Navajara

History:

 In Navajara social service started in 1966, as St. Ann’s Society was invited by the Diocese of Hazaribagh in the former state of Bihar to start its Mission in Ramgarh. The diocese gave a small building and a dispensary in 1.50 acres of Diocesan land in Navajara. Malaria was widespread in the area. The outreach programme to address the health needs intensified. Sr. Philo Augustine joined the Navajara team and promoted herbal treatment, trained the women to develop herbal gardens and provided mosquito nets to the villagers.

 Against the backdrop of low level of literacy of Adivasis; prevalence of child marriages in the past and early marriages even today, the implementation of educational projects of Navajara demonstrate the challenges involved in motivating parents to send children to school and do well in studies.

 

Educational Initiatives

St. Ann’s Mission began its education initiatives in 1998, when Sr. Saleena and Sr. Nirmala Mathew launched outreach efforts while serving at the local dispensary. Early activities included weekly classes conducted by Sr. Nirmala in Konardi and nearby government schools. To support primary education, three sisters were later appointed as satellite teachers in government schools.

In 2003, Sr. Sajitha Rose expanded the mission by visiting area schools, encouraging children, especially girls, to stay in school. By 2004, the sisters partnered with the government’s Campmode initiative, running a residential program from their house to reintegrate school dropouts into mainstream education.

Despite the challenges of adhering to government norms and motivating tribal adolescent girls, the sisters persevered. As a result, 1,160 students have received education through their efforts, earning appreciation from both parents and government bodies. Additionally, 12 students were supported in private schools outside the Campmode program.

On December 20, 2019, the Campmode school at Navajara was closed, transitioning into village-level tuition centres to continue educational support in a more localized manner.

Youth Development Programme

St. Ann’s Social Service Society, Navajara Unit, has made remarkable progress in its mission to transform youth development across eight villages. Operating through a network of youth clubs with 111 members, the organization has successfully implemented programs focusing on educational support, community development, and behavioural rehabilitation. This multifaceted approach has brought significant positive changes to both individual lives and community structures.

Youth Clubs – Membership Details

S. No	Village	Youth Club Name	Members
1	Navajara	NJ Uram	19
2	Vijaydi	Sagan	15
3	Chotkihesel	Sarna	14
4	Machatad	Gulab	12
5	Bhahakudar	Butterfly	15
6	Bhuyadari	Gulachi	12
7	Konardhi	Rani	14
8	Badkihazel	Meyer	10
	Total		111

 

Educational Support

St. Ann’s Mission currently supports 19 youth pursuing professional and technical education. This includes students training to become nurses, teachers, office staff, and police personnel. Graduates from the program are now working successfully in various institutions, including 8 nurses, 2 teachers, 2 office staff, and 1 police officer.

Community & Cultural Engagement

Youth clubs have evolved into dynamic centers for cultural preservation and community development. A key event is the annual combined celebration of International Youth Day and Indigenous Day, which attracts over 100 participants from nine villages. These gatherings highlight tribal traditions through dance, music, and competitions, while also empowering youth and fostering civic responsibility. Supported by local government officials, the youth clubs also lead initiatives such as electoral awareness drives and environmental conservation campaigns.

Behavioural Rehabilitation:

 The society’s approach to behavioural rehabilitation has shown promising results, particularly with seven youth who previously displayed deviant behaviour. Through consistent counselling and engagement, these individuals have been successfully integrated into mainstream community activities. Participants also showed improvements in financial responsibility, adopting better savings habits and money management skills.

Women-Led Leadership and Social Impact:

Over the past four years, focused efforts have empowered women through leadership training and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), promoting financial independence and social participation. With support from Canara Bank and Gramin Bank, over 40 SHG’s opened group bank account and now manage their own bank accounts, gaining confidence and financial literacy.

Key Achievements:

Regular training on savings, banking, and financial management

SHG-led savings and micro-enterprise development

Community advocacy improving household and village economies

Training on human trafficking prevention and organic farming

Awareness sessions on parenting, education, and Governance

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Cleanliness & Environmental Action:

20 villages led cleanliness drives and tree planting campaigns, especially on World Environment Day, reflecting strong community ownership and environmental commitment.

women are leading initiatives to clean and maintain communal spaces, including borewells, wells, roads, water tanks, Anganwadi centres, and government schools. These efforts not only enhance sanitation and hygiene but also empower women as key agents of change in their

communities. By taking ownership of local sanitation efforts, women in these villages are fostering healthier environments.

Welfare programme for Farmers:

Launched in 2022, the Welfare Programme for Farmers aims to promote the benefits and sustainability of organic farming while empowering local farming communities. As part of this initiative, a Farmers' Club was established to foster collaboration and self-reliance among farmers. Currently, there are 10 active farmers' groups operating across 6 villages.

These groups conduct regular meetings to encourage savings, facilitate internal loans, and support each other financially. Additionally, they gather monthly to plan and implement developmental activities tailored to the specific needs and norms of each village. This initiative not only strengthens the agricultural ecosystem but also nurtures community-driven growth and resilience.

 

Environment Protection:

Taking care of the environment is a primary activity of the centre. Al the operational areas are aware of the preventive measures to safeguard the environment. In SHG meetings, farmers' club meetings, and village-level meetings, awareness classes have been arranged on a regular basis. The team motivated groups to plant and care for saplings, instructing them to also put up fencing for protection.

Organic Farming Initiative:

Launched in 2021, the Organic Farming Initiative was designed to raise awareness among farmers about the harmful effects of chemical-based agriculture and to promote sustainable, eco-friendly farming practices. A door-to-door awareness campaign was conducted to educate farmers on the importance of protecting soil health and transitioning to organic methods.

To further encourage organic practices at the household level, seeds were distributed to women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for the creation of kitchen gardens. These women were guided and supported throughout the process, from soil preparation to harvesting. As a result, 75 women successfully established organic kitchen gardens, enabling them to grow chemical-free vegetables for their own consumption. This initiative not only improved access to nutritious food but also empowered women to adopt sustainable farming practices within their homes.

Livelihood Programme:

Training and Capacity Building

Animal Husbandry Training:

Conducted by Dr. Mindu Prakash from Ranchi University, attended by 88 participants.

Motivational Sessions:

Held in Machatad village with 54 participants, led by resource person Arjun Tigga.

Veterinary Guidance:

Dr. Kamelesh Mahto provided training on timely vaccinations, benefiting 60 participants.

 

Livestock Distribution Details

     

•         Goat Rearing:

§  24 women received 2 goats each, totalling 48 goats.

§  Total investment: ₹1,76,630 /-

            

•        Pig Rearing:

§   29 women received 2 piglets each, totalling 58 piglets.

§   Total investment: ₹2,29,000/-​

•        Poultry Farming:

§   7 women received hens or ducks.

§   Total investment: ₹17,300/- ​

        

•        Other Support:

1 woman, Ujith Bediya from Kusumajara, received support to establish a shop with an investment of ₹58,185/-

 

Conclusion:

Through dedicated efforts, the initiative has fostered stronger, self-reliant communities by empowering women, promoting environmentally sustainable practices, and encouraging inclusive, participatory governance. These interventions have not only improved livelihoods but also strengthened the social fabric of the villages. The journey continues, driven by a commitment to growth, resilience, and a lasting positive impact on both people and the planet.