Jan Sewa Ashram

The Waste Paper Recycling Unit at Jabli, Solan, functions as a training and production centre employing around 20 women and having trained 500 unemployed individuals. The centre established 13 demo units for schools and five production units across the country. After adequate training, understanding of market dynamics, and product production, the unit was transferred to the workers, forming their trust, Jan Sewa Trust. It meets Government standards, enabling beneficiaries to sustain their livelihoods happily. The unit's waste paper recycling process involves sorting, shredding, pulping, paper production, drying, quality control, calendaring, cutting, and packaging. Its products, including carry bags, greeting and wedding cards, files, folders, visiting cards, and letterheads with envelopes, cater to the rising demand for eco-friendly alternatives in the market, supported by the ban on polythene bags and increased environmental awareness.

The Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme aims to inspire and support diverse youth, including individuals from SC/ST and women, interested in self-employment or entrepreneurship. The primary goal is to encourage new businesses, enhance existing trades, and foster an entrepreneurial mindset nationwide. The programme emphasizes empowering vulnerable women by training them to utilize local resources, aiming to prevent migration to larger cities.

The Health, Hygiene, and Sanitation Programme works on clean drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation in preserving good health. Access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation is crucial for the well-being of families. It results in the control of enteric diseases and significantly improves child health. A healthy child, as a result, experiences enhanced learning and retention abilities.

The implementation of industrial vermicomposting, illustrated by the installation of 150 units in 150 villages in collaboration with DRDA Jhajjar, Haryana, demonstrates the generation of three tons of vermicompost every two months per unit, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and soil health.

The S&T Communication project focuses on educating children in District Fatehpur about Eco-Wash technologies to prevent early-age diseases, emphasizing the importance of proper hand hygiene to reduce the spread of germs. The project aimed to develop 20 model schools, 5 villages, and 5 municipal areas with Eco-Wash literacy, conducting seminars, workshops, essay competitions, and scientific activities in schools to raise awareness among students and communities. Quantitative indicators include organising seminars for school and community representatives, training thousands of students and families, and running programmes in various schools and villages. Qualitative indicators measure the increased knowledge about Eco-Wash, a decrease in waterborne diseases among children, improved health conditions, and the adoption of healthy hygiene practices. The project also utilizes workshops, demonstrations, and newspaper communication to spread awareness about Eco-Wash.

Cities' waste management focuses on utilizing appropriate technologies and methods to repurpose waste effectively. Techniques include anaerobic and controlled aerobic composting, mechanical and simple vermicomposting, as well as the pelletization of solid waste. The project involved several steps: First, creating awareness through workshops, meetings, and training sessions. Secondly, distributing waste collection bags for dry and toxic waste, followed by the third step of households segregating waste at the source. The waste is then collected and transported via specially designed tripart rickshaws. Bio-waste is processed separately. After successfully operating a plant for 14 years, it was handed over to the Municipal Council of Solan, as per the advice of the Norwegian embassy, which funded the project. Additionally, demonstrations and promotions for bio-compost are conducted to raise awareness and encourage its use.

The project Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women through Waste Recovery took place from 15 March 2018 to 14 March 2019. The project provided direct secure employment to 15 unemployed women and indirectly benefited 25 more women and men. The community saw advantages in environmental preservation, economic viability, job creation, and Government support, resulting in a ban on burning waste paper in Himachal Pradesh. The project saved 50 to 55 tons of waste paper yearly, retrieved 12500 file covers or Rs. 1,85,500, and positively impacted the environment, conserving resources and reducing carbon emissions. The project involved various stages, including machinery installation, waste collection, and training vulnerable women in making apple/egg trays. The training encompassed managerial and production-related skills, including sorting, pulping, moulding, drying, quality control, and packaging. The project demonstrated the production, marketing, and sale of the trays.