pro-poor, pro-nature & pro-women.
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Our Mission: The mission of Friends of MSSRF in Japan/Asia Initiatives (AI) is to enable individuals and corporations in Japan to support projects exemplifying best practices in sustainable development in an effort to alleviate poverty in keeping with the vision and philosophy of Professor M.S. Swaminathan. Our Objective: Friends of MSSRF in Japan/Asia Initiatives seeks to support grassroots work of MSSRF in the areas of micro-credit, bridging the digital divide, education, and improved living conditions for the disadvantaged people in Asia. Over 95% of funds received by Friends of MSSRF/Asia Initiatives reach the grassroots projects.100% of the donations received for Micro-Credit Banks and Village Knowledge/Resource Centre (VKC/VRC) reach the target groups via the kind help from MSSRF. Members and donors are encouraged to visit project sites, and students from Temple University Japan Campus visited MSSRF projects in 2006, 2007 and 2008. MICRO CREDIT INITIATIVE: We provide funds for sustainable enterprises via MSSRF Micro-Credit Bank (MCB) program where loans are given to groups of Self Help Groups (SHGs), mostly of women. With access to capital, training and support from MSSRF, SHGs have proven themselves to be successful entrepreneurs, developing and expanding small business ventures of handicrafts, papermaking, and more. Over 145 MCBs have been established to date. The activities of these MCBs can be tracked by donors via MSSRF website. We also provide 30/70 grant/loans to Self Help Group Federations to start larger ventures under the Micro-Enterprise Marketplace project, where innovative business ideas are solicited and supported. DIGITAL BRIDGE INITIATIVE: Over 3,500 used computers have been sent by AI to projects in India, Philippines and Cambodia for literacy programs, and to provide critical information for farming, entitlements and health. MSSRF initiated VKCs are computer-based Internet-connected knowledge centres that provide need driven static and dynamic information. A group of VKCs operating in a region are connected with a 'hub' nodal point, which adds value to generic information by converting it to locale-specific information in the local language. Content creation is regularly undertaken on the basis of the need assessment and feedback from the local women and men who visit the centre. Local people are trained in running the VKC and in hardware maintenance. THE URBAN INITIATIVE: We assist in planning and design of low-cost housing and public areas for disadvantaged people. AI helped design and finance micro housing units in Molarbandh, Delhi (with Arpana Trust) and helped improve sanitation in Sathya Nagar, Chennai (with Rotary Club). AI also co-sponsored a community-expert workshop in Dharavi/Mumbai. An interactive web system has been developed to enable people in underprivileged areas to upload information about their own neighborhoods, and get know-how to improve their streets, public spaces and neighborhoods. EDUCATION INITIATIVE: We help in education of children and adults through MSSRF established VKCs/VRCs and the Tata Virtual University of Agricultural Prosperity. We also help provide daycare and education to children of construction workers in Delhi in partnership with Mobile Crèches, Delhi. AI has also helped support women's vocational training and education in partnership with Ashtanokai in Pune. Grant Making Principles: Friends of MSSRF/AI offers grant funding for various projects and enterprises based upon Professor Swaminathan's ideals of "the Economics of Dignity". Grant decisions are based on the guidelines below:
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