• HEAD signed an  MOU on 28^th January 2019 with AROEHAN, which is working in Mokhada Tahsil of Palghar District since 2006, HEAD took a big step for holistic development of 3 tribal padas of Khoch Village, Mokhada Block.

• Aroehan is today an autonomous non-profit organization working in the areas of Health, Education, Livelihood, and Governance, which gives it an excellent fit with HEAD. 

• In the last decade, AROEHAN has increased its footprint across Mokhada, Jawahar, Palghar, and Dahanu blocks of Palghar district and has established credibility in the area, especially for its work in:

• Water conservation, 
• Health and nutrition, 
• Solar-based irrigation and 
• Introducing farmers to second cropping during the Rabi season for growing vegetables and engaging in floriculture.

In 3 hamlets (padas) in Khoch Village of Mokhada Block, with 383 households and 2000 beneficiaries, majority of whom are tribals:

• Khoch               ]     – 383 households, 2000 beneficiaries, majority tribals               
• Pimpalpada       ]     – Subsistence existence on rain-fed agriculture
• Phulachi Wadi  ]     – Per capital land-holding 0.6 acres

Almost impossible to believe that in this lush-green land, with beautiful hills shrouded in rain and mist during monsoon, there is endemic poverty and backwardness among the tribals living here, who eke out a  rain-fed subsistence-level existence; where menfolk and sometimes whole families migrate during water-less summer months to Bhiwandi and other nearby towns seeking contract employment in risky construction work to supplement their income. 

• 3 Zilla Parishad Schools 
• School buildings are in a terribly dilapidated condition
• Abysmal student teacher ratio
• Very poor water and sanitation facilities

• 4 Anganwadis

• Malnutrition is prevalent in the age 0-6 age group
• Teenage pregnancies are rampant
• Such education as is available to the youth does not beget local employment.
• Self-Help Groups though available lack knowledge of product/service knowledge skills and marketing ability, to even tap available credit. Nearest market is at Mokhada which is nearly 8 kms away.

• No Health Post. 1 sub-centre is sanctioned but yet to become functional.

• Treatment available only at Mokhada Rural Hospital
• Low Health awareness and Government schemes and services is very low

• The livelihood development project has intervened with 50 farmers for Jasmine cultivation. HEAD FOUNDATION has in co-operation with AROEHAN has provided funds for implementing a livelihood Project in Khoch, Pimpalpada and Phulachi Wadi padas of Khoch Village.
• They have been provided with Jasmine saplings and guided at each step of cultivation through exposure visits, on field demonstration, training and expert advice. 
• Some of the farmers also experimented with mulching
• What do we now intend to do?The Project will address four thematic areas of Health, Education, Livelihood and Governance: 
• Health interventions with a focus on:

• • Maternal & Child Health, 
  • Improving sanitation practices and 
  • Systems for the well-being of the community;

Educational interventions with a focus on:

• • Reducing drop-out rates. 
  • Improving governance in schools through active School Management Committees and 
  • Placement of teachers on adhoc basis in Zilla Parishad schools

Watershed development with a focus on:  

• • Construction of small bunds/check dams/repair of wells for drinking water and irrigation.
  • Promotion of agriculture, floriculture, horticulture and allied activities, 
  • Skill building and exploration of newer sources of livelihood for youth;

Strengthening governance within hamlets with a focus on: 

• Improving people’s participation in Gram Sabhas.
• Developing Village Development Plans.
• Accessing Government programmes and schemes and 
• Working on access to entitlements.

Sustainability through people’s ownership of interventions and of change; 

• By working through pada samitis (village committees) and 
• Empowering other statutory committees right from the initial conducting of a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)
• To handing over and exiting from an area at the end of 3 or 5 years is a non-negotiable.

Budget for New Projects planned in Khoch Village

There are two major projects:

• Upgradation of the Zilla Parishad school at an estimate of  around Rs.15 lakhs.
• Solar based lift irrigation project at an estimate of around  Rs.20 lakhs.