Through the flagship campaign Rural Rising, United Way Bengaluru takes an integrated approach to rural development. Working closely in strategically selected villages, panchayats, and taluks; and designing interventions in partnership with local stakeholders, the campaign focuses on the holistic growth of communities. The work in Bagepalli Block, Chikkaballapura District of Karnataka over the past 3 years is a testament to this approach, focusing on education, environment, and livelihood interventions.
As of 2023, India ranked 134 out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index. This low ranking is an indication of the numerous gaps in the country across the development space, including in healthcare, education, and social welfare. In urban and rural areas alike, there is a need to nurture the social fabric of the nation, ensuring the social mobility of its people hand-in-hand with the growth of the economy.
National public spending on education in the country lies at around 3% currently, much lower than the proposed 6% of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. By investing in early childhood care and education (ECCE), the intention is to strengthen the foundations that will enable children throughout their learning journeys. Anganwadi Centres act as garbhagrihas – central spaces that tie together the services of healthcare, preschool education, and nutrition for children, pregnant women, and mothers. Government schools are then the next critical milestone in their journey of growth and learning, instilling an interest in learning in young students and providing them with the tools to take this forward.
By refurbishing six existing AWCs and constructing two new ones in the block, providing ECCE training for Anganwadi workers that emphasized engaging with children, and promoting nutrition, cleanliness, and discipline, these efforts ensure a strong start for children while fostering a healthier and more empowered community.
The Government Model Upper Primary School in Mittemari now features mural art, a STEM model, and a solar-powered digital TV, designed to provide an enriched learning environment.
5-year-old Gunvith attended an Anganwadi Centre (AWC) from age 3-4, after which his parents decided to enroll him in a private convent school, seeking early exposure to English. However, their experience took an unexpected turn. The convent school lacked specialized teachers for children under six. This gap left Gunvith inactive and impacted his communication skills. Reflecting on his progress, his parents chose to transfer him in LKG to the local Government Model Upper Primary School Mittemari for the 2024-25 academic year, influenced by their positive experience as alumni of the same school. The decision was further reinforced by their belief in the quality of government-led education at the cluster level, enhanced by interventions supported by UWBe and Flowserve. The AWC had provided Gunvith with a strong foundation in communication and social skills, and the government school’s upgraded classrooms now offer him advanced learning opportunities with specialized teachers.
The journey of development extends beyond mere education—it is a conscious effort to enhance their pathways aiming for self-reliance and empowerment. Children, Women, and youth have been equipped with skills in tailoring clothes, beautician courses, and digital literacy. Some participants honed their existing talents, while others unearthed newfound capabilities. Over the time of a year, through reflective discussions, we witnessed the ripple effect of this initiative—not just in economic upliftment but in the quiet confidence that stems from self-sufficiency.
Investing in people and their environment goes hand in hand, and this collaboration has also included the rejuvenation of two adjoining lakes in the block, Thegipoenkunta and Surapunakunta. The lakes serve as lifelines for the community, primarily supporting livestock rearing and domestic needs, and are maintained by members of the local lake committee.
The Bagepalli community has exemplified the mightiness of symbiotic relationships within its social fabric while addressing the gaps working alongside its facilitator-United Way Bengaluru. Reciprocative actions from the completed interventions from the community show that progress is not about providing resources but about awareness, participation, a shared vision for all finding a balance, and nurturing it. Bagepalli is a model where development is evident over the years and the identity which the community has created will make it thrive through its challenges.