Economic Rural Development Society (ERDS)

Some of their 2012-13 activities were as follows:

• Sahay: The organisation sponsors poor and needy children below the poverty line by providing them with expenses related to education, nutrition and health. Sahay also extends support to the families of these children in order to renovate their homes, construct floors, latrines, and assist families in digging wells to ensure the availability of safe drinking water.
• Creche and State Balwadi Centre: With the support of the West Bengal Social Welfare Advisory Board, ERDS has set up 4 creche centres for children under the age of 5 years. The objective of the Balwadi Centre is to give children access to a primary and secondary education.
• Vocational Training: ERDS has trained 80 children in order to gain employment in self-help groups. After completion of the training, 55 students are now earning an income averaging Rs45,150 per month.
• Alor Janya School: ERDS set up this primary school for the 1^st to 4^th standards. Children are provided with books, stationery, clothes, and tiffins. They are groomed and nurtured until the completion of primary school and then admitted to secondary school. 50 students have completed courses at this school thus far.
• Health Clinic: Spreading awareness on basic health issues through camps, discussions and one-on-one interactions. ERDS runs two health clinics supported by doctors who evaluate and counsel patients.