Mushroom cultivation as a sustainable income source for Intellectual Disabilities Service Centre (IDSC) in Bajrabarahi, Lalitpur

Project Rota Year : 2017-18

Describe the project. What was done, when, and where did project activities take place?

IDSC (Bouddhik Apang Sewa Kendra) near Bajarabarahi Temple in Godavari Nagarpalika, Lalitpur, established 2008) serves 35 intellectually disabled (ID) children of mostly poor parents. The 3 volunteer teachers and the parents’ never-ending task of collecting donations to provide daytime meals for ID children, house rent and other expenses is difficult and daunting. There is a need for regular income source.

Mushroom cultivation is common in Bajrabarahi area. The teachers and parents are confident of growing and selling mushroom as a regular income generating activity for IDSC. Following several consultations, RC Yala agreed to help kick-start the activity. The ID children’s parents’ association and the volunteer teachers locally raised substantial contributions.

Project output
• A profitable mushroom production and marketing system managed by IDSC.
• Sufficient capital/funds for repeating future cultivation of mushroom.
• Substantial income from mushroom production for funding IDSC to support intellectually disabled children looked after by IDSC.

How many people benefited from this project?

35 ID children (girls and boys) of age 3 to 22 years and their financially weak parents.

Who were the beneficiaries, how were they impacted by this project, and what humanitarian need was met?

In the first stage (year) 35 ID children benefitted, through IDSC, the project provided funds to pay (Rs 10,000 partial) for daily expenses (meals, room rent, etc.). From year 2 onwards, the activity is expected to cover full daily expenses (Rs 18,000 per month) at IDSC. More ID children and their parents in future will benefit from regular income of the IDSC.

How many Rotarians participated in the project?

5 Rotarians and 10 Anns

What did they do?  Please give at least two examples, not including financial support provided to the project.

Anns Group of Yala after consulting representatives from Intellectual Disabilities Service Centre. President Dr. Laxman Joshi assisted in the preparation of the initial proposal, request for District Grant, preparation of progress reports. The Anns Group supervised the project and regular visited, with the Rotarians, to the mushroom production site (often purchased fresh mushroom form the field).

If a cooperating organization was involved, what was its role?

Intellectual Disabilities Service Centre, a group formed with parents of ID children and local well-wishers, managed the project in all field activities. Local support for the project was also organized. The Mushroom Producers Association provided free technical support to the project.

Financial Report