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'''Shroffs Foundation Trust''' (SFT) is a regional [[non-governmental organization]] primarily working in [[Vadodara district]] and a part of [[Kutch district]] in [[Gujarat]], [[India]]<ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 1. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}</ref>

It was established in 1980 under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 to improve the lives of impoverished communities in the region through holistic [[sustainable development]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/foundation.htm#mission |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619220254/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/foundation.htm#mission |archive-date=2013-06-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>"A Job on Their Hands: Spreading Work and Self-esteem." The Times of India. 20 Sept. 2011. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120412191807/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-20/india/30179451_1_chhota-udepur-village-expert-panel] Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012</ref> To that end, SFT has been actively involved in provision of livelihood security, drudgery reduction, natural resource management, health and education.<ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 1. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 [http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}</ref> Over the last 25 years, the trust has impacted the lives of people in 412 villages.<ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 3. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 [http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}</ref>

In the year 2010–11, SFT derived 45% of their funds from government grants, 28% from donations and 27% from other sources.<ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 83. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 [http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}</ref>

== Livelihood ==
SFT has carried out various projects targeting different parts of the community, to help them achieve greater economic independence through community organization and [[capacity building]].<ref>[http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/foundation.htm#mission] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619220254/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/foundation.htm#mission |date=2013-06-19 }} Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012</ref>

Widows hold a vulnerable position in the conservative society of rural India, to make them self-sufficient SFT trained 269 young widows in various businesses such as artificial jewellery making, [[cleaning agent]] making, stitching and [[embroidery]].<ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 46. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 [http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}</ref> After training, 66% of the widows became self-sufficient.<ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 47. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 [http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}</ref>

Another similar initiative taken by SFT was establishing a sustainable [[handicraft]] business run by the tribal women [[artisan]]s.<ref name="shroffsfoundation.org">http://www.shroffsfoundation.org. Shroff Foundation Trust. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. <http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/viveka_brochure.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206145728/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/viveka_brochure.pdf |date=2011-02-06 }}>.</ref> After three successful years of business, today their earnings have increased from Rs 6 per hour to Rs 14 per hour.<ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 34. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 [http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}</ref> This [[cooperative]] setup aims to empower more and more women by helping them have a steady source of income.<ref name="shroffsfoundation.org"/>

Women in the region have begun the practice of dairy cooperatives allowing them to price milk higher via capacity building programs organized by Self Help Groups (SHG's) established by SFT.<ref name="ReferenceA">Bansal, Dr. Hema. “Self help group - NGO - Bank linkages program in India: a case study.” M.S. University of Baroda, India.</ref><ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 15. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 [http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}</ref> The co-operative has provided saving opportunities, which resulted in a profit accumulation of Rs 50,000 in one year.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Furthermore, SFT has acted as a surety for the [[microcredit]] loans undertaken by the women for purchasing milk cattle under the program.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Subsequently, the daily additional income of 348 families in the region linked to these co-operatives has increased to Rs 84,363.<ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 22. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 [http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}</ref> Nevertheless, the program had to counter [[illiteracy]] problems that barricaded the community from viewing the benefits of a cooperative and resulted in conflicts and thus, caused time lags in implementation.<ref>Integrated Tribal Development Project. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 25. Retrieved 21 Feb. 2012 [http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/itdp_report.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206145653/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/itdp_report.pdf |date=2011-02-06 }}</ref>

SFT established a [[vocational training]] center in 2008 in [[Chhota Udaipur State|Chhota Udepur]].<ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 48. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 [http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}</ref> The center aims to equip 8,900 youths living in the tribal belts of Gujarat with skills to employ them in back-end office operations in [[Outsourcing#Business process outsourcing|BPOs]].<ref name="Tribal youths get job offers in Vadodara">Tribal youths get job offers in Vadodara” The Times of India. 23 July 2011. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-23/vadodara/29807265_1_tribal-youths-vocational-training-tribal-development-department.</ref><ref name="The flat world: BPO highway reaches Gujarat tribal belt">The flat world: BPO highway reaches Gujarat tribal belt” The Indian Express. 12 Aug. 2008. http://www.indianexpress.comnews/the-flat-world-bpo-highway-reaches-gujarat-tribal-belt/347705/1{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.</ref> Initially participation in the courses was challenged by factors such as unawareness of the community of outlets such as BPOs and the degree of difficulty involved in learning [[English language|English]] from the basics.<ref name="The flat world: BPO highway reaches Gujarat tribal belt"/> However, these were eventually resolved through continued effort of volunteers.<ref name="The flat world: BPO highway reaches Gujarat tribal belt"/> and to date 175 trainees have received successful placements and are earning an average income of Rs 5000 per month.<ref name="Annual Report 2010-11">Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 48. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}.</ref>

