Table of Contents
Mukti believes in the integrated development of society through innovation and sustainability. The entire work spectrum of Mukti consists of nine (9) distinct program areas and several projects construct one such program area. The acronym HEALER AID is often used to specify these nine (9) program areas. Let us go through each of these programs and projects under these Program areas.
Helping the underprivileged people of Sundarbans to live a healthier life with dignity. We are committed to offering free-of-cost, high-quality primary medical care to Sundarban’s underserved populations through doctor consultation, ambulance services, preventive healthcare support, and guidance. The projects under Health are:
Swastha Shongini is an initiative of the Kolkata Foundation developed in collaboration with Mukti. Its goal is to create a low-cost, scalable program to improve healthcare services for the rural population by training village women to become campaigners for hygiene and nutrition.
The Gram Clinic has been functional since January 2021. Gram Clinic is a small medical clinic in the village of Purboshridharpur, where people may not have easy access to medical facilities. The clinic provides basic medical care, such as check-ups and treatment for common illnesses, and nominal cost medicine and is staffed by a rural doctor who oversees the clinic and an assistant who assists in dispensing medications to patients. The goal of the Gram Clinic Project is to improve the health and well-being of people living in underserved rural areas of the Sundarbans region.
Mukti installed two 1,000-liter water tanks in Mukti Gram Purba Sridharpur in South 24 Parganas district and two at Mukti Gram Egra of Purba Medinipur district. Pump sets and electrical connections were made, and three taps were attached to each tank for easy access. The water from these tanks is used for drinking and landscaping.
The medical camp project is an initiative undertaken by Mukti to provide basic healthcare services to communities in need. The project involves organizing medical camps in areas that lack access to medical facilities, including remote villages and disaster-affected regions. The medical camps provide various services such as medical consultation, medication, and referrals for advanced treatment when required. The project also includes health education and awareness sessions on various health issues such as hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. The project’s goal is to provide quality healthcare services to underserved communities, promote preventive healthcare practices, and improve health outcomes.
In remote villages, limited access to proper healthcare has been a persistent challenge. However, Mukti’s Ambulance service is bridging the gap, bringing essential medical services from city hospitals right to their doorstep, ensuring that villagers can receive the care they need.
Mukti’s education initiative aims to provide affordable basic education, enhance academic performance, promote quality education, ensure equal learning opportunities, address deficiencies in values within the formal education system, support exceptionally talented underprivileged students financially, implement skill training programs to reduce unemployment and poverty and extend support through digital study materials for accessible education. The projects under Education and Enrichment are:
Kishalaya Schools provide foundational education to underprivileged primary students, employing locally educated, unemployed female teachers. Quality teaching is maintained through monitoring and teacher training. This project supports disadvantaged children struggling with post-pandemic education challenges and the risk of dropping out due to poverty. It offers affordable guidance, especially to first-generation learners.
MSS teachers, in collaboration with other volunteers, support underprivileged children in successfully pursuing their studies through interactive classes. MSS aims to expand its reach to promote education and reduce school dropouts. By introducing mandatory lessons and practices on Value Education and Yoga, and engaging students in activities related to environmental and social awareness, MUKTI aims to foster a more responsive society through holistic education, including the deprived sections of society.
Mukti’s core goals have always been education and empowerment. However, addressing the challenge of affordability for higher education among economically disadvantaged students is a significant hurdle. To overcome this, Mukti runs the TSS program, which supports deserving students in pursuing a successful professional career. To foster a sense of cooperation among these students, Mukti facilitates direct interactions between donors and students. Additionally, outreach events engage TSS alumni, promoting a culture of benevolence and societal cooperation.
MIT empowers young individuals with practical skills, equipping them for employment or entrepreneurship. Its primary goal is to bridge the skills gap in rural youth, fostering self-reliance through technical education.
This initiative offers a free digital learning platform designed for both teachers and students. Recognizing the limited availability of books and qualified educators, this repository aims to bridge these gaps. Its primary focus is to make education both affordable and accessible to everyone.
Through the Mukti Support School (MSS) initiative, Mukti has forged direct connections with over 5000 students and 350 teachers. This program prioritizes both teachers and students. Initially, selected teachers from each MSS center undergo a positive practice process, cultivating a more favorable perspective on value education. These teachers then play a crucial role in passing on their learnings to the students, guiding them in exploring their full potential through introspection and nurturing a positive mindset. By involving both teachers and students in this multi-layered approach, Mukti aims to create a transformative educational experience that fosters values, self-discovery, and personal growth.
