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Anchalik Jan Seva Anushthan (AJSA) literally means “Regional Organization for Community Service and Development”.
Since 1989, AJSA continues to be a leading organization addressing the root causes of extreme poverty through its holistic, community-driven approach to Sustainable Development. The organization was born with the vision of eliminating social injustice for the marginalized and underprivileged section of society who succumbed under poverty in the remotest parts of the country.
Over a period of more than three decades, AJSA has been striving to develop sustainable initiatives by partnering with government, civil society organizations and private organisations to develop community-based solutions in areas of livelihood security, healthcare, education, gender equality, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction extending its reach to more than 3.5 million people and empowering various sections of society.
"Back in 1989, AJSA unleashed a game-changing movement - the Sikhya Sacetanata Padayatra - designed to uplift communities from the grips of perpetual hunger and backwardness. This powerful campaign rapidly spread from place to place, sparking a universal quest for education and the right to learn. From one village to the next, AJSA inspired a hunger for knowledge, fuelling a brighter tomorrow."
"Born from the heart of rural Bolangir, Odisha, India, AJSA emerged in February 1990 under the visionary leadership of Mr.Banshidhar Behera and legally registered as a society under Indian Societies Registration Act-1860. As an independent development organization, AJSA embodies the spirit of Gandhi and champions a people-powered movement. It's not just for the people, but by the people too."
AJSA took action against moneylender exploitation and starvation deaths by creating Grain Banks in villages. This citizen-driven initiative promoted self-reliance by collecting 25kg of paddy from each household after harvest. Families could borrow food grain without fear of exploitation and repay at minimal interest rates. This model helped store 1290 quintals of paddy across 46 Grain Banks in 46 villages, providing a sustainable solution to food insecurity.
The inception of the Liquor Free Village Movement - "Women leaders in western Odisha took charge in the 90s to create liquor-free villages amidst a widespread drought. Exploitative money lenders and local mafias were luring poor peasants into alcohol addiction, perpetuating hunger and poverty. But with the support of local women, the fightback began - with the burning of numerous alcohol outlets and a passionate protest movement. AJSA and these brave women secured the backing of district authorities, eventually leading to the closure of many country-made alcohol outlets and a reduction in economic pressures at the household level. It was a monumental victory against adversity, driven by the indomitable spirit of community leaders."
Initiation of Gramswaraj Abhiyan Campaign and Adarsh Gram Gathan Campaign - "AJSA launched the Adarsh Gram Gathan Abhiyan (AGGA) model in the 1990s, determined to break the cycle of poverty and distress caused by natural disasters and migration in Western Odisha. The people-led initiative championed human rights and aimed to create self-reliant, money-lender-free, police-station free, liquor-free, and fertilizer-free model villages. AGGA was a beacon of hope in the fight against adversity, empowering communities to take ownership of their destiny and forge a brighter future."
AJSA's Gram Swaraj Abhiyan campaign, which was launched in 1993, was a pioneering initiative that sought to establish self-sufficient villages based on Gandhian principles of self-reliance and community development and continued to reach one village after another in western odisha. This campaign also aimed to empower rural communities by providing them with access to basic amenities such as education, healthcare, and sanitation. By aligning with the Gandhian philosophy of self-sufficiency, AJSA sought to create a model of sustainable rural development that could be replicated in other parts of the country. The Gram Swaraj Abhiyan campaign represented a bold step towards building a society that is inclusive and equitable, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. Today, more than ever, the values of the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan campaign remain relevant and inspiring, and continue to serve as a beacon of hope for rural communities in our operational areas.
In 1995, AJSA made a concerted effort to develop the leadership skills of women from marginalized communities in remote villages of Odisha. The organization recognized that women in these communities faced significant challenges in terms of social and economic marginalization, and lack of access to resources and opportunities. To address these challenges, AJSA organized women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to enhance their leadership, promote unity and ensure their equal participation in the village development process. By providing training and capacity-building programs, AJSA enabled women to take on leadership roles in their communities, and participate in decision-making processes that impact their lives. This effort helped to build a more inclusive and equitable society where women from marginalized communities have a voice and are empowered to create positive change in their communities.