== Drudgery reduction ==
The uneducated community has been prone to drudgery in the domestic and agricultural fields. [[Farm mechanization]] and safe drinking water has reduced drudgery of women providing time for other income generation activities.<ref name="TOI Social Impact Awards: Helping them reap a richer harvest">“TOI Social Impact Awards: Helping them reap a richer harvest” The Times of India. 24 Sep. 2011 http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-24/india/30198074_1_chhota-udepur-check-dams-sft.</ref> To elaborate, the issue of access to safe drinking water was addressed by the SFT through the introduction of a water distribution system (watershed project.<ref name="TOI Social Impact Awards: Helping them reap a richer harvest"/>) in 127 villages in the region, thereby, reaching out to 25,000 households.<ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 45. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}.</ref>

In addition, SFT observed heavy reliance on labour-intensive means of farming which was tackled by the initiation of the Tool Bank Project in 2010.<ref name="Annual Report 2010-11"/> Women spent on an average 15 or 16 hours a day in farm related chores like [[sowing]] and [[winnowing]].<ref name="Annual Report 2010-11"/> To increase productivity, SFT introduced mechanization through tractors, maize shellers and mini mills, which benefited 1,050 farmers.<ref name="Annual Report 2010-11"/>

SFT has also provided means for farmers to avail agro-services through the promotion of [[social enterprise]]s such as Agrocel Industries Ltd in order to help increase their crop yields.<ref name="Agrocel Ind: A social enterprise in agriculture">“Agrocel Ind: A social enterprise in agriculture.” Business Line, The Hindu. 7 June 2010. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-corporate/article993650.ece.</ref> This has been executed through the free provision of skilled technical guidance by the enterprise and access to superior inputs at affordable prices.<ref name="Agrocel Ind: A social enterprise in agriculture"/> Consequently, this helped decrease the time and resources spent on menial work for around 2,000 farmers.<ref>Annual Report 2010-11. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 46. Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227233651/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/annual_report_2010_11.pdf |date=2014-02-27 }}.</ref>

== Constraints ==
Since the SFT's target group is the rural and tribal community, one of the biggest limitations faced by them was the internal conflict between groups due to entrenched attitudes of the people.<ref name="Integrated Tribal Development Project">Integrated Tribal Development Project. Shroff Foundation Trust. p. 25. Retrieved 21 Feb. 2012 http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/itdp_report.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206145653/http://www.shroffsfoundation.org/pdf/itdp_report.pdf |date=2011-02-06 }}.</ref><ref name="Tribal voice and violence">Devy, Ganesh. “Tribal voice and violence.” Society under Siege (Seminar). Retrieved 23 Feb. 2012 http://www.india-seminar.com/2002/513/513%20ganesh%20devy.htm.</ref> Moreover, political interference, extensive and burdensome government procedures and administrative delays by state departments hindered the implementation of the NGO's programmes.<ref name="Integrated Tribal Development Project"/> Lastly, additional time lags were triggered by the unwillingness of the people to partake in the activities owing to their inability to understand the benefits of the programmes and disagreements on selection of sites or participants.<ref name="The flat world: BPO highway reaches Gujarat tribal belt"/><ref name="Integrated Tribal Development Project"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Sustainable development]]
[[Category:Non-governmental organizations]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Vadodara district]]
[[Category:Kutch district]]
[[Category:1980s establishments in Gujarat]]

Shroffs Foundation Trust - Revision history

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