygiene Management and Physical hygiene. In Ambikapur, ACF provides basic infrastructure to schools for education development. Additionally, a Mini Science Lab has been established to promote STEM learning among children.