Mundgod
The Mundgod Mission is situated in Uthara Kannada district, in Karnataka state, in the southern part of India and covers 75 hamlets.
STANDARD OF LIVING
The people belong to different backward, neglected and exploited communities. Mostly they are migrants from far off places. These communities include- Gowlis (cattle rearing tribe), Gollars (migrants) Lamanis (Gypsies from northern India), Siddis who are the descendants of an African tribe that came to India during the period of slave trade; Vaddars and Korwars (the natives from other State of India) who migrated during the severe famine of 1911. The people live in remote villages in the forests and work as agricultural and unskilled laborers. Their houses are made of thatched roofs with mud walls. Due to lack of employment opportunities and absence of health and educational facilities the parents are unable to meet the basic needs of their children
HEALTH SERVICES
The project conducts health services through diagnostic check up camps, immunizations, awareness and training camps. Training and orientation programs are organized for midwives and health volunteers on preparation of herbal medicine. They are given safe delivery kits and, first aid kits to provide support at the doorstep to the target families. In coordination with local government, the project has attempted to address the need for toilets, improved housing conditions, drainage facilities, and hygienic maintenance of water sources like bore-well. The project has been making efforts to address the problem of malnutrition among children through provision of supplementary diet, training of mothers for preparing nutritious food and regular health check up camps.
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Most of the children identified for assistance are first generation learners. Believing that every child has the right to develop and prosper through education, the project has provided temporary residential facilities for the child labourers and school dropouts. To supplement educational needs of village students and ensure quality education the project provides educational materials and has posted additional teachers in the schools, where there is a shortage. To improve the academic performance of the weak students, special coaching classes are organized. Summer camps, talent tests, sports competitions and personality development camps are held regularly to develop the personality of the children. Technical training in various trades such as, carpentry, welding, tailoring, electrical wiring, plumbing and embroidery are also given to younger children for making them gainfully employed when they reach employable age.
LIVELIHOOD SERVICES
In order to stop migration and help beneficiaries to earn their livelihood, the project has implemented several sustainable economic development activities. These activities include support for animal husbandry, brick making, de-silting village water tank, rearing fish, preparation of bio manure, flour mill, irrigation infrastructure, training in rope making, phenol preparation and so on. The project has also plans for creating marketing infrastructure to help beneficiaries earn justifiable profit and introduce scientific and sustainable techniques & practices in agriculture and animal husbandry