(AKDN) in India Cotton Connect at Home

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AKDN recently inaugurated the AKDN Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad, where students are connected to a network of Aga Khan Academies in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and engage in a rigorous academic experience validated by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB).

Institutional Partners Patna city and rural villages of Muzaffarpur to optimise their interactions with students.

Agragami and Samastipur districts. Enrolment has since tripled. During off- Archaeological Survey of India school hours, the building is used by pre- Arghyam Foundation Association for Rural Advancement through Voluntary Action & In addition, AKDN has implemented a school children and older students and young Local Involvement (ARAVALI) Reading for Children programme in Bihar adults for English language and vocational Axis Bank Azad India Foundation and Gujarat. By providing mini-libraries training courses provided by the programme. Bodh Shiksha Samiti from which parents can borrow storybooks British High Commission Canadian High Commission to read to their children, the initiative As part of educational efforts in India and Canadian International Development Agency supports activities that provide parents the internationally, AKDN recently inaugurated Central Public Works Department Centre for Health and Resource Management tools to support their children’s learning the Aga Khan Academy (AKA) in The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in India Cotton Connect at home. Plans are underway to expand Hyderabad, where students are connected to Delhi Development Authority Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit Reading for Children to Uttar Pradesh. a network of Aga Khan Academies in Asia, Development Support Centre the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and In India, programmes of the Aga Khan food security, manage natural resources 100,000 families. Dairying, goat rearing and European Commission Development Network span the states of and mobilise communities for their own skills development have benefited 5,000 of Federal Republic of Germany In the nation’s capital, following the engage in a rigorous academic experience Ford Foundation successful restoration of the Humayun’s validated by the International Baccalaureate Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, development. Its activities have included the the poorest families. GSRD Foundation Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan planting of 12 million trees; river basin and Hilton Foundation Tomb gardens in 2004 by the Aga Khan Organization (IB). Its curriculum emphasises Jamsetji Tata Trust Trust for Culture (AKTC), the Network leadership development and cultivates in and Uttar Pradesh. They address a broad watershed management measures, including Social development: addressing social Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences spectrum of development issues ranging the construction of over 1,000 check dams inequities and integrating everyone regardless Mahila Abhivruddhi Society, Andhra Pradesh began incorporating socioeconomic students a global perspective and appreciation Marshall Foundation initiatives in the neighbouring Nizamuddin of other cultures. The aim is to develop habits from cultural restoration to education and irrigation tanks; and hundreds of of origins in the decision-making process. Mazagon Dock Ltd quality, financial inclusion to health care, groundwater recharge and irrigation systems, Federations of men and women farmers Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Limited Basti. Today, the Nizamuddin Area of mind and values which will be important Milli Educational and Welfare Society Development Programme aims to improve determinants of their future ability and desire agriculture and environment to civil society including drip and sprinkler devices. supported by AKRSP are now independently Municipal Corporation of Delhi strengthening. These initiatives include 82 negotiating with government and private National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (India) the overall quality of life of this community to impact positively their communities, Nav Jagriti in historic old Delhi. The major effort nations and the world at large. Linked to schools and educational centres, a 137- Recent impact studies undertaken in certain agencies to ensure better implementation Nidan bed multi-specialty acute care hospital in areas showed beneficiaries’ incomes of government schemes and infrastructure Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) towards improving education activities the Academy is a professional development Sakhi has centred around the rehabilitation of centre dedicated to training new teachers to Mumbai, a rural support programme that has increased between 40 and 80 percent, while development in their regions. Sir Dorabji Tata Trust benefited 500,000 people in four Indian states expenditure on food increased by 85 percent. Sir Ratan Tata Trust the municipal primary school. In 2007, the highest standards while offering veteran UKaid from the Department for International Development the building was refurbished in a way that teachers the opportunity to stay on the cutting and the restoration of a World Heritage site Female literacy levels rose by 10 percent Basic services: working to provide United States Agency for International Development in the nation’s capital. while distress migration declined from 80 infrastructure for drinking water, technical US Embassy in India incorporated colourful interactive learning edge of education, thought and practice. WaterAid aides not only in the classrooms but percent to 35 percent and from 150 to 90 know-how for setting up structures that World Monuments Fund days per year. Today, AKRSP’s programmes generate alternative energy and fodder throughout the hallways, stairs and other Rural Development AKF India works in close partnership with the Government of India common areas of the school. The programme in India have four main components: growth for cattle. and state governments in all its programmes. also began engaging staff in on-site training Soon after it was established in 1983, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme Economic development: agricultural and non- Improved governance: encouraging the (AKRSP) started field operations in the agricultural interventions that help improve formation of village-level committees that are state of Gujarat. Since then, AKRSP in India the productivity of the landed farmers and responsive to the needs of their communities; provide livelihood options for the poor and it also works at the state level to influence For further information: Aga Khan Foundation (India), Sarojin House, 6 Bhagwan Dass Road, New Delhi 110001, India, Tel: +91 11 4 739 9700 • Fax: +91 11 4 739 9750 has reached over 500,000 beneficiaries in over 1,100 villages in the states of Gujarat, landless farmers. More than 40,000 hectares government policies regarding the rights of Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The programme of land have been treated with soil and water such groups. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of private development agencies working to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in Africa and Asia. Its agencies work in over 30 countries for the common good of all citizens, regardless of their gender, origin has worked in resource-poor areas to build conservation measures to benefit more than or religion. Its underlying impulse is the ethic of compassion for the vulnerable in society.

