"We are more confident and proud of ourselves"

Anna depends on agriculture to feed her family and earn an income.

But she is unable to grow enough food on her small plot of unfertile land to support her family for more than six months a year. As a result malnutrition is common in Anna's village.

There are no health centres in these remote areas so malnutrition and other preventable diseases such as malaria, TB and water-borne diseases continue to kill vulnerable community members.

Anna Marende, Jharkhand, India

Anna has different hopes for the village...

"In my ideal village, we would have good agricultural practices, enough food to eat, and no children dying from diseases like TB"

Anna cannot hide her excitement. She is now part of a group in her village, supported by FYF partner PAHAL, that is helping her to turn her dreams into reality.

Through the group, Anna is learning vital skills in environmentally friendly farming practices that will enable her to increase her harvest, boost her income and improve her family's health.

Anna and her fellow group members are also learning about their rights from FYF partner PAHAL and are developing the skills and confidence to make lasting improvements to their village.

"We want to join hands and work for our own development"

It is nine months since the group was set up and PAHAL has already supported group members to ensure that a health worker visits the village and has asked the local government to provide a clean water pump.

For the first time in her life, Anna has the opportunity to create a more secure future for her family.

We are currently supporting 220 tribal women like Anna to transform their lives and their community. We aim to reach 1,800 tribal women by 2010.

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