INDIA

Community Development Changing Lives

ABOUT INDIA
The vast and diverse Indian sub-continent has long been fought over.
From Aryan, Afghan and Persian invasions to the British Raj, India has been under foreign
rule from the early 1800s until independence in 1947. The subsequent division of the
sub-continent into Pakistan and India has not been an easy one.

Three wars over disputed territories have marred an otherwise successful bid for freedom
from colonialism. India has a romance that is at once beautiful and terrible.
Bollywood success, majestic buildings, a large skilled workforce, economic reform and court-
ship by the world’s superpowers – India seems to be on the rise. But then there’s the other
side of the coin.

Extreme poverty stalks the land, as the world’s largest slums continue to spread. Communal,
caste and regional tensions haunt Indian culture. As new wealth lands next door to the most
desperate of human circumstances, India struggles with unimaginable poverty amidst the
creation of economic success. QUICK FACTS
Full name:
Republic of the India

Population:
1.1 billion (UN, 2005)

Capital and largest city:

New Delhi

Most Populated City:

Mumbai (Bombay)

Major Languages:
Hindi, English and at least 16 other
languages

Major religion:
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism,
Buddism, Jainism
TEAR FUND IN INDIA
Life expectancy:
EFICOR Wells for Villages Project. 62 years (men), 65 years (women)

In a remote area of India the Evangelical Fellowship of India Commission on Relief (Eficor), Main exports:
is providing safe drinking water to villages. Nabarangapur and Koraput districts of Orissa are Agricultural products, textile goods,
gems and jewellery, software services
home to the poorest tribal groups in India. Finding sources of clean drinking water in this and technology, engineering goods,
drought-prone region is a huge challenge, let alone finding water close to their villages. chemicals, leather products.

GNI per capita:

Current water sources are rivers but these are usually some distance from the villages and US $720 (World Bank, 2006
are often contaminated. Village ponds are used for washing and cleaning but are also used
by animals, so they are not suitable for drinking. In some places the villagers dig pits in the
ground and wait for the water to collect but water gathered this way is muddy. This vital
project supplies wells to this area by sending in teams of workers and drilling rigs.

How it works:
• The community participates in the decision-making process, forming a committee to
oversee the drilling process and ensuring optimum use for the water when it is provided.
• Community members help make access roads for the drilling rig.
• The community helps in transporting the rig to the site. The community’s water
committee and local leaders oversee the process.
• Hand pumps are installed and members of the community are trained to repair them.

Call to donate: 0800 800 777 or visit www.tearfund.org.nz

Community Development Changing Lives

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

TEAR Fund community development works by empowering poor communities to find their own
solutions to issues. This significantly reduces overheads by operating through local staff. We work
directly with the poorest allowing us to identify and address the root causes of poverty not just
the symptoms.

TEAR Fund partners with indigenous Christian organisations who carry out the work
themselves. Assistance is given regardless of beliefs.

Tear Fund takes an holistic approach to all of its projects which takes the local community on a
journey of transformation through improved physical, social and economic circumstances, and
often on an individual level, spiritual change.

How community development transforms

• Physical – meets targeted need such as health
• Social – unites and empowers
• Economic – often creates opportunities for income generation
• Spiritual – opens doors for gospel

SAFE WATER TO MAKE PEOPLE WELL

Kenduguda is one of the most interior and un-developed villages
situated within the Koraput District, Orissa.
There are no proper roads and people are living without proper
infrastructure such as school, hospital or clinics. Basic survival is a
great challenge for the villagers, who earn daily wages working in
other villages. They are dependent on forest products and rainwater
for cultivation. Their economic problems were compounded by a
lack of safe drinking water as they relied on a seasonal stream about
100 metres from the village
TEAR Fund’s partner in India, EFICOR, specialises in drilling wells.
Although the terrain was difficult at Kenduguda village, the drilling
team met the challenge head-on. A temporary road was created
with the community’s help, using mud and hard soil so that the rig
vehicle could reach their village. After a week of construction and
repairs to the road, the drilling was completed.
The drilling was done to a depth of 350 feet, where good safe water
was tapped. The villagers, and especially the women, couldn’t stop
laughing joyfully. They gave their heartfelt thanks to EFICOR as they
will no longer fear to fetch water, even at night.
Now the women can save a lot of time in fetching water, enabling
them to do other chores and spend quality time with their families.
“It is beyond our imagination the way you people brought such a big
vehicle to our village to give us this clean water. Thank you so much
for taking the risk,” said a villager.
Waterborne diseases have been significantly reduced ensuring a
healthier community. Drilling a tube well and providing a hand
pump for the people of a remote village is a simple step to ensure a
community has a better life.

CONTACTS:
National Office: Freephone: 0800 800 777
PO Box 8315, Symonds St, Facsimile: (09) 629 1050
Auckland 1150 Email: enquiries@tearfund.org.nz
New Zealand Website: www.tearfund.org.nz COUNTRY PROFILES