AGA KHAN DEVELOPMENT NETWORK www.akdn.org successfully tested village-based approaches risen to over 80, reaching more than 19,000 As we measure outcomes with greater AKRSP’s community-led initiatives, envisaged under India’s National Rural children aged 3-17 every year in six states. breadth, we will move beyond an Health Mission (NRHM). The model aimed such as wells, check dams (pictured excessive reliance on traditional to generate demand from target communities In early childhood development, the to the right) and water management to improve maternal, neonatal and child Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) categories, such as average productivity committees have been instrumental health, all the while increasing their capacity manages a cluster of 19 community centres levels, or per acre yields, or per capita in responding to water scarcity and to self-manage these services. Working in 11 districts, where more than 750 students national product, or rates of population in more than 65 villages and reaching every year show considerably improved ensuring improved water supply and growth. Yes, these are all significant approximately 90,000 beneficiaries, the learning outcomes compared to those of sanitation in rural communities. programme made significant strides in children not enrolled in pre-school. variables, but they come alive only as improving child survival rates including: a they transform the quality of daily living 23 percent reduction in infant mortality; 21 At the primary school level, the Aga Khan for the populations involved in ways in percent reduction in neonatal mortality; 68 Foundation (AKF) has supported its long- which they, and their children, can see percent increase in breastfeeding within one standing resource partner, Bodh Shiksha hour of birth; and 36 percent increase in fully Samiti, a non-governmental agency based and value.... immunised children ages 1-2. As a result in Rajasthan. Over the past two decades, the Since the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) began With more than 25 years of experience in and integrated water supply, sanitation and of its success, CLICS has become a model Bodh method of intensive teacher training working in India in 1978 it has supported areas India, many of AKRSP’s activities have hygiene improvement. The approach engages -- His Highness the Aga Khan speaking that have largely missed out from the benefits frequently referenced by NRHM. and community engagement transformed been recognised by government for their with public systems to support positive to the “Marketplace on Innovative of modernisation. This approach continues classroom learning environments, improved innovation and quality. In Gujarat, it was change in government health services, and today as its newest programmes, in Bihar and To complement the construction of sanitation student achievement levels and reduced Financial Solutions for Development” Uttar Pradesh, address the social and economic the first NGO to implement Participatory includes capacity building of local partners, facilities and the promotion of good health drop-out rates in community and municipal challenges faced by the most marginalised Irrigation Management (PIM). Today, the community institutions and frontline workers. in Paris, France, 4 March 2010 practices in poor, remote communities, schools in Rajasthan by three-fold. Given communities in those states. state has a PIM Act. It also established the AKDN provides services through formal this success, the Network has more recently Nirmala Water Testing Laboratory in Gujarat. Programmes in sanitation and hygiene The Foundation supports programmes through health facilities. Since 1981, the Aga Khan engaged Bodh in its new training programme This is the only water testing laboratory set promotion are particularly important in other AKDN agencies, civil society partners and Health Services (AKHS) has provided for primary and pre-primary teachers in the government, to create opportunities, promote up by an NGO that has received the ISO AKDN’s efforts to improve the quality of life integrated services through a network of state of Bihar. inclusiveness and help people become self- 9001: 2000 certificate. The government has in poor, remote communities. In Gujarat, the health clinics and diagnostic centres, as well reliant. Its approach to development is essentially made it mandatory that all water samples in Aga Khan Planning and Building Services community-based and owned, with long-term as the 137-bed multi-specialty acute care In Bihar, AKDN has established more than the region be tested in this laboratory. (AKPBS), the Network’s specialist agency commitment to areas and populations. in improving the built environment, supports Prince Aly Khan Hospital and a Community 60 learning support centres to reach over Health Division in Mumbai. AKHS’s 