Association For Social Service And Rehabilitation Of The Aged (ASSRA)

ASSRA's Basic Education program, launched in 2000, illuminates underprivileged children's lives in rural regions of East Singhbhum, Jharkhand. With five centres, it integrates disadvantaged youth into mainstream development through innovative and adaptable approaches. By providing supplementary education to dropouts and working children, it has positively impacted over 400 lives. Expanding to New Delhi, the programme continues to empower young minds, paving the way for progress and change in underprivileged communities.

In the rural areas, where daily wage labour and forest produce collection are common livelihoods, ASSRA initiated various income generation activities to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local youth. It offers training in Mushroom Cultivation, Poultry Farming, Sustainable Agriculture, Tailoring, Handicrafts, and Jute Crafts. Mushroom Cultivation is a reliable source of income with low investment, while Poultry Farming has resulted in the establishment of five farms so far. Sustainable Agriculture and Tailoring units have also been established, empowering the local community to cultivate rice, vegetables, and run individual tailoring businesses. Additionally, the promotion of Handicrafts and Jute Crafts has contributed to economic growth and improved social standing, benefiting women in the villages.

In an effort to protect the environment, ASSRA conducted awareness meetings in the Patamda Block to educate rural youth about the benefits of agroforestry. The goal was to create widespread awareness about the significance of a healthy environment and initiate a movement to combat deforestation and preserve nature. Different types of plants, including Tick, Gambhar, Sisam, Mango, and Eucalyptus, were grown as part of this environmental campaign. Moreover, the organisation provided training to the rural population on cultivating crops in the hilly areas of the region, further promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

In an effort to combat drug abuse, ASSRA launched an anti-drug movement, providing counselling to both men and women in the Patamda block to discourage alcohol consumption and drug addiction. The programme also focused on rehabilitating individuals already struggling with drug addiction, and the organisation achieved success in counselling and rehabilitating a significant number of drug addicts in the area.

ASSRA implemented diverse vocational training programmes, including mushroom cultivation, poultry farming, sustainable agriculture, tailoring, block printing, coir crafts, and more. It introduced a mobile library to engage youth and promote reading habits. Collaborating with ARUNIM, it sold products made by trainees at trade fairs and festivals. Beneficiaries also participated in CSR events. An IT project taught computer basics to aspiring youth in Delhi.