The #VibrantVillages team from IIM Women for Social Action (IIMWSA) has been working towards a self-reliant, vibrant rural India. Our focus areas are water management, rural livelihoods and empowerment of women.

Water sufficiency is key to rural self-sufficiency. We have been constructing rainwater harvesting structures and mobilizing the village community to work for natural resource conservation. Along with water projects, we are also executing livelihood projects for improvement in the financial condition of the area.

Our work is concentrated in the tribal Jawhar region of Maharashtra, where the hilly terrain doesn't hold water. Water sources dry up by December. Summer is the worst period, since the land offers no foraging opportunities. Women struggle for water, and to keep families fed. The whole area suffers from poverty and malnutrition.

Phase 1 (Completed): A set of 5 projects were completed in Aptale and Chotyachiwadi village in April-May 2020.
- Employment generation for 57 villagers
- Water for 350 families
- Recharging of ground water aquifer levels, and access to surface water post-monsoon

Phase 2 (Completed): 2 projects have been completed in Apatale and Faralepada, generating employment for 65 villagers, helping 225 households that faced water storage and reducing women’s drudgery by building a pathway to the well.

Phase 3 (Completed):
- Group Vegetable Farming of okra, covering 40 farmers across 4 villages): Successfully did a pilot to grow and market bhindi. - Distribution of 80 water wheels
- eSakhi: Trained and provided equipment to 17 tribal women to become digital intermediary entrepreneurs, bringing various digital services to their respective villages.

Phase 4 (Completed):
- Expanding eSakhi to more villages 

- Bhindi Farming project for 40 farmers
- Distribution of 100 water wheels

- Garadwadi Pond Fencing

Phase 5 (Future Projects in Planning):
- Distribution of water wheels
- Bandhara / Well / Water Structures construction and repair work
- Tree planting

We seek your ongoing support to work long term on these initiatives.