Brief History of BSVS

Bosco Samajik Vikas Sanstha (BSVS), a pioneering social development organization, was established by the Bombay Salesian Society, Mumbai to serve the tribal and rural communities in the Jawhar and Mokhada blocks of Palghar district (previously Thane district), Maharashtra. The journey of BSVS began in response to a crucial need: these blocks faced deep-rooted underdevelopment marked by illiteracy, poverty, poor health, unemployment, and drought. The situation reached a crisis in 1992, when a malnutrition epidemic caused 42 deaths in Jawhar in just one month, prompting a media outcry and a subsequent focus on the region by the government and non-governmental organizations alike.

In 2004, the Bombay Salesian Society initiated the mission in Jawhar and Mokhada with a strategic vision for youth development. Fr. Anaclete D’Mello, then the Economer of the Mumbai province, secured land in Walvanda, laying the groundwork for what would become the BSVS campus. Initially, the organization operated out of a rented facility in Mokhada, while scouting the area to identify the most impoverished villages with substantial youth populations. The team, comprising two staff members and local volunteers, set about building connections through a series of entry-point activities. These included the establishment of *Bal Sanskar Kendras*, the *School of Excellence*, Panchayati Raj programs, and youth development initiatives, which helped foster trust and rapport with the village leadership and community.

Over the initial years, as BSVS engaged with the local youth and community members, they discovered many complex challenges beyond education and youth development. These included various social, economic, geographical, cultural, and political issues. Conversations with local animators and facilitators also highlighted environmental concerns—summarized as the five "J’s": Jal (Water), Jungle (Forest), Jamin (Land), Jan (People), and Janwar (Animals). These insights shaped the organization's direction, prompting a shift toward more comprehensive, integrated development programs that addressed these pressing needs.

 BSVS was soon registered as a trust, enabling it to expand its efforts in a more formalized manner. The organization launched programs in education, youth development, sustainable livelihoods, women empowerment, and watershed management. The initial phase of operations was not without challenges. Scarcity of water during summer, torrential rains during monsoon, and lack of basic infrastructure, including electricity, mobile networks, and public transportation, made daily operations difficult. Until recently, accessing phone or internet service required traveling over 12 kilometers to the town of Jawhar. Despite these barriers, the dedication of BSVS’s team has led to significant improvements in the area’s infrastructure and quality of life.

BSVS's commitment and perseverance have transformed it into a beacon of hope for the communities in Jawhar and Mokhada, illustrating the powerful impact of integrated rural development. Today, it stands as a model organization, showcasing how a mission grounded in community trust, respect for local knowledge, and unwavering persistence can bring about meaningful change.

 Our Journey

2010-11

• Universal Education: Established 70 Bal Sanskar Kendras and Schools of Excellence to provide quality education to tribal children. Celebrated Teacher’s Day to honor educators and their contributions.

• Rights-Based Approach: Conducted NREGA training to educate villagers about their rights under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Organized village-level training sessions and animators’ meet to empower local leaders.

• Perspective Development: Provided Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) training to involve the community in planning and development. Conducted perspective plan training to help villages create long-term development plans.

• Education to Livelihood: Launched the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) programme to bridge the gap between education and employment. Implemented skill development initiatives to enhance employability.

• Networking and Collaboration: Collaborated with Primary Health Centers (PHC), Tribal Development Department, DB Tech Kurla, Vasai Diocese, and other organizations to enhance the impact of our programs.

2011-12

• Skill Development Centre: Constructed and inaugurated a new center to provide vocational training. The center offers courses in various trades to improve employability.

• Training Camps: Held camps for community leaders and farmers to build their capacities. Topics included sustainable farming practices, leadership skills, and community development.

• Exposure Visits: Organized visits for farmers to Akola block to learn about advanced agricultural techniques and best practices.

• Demonstration Units: Set up units for floriculture and System of Rice Intensification (SRI) methods to demonstrate innovative farming techniques.

• REDP: Conducted Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (REDP) to encourage entrepreneurship among rural youth.

• Education Programme: Continued primary education support, SSC coaching, and adult literacy programs to improve educational outcomes.

• Health Education: Conducted health awareness camps, nutrition and hygiene workshops, midwife training, and medical camps to improve community health.

2012-13

• Skill Trainings: Provided training for two-wheeler repair, electrical, and welding to enhance technical skills and employability. These programs aimed to equip youth with practical skills for better job opportunities.

• Training Camps: Continued camps for community leaders and farmers to build their capacities in various areas. These camps focused on leadership development and sustainable agricultural practices.

• Demonstration Plots: Maintained plots for floriculture and SRI methods to showcase innovative farming techniques. These plots served as learning centers for local farmers.

• REDP: Offered diesel engine repairing courses to promote technical skills and entrepreneurship. These courses helped participants start their own repair businesses.

• Education Programme: Continued primary education support, SSC coaching, and adult literacy programs to improve educational outcomes. These initiatives aimed to reduce dropout rates and improve literacy levels.