5,000 primary and pre-primary school On this basis, AKF brings long experience in In Bihar, AKRSP is supporting a community- the government through the demonstration Community Health Division is active in children every year. Lessons and activities developing local institutions and customises its based savings group initiative. Poor effect of the annual Nirmal Gram award. In Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and are provided by 250 community teachers expertise to best address local conditions and rural households who are too isolated or the village of Karan, in Gujarat’s taluka of needs. It works closely with government to adapt focuses on maternal, reproductive and child who have been trained by the project on marginalised to be served by formal financial Siddhpur, AKPBS helped the village reach and replicate these approaches on a substantial health, communicable and non-communicable supportive teaching methods. An internal providers have for the first time a secure the goal of 100 percent sanitation. Each scale. For example, AKF is implementing a disease awareness and screening, and mental evaluation in 2010 indicated that the programme among the poorest rural communities place to save and the opportunity to borrow home has access to safe water, a toilet facility health. Additionally, AKHS operates six improved learning environment has more of Bahraich District in Uttar Pradesh, including in small amounts and on flexible terms. As and underground sewerage. Along with the health centres and two diagnostic centres in than doubled enrolment and increased early childhood development, safe drinking water a result, they have become less vulnerable construction of sanitation facilities has been and hygiene practices, agriculture and small Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. attendance by nearly one-quarter in to financial and other shocks. They are also information about hygiene practices, from livestock husbandry. The programme works government schools since 2007. The Network able to make better choices around health, washing hands before meals to the use of with local civil society partners and government is now implementing a school improvement departments to scale up specific interventions. education and nutrition, and invest in income long-armed ladles for drinking water pots. Education programme to integrate the child-centred generating activities. The community-based Karan received a Clean Village award and teaching experience from the community- savings group initiative reaches 35,000 the Government of India has since bestowed The first Aga Khan School was founded led learning support centres into classroom members (1,400 groups) and is now working Nirmal Gram to 30 additional villages that in Mundra, Gujarat in 1905. Since then, practices of 62 local government schools with NABARD and the Bihar Government’s have benefited from AKPBS’s services. the number of schools and other education in the poorest peri-urban neighbourhoods of Jeevika programme to integrate its tested and institutions run by AKDN agencies has proven best practice into state schemes for In Bihar, a behaviour change communication financial inclusion of the poorest. programme in early and exclusive breast feeding and good weaning practices is being implemented in three districts of Health Muzaffarpur, Samastipur and Sitamarhi Since 1981, the Aga Khan Health AKDN’s Health programme in India is through government health facilities and Services has provided integrated implemented in rural and urban areas and frontline workers, with support from four seeks to prevent illness and promote positive local NGO partners. The project reaches services through a network of health health behaviours among communities, 400,000 mothers of children under two Cover photo: In Delhi, the rehabilitation of clinics and diagnostic centres, as well Humayun’s Tomb and its gardens has led to a with a focus on women and children. The years with Infant and Young Child Feeding as the 137-bed multi-specialty acute regeneration process that now encompasses the community health programmes work in messages and interpersonal support in care Prince Aly Khan Hospital (pictured adjacent Nizamuddin Basti. Emergency repairs Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, problem solving. to landmark buildings, education and nutrition Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, reaching to the left) and a Community Health programmes, as well as related projects in a population of more than 600,000. The From 2003 to 2009, the Community Led solid waste management and environmentally Division in Mumbai. appropriate building schemes, are part of the portfolio emphasises maternal and infant Initiatives for Child Survival (CLICS) broader continuum of development activities. health; early childhood care and practices; programme in eastern Maharashtra