Mukti’s agriculture project is to enhance soil fertility and foster the socio-economic development of farmers. This multifaceted endeavor includes initiatives such as organic training, the provision of vermicompost pits, support for agricultural machinery, seed assistance, beekeeping, animal husbandry guidance, indigenous seed preservation, and the cultivation of exotic vegetables. The project promotes integrated farming practices, encouraging households to utilize all their produce and surplus in a cyclical manner for sustainable viability. The projects under Agriculture Reform are:
The SAM project promotes sustainable agriculture among rural farmers to improve food security, productivity, and environmental sustainability. It focuses on enhancing soil fertility and socio-economic development through methods like alternative cropping, equipment provision, vermicomposting, and grafting. Integrated farming practices are also encouraged to maximize resource efficiency and minimize waste, promoting long-term sustainability.
This project is inspiring even landless farmers to cultivate a diverse range of vegetables and fruits primarily for their households. They are provided with essential initial resources, including various seasonal vegetable seeds such as Okra, Bitter gourd, Ridge gourd, Cowpea, Cluster bean, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Bottle gourd, Snake gourd, Brinjal, Chilli, and Tomato, along with organic fertilizers and pesticides. As a result, these farmers can satisfy their daily food requirements by cultivating the vegetables and fruits they need in limited spaces, demonstrating the significant contribution of small-scale cultivation to household food security.
The primary goal of this project is to enhance both soil fertility and the socio-economic well-being of farmers. This is achieved through several initiatives, including offering farmers modern organic farming training, providing them with vermicompost pits to produce high-quality organic fertilizers independently, and supplying drums for creating various organic fertilizers and pesticides. By empowering farmers with these tools and knowledge, the project promotes sustainable agriculture and economic development within the community.
Mukti Fresh champions local farmers by guaranteeing fair prices for their organic produce. Customers have access to a diverse range of fresh organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and value-added items like organic honey, pickles, and chutneys. This initiative is committed to fostering healthy living, sustainability, and community support. When customers opt for Mukti Fresh, they not only make a healthier choice for themselves but also contribute to a more equitable food system.
In the Sundarbans region, rural women lack income opportunities, worsening poverty, exacerbated by climate change and COVID-19. Limited access to education and job training perpetuates the problem. Poverty leads to social injustices, and economic activities are concentrated along the coast. Urgent attention is needed for job creation and education access. Preserving traditional crafts and promoting sustainable farming can boost incomes and well-being. The projects under Livelihood and Enablement are:
A Self-Help Group (SHG) is formed by 10 to 15 women with similar financial backgrounds in the same area. They elect a President, Secretary, and Treasurer for governance, assisted by Mukti and MCDF workers. The project empowers rural communities by equipping them with knowledge, skills, tools, and financial support. This enables them to pursue self-employment, improving their livelihoods and enhancing their employability in various sectors.
Mukti is dedicated to advancing the economic empowerment of vulnerable socio-economic groups throughout West Bengal. We achieve this by offering free skill development training to women and youth in various trades, including soft toy making, candle making, jute bags, jute sandals, handicrafts, and food processing. Through these initiatives, individuals can gain self-sufficiency and contribute to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, or a self-reliant India.
The project provided financial support to Mukti for promoting the economic empowerment of vulnerable SHGs in Sunderbans through the ‘Swavalamban Accelerator in Sunderbans’ (SWAS) program. The program provided start-up kits to help SHG members start their microenterprises after training and also facilitated linkages with potential buyers or markets through the organization. The project started in December 2020 intending to empower 1,000 SHG members in two different trades: handicrafts and food processing. A Livelihood Incubation Center was set up in Kankandighi as a training hub for 1000 women, including women from minorities, SCs, STs, and OBCs.
This project is dedicated to fostering economic empowerment among families in the Purba and Paschim Medinipur districts of West Bengal, India, who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on supporting chick rearing as an alternative livelihood for women who lost their jobs due to the pandemic, facilitating their journey towards self-reliance. Alongside chick support, the project offers comprehensive capacity-building training, covering enterprise management, business dynamics, and rural market knowledge, to enhance participants’ skills and expertise. The project is carried out by a committed team of project managers and field supervisors, who work tirelessly to ensure its success.
