ABOUT US

Resource Institute of Social Education was founded on the 13^th of September 1982 by ROCHE Victor.

          The initiator of RISE was a Dalit who knew the economic and social problems of his community.

          RISE functions as a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-political and non-governmental organization to promote, in the field of conscientization, adult education, development and women’s liberation in our project.

So, at the beginning, RISE had to provide the main needs of the population:

• Milch animals were provided to widows to make them self-reliant.

• Drinking water. For 5 villages, RISE deepened well to provide more drinking water. Drinking water supply to 5 villages by arranging tap connection from over-head tanks.

• Building houses. With financial help from the government, RISE built 48 houses for homeless Dalits.

• Construction of 5 Burial ground for Dalits people in 5 villages.

• Distribution of animals. RISE offered goats, ducklings, and plough bullocks. They were used to establish small scale industries, which provide livelihoods to 650 persons.

In the same time, RISE acted for awareness of the population. In this objective, RISE organized different camps, programs, and meetings:

1. AGRICULTURAL LABORERS PROGRAM
2. “Awareness Education Program” for 5000 agricultural labourers.

• RISE organized 18 “Agricultural camps”, which covered 20 villages.

• HEALTH CARE PROGRAM
• “Cultural program on health awareness”: This program covered 20 villages for 8350 persons in Villianur Commune.

• “Reproductive Child Health Program” in 48 villages.

• “Community health program”

• “Medical camps”.

• HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM

• “Awareness camps for Dalit youths” in 10 villages, to give information about human rights to young people.

• “Skill development program in tailoring and embroidery”. Dalit Muslim Women of one village learnt to tailor and embroider.

• “Community organization for Dalit Washer men”. This social organization was created to fight for Washer men rights.

Later, the community organization added 25 Women Organizations in 25 villages. Those self help groups were supported with micro credits delivered by RISE. These organizations were involved in bringing basic amenities to their villages.

In 2001, RISE joined a Network called DMK: Dalit Mannurimai Kuttamippu (Dalit land rights Federation). This Network is composed by 16 NGOs, and is supported by international agencies. DMK organizes regional and national level program on issues such as human rights, political rights of Dalit, Dalit empowerment and women rights.

Since 2001, projects are implemented. But, since 2004, RISE is involved in a big post-tsunami project to renovate a village of fishermen. This program required a lot of volunteers and money for the tsunami project. So, RISE’s activities have been reduced. But RISE is started now training center for computer and tailoring. Dalit people of the target area can learn computer or tailoring to find a employment.

Overall Goal:

Empowering women and children and achieving environmental sustainability.

Vision

Empowering a thriving future where women lead, children flourish, and nature thrives in harmony.

Our Mission:

Cultivating a generation of responsible citizens who care for the environment, alongside women as agents of change for children

Our Objectives:

1. Empower Women as Environmental Leaders:

o Develop educational programs and workshops that equip women with the knowledge and skills to become environmental stewards in their communities.

o Facilitate leadership training and mentorship opportunities for women to advocate for environmental policies and sustainable practices.

o Create platforms for women to share their environmental knowledge and experiences with children and other community members.

2. Foster Environmental Education in Children:

o Design and deliver engaging environmental education programs for children, integrating them into formal and informal learning settings.

o Encourage children to participate in citizen science projects and community clean-up initiatives, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility.

o Develop age-appropriate resources and tools that empower children to become advocates for environmental protection.

3. Promote Sustainable Practices in Families and Communities:

o Organize workshops and campaigns that educate families and communities about sustainable living practices like waste reduction, resource conservation, and energy efficiency.

o Partner with local businesses and organizations to promote sustainable products and services, making them accessible to the community.

o Advocate for policies that support sustainable development and environmental protection at the local and regional levels.

4. Nurture a Culture of Care for the Environment:

o Organize community events like nature hikes, tree planting initiatives, and environmental awareness campaigns to foster a connection with nature.

o Integrate environmental themes into cultural and artistic activities, encouraging creative expression for environmental messaging.

o Promote responsible tourism practices that minimize environmental impact and support local communities.

5. Build Capacity for Advocacy and Action:

o Equip women and youth leaders with the necessary skills to effectively advocate for environmental policies and solutions.

o Develop communication strategies and tools to raise public awareness about environmental challenges and solutions.

o Foster collaboration and partnerships with other environmental organizations and government agencies to amplify impact.

Restoring Sankarapani Riverbank: A 400,000 Tree Initiative

We have implemented Tree Plantation Programme with the support of American Forests’ Global ReLeaf Forests, Washington DC., USA. and have planted 4,00,000 trees over a period of 3 years at the cost of 2,00,000 between the years 2010 to 2014:

1. Pre-Planting Preparations:

• Site Selection and      Assessment: Conducted a survey to      identify suitable areas along the riverbank, considering factors like soil      quality, erosion proneness, and proximity to existing infrastructure.
• Species Selection: Chose a diverse mix of native tree species suitable for      the local climate and soil conditions. Prioritized species with ecological      benefits like soil stabilization, habitat creation, and drought tolerance.      
• Seed Procurement or      Sapling Cultivation: Secured a      reliable source of seeds or saplings for the chosen local varieties.      Collaborated with local nurseries and forest departments.

2. Planting Activities:

• Land Preparation: Prepared the planting sites by removing invasive plants,      debris, and grading. The area required pre-digging of pits.
• Planting Techniques: Employed proper planting techniques considering the      specific needs of each species (e.g., spacing, depth, watering). Involved      the local community in planting activities, fostering ownership and      environmental stewardship.

3. Post-Planting Care and Maintenance:

• Watering: Scheduled regular watering during the initial      establishment phase, especially during the dry season.
• Weeding and Mulching: Regularly removed weeds that compete with the young trees      for resources. Applied mulch around the base of the trees to retain      moisture and suppress weed growth.
• Monitoring and      Protection: Monitored the saplings      for pests, diseases, or damage from animals. Implemented necessary control      measures and replant trees wherever required.

4. Community Engagement:

• Organized educational workshops for the community on the      importance of the project, tree care techniques, and the benefits of      native trees.
• Encouraged community involvement in planting events and      long-term monitoring efforts. This fostered a sense of ownership and      promotes the sustainability of the project.

By following these steps and fostering community engagement, this large-scale plantation initiative had the potential to significantly improve the health of the Sankarapani riverbank and create a thriving ecosystem for generations to come.