PROGRAM OVERVIEW

SMVS is a secular, non-government development organization operating in the area of Sri Mayapur, Nadia District, West Bengal, India since 1998. Sri Mayapur is a rural settlement in the Nabadwip Block of Nadia District, about 105 km north of Kolkata.

SMVS strives to steer the region’s evolution towards prosperity, while maintaining the natural and cultural heritage of Sri Mayapur region of Nadia District, West Bengal.

SMVS Philosophy:

• Holistic sustainable development addresses the whole person or community, and includes all aspects of well-being: physical, mental, social and cultural.

• People should be at the center of their own development.

• SMVS sees its role as a partner and facilitator; a special resource to build the capacity of local people and communities to achieve well-being.

• The goal of development should be based on deep humane values and in attaining “responsible well-being” for everyone.

• To be responsible means that our well-being must be based on sustainability and equity. It is irresponsible to take from the well-being of future generations in order to enjoy our own well-being of today. And to be equitable so that the poor, weak, and vulnerable should become the first priority.

• Recognizing the basic rights of all to certain minimum basic needs, and the duty of civil society to strive to ensure the fulfillment of these needs.

• Honoring and caring for our natural environment.

• Respect for the innate equality of all, regardless of gender, caste, creed, race or nationality.

• Promoting self-reliance, simplicity, strong local community, and strong family units.

• Without a strong foundation of social values, sustainable development is always at risk.

All SMVS projects also address gender-related issues and environmental concerns.

SMVS Programs:

• Bhaktivedanta Vidya Mandir, is a model village primary school in nearby Ballaldighi village founded in 1995. In addition to the school, SMVS also operates a Women Literacy Center (WLC). SMVS is establishing six WLCs throughout villages in Sri Mayapur to provide basic and functional literacy, as well as health and social education to 600 women micro-entrepreneurs.

• SMVS has begun micro enterprise development activities with the introduction of the Health Financing Model to save the poor from poverty and from village money lenders. After a series of discussions with the community, the women arrived at a decision to form groups in which they will start their independent small-scale savings and eventually start credit. This will ultimately bring about the much-needed economic freedom for the impoverished and marginalized women of the targeted area.

• The SMVS Village Health Program is designed to provide a comprehensive set of preventive and curative services for basic primary health, especially for women and children. By supporting and enabling the residents of the region in addressing their own health needs, SMVS aims to plant and nurture the seeds of a health-full future for all.

• SMVS has begun to implement a community-based arsenic remediation program in 22 villages of the Sri Mayapur Region. The ultimate goal of this project is to ensure safe, clean water for all the residents of the villages surrounding Sri Mayapur. This, of course, is a long-range goal that is ultimately the responsibility of the local government. In the first phase, SMVS installed arsenic remediation plants in eight villages. In the second phase, SMVS introduced arsenic free home filters for every household in 14 arsenic affected villages of Greater Mayapur Region. For preparing earthen & constructed home filters, SMVS has established a Sanitary Mart.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT SMVS

Due to the weather in the region, the best time to volunteer with SMVS is between October and March.

Education/Children:

• Teach English to children
• Fundraise for child sponsorship
• Coordinate sports activities, such as soccer
• Fundraise for the new primary school

Business/Women:

• Provide training and support to women in micro enterprise development
• Provide computer training and education, internet communication, and website development
• Develop project proposals for submission to donors
• Work with women at the Women’s Literacy Center

Public Health:

• Work on the arsenic remediation water project
• Work in village health program to provide health screens for women and children
• Provide health education

ACCOMMODATIONS AT SMVS

Volunteers are hosted in Mayapur on the ISKCON campus, an ashram within a short distance to the villages where you will be volunteering. The grounds of ISKCON are well-kept and gated. There are several buildings where the monks and their families reside; and there are two guest houses where volunteers stay.

Rooms are clean with an indoor western-style bathroom and shower, two beds, and a balcony.

Home stays in the villages can be arranged but are not recommended for the duration of a volunteer’s stay. Because English is not a second language to most in rural villages, the SMVS staff prefers to provide volunteers with an atmosphere where one can have private and quiet time to adjust and reflect.

On the grounds are the Sri Mayapur Vikas Sangha (SMVS) offices, a restaurant, bank, travel agency, internet cafe, bathrooms, and of course the temples. There are rules that go with staying at the ashram but all are reasonable.

MEET SVMS  PROGRAM DIRECTOR: BISHNU KARMAKAR

Reflections on Bishnu’s childhood and family

I was born in a middle income family in West Bengal State of India. My family members were 6 (2 brothers and 2 sisters). My father was an Instructor of a Government Technical Institute. I had passed school and technical college. In college, my subject was Electrical Engineering. I had served two years in a Government Department. After that, I had left my job suddenly and planned to start a business. But it was very difficult for me to continue business without any financial support from bank and my family. Finally, I had joined a non-profit development organization. From this organization, I have learned Socio-economic Projects Planning to Implementation and love this work very much. Still now, I am working in the same sector.

I am living with my wife and son. My wife is a housewife and son is a graduate and now working in SMVS as Project Assistant.

 The challenges Bishnu faced getting an education

My father’s income was low at that time. It was very hard to maintain our education properly. Somehow, I had arranged my educational cost, taking part time jobs.

 What inspired Bishnu to do the work and how he got started?

During my NGO jobs, I had learned Project Planning to Implementation and studied a lot of books. Slowly, I had set my mind to do this work for development of rural poor people.

What obstacles did Bishnu face?

My obstacles have been and continue to be finding good NGO-minded people.

What are the hopes for the future of the SMVS program?

Our goal is to implement the eight UN Millennium Development Goals during my life span (www.millenniumcampaign.org).

How has your partnership with Village Volunteers affected your work?

Village Volunteers will help me to identify and send appropriate volunteers to our communities. They will work with me and help me to tap necessary technical and financial resources.

 How does your community benefit from having volunteers?

Volunteers help us identify needs and problems of the community people; develop project plans with us and represent those plans to appropriate donors; as well as help us to implement the projects in the communities.