Development Objectives
Save A Family
Plan is committed to poverty reduction in India through sustainable
development and the overall strengthening of families and communities.
This is accomplished through the financial assistance of donors, whose
support to impoverished Indian families and communities is made possible
through the transfer of funds from SAFP Canada to SAFP India, where, with
the cooperation and facilitation of local partners (NGO’s/Diocesan Social
Service Societies/self-help groups/community-based organizations),
vulnerable families and communities are assisted.
Family Development Program
The Family
Development Program has been the core program of SAFP since 1965.
Through economic and social development initiatives, poor families are
able to realize their overall development, leading ultimately towards
sustainable communities and a healthier society. This is accomplished by
identifying the most vulnerable families in targeted areas and providing
them with financial assistance for six years to help begin and maintain an
income generating livelihood, leading to eventual self-reliance. Local
community financing/resource mobilization is encouraged, and families
undergo entrepreneurial development training. Involvement in sanghams or
self-help groups helps individuals gain the confidence and skills
necessary for success.
SAFP is also
in partnership with 22 Institution Based Rehabilitation Centres known as
Healing Homes and financially supports these institutions. These provide
shelter and support to children who are orphans, disabled (physically and
mentally challenged), and the elderly.
In 2006-2007,
almost 15,000 families were supported in the Family-to-Family Development
Program, in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,
and Maharashtra.
Community Development
SAFP has been
involved in community development programming since 1968. Funds
raised for these programs are strategically targeted toward specific
activities in certain priority sectors to alleviate poverty in the long
term. SAFP has been collaborating with the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA) for the past 29 years in community development,
strategically planning and implementing sustainable rural development
projects and programs in India. SAFP is committed to participatory
approaches that involve local partners (NGO’s and community based
organizations) and promote local level empowerment through capacity
building. The current program, SPED II (2006-2009), involves partnerships
with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), 51 Indian
Non-Governmental Organizations (mostly Diocesan Social Service agencies),
and over 52,000 sanghams (grassroots community-based organizations) in 116
villages in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat,
Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.
Other
community development funding supports various special projects and
disaster management and rehabilitation. The latter is in response
to needs that arise due to natural disasters within India such as
flooding, earthquakes, drought, etc.
Aiswaryagram,
constructed in 1988, houses the Indian administrative office of SAFP, and
is a 30-acre model farm and training/research centre. Its key goal is to
empower and strengthen the agricultural sector of Kerala and thereby
contribute to sustainable development. The web site is
www.aiswaryagram.org
Save A
Family Plan (SAFP) has two programs
Family Development Program
and
Community Development Program.
