The TVWP after 10 years of activity in
drilling boreholes and supplying safe water to about 200
small villages in Maharashtra State, has nearly satisfied
the water needs of most of the small communities included
in the project area. For the future, the alternatives
are:
1. to change or expand the project area ( see project area
) and continue with the same type of activity;
2.to remain in the same area and diversify the program by
introducing a strong component in health care.
The first alternative does not appear convenient as most
of the villages, within 50 km radius from the centre of
the project operation, have already been equipped by the
TVWP with hand-pumps and bucket pumps. Furthermore,
expanding the area while keeping the same operation
centre, would be inconvenient as the longer distance
would increase the costs and make the operation less
efficient. Thus, the more effective idea is to expand the
activities in the field of medical assistance while
routinely maintaining a certain control and assistance of
wells drilled in previous years and equipped with pumps.
The drilling of new wells will be also considered
whenever this is needed, however the TVWP will slowly
reduce its activity in the same area to a point that it
can be easily absorbed by the new health program.
The medical assistance, as well as other activities
related to the upliftment of the economical condition of
the people would be most welcomed by the villagers as
they have already enthusiastically collaborated with the
TVWP.
With the attractiveness of the second alternative, the
following proposal describes the "Water and Health
Project" (WHP) that would run in parallel with the
TVWP initially. As the TVWP concludes its efforts over
the next few years, it is possible that the WHP absorbs
the remaining routine inspection and maintenance
activities to ensure continued safe water in the TVWP
area.
Health Needs and the Type
of Medical Activities Appropriate to Selected Tribal
Villages
A number of illnesses affect the tribal people, most of
them are related to bad water quality or lack of water.
Scabby and fungous are common diseases together with
worms filling the bellies of the adivasi children. One
main problem in remote villages is lack of proper
assistance during delivery and many children die during
birth. The traditional birth attendants are not trained
properly, they do not use hygienic measure to prevent
infection. Lack of first aid facilities in remote
villages is the cause of many infections, many people die
of snake bites. Numerous remote small villages are not
connected during the wet season with larger villages,
where medical facilities are available. This dramatic
situation could in part be alleviated by training local
people in minor medical assistance. Periodic visits to
selected cluster villages by a mobile clinic is much
required in rural areas. The government has already
established medical centres in the various counties
(Talukas) but the remote, often not connected villages,
are not enjoying these facilities. The medical assistance
program should be co-ordinated with the government
medical services to avoid duplication and establish a
link with clinics and hospitals where serious cases can
be treated.
Activities Within the
Prospected Medical Assistance
Initially the WHP will have the following goals and as
experience in the area increases and the financial
stability is assured then additional health services will
be considered. The two main service areas will be
providing health care to remote villages and health
education of villagers.
Health care would be accomplished by :
1. periodic visit to selected spots by a mobile clinic
professionally staffed where people from surrounding
villages will receive medical treatment;
2. for serious cases, the patient will be referred to the
appropriate clinic
Health Education Activities can be to :
1. Train villagers to chlorinate polluted open hand-dug
wells constructed by the government;
2. Train traditional birth attendants in hygienic birth
delivery and supply them with proper kit;
3. Train villagers in first aid and supplying them with
medical kits.
Program Implementation by
creating a non government organisation (NGO)
In the past ten years all funds required to carry out the
TVWP where provided by Dr. Faillace from his own earnings
while working as consultant for international
organisations, mainly the UN agencies, and from family
savings. With the advancing years, Dr. Faillace, now 74
years, has little chances to continue in his activity as
international consultant, furthermore, his elder age,
make advisable to consider that somebody else gets
centrally involved in the outlined program. Dr. Faillace
is pleased to offer his support and involvement in
initiating the program and facilitating its acceptance by
the people living in the tribal Village Water Program
area. The ideal person in charge of the program would be
a medical doctor who enthusiastically commits himself or
herself, and works joyfully for it.
To make the program operational it will be necessary to
create a Non Government Organisation (NGO) with the
specific task to carry out the activities outlined
previously. The new NGO, temporarily named "Tribal
Village Assistance Program", will be a non profit
organisation. The presentation of this proposal on a web
site is meant to evaluate the response of interested
parties to sustain financially the program. Those who
strongly commit their support will be included in the
list of founder members of the organisation.
Primary Responsibilities
The new NGO will be regularly registered and
entrusted with the following main responsibilities:
1. Organise the program by establishing a plan of
operation once the conditions for its support and
sustainability have been ascertained;
2. Renting an office space, purchase of equipment and
supplies, recruitment of staff, establishing contacts
with government organisations and other NGOs, etc.;
3. Keep record of the activities, responsibilities, and
accountability;
4. Raise Funds and file financial statements;
5. Keep in touch with donors and founding members;
6. Organise staff meetings.
For the first year, the program will work on an
experimental basis and will carry out the listed
activities and, if successful, expand them to other
activities leading to the improvement of the economic
conditions of the Adivasi. In the future, if possible, it
will be considered to incorporate the on going program of
educational support for orphans and single parent
families living under poverty line (250 US $ for family
per year). Such program, presently being organised and
promoted by Mrs Faillace in Ganeshpuri (Central point of
TVWP), will enable parents to sent them to school rather
than to use them, because of need, for child labour.
