Shantidoot’s social development/ welfare programmes are predominantly organized in rural areas where agriculture and related activities are still the mainstays of life which also suits rural socio-economic aspirations and cultural traditions. But, in emerging trend of globalization and market-dominated economy people living Indian villages are adversely affected. They find it unable to cope with present trend of developments and need for income enhancement. Traditionally disadvantaged people like SC/ST, extremely backward and economically poor people are the worst affected. Returns from agriculture, relative to the investment, are decreasing day-by-day, affecting livelihood options of people. Their efforts do not succeed due to lack of any worthwhile skill and alternative opportunities. Present education system provides little vocational skill. Also, poverty, literacy level, communication problems, unawareness, bureaucratic indifference, corruption, etc. limit access of rural people to government development/welfare schemes.

All these factors lead to a very complex situation where there is a need of motivational inputs along with skill up gradation/capacity building programmes, which are socio-culturally feasible and economically viable in long terms of interventions.

Regular organization of capacity building/skill development programmes, in different socio-economic and educational set ups has given Shantidoot the experience and the expertise to venture into the field of vocational training and professional/technical education. The objective is to provide quality education/vocational training to youths to give them the competitive edge in the job market and ability to tap opportunities for self-employment, income generation/enhancement, etc.

• Right Path Foundation
• Jan Shikshan Sansthan, Nalanda
• Training for Income-generating Activities to Female SHG Members
• Job-oriented Vocational Training to BPL Females
• Skill upgradation Training to Handicraft Artisans
• Basic Computer Training to Urban BPL Youths
• Vocational Training to literate SC/ST Youths

Education is basic to human development. Only a literate and educated community can help in real progress of society. It not only initiates a person in ‘Reading, Writing and Numeracy’, but also builds personality for an informed society. It also empowers people to create demand for other services, necessary for a decent living.

Poor literacy rates is rightly attributed as the major cause of Socio-cultural and economic backwardness. It vividly shows on poor Human Development indicators. Low literacy status in traditionally disadvantaged sections like SC/ST, EBC, minorities and females also entails extra burden on society as it adversely affects other development and welfare programmes.

Education & Literacy has been integral to Shantidoot’s social development and welfare programmes. The organization has focussed on organizing education & literacy programmes in two ways – focusing disadvantaged sections of society, especially SC/ST, girls, child labours, etc. as well as illiterate adults in rural areas.

1. Awareness generation activities for girl child education
2. Non-formal education centre for exclusively for SC/ST children, SC girls, etc.
3. Schools for child labours, disabled children, etc.
4. Education/Literacy camps for illiterate adults.
5. Continuing Education centres/camp-based education for adults.
6. Advocacy for strengthening educational infrastructure in uncovered/under covered areas.
7. Monitoring & Evaluation of education/literacy linked projects of grassroots level organizations.
8. Survey and case studies on education/literacy issues.

1. Child Labour School, Biharsharif (Nalanda).
2. NFE Centre for SC children, Nalanda.
3. Literacy Centre for Physically Challenged children, Nalanda and Patna.
4. Evaluation of literacy programmes (on request).
5. Sakshar Bharat’ campaign – Support through publicity & literacy awareness activities.

Due to the experience and expertise developed in health sector, the organization is recognizes as a Mother NGO for RCH (Reproductive Child Health) and AYUSH (earlier Indian System of Medicine & Homeopath) schemes by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. As a Mother NGO, it has strengthened and developed capacity of nine NGOs of Sheikhpura District (for RCH) and four NGOs of Begusarai and Nalanda Districts (for AYUSH). The organization has also not left behind the modern day health problems like drug abuse, STD/HIV/AIDS and child trafficking.

1. Mother NGO for Reproductive & Child Health (RCH)
2. Mother NGO for AYUSH (Ayurveda, Sidha, Unani and Homeopath), previously ISM&H (Indian System of medicine & Health)
3. 10-bedded Community Care Centre (for People Living with HIV/AIDS)
4. Targeted Intervention Project (among Injecting Drug Users)
5. Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres
6. Drug De-addiction-cum-Rehabilitation Centres
7. Free Hospital (exclusively for SCs)
8. Training programmes for ASHAs, AWWs and other workers from health sector
9. Support for Physically Challenged Persons
10. Awareness, Survey & Research, Advocacy, Network development, etc.
11. Other Health Interventions – Blindness control, Mobile dispensary, Old age health care, Water & sanitation, Health camps, etc.

Women and girls in India are born into a social and cultural system steeped in inequity and discrimination. They receive an unfair share of opportunities, attention and resources from the moment of their conception. Females are expected to perform largely reproductive functions. Gender differential treatment and discriminatory practices also places females at a higher risk of violations of all kinds and make them socially, economically and emotionally dependent on men in the family. Manifestations of discrimination against women, in India, are also mediated by factors such as their education level, earning status, caste, etc.

Women and child development programmes of the organization are envisaged and conducted to build/strengthen their capacity in a wholesome manner. Other than female specific programmes, the organization consciously targets women/girls in its programmes be it education & literacy, health projects or skill development/capacity building trainings. Programmes for child development are done for their healthy upbringing and early education for development of their body and mind.

Women and girls in India are born into a social and cultural system steeped in inequity and discrimination. They receive an unfair share of opportunities, attention and resources from the moment of their conception. Females are expected to perform largely reproductive functions. Gender differential treatment and discriminatory practices also places females at a higher risk of violations of all kinds and make them socially, economically and emotionally dependent on men in the family. Manifestations of discrimination against women, in India, are also mediated by factors such as their education level, earning status, caste, etc.

Women and child development programmes of the organization are envisaged and conducted to build/strengthen their capacity in a wholesome manner. Other than female specific programmes, the organization consciously targets women/girls in its programmes be it education & literacy, health projects or skill development/capacity building trainings. Programmes for child development are done for their healthy upbringing and early education for development of their body and mind.

1. Self-Help Group (SHG) formation, nurture and consolidation into Cooperative/Federation
2. Support to women facing suppression, unequal treatment, denial of rights, etc. due to dowry, marital discord, maladjustment, etc. through community, legal or police help.
3. Short duration shelter and rehabilitation to women suffering oppression, separation, abandonment
Job/self-employment oriented vocational training specifically for females
4. Integrated development of female handicraft artisans including skill up gradation, production and marketing of handicraft products.
5. Day care, pre-school education and nutrition care of young children of working mothers
Treatment & nutritional support to malnourished children; counselling and training of mothers for nutritious diet preparation and child care.
6. Programmes for adolescent girl reproductive health
7. Awareness generation, training, advocacy and network development on common issues affecting women, children and community, in general, like hand washing & sanitation, total immunization, breast feeding, girl child education, violence against women, etc.

About 12.8 million persons enter the labour market, in India, every year. This includes illiterate, school dropout youths, unskilled agriculture labours, small/marginal farmers, etc. But only 5% of the labour force in the age group of 20-24 years obtains vocational skills through formal means. This signifies that a large number of labour do not have skills to improve their employability. Educational programme-based training courses mostly cater to the needs of jobs in the organized sector whereas unorganized sector employs up to 93 per cent of the national workforce. Seasonal migration of the labour force also compounds the livelihood problem.

To promote livelihood options for youths and meet the demands for specific skills of good quality, Shantidoot conducts different kinds of activities ranging from skill development training to linkage and placement of targeted beneficiaries. Such programmes are organized after objective survey to know the market needs, demand & supply needs of the area, learning demands, scope of employment and tapping income-earning potential from local art & craft, culture, tradition and vocations.

1. Need-assessment, survey & research on livelihood promotion/alternative livelihood options.
2. Vocational Training courses for illiterate/neo-literate youths, especially among disadvantaged sections of society and females.
3. Establishment and operation of technical/professional educational institutions.
4. Training for Income Generating Activities (IGA) to SHG members.
5. Job-oriented training, linkage and placement to BPL females.
6. Income upgrading programmes for artisans.
7. Coaching/Training courses, especially for educated SC/ST youths.
8. Computer training programmes for digital literacy and enhancement of occupational skills of youths.

The organization has a ‘Placement Cell’ manned by a Coordinator level functionary. The Cell develops small entrepreneurship proposals for trainees, linkages with govt./banks, organization of placement interviews for trainees, etc.

Shantidootis conducting community development/welfare programmes for a long time. A large no. of projects, of varying scales, have been implemented under the guidance and financial support from different Ministries of Govt. of India, Departments of Govts. of Bihar and Jharkhand, other autonomous organizations and foreign funding agencies.

Shantidootis conducting community development/welfare programmes for a long time. A large no. of projects, of varying scales, have been implemented under the guidance and financial support from different Ministries of Govt. of India, Departments of Govts. of Bihar and Jharkhand, other autonomous organizations and foreign funding agencies. Survey, Research & Analysis, Case Studies, IEC Development, Advocacy, Monitoring & Evaluation, etc. have contributed a great deal in pragmatic and successful planning and implementation of programmes involving community development/welfare.

• Need/Problem/Status Analysis on given issues.
• Development of Concept Papers
• Development of Projects Proposals
• Planning for implementation of community development/welfare projects/activities
• Social/Community Feedback of projects under implementation
• Review progress of project implementation
• As part of ‘awareness generation’ for implementation of project/activity

1. Community Need Assessment (CNA) Survey for Injecting Drug Users (IDUs)
2. Survey for non-school going child labours in urban slum areas
3. Need analysis for vocational training among illiterate/neo-literate youths
4. Study (including awareness) for assessment of literacy status among SC girl children
5. Survey for alcoholism & other drug addictions
6. Assessment of basic health services in rural areas, uncovered/under-covered by public health system
7. Case Study: School drop-outs in Muslim weaver families
8. High Risk Behaviour (concerning HIV transmission) among Female Sex Workers
9. Research study on affects of violence/atrocities against married women and need for rehabilitation
10. Impact Study of Literacy Awareness Programme (including running of non-formal education centres)