2013-14

• Community Development: Expanded community engagement and development programs to address various social and economic issues. These programs included awareness campaigns and capacity-building workshops.

• Livelihood Projects: Introduced new livelihood projects focusing on sustainable practices to improve income and self-reliance. These projects included organic farming and small-scale enterprises.

• Health Initiatives: Increased the number of health camps and awareness programs to promote health and well-being. These initiatives included vaccination drives and health check-ups.

2014-15

• Educational Support: Enhanced educational support programs, including scholarships and additional coaching to help students succeed. These programs aimed to provide financial assistance and academic support to deserving students.

• Skill Development: Expanded skill development courses to include more trades and improve employability. New courses included tailoring, carpentry, and computer skills.

• Water Conservation: Implemented new water conservation projects to address water scarcity and promote sustainable water management. These projects included the construction of check dams and rainwater harvesting systems.

2015-16

• Youth Empowerment: Launched new youth empowerment initiatives to build leadership skills and promote active citizenship. These initiatives included youth clubs and leadership training programs.

• Cultural Programs: Organized cultural preservation programs to promote tribal heritage and traditions. These programs included cultural festivals and traditional art workshops.

• Health Services: Increased access to health services through mobile clinics and health camps. These services provided medical care and health education to remote communities.

2016-17

• Agricultural Support: Introduced new agricultural support programs, including modern farming techniques and sustainable practices. These programs aimed to increase agricultural productivity and income.

• Women’s Empowerment: Expanded women’s self-help groups and entrepreneurship training to promote gender equality and economic independence. These groups provided women with financial literacy and business skills.

• Infrastructure Development: Improved infrastructure in target communities to support development and improve living conditions. These improvements included the construction of community centers and sanitation facilities.

2017-18

• Educational Expansion: Opened new educational centers and expanded existing ones to provide quality education to more children. These centers offered primary and secondary education, as well as vocational training.

• Health and Nutrition: Launched new health and nutrition programs for children and mothers to improve health outcomes. These programs included nutrition education and supplementary feeding.

• Environmental Projects: Started new environmental conservation projects to promote sustainability and protect natural resources. These projects included tree planting and waste management initiatives.

2018-19

• Skill Training: Introduced advanced skill training programs in collaboration with industry partners to enhance employability. These programs included training in hospitality, IT, and manufacturing.

• Community Health: Expanded community health initiatives, including vaccination drives and health awareness campaigns. These initiatives aimed to improve overall community health and prevent diseases.

• Cultural Restoration: Continued efforts to restore and promote tribal culture through various programs and events. These efforts included documenting traditional practices and organizing cultural exchanges.

2019-20

• Pandemic Response: Implemented COVID-19 relief programs, including food distribution, health awareness, and support for affected families. These programs aimed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable communities.

• Online Education: Launched online education initiatives to support students during the pandemic and ensure continuity of learning. These initiatives included virtual classrooms and digital learning resources.

• Livelihood Support: Provided livelihood support to families affected by the pandemic to help them recover and rebuild. These supports included financial assistance and job placement services.

2020-21

• Digital Literacy: Introduced digital literacy programs for youth and adults to enhance their skills and improve employability. These programs included training in basic computer skills and internet usage.

• Health Camps: Conducted extensive health camps focusing on pandemic-related issues and general health awareness. These camps provided medical check-ups, vaccinations, and health education.

• Sustainable Livelihoods: Promoted sustainable livelihood projects in response to economic challenges and to support long-term development. These projects included organic farming and eco-friendly crafts.

2021-22

• Educational Recovery: Focused on educational recovery post-pandemic, including remedial classes and support for students who fell behind. These initiatives aimed to bridge learning gaps and improve academic performance.

• Health Infrastructure: Improved health infrastructure in rural areas to provide better access to healthcare services. These improvements included the construction of health centers and the provision of medical equipment.

• Women’s Programs: Expanded programs for women’s health and empowerment to promote gender equality and improve health outcomes. These programs included reproductive health education and support groups.

2022-23

• Organic Farming: Conducted workshops on organic farming and its benefits to promote sustainable agriculture. These workshops provided training on organic farming techniques and the use of natural fertilizers.

• Skill Development: Continued to expand skill development programs to include more trades and improve employability. New courses included digital marketing, graphic design, and renewable energy technologies.

• Community Engagement: Increased community engagement through various development programs to address local needs and promote participation. These programs included community meetings and participatory planning sessions.

2023-24

• Sustainable Development: Focused on sustainable development projects, including renewable energy and environmental conservation. These projects aimed to promote the use of solar energy and protect local ecosystems.

• Health and Education: Continued to enhance health and education programs to improve overall well-being and educational outcomes. These initiatives included health screenings, educational workshops, and scholarship programs.

• Cultural Initiatives: Promoted cultural initiatives to preserve tribal heritage and traditions through various programs and events.