Vikahar Paribar Bikash Kendra (VPBK)
Aim: To provide a reliable income generating activity for families below the poverty line in West Bengal
Background: Vikahar Paribar Bikash Kendra (VPBK) is a grass-roots level development organization established in 1987 in the village of Vikahar in the Tapan Block of the district of Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal. Its efforts has been concentrated on integrated development for women and children.
Programme: A cross-breed high yielding dairy cow will be provided to each family. The first female calf will be passed on to another family when it is 18 months old. Milk provides income and manure is used for compost. The cows will be insured by VPBK.
Partners: VPBK was recommended by, and has close links to, established Tzedek partner ERDS (Economic Rural Development Society). They are also a member of a local ‘credibility alliance’ promoting transparency and good governance. They have received funding from Indian NGOs and local government but this is their first international grant.
Outcome: 17 families will receive dairy cows and increase their income to over £1/day. Female calves will be passed on to more families by written agreement, male calves will be kept for traction or be sold.
Evaluation: A beneficiaries’ committee will be formed and headed by a member of VPBK. The beneficiaries’ committee will monitor the project every month and evaluation will be undertaken every six months and sent to Tzedek. The first six monthly evaluation reported that all cows were given out in June 2009 and a training session held, where the cows were also insured. 6 cows have produced female calves, which will be passed on to another family in a year's time. One of the beneficiaries - Anjana Barman - has doubled her family's daily income already as well as having milk for her daughters to drink.
Required funds: £2450. We are still seeking funds for this project: make a donation.
