Social Education and Environmental Development Scheme (SEEDS) Trust
Vocational training in broom making and training in marketing.
Aim: To provide livelihood opportunities and training for a tribal community in Tamil Nadu, India while preserving the forest ecosystem and environment.
Background: During their 14 years of collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and as a member of the 'Joint Forest Management Council', SEEDS has been in close touch with the tribal community living in the Sirumalai hills, working with them identifying their needs. This community has very high levels of poverty and illiteracy - its inhabitants struggle on a daily basis to earn enough income to provide food for their households and education for their children.
The Programme:
The project has three main components:
- To provide vocational training in broom making and training in marketing the products.
- To organise the beneficiaries into self help groups and provide assistance in accessing credit.
- To provide seed capital for purchase of initial materials (half contributed by the forestry department)
Partners: SEEDS Trust is a non-governmental and non-profit making voluntary social service organization established in the year of 1997. Their main objective is “to enable needy communities to become self- reliant through integrated holistic approach and conserve the nature judiciously for the benefit of present and future communities”. They have been accredited and recognized by the State Forest Department as a state level constituent in the “Joint Forest Management Council”.
Outcome: 80 families will receive training in broom making and marketing, in order to improve their livelihoods.
Evaluation: SEEDS will monitor the project through monthly meetings held by the Project Coordinator in presence of the beneficiaries. They will also submit periodic reports to Tzedek outlining progress and issues encountered.
Funding Required: The total project is £4062.02 and will take one year.
If you would like more information about SEEDS or make a donation towards this project or another similar project please click here or call 020 7443 5121.
