Catching the Rain for a Better Future
VOLUNTEERING SPECIAL
Tribal people preparing the land for a watershed project . Photo by Ulrike Henn
By Carol Strametz , Carol Harbers , and Ulrike Henn
Volunteering takes many forms … and can make an impact both near and far . Our “ far-from-home project ” was brought close to our hearts after Ulrike visited the Paregaon Khurd hamlet in Maharashtra , India , in 2010 .
The hamlet was a recipient of a FAWCO-initiated development project carried out by the Integrated Tribal Watershed Development Programme ( ITWDP ), now known as the Nandanvan Trust . Ulrike ’ s arresting and colorful photographs , as well as her moving recollections of the transformation of the land and its people brought about by the project , were captivating .
Nandanvan uses watershed development (“ catching the rain ”) to revitalize the desertified land in rural areas of Maharashtra . Watershed development not only restores ground water and regreens the land , it also increases agricultural productivity and income for the tribal communities — providing environmental , economic , and social sustainability . Nandanvan also takes the next step by promoting education , health , and sanitation through follow-up projects , and , collectively , Nandanvan helps the tribal people secure livelihoods and a chance to live with dignity .
In 2017 , the FAWCO Foundation launched a new development grant ( DG ) category called “ Environment – Nurturing our Planet .”
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