In 1996, AJSA continued its efforts to raise awareness on critical issues such as malaria, HIV, WASH, maternal health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The organization recognized that education and awareness were critical to empowering communities to address these issues effectively. AJSA also worked tirelessly to eradicate social evils such as witch-hunting, child marriage, and child labor, which were prevalent in the areas where it operated. By partnering with local communities, AJSA was able to build momentum around these issues and generate meaningful change. AJSA's efforts in 1996 helped to create a more informed and empowered society, where individuals had access to knowledge and resources to tackle the most pressing health and social issues in their communities.
In 1997, AJSA launched the Drought Mitigation Programme to address the severe impact of drought on communities in the areas where it operated. Recognizing the importance of building resilience and livelihood security, AJSA worked in collaboration with the government of India's Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART). The program included a range of activities, such as the construction of ring wells, land development, horticulture and soil conservation activities, community forestry, and micro-watershed campaigns. By providing resources and expertise, AJSA helped to create sustainable livelihoods and strengthen community resilience in the face of drought and other environmental challenges.
In 1998, AJSA launched a drought response program in Bolangir to address the urgent needs of communities facing severe water scarcity and other challenges due to drought. The program aimed to provide emergency relief and support to affected communities, including food and water assistance, as well as access to health and sanitation services. Additionally, AJSA worked to raise awareness about drought and its impact on communities and to promote sustainable agricultural practices that could help mitigate the effects of future droughts. By responding quickly and effectively to the drought in Bolangir, AJSA demonstrated its commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and building resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
In 1999, during the devastating Odisha Super Cyclone, AJSA's senior team sprang into action to provide emergency response activities. Recognizing the urgent needs of affected communities, AJSA mobilized resources and support to provide relief and assistance to those affected by the disaster.
In 2000, AJSA launched the Sabu Jamiku Pani and Sabu hathaku Kama initiative as part of its Drought Response Programme. The goal of this initiative was to provide access to water for every piece of land and work for every person's hand in drought-affected areas. Through this programme, AJSA worked to construct water harvesting structures such as check dams, wells, and canals to improve the availability and quality of water resources in these areas. In addition, AJSA provided employment opportunities through various livelihood programmes, such as horticulture, agriculture, and livestock rearing, to ensure that communities could sustain themselves even in the face of adverse climatic conditions
AJSA initiated a massive plantation drive in the drought-prone areas of Bolangir and planted over 5,00,000 fruits bearing and other valuable plants
From 2002 and 2004, AJSA continued its Drought Response Programme in the Bolangir district of Odisha. The region was facing a severe drought, which led to water scarcity and widespread migration. To tackle these issues, AJSA launched a Food for Work program and began constructing Water Harvesting Structures (WHS) and TWTs (Tank with in Tanks). They also conducted a massive plantation drive in the district. The program was successful, with over 1,200 WHS and TWTs built and impacting the lives of more than 150,000 people.
From 2005 to 2008, AJSA implemented the CADMB (Community Action for Development through Micro-planning and Budgeting) program in western Odisha. The major components of the program were the preparation of micro-level plans, approval of plans in Pallisabha and Gram Sabha, coordination and policy level dialogue with government information centers at the village level, and successful implementation of government schemes through campaigns and awareness camps. The aim of the program was to promote community-led development through participatory planning, ensuring the effective utilization of government schemes and funds for the development of the region.
From 2009 to 2011, AJSA focused on various initiatives related to leadership development, youth leadership, and strengthening the panchayat system. The organization worked to empower the rural youth and build their leadership skills to ensure their active participation in the development process. AJSA also worked to enhance the role and responsibilities of the panchayats in local governance by providing necessary training and capacity building to the elected representatives. Additionally, the organization undertook various activities to strengthen the institutional mechanism of the panchayat system, including increasing transparency and accountability in the decision-making process. Through these efforts, AJSA aimed to create a strong and effective system of local governance that would facilitate sustainable and inclusive development in the operational areas.
In 2012, AJSA made a conscious effort to focus on empowering tribal women and promoting their leadership in the development process of their villages. The organization recognized that women in these communities faced significant challenges, including social and economic marginalization and lack of access to resources and opportunities. To address these challenges, AJSA worked to empower women through capacity-building programs, leadership training, and promoting their participation in the decision-making processes of their villages. The organization also focused on promoting gender equality and creating a more inclusive society where women are empowered to participate fully in social, economic, and political life. The efforts of AJSA in 2010 served as a catalyst for promoting gender justice and women's empowerment, and have contributed to building more resilient and equitable rural communities.