India, with a population exceeding 1.3 billion, faces the challenge of a substantial number of educated unemployed youth, a global phenomenon. This issue is often rooted in the scarcity of job opportunities. Mukti recognizes the evolving occupational landscape, where there’s a shift from traditional sectors like agriculture to emerging digital-driven fields. Mukti is committed to empowering aspiring youth, particularly in the Sundarbans and other rural areas of the state, by equipping them with skills and opportunities in these evolving sectors, aligning with the changing economic landscape.
Mukti Craft is a significant initiative that focuses on supporting marginalized women of West Bengal by offering them an alternative livelihood opportunity. Through this project, we provide comprehensive training to women in various crafts and sell those products via an online platform. These training programs aim to enhance their skills and knowledge in these crafts, enabling them to create high-quality and marketable products enabling them to develop their skills and craftsmanship in traditional crafts. The training provided equips them with the necessary skills and knowledge to create beautiful and unique handmade products. This enables them to generate income and improve their economic well-being, while also preserving traditional crafts and cultural heritage in the community.
Mukti Kitchen is committed to crafting meals with the utmost care, using only the finest organic ingredients. This ensures that customers enjoy not only delicious but also healthy and chemical-free food. Our talented team of chefs takes great pride in creating meals that are both flavorful and nutritionally balanced, offering a dining experience that nourishes the body and delights the palate.
Our initiative in the Sundarbans has clear goals: enhance its resilience against storms, mitigate saline intrusion, promote sustainability in various sectors, restore mangroves, and raise awareness about environmental protection and livelihoods. We aim to safeguard the Sundarbans, support local communities, and contribute to global climate change mitigation. The projects under Environment and Resilience are:
Our initiative in the Sundarbans focuses on addressing climate change and disaster vulnerabilities. We establish and manage nurseries, involving Self-Help Group women in collecting and nurturing seedlings. We protect river embankments with diverse vegetation to reduce disaster impacts. Our efforts combat mangrove degradation and engage MCDF women in planting and maintenance. Our goal is to create sustainable solutions for the safety and well-being of the Sundarbans communities.
This dedicated initiative aims to provide the resilient people of the Sundarbans with affordable housing that can withstand cyclones and floods. Each meticulously engineered prototype house can endure 150km/hr cyclones and 15ft of water, ensuring safety and security. These 350 sq. ft, two-bedroom structures offer hope amidst uncertainty. Furthermore, they showcase environmental stewardship by using locally sourced materials, promoting eco-friendliness and sustainability. By leveraging regional resources, MUKTI not only reduces the carbon footprint but also fosters economic prosperity within the local community.
Our initiative in the Sundarbans focuses on addressing climate change and disaster vulnerabilities. We establish and manage nurseries, involving Self-Help Group women in collecting and nurturing seedlings. We protect river embankments with diverse vegetation to reduce disaster impacts. Our efforts combat mangrove degradation and engage MCDF women in planting and maintenance. Our goal is to create sustainable solutions for the safety and well-being of the Sundarbans communities.>
Mukti embarked on the ambitious mission of 3R’s: Repair, Renovation, and Restoration of 250 water bodies and ponds in the targeted region. These efforts involved rejuvenating or excavating 5 to 10 katta-sized ponds to replenish rainwater and restore the groundwater supply. For individuals with smaller ponds, increasing their rainwater storage capacity through rejuvenation can enable the utilization of water for secondary crops like paddy. Before initiating the work, a thorough pre-study and mapping were conducted, followed by weed removal, desilting, and the comprehensive reconstruction of existing ponds, including staircase installation, embankment formation, main bund strengthening, and surface leveling.
Mukti Green collaborates and provides a market to the SHG women from the Sundarbans region, who nurture and cultivate healthy plants. These women supply their plant products to Mukti Green, the team carefully selects the plants based on market demand, quality, and suitability. They ensure that the plants meet certain standards and are of high quality to attract potential buyers. Mukti Green takes responsibility for marketing and promoting the plants nurtured by the horticulture farmers. This includes showcasing the plants through various channels such as their website, social media platforms, local events, and collaborations with retailers.
