IRRAD in Action

IRRAD has painted this mid-day meal menu on the wall to inform parents and children of the meal each child is entitled to on for every day of the week


Preparing the mid-day meal. Today on the menu was a dish similar to oatmeal.




Visiting a school in the village of Goy La, the children are patiently awaiting their mid-day meal. The Indian Education Act entitles children between the age of 6-14 to free and compulsory education, a mid-day meal, school uniforms, and textbooks. Previously before IRRAD informed the villages of this right, schools were almost non-existent or non-functioning throughout Mewat. Today, IRRAD works with the trainees to exercise this right and to make sure the schools are functioning without government corruption. One issue many of the schools face is the weekly rations of nutrients for the children were only being distributed every 3 or 4 weeks, as opposed to every week.




Orchard built by IRRAD in the village of Notki. Previously, this land was barren. IRRAD planted pomegranate trees, lime trees, and various herbs, then turned the land back over to Notki to harvest and make a profit off the cultivated land. Unfortunately, a large storm came through the day before our visit and destroyed their green house.






Training center in Goy La, which we have now visited twice and met village trainees from over 10 villages. The women sit on the floor of the center on large carpets, while the men sit behind them on a bench. We have heard testimonial stories of villages applying information they have learned about their rights and entitlements as a result of IRRAD training and the success that has come from exercising their rights. The trainees meet once a week, transportation and lunch are included for those who attend.



View of the community center established outside Notki. This is on location where trainings are conduced, including: computer training, training for farming and irrigation, education on sanitation and various trade skills. There are also instruments here to measure rain fall and test water sanitation.



Checking a block dam in a nearby village of Mewat. There is no water in the dam yet, the village is eagerly awaiting the monsoon season. Meanwhile, I feel like I am in the desert and need a camel to trek me through the hot sand!





Video of pre-schoolers reciting a nursery rhyme about food