In 2013, AJSA launched its emergency response programme in Ganjam district, Odisha, immediately after the devastating cyclone Phailin hit the region. The organization focused on helping the cyclone-affected tribal communities of the Beguniapada block, who were living in areas that had not been reached by relief efforts. Through various emergency relief and recovery efforts, AJSA was able to reach over 38,500 people in need.
AJSA initiated People Action in Development programme in joint collaboration with DFID and SPS for successful implementation of MGNREGA programme and to address the problems related migration
In 2015, AJSA was recognized for its significant contributions to agriculture reforms and rural development by the M.S. Swaminathan Foundation and Tata Trusts. This recognition was a result of the organization's relentless efforts to empower rural communities through various initiatives and programs aimed at improving their agricultural practices, livelihoods, and overall well-being. The award highlighted AJSA's impact and dedication towards sustainable and inclusive development in rural areas.
AJSA launched the Bridge School Program to provide free primary education and healthcare to education-deprived children, including migrant children, child laborers, and tribal girls. Through this initiative, AJSA aims to increase literacy rates and ensure 100% enrollment of tribal girls and education-deprived children in government and bridge schools. The program teaches children in their mother tongues through joyful and game-based learning processes. As a result, over 10,000 girl children have been educated and sensitized on child sexual abuse prevention, menstrual hygiene, self-defense, and the prevention of child labor and child marriage. The program has also created 120 child labor-free, child sexual abuse-free, and child marriage-free villages across Bolangir, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal. Over 3,500 students are enrolled in the program, and 2,035 children have stayed back from migration.
In 2017, AJSA launched an initiative called "Building Resilient Communities in Floodplains of Brahmaputra, Chilika, and Mahanadi Delta in Assam and Odisha" to reduce the risk of floods in a sustainable livelihood framework. The program aims to build the resilience of communities by combining the approaches of community-managed disaster risk reduction, sustainable ecosystem, and livelihood management. Its objectives include increasing the income of flood-affected communities, promoting resilient livelihood practices, building capacity of communities and local institutions on issues of preparedness and mitigation, ensuring implementation in development planning, and building an enabling environment for influencing policy decisions related to disaster preparedness and risk mitigation measures.
During the recent flood and landslides in Kerala, AJSA volunteers played a pivotal role in providing relief and restoring normalcy in the affected areas. They worked tirelessly to provide aid to those in need, and their efforts were critical in ensuring that the relief and rehabilitation activities were carried out smoothly. Furthermore, AJSA also actively participated in the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) exercise conducted by the Government of Kerala and the World Bank. Through their participation in this exercise, AJSA provided valuable insights and recommendations that helped to guide the recovery efforts and ensure that the affected communities received the support they needed.
During the devastating cyclone Fani that hit India in 2019, AJSA's Humanitarian Response Programme played a critical role in providing emergency relief and recovery support to the affected communities. The organization worked tirelessly to reach out to those in need and provided aid to over 88,560 families. In addition, AJSA also organized emergency health camps where over 27,500 people received free medicine and consultation. These health camps were crucial in ensuring that those affected by the cyclone received timely medical care and support. The efforts of AJSA's Humanitarian Response Programme were instrumental in mitigating the impact of the disaster and providing much-needed relief to the affected communities.
Through its COVID Humanitarian Response programme AJSA reached out to 575430 families and provided emergency relief, livelihood restoration, and psychosocial counselling support. Also supplemented the efforts of frontline workers and Government officials on COVID Management.
In 2021, AJSA launched a global program in Odisha to address poverty reduction, food security, social inclusion, and disaster resilience in high-risk areas. AJSA is partnering with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Government of Germany, and Caritas under this global program. The goal is to build the capacity of rural coastal communities through participatory risk reduction planning, emergency response training, and convergence with government departments to identify alternative farm-based livelihoods. This initiative is carried out in close collaboration with state, district, and block authorities to ensure its success.
AJSA Bagged Prestigious National Level Spirit of Humanity Award - In recognition of its outstanding contributions to the field of education, AJSA was honoured with the prestigious National Level Spirit of Humanity award in June 2022. This award recognizes the remarkable work done by AJSA in the field of education and its efforts to increase the literacy rate, ensure 100% enrolment of tribal girl children and education-deprived children in government schools as well as in bridge schools cum CLDCs.