Mangalore, Karnataka

GMR Varalakshmi Foundation started its development activities at Mangalore in 1999 at the preparatory stage of setting up the GMR Power Plant at Thanir Bavi. The Foundation works in 9 villages around the plant with an objective of improving the socio-economic condition of the marginalized communities in the villages.

Education
To improve the quality of education, Foundation is working with three Govt. Schools reaching out to 800 children. Foundation supports the enhancement of teaching quality in schools by providing supplementary teachers apart from providing training and exposure to the existing teachers. The program for supporting Anganwadis was initiated in Mangalore in the year 2003. The Foundation currently provides support to six Anganwadis. The support includes honorarium to the teacher and helper, training to the teachers (on joyful learning methods, child psychology, storytelling, games and low-cost training materials), nutrition camps, provision of uniforms, slates and books for children, provision of TLMs, play materials, provision of infrastructure etc.

The mid-day meal programme was initiated in 2001 at Thanir Bavi Lower Primary School. The Foundation currently supports mid-day meals in two unaided schools reaching 250 children.

The Foundation supports Children's Clubs in schools as well as in the community. The objective of these clubs is to encourage children to act as change agents in the society in issues of health, sanitation, cleanliness and hygiene, nutrition, education and village development. Children between 8-15 years can become members of these clubs. At present 16 Children’s Clubs are functional in Thanir Bavi.

Foundation is supporting 12 bright children from poor families to educate them from primary to degree level. They are also given supplementary coaching to cope with the studies. Foundation mobilized Rs.1,09,200/- under the LIC Scheme Saha Shiksha Yojana towards the scholarship for 83 students from Std. IX to XII. Each student benefited an amount of Rs.1, 200/- per year.

Health, Hygiene and Sanitation
A Health Clinic is operational in Thanir Bavi with a qualified doctor. All prescribed medicines are given to the patients free of cost. On an average, 200 patients attend the clinic every month.

The Foundation has facilitated medical insurance coverage for 489 families of SHG members. This programme was initiated in 2005. The insurance scheme is run by ICICI Lombard in partnership with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), and provides an insurance cover for Rs. 30, 000 for in-patient treatment at MAHE's associate hospitals (KMC Hospital, Mangalore).

Awareness programs on health related issues are conducted regularly benefiting more than 1000 people per month.

Mega Annual Medical camp is organized every year in association with KMC Hospital. This benefits more than 500 people of the area.

Empowerment and Livelihoods
Self Help Groups were initiated here in the year 2001. There are currently 41 SHGs at this location with over 600 members. Foundation supports the SHGs by providing training in SHG management, training in micro-enterprise activities and other facilities. Foundation also facilitates bank linkages for the SHGs. So far, the SHGs of this location have been able to tap credit of Rs 25 lakhs from banks, and this has been invested on various micro enterprise activities such as hotels, mushroom cultivation units etc.

Further, Foundation also facilitated the formation of fishermen SHGs and supported them for purchase of boats which improved their fish catch and also their income levels.

Another major achievement of the SHGs of this location is forming themselves into a strong Apex Body called ‘Mahashakthi Okkutta’ with representatives from all the SHGs. Close to 150 people have taken up various micro enterprise initiatives under the banner of this body. All the SHG members are insured under Janashree Bima Yojana scheme of LIC of India.

Community Development
Foundation is running 2 community libraries at this location with a readership of 50 people per day. This initiative is helping the people to inculcate reading habit.

Samudra Pooja is organized every year by Mahila Mandala of Thannir Bavi more than 1,000 people gather on this occasion. ‘Beach Cleaning’ is another activity which community women and youth get involved.