People sponsoring children's education directly deposit
money into a bank account opened in the child's name with
the parent/guardian able to access the money.
Personnel Requirement for the
First Year
Program Manager (preferably a Medical
Doctor)
He/she should be able to organise and
co-ordinate all the various activities included in the
program and be capable to raise funds with the
collaboration of volunteer organisations or donor
agencies. He/she could be of any nationality, including
Indian, strongly motivated by philanthropic spirit and
willing to dedicate selfless service for the benefit of
the poor, the neglected, the suffering. He/she would
spend only part of his/her time in the project area and
part in his/her own country of origin or in any other
place where his/her presence would be necessary for fund
raising while presenting the project's activities.
Field Medical Doctor
A medical doctor, preferably early retired
from his/her permanent employment, physically fit and
willing to work under hardship conditions. He/she should
preferably be Maharashtrian for easy communication with
the people and be well aware of the illnesses affecting
the rural people. He/she would work on long term basis.
Amongst the various responsibilities, he/she should also
organise health training courses and be in charge of day
by day operations.
Nurse
A Maharashtrian nurse, with good experience in
medical treatment in rural areas, able to work in
hardship conditions, willing to daily travelling.
Medical Assistant
To assist the field doctor and nurse in
medical procedures within his/her professional abilities
and to record patient information and any medical
practices administered.
Accountant-secretary
To register patients and their treatment, to
help in the accountability, in purchasing medicines, in
dealing with patients requiring hospitalisation,
registering expenses and donations, etc.
Drivers
Two drivers are required, one for the mobile
clinic and one for a jeep. They will offer their services
also for routine activities related to car maintenance,
transport of patient requiring hospitalisation, as
messengers, etc.
Funds Required for the First
Year
The funds required for the first year
operation, according to India market and conditions,
including the purchase of vehicles and equipment is
roughly estimated at about 92,500 US Dollars, equivalent
to 3.7 millions Rs. (37 lacks).
| Budget
Item |
Indian Rupies |
US Dollars |
| Van to be Adopted as Mobile
Clinic |
1000000 |
25000 |
| Jeep |
500000 |
12500 |
| Medical equipment for the mobile
clinic |
100000 |
2500 |
| Computer with printer and
accessories |
100000 |
2500 |
| Medicines |
300000 |
7500 |
| Office rental per one year |
120000 |
3000 |
| Operation and maintenance of
vehicles |
120000 |
3000 |
| Director responsible for Program |
240000 |
6000 |
| Field Doctor |
220000 |
5500 |
| Nurse |
100000 |
2500 |
| Drivers (2) |
120000 |
3000 |
| Medical Assistant |
60000 |
1500 |
| Training Costs |
200000 |
5000 |
| Travel and miscellaneous |
200000 |
5000 |
| Unexpected Expenses/Contigency |
320000 |
8000 |
| Total |
3700000 |
92500 |
WHP Financing
Funds for the operation of the project shall be
raised by soliciting donations from interested and
committed parties (individuals, groups, institutions,
etc.). The process of fund raising will have two phases.
During the first phase, only pledges of donations will be
accepted and recorded by Dr. Faillace. When sufficient
funds have been recorded, which indicates that
significant interest is present, then the NGO can be
legally established. Selected donors will be invited to
be listed as founding members of the NGO and their
signatures included in the formal registration of the
NGO. These members will be responsible for drafting the
charter of the NGO which states mission, structure,
internal regulations, operation, accountability
procedures and any other components required for the
registration.
The second phase will commence when the NGO is officially
recognised and fully licensed to begin its mission. At
that point , a bank account will be opened in the name of
the NGO. A letter of request for the submission of the
pledged donation will be sent to all recorded donors
indicating the necessary bank account information. Donors
will then be asked to honour their pledge of support for
the Water and Health Project by sending their donations
within a specified time period.
At this point , we hope that you are interested in the
project and will consider becoming involved in its
support. It will be rewarding project, as is demonstrated
by the experience of Dr. Faillace during the TVWP and
expressed personally in the article "The Joy of
Giving".
Anyone
interested in knowing more about the proposed "Water
and Health Project" described above, and wishing to
provide a pledge for donations of equipment, supplies ,
medicines, or money may get in touch directly with Dr. C.
Faillace,
or send a Fax to number:
00-39-06-7964232
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e-mail: