IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:

Name of the Voluntary Organisation	Rajaramabpu Dnyan Prabodhini, Islampur
Address for Communication	Urun- Islampur, Tal. Walwa, Dist. Sangli
	Maharashtra State (INDIA) Pin Code No.: 415 409
	Phone Nos.: (02342) 226301
	Mob. Nos. 9860600746, 9860600701
Acts under which Registered	Bombay Public Trust Act: F – 1198 / Sangli (30th July 1985)
	Societies Reg. Act.: Maharashtra / 1242 / Sangli(7th une 1985)
	Foreign Contribution Regulation Act: No. 083960054
Bank Details
Name of the Bank	Rajarambapu Cooperative Bank Ltd. Peth,
Branch	Pay Office, Sakharale, Tal. Walwa, Dist. Sangli, Maharashtra, INDIA
Bank Account Number	Savings – 39
Name of the Bank	Axis Bank Ltd.
Branch	Islampur (Maharashtra)
Bank Account Number	Savings  -  499010100029528
	FCRA A/c - 499010100029333

                Rajarambapu Dnyan Prabodhini (RDP) is working in the field of Rural Development since 1985 in Sangli district, of Maharashtra with specific focused programmes in Walwa block of the district. The programmes are designed to meet the needs of target groups, that is women, children, youth and farmers. The members of the Trustee Board include well qualified and dedicated people having expertise in diverse areas, such as education, development of women & children, banking etc. The overall management of organizational programmes is carried out by competent & experienced staff. The programmes include Poverty Eradication Campaign, Self Help Groups Promotion, awareness & prevention with regards to HIV/AIDS, capacity building of rural youth to appear for MPSC examination, dissemination of information and knowledge building through book library and support to the citizens from block to avail various certificates & documents through SETU, which is working in coordination with block Tahasil Office. Through all the above stated activities the Organization has reached most of the people of Walwa block in Sangli district. At present 45 people (Administrative, Clerical & Extension Staff) are working with the Organization.

MAJOR PROGRAMMES/ PROJECTS OF THE NGO:

WOMEN’S SELF HELP GROUP PROMOTION:

The NGO is engaged in this activity since 1998. At present more than 700 Self Help Groups (SHGs) are promoted in 80 villages of the block. Initially SHG formation was aimed at organizing rural poor women and the project supported by a Netherlands based Funding Agency CORDAID. Thisprogramme was later continued with partial support from Rajarambapu Milk Union, Islampur and scope of the work was also widened to reach more villages from the block. After the SHGs became well versed with their work, a Block Level SHG Federation was formed and registered on 15th February 2003, in order to strengthen the groups. The Federation is registered under Maharashtra State Cooperative Act and has started functioning independently. At present 300 SHGs are regular members of the Federation , which has a total capital of Rs. 30 lakhs. This is one of the innovative & unique federation in Western Maharashtra. The Federation is working in all 94 villages through 10 clusters comprising 8 to 12 villages each in each cluster.

FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER:

The NGO is running a block level Counseling Center since last few years. Since last 3 years the Center is functioning in the premises of Walwa Panchayat Samiti, Islampur and is financially supported by Panchayat Samiti's own funds. The center has also received recognition from the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission, Mumbai. All types of family disputes are handled in the Center. Every year about 80 cases, thus so far almost 400 cases have been dealt with.

COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION GUIDANCE CENTER:

This Center is run by the NGO since last 7 years at Islampur. The objective is to motivate and train rural youth to become confident and equipped to appear for MPSC examination and join the Civil Services. Every year 40 youth are benefited and altogether 500 students have been benefited so far.

ASTHA HEALTH COUNSELING & HELP LINE CENTER:

The Astha Center is implementing a Home Based Care Project for the People Living with HIV/AIDS, since June 2003 and receives regular grant support from Avert Society, Mumbai. With a team of social workers and out reach workers, the center has been able to reach out to 824 HIV + people. These people are provided with services such as counseling, medical and nutrition care, various laboratory tests and other referral services. This is a Care & Support program for the people infected & affected by HIV/AIDS.

INTEGRATED CITIZEN’S FACILITATION CENTER:

The Center is working since April 2003 at Tahasil Office, Islampur. The center has been set up for rural people with an objective to facilitate and speed up the required government services at the block level. Various types of Certificates & documents certified by Tahasildar are processed through this Center. The Center is started under Maharashtra Government’s BOT scheme to provide quicker services to the citizens.

DNYAN PRABODHINI PUBLIC LIBRARY:

The library is registered as a public library. Initially it was run especially for the children. However now it caters to needs of students and all other citizens. There are over 7000 books.

RAMAI WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SCHEME:

The scheme is launched & supported by MAVIM, Mumbai. The NGO has started working under the scheme since December 2003 and has promoted 57 Scheduled Caste women’s SHGs in 20 villages of Walwa block.

OTHER SENSITIZATION PROGRAMS:

Besides above mentioned activities, the NGO regularly conducts need based programs and events for different categories of people. Some of the programs are stated below:
Inter College Eloquent Competitions; Singing Competitions for children & youth, Celebration of Memorial Days of eminent personalities of the district. One Act Play Competitions, Lecture Series on important subjects and issues

NGO NETWORK MEMBERSHIP:

The NGO is an active member in the state level networks. These include, AFARM (Action for Agricultural Renewal in Maharashtra), Pune, which is an apex body of 350 NGOs from Maharashtra, Janpath Vikas Manch, Western Maharashtra, which is a network involving 120, Chalana Network, which is a State level network of SHGs trainers.