tcs help for rural development at panvel

Rural Development Initiative (at Panvel)
Wazapur (Raigad district of Maharashtra) is a village just off the Mumbai-Pune highway, near Panvel. In spite of being so close to the city, the village is devoid of even the most basic infrastructure and amenities. TCS-Maitree has been working at the ground level over the last three years to bring about development in the village. A sustainable model has been built to improve education, healthcare, and the environment in the area.

What started off as a children's education program has today grown into a larger movement with developmental activities in the areas of water supply, illiteracy, and women empowerment in addition to the focal point of education. Apart from setting up a primary and a secondary school, some other highlights of the education initiative are:

• Mid-day meal scheme for Balwadi kids
• Computer literacy program
• A state-of-the-art science lab

Taking up the cause of women empowerment, TCS-Maitree launched the WEP (Women Empowerment Program) where the women of the village were taught basic arithmetic and created awareness in health and hygiene. More than 25 women from three villages in the area have been trained in embroidery, stitching, and other textile craftwork over the last one year with help from the Women's India Trust. A new Gram Vikas Abhiyaan Kendra was recently inaugurated to facilitate income generation for the women.

TCS-Maitree has also made strides in the area of health, conducting HIV/ AIDS sensitization sessions as well as health check-up camps for the villagers and school children.