In the Sundarbans, a transformative project named “Mukti Green Defense in Sundarban blooms”—a vision interlaced with resilience and sustainability. It’s a tapestry of initiatives weaving together the Earth’s bounty and the empowerment of local communities. Four species of mangrove trees stand tall, guardians of the embankment, while the vibrant hues of dragon fruit, coconut trees, and fruitful boughs sway in unison, painting a livelihood-rich landscape. Napier grass nurtures cattle and fuels the community’s sustainability drive. This endeavor is more than just foliage; it’s a shield against distress migration, preserving the rural essence while safeguarding the environment. Engaging Self-Help Group members empowers the community, especially women, fostering economic stability and weaving together livelihoods and riverbank protection. Environmental consciousness flourishes, fostering a collective commitment to ecological preservation among the locals. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals, this initiative is a testament to holistic development, threading together safety, well-being, and prosperity for the Sundarbans’ resilient communities. Women from MCDF infuse vitality into the land, nurturing vegetation with unwavering dedication, and crafting a sustainable haven that embraces the past, present, and future.
The organization’s core goals are to educate and empower individuals, particularly women, children, and marginalized groups, about their rights to prevent discrimination and promote social justice. They also focus on raising climate change awareness, combating issues like human trafficking, empowering women against gender discrimination, ensuring access to education for visually impaired individuals, and enhancing community preparedness for natural disasters through rights education. The projects under Rights and Special Needs are:
The project’s core objective is to ensure that visually impaired students have equitable access to educational resources. Audiobooks play a pivotal role in achieving this goal, empowering these students to learn and advance at their individual pace. Ultimately, the aim is to support them in reaching their full potential and pursuing their dreams.
A VIEW is in urgent need of funds to build a storm shelter for mentally ill women in Jibantala. We’ve partnered with MUKTI for expert guidance during construction. This shelter’s goal is to provide safe housing and prevent past dire situations, offering immediate relief, protection, and empowerment to those affected. Your support will make a significant difference in the resilience and well-being of the Jibantala community. Together, we can aid in their recovery, restore their dignity, and inspire hope.
Mukti Voice’s primary aim is to empower women in the Sundarbans with the knowledge and tools to address gender-based issues such as child marriage, trafficking, school dropout, and gender violence in their communities. The project operates through two layers: a woman action group, each comprising 20 women, and village-level women groups. Initial training occurs with the woman’s action group, who then replicate it at the village level. Each Voice member oversees a village-level group of about 10-12 women. Through gender sensitization workshops, the project cultivates a foundational understanding of gender among the women action group members during the first and second project phases.
The project’s main focus is to nurture community leadership through four key pillars: Participation, Inclusion, Gender equity, and Community-led approaches. In its initial phase, the project aims to instill a foundational understanding of rights among the community members. They are also empowered to collectively identify local issues and address them through methods like Participatory Action Research, Community-led advocacy, secondary awareness programs, and training.
The project is organized into two layers: In the first layer, we employ a Train-the-Trainer (ToT) model to educate a group of women on gender, discrimination, and violence issues. In the second layer, our emphasis is on cultivating a basic understanding of gender within village-level men’s groups through the women who have received training. These trained women play a pivotal role in sharing their knowledge and addressing these issues within their families, networks, and villages. Their training encompasses outreach processes, campaign planning, and identifying allies.
In Sundarbans, we’re on a mission to illuminate critical social, environmental, and health issues, empowering marginalized women, celebrating cultural heritage, and fostering community action. Through cultural events, we raise awareness, mobilize support, and challenge gender norms while blending education with entertainment to make learning engaging and impactful, all in the pursuit of a brighter future for Sundarbans. The projects under Awareness and Empowerment are:
Our mission in the Sundarbans region is to empower women through personal and economic growth. We achieve this by offering a range of tailored initiatives and programs, such as tailoring, food processing, soft toy making, plumbing, computer training, electrician training, candle making, pickle making, and more, based on the interests and needs of the beneficiaries. Our primary focus is on enhancing skills, promoting financial independence, and supporting overall well-being. Mukti has taken a proactive approach to address unemployment by providing vocational training opportunities to both youth and women, paving the way for their future establishment and success.
