AR booklet

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEMS : TRIBAL
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS
Literacy India is deeply interested in the holistic development of tribal communities to establish
sustainable ecosystems. Since 2009 we have run several programs across 7 centres to
encourage the tribal communities of Purulia district and Kalimpong in the Darjeeling district of
West Bengal to become self-reliant through education, employment and empowerment
without losing touch with their traditions. In FY 2016-17 we have reached over 4500 members
of tribal communities through various programs.
Purulia’s Lowakui and adjacent villages such as Charida, Suisa and Munnibera were known for
mask-making and the folk dance form Chhau. However, lack of connectivity and access to
markets coupled with the rise of modern forms of entertainment like TV and films were killing
their art and source of livelihood. Income from forest wood and mono-cropping agricultural
farming, the key sources of livelihoods, were at risk because of regulations. Inhospitable
geographical conditions and frequent droughts made agriculture unviable and basic amenities
like schools and health centres were inaccessible. Poverty and frustration at government apathy
made the community distrustful of the system and turned them to violence, alcohol and
Maoism.
Literacy India has initiated several projects that brings together almost all the programs of the
foundation into play to support the tribal communities. We have rolled out a comprehensive
set of programs including Pathshala to draw in non-school going children into mainstream
education, Gurukul to provide scholarships to the academically gifted students, Shiksharth to
drive awareness of the importance of education amongst children and parents and Karigari to
train the community members, especially women, in employable skills. Our focus was on
encouraging the community to embrace sustainable livelihoods through “learn & earn”- a
concerted effort to bring together natural resources, indigenous knowledge, skill and modern
technology.
Technical knowhow, a little brush-up in the indigenous skills and knowledge and application of
technology has led the tribal communities to find focus, become more analytical and
motivated. This was also the starting point of a desire for the revival of art, artefacts, culture and
folk forms which were threatened with extinction. The combination of both has helped Literacy
India and the tribal communities in these regions to pave a path towards a stronger community
and better living.
The Tribal Groups we support include:
Purulia:
• Singh SardarBhumij community
• Birhor Tribal Group
• Sabar Community
• Santhal Groups
Kalimpong:
• Lepcha
• Nepali
• Subbah
• Bhutia