Model Villages
It was reallly a pleasant surprise to discover that much as Bihar is seen as 'non developing,' dangerous, poverty ridden and highly patriarchal state in India, it has produced some of he finest people, be they activists, academics, and professional in other fields who have an interest and commitment to develop litle patches of the state in their own way.

Nirnaya is fortunate to have been able to connect with such peopl both in the U S A and Bihar itself. The partnership with the A & C Kumar Family Foundation started in February 2006 for improving the living conditions of a little village Gomahar, in Nalanda district. Sixteen months down the line, the village's most poverty stricken and socially excluded have sufficnet drinkign water thanks to the support from the A & C Kumar Family Foundation. A school is in the process of disciplining 50 children between the ages of 5 - 12 years into regular attendance. The children who had no clothes to wear are provided with schooldresses and also a midday meal. A vocational center has become a learning center and also serves as a space for the women whose mobility would otherwise have been restricted to come together and share their thoughts and feelings. There is a tremendous rise in their self confidence. Inspired by the progress, the A & C Kumar Family Foundation has committed to support the building of a training adn production center which will help the women earn, take care of their families and address other issues.

Seeing the success of this project, a family whihc hails form a village in Tekari sub division of Gaya district came forward to develop their village along the same lines. The baseline survey is underway and the initatives to be implemented shortly are women's skill enhancement and primary education for girls from the most vulnerable communities.