In Purbashridharpur, a vibrant tapestry of observance days spanning health, education, agriculture, livelihood, awareness, and environment is woven into the fabric of our community, igniting empowerment among students, youth, and the rural populace. These occasions are marked with special ceremonies, where lamps are lit, prayers are offered, and symbolic gestures are performed to honor their significance. Among them are Independence Day, International Yoga Day, SwachtaPakhwada, Youth Day, Republic Day, Netaji’s birth anniversary, Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary, Teachers’ Day, Children’s Day, Women’s Day, World Environment Day, Mangrove Days, and the celebrated ‘SankalpaDiwas,’ which commemorates Mukti’s establishment and resonates throughout our community as a beacon of hope and progress.
Mukti’s awareness drive involves a range of activities, including conducting awareness programs on different projects related to health, education, women empowerment & rights and environmental sustainability, as well as organizing campaigns to engage and inform local communities in the Sundarbans area. This project is not only focused on raising awareness among women but also aims to engage both men and women in breaking stereotypes prevalent in the local community. Mukti’s capacity-building program includes training sessions conducted by experts. To enhance the knowledge and skills of the participants, we use engaging activities, role-playing, and mindful games to make the learning experience more enjoyable.
Cultural program has a positive impact on society, helping to raise awareness and promote sustainable development in the community. Implementing cultural programs through different performances is an effective way to spread awareness about important issues related to health, education, women’s empowerment and rights, gender issues, and environmental sustainability in the Sundarbans area. Cultural programs are a great way to promote a sense of community and encourage people to work together toward sustainable development.
Our mission is to transform rural communities by improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities while promoting self-reliance, gender equality, and sustainability. We bridge the gap between aspirations and resources, creating resilient, informed, and self-sufficient communities. The projects under Integrated Development are:
We’re dedicated to revitalizing rural communities by enhancing infrastructure, healthcare, education, and jobs while championing self-sufficiency, gender equality, and sustainability. We unite aspirations and resources, forging resilient, informed, and self-reliant communities.
Our project’s main goal is to reduce distress migration by improving the socio-economic status of the entire village community. We empower villagers to establish self-sustaining cooperative units for rural development, emphasizing equal access to healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities. We aim to create a model village for integrated development by promoting social empowerment, building crucial infrastructure, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and enhancing community decision-making and rights exercise.
This transformative initiative stands as a beacon of hope in halting the tide of distress migration by uplifting the socio-economic fabric of the entire village community. Its core lies in the empowerment of villagers, fostering self-reliance, and creating cohesive units that propel rural community development forward. With a keen focus on providing equal access to healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities, it cultivates a culture of well-being and prosperity. Anchored by the bio village concept, this endeavor not only acts as a nucleus for development but also draws in resources for surrounding villages while facilitating easy access to urban markets for agricultural yields. Beyond infrastructure and sustainable livelihoods, this project champions social empowerment, nurturing essential decision-making capabilities and rights exercise within the community. It’s a holistic approach, fostering resilience and unity while paving the path towards a prosperous and self-sufficient future for all.
Our mission is to empower communities to prepare for and endure disasters. We provide swift relief, restore infrastructure, aid socio-economic recovery, and support ecosystem restoration. Fostering community resilience and partnering with various organizations for collective action are central to our approach. The projects under Integrated Development are:
Mukti plays a crucial role in providing timely assistance, including food, shelter, and healthcare, while empowering the local population through capacity building and disaster preparedness. The organization distributed dry ration, tarpaulin, mosquito nets, and sanitary napkins and conducted various medical camps free of cost for the affected people. Furthermore, Mukti’s efforts focus on sustainable solutions, ensuring that the communities can withstand future cyclones and become resilient against climate change through various projects. By supporting cyclone relief activities, Mukti is not only rebuilding lives but also paving the way for a more secure and prosperous future for the people of Sundarbans.
Mukti aimed to support the healthcare system by establishing over 100 Mukti Covid Care Units (MCCUs) across West Bengal. These centers provided free oxygen concentrator support and bolstered the HelloBeta platform to aid the local population of Kolkata, who were severely affected by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mukti collaborated with local NGOs to extend their reach and help the community on a wider scale. Additionally, they supported government rural hospitals and public health centers by offering free oxygen concentrator support. Through these efforts, Mukti sought to alleviate the suffering caused by the pandemic and assist vulnerable populations in navigating the challenging times.