just add water - waterharvest add water 30 years of harvesting water ... villages and revived five...

The magazine from Wells for India

Spring 2017 | № 63

Just AddWater30 years of harvesting water

• 30th Anniversary Edition •

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A WORD FROM OUR CHAIR

PROJECT MAP

SUPER SUPPORTERS FUNDRAISER PROFILE

PARTNER PROFILE:TARUN BHARAT SANGH (TBS)

30TH ANNIVERSARYSPECIAL REVIEW

WELLS FOR INDIA SHARING AND LEARNING

ONLINE SHOP SPRING SPECIAL

WISHING WELL CHARITY GIFTS

ORDER FORM

REPORT FROM INDIA:WOMEN FOR WOMEN

BAHUT DHANYAVAADTHANK YOU VERY MUCH

We’d like to thank everyone who has helped us to help rural communities in India combat water poverty, and in particular:

IndividualsJames BeazleyJulie BushellJulian EnglishMartin GilbraithDaniela HealeyCarolyn HumphreyNick LanghamDaphne MaherJamille MartinPam MeirRobina NewmanAdam NichollsJanet PorterEmma RimellJames StanwayJo TanterDan WilliamsAll our regular givers

Groups and CompaniesBig Stuff EastleighCharity Christmas Card Shop,

St Mary’s Church, ShrewsburyFair Ground Fair Trade,

WimborneManow Thai Restaurant,

WinchesterNorth South TravelPeacejam UKShrewton Churches TogetherU3A PrudoeUnited Nations Southampton

University of NorthamptonUniversity of WinchesterWessex Mercure HotelWinchester & Eastleigh

Methodist CircuitWinchester CathedralWinchester Guildhall

(Charity Card Shop)Winchester Rotary

(Clarendon Marathon)

E D I T O R

Nicky Springthorpe

C O N T R I B U T O R S

Dawn FlachMaureen GuptaNicholas & Mary GreyOm Prakash Sharma

D E S I G N

Buttercross CreativeC O V E R I M A G E

©Omimages

Our sincere condolences to the family of Peter Seddon, who passed away in November 2016. Peter was immensely supportive to Wells for India and founded the fi rst ever newsletter.

WaterWise | The magazine from Wells for India | www.wellsforindia.org 3Gandhi stamp image © Catwalker / Shutterstock.com

Dear friends,

It’s been a busy nine months since I fi rst grasped the reins as Chair,

and except for a few bumps in the road, I’ve been overwhelmed by how

hard everyone has worked to help us tackle the life critical effects of

water poverty – a very big thank you to you all.

With a tough funding climate, I’ve been striving to make us as impactful

and relevant as possible. So when I was lucky enough to visit some of our

projects for the fi rst time recently, I couldn’t have been more impressed

by how our work has changed people’s lives. I met women, now freed of

the burdens of fetching water, who had time to join other women to

create cooperatives. This gave them new opportunities to sell produce

or milk together, where they couldn’t independently. I was truly humbled

by meeting people with such amazing spirit and resilience for survival.

How good the chai tasted when made straight from the milked cow

at every village – I loved it!

We will work hard in the UK over the coming months to align who we say we are

with what we do. The work has already begun with the launch of our new website (if

you haven’t had a chance to see it yet, we’re at: www.wellsforindia.org), which along

with a stronger online presence is starting to attract a younger and broader audience

of support. In India, we’re pushing ahead to create an infrastructure that will allow us

to receive the many generous offers of support from Indian donors, within India.

So even though I’m still learning, I’m proud to be at the helm for Wells for

India’s 30th birthday year and hope you can join me for a slice of cake at our

party on 6th October.

Neil MehtaChairNeil Mehta

and relevant as possible. So when I was lucky enough to visit some of our

or milk together, where they couldn’t independently. I was truly humbled Om Prakash Sharma (left), Rajendra Singh (right) showing me how our work makes a difference in India

J A I S A L M E R

J O D H P U R

R A J A S T H A N

G U J U R A T

B A R M E R

J A L O R

P A L I

S I R O H I

U D A I P U R

K A C H C H H

B A N A S K A N T H A

M A H E S A N AS A B A R K A N T H A

D U N G A R P U R

B A N S W A R A

P R AT A P G A R H

C H I T T A U R G A R H

R A J S A M A N D

N A G A U R

B I K A N E RC H U R U

G A N G A N A G A R

A J M E R

H A N U M A N G A R H

WaterWise | The magazine from Wells for India | www.wellsforindia.org4

Where we workand what we do

Current projects as at March 2017. Years indicate length of partnership.

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C H I T T A U R G A R H3

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2 13yrs

Partner: Jal Bhagirathi Foundation (JBF)

Project: Capturing water and improving quality, improving sanitation, learning and leveraging government and private support

4 16yrs

Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)

Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Learning and improving water quality Learning and improving water quality Learning and improving water quality Learning and improving water quality Learning and improving water quality Learning and improving water quality Learning and improving water quality and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging and sanitation, learning and leveraging government supportgovernment supportgovernment supportgovernment supportgovernment supportgovernment supportgovernment supportgovernment supportgovernment supportgovernment supportgovernment supportgovernment supportgovernment support

5 24yrs

G U J U R A TG U J U R A T

M A H E S A N AS A B A R K A N T H AS A B A R K A N T H A

Partner: Hanuman Van Vikas Samiti (HVVS)M A H E S A N AHanuman Van Vikas Samiti (HVVS)M A H E S A N AProject: Learning about hygiene, improving S A B A R K A N T H ALearning about hygiene, improving S A B A R K A N T H A

sanitation, monitoring and improving water quality, managing waste, leveraging G U J U R A Twater quality, managing waste, leveraging G U J U R A Tgovernment supportG U J U R A Tgovernment supportG U J U R A T

1 21yrs

Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)

Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to effi ciency, men and women working together to develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder develop ways to earn a living from grain, fodder and livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestockand livestock

3 16yrs

Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Partner: Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)Mahan Seva Sansthan (MSS)

Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Project: Learning about and implementing Learning about and implementing Learning about and implementing Learning about and implementing Learning about and implementing Learning about and implementing Learning about and implementing Learning about and implementing Learning about and implementing Learning about and implementing Learning about and implementing Learning about and implementing drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for drip irrigation systems using less water for stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling stronger crops, collective production and selling vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables vegetables

R A J A S T H A N

P R AT A P G A R H

C H I T T A U R G A R H

R A J S A M A N D

N A G A U R

C H U R U

G A N G A N A G A R

A J M E R

H A N U M A N G A R H

S I K A R

J H U N J H U N U N

J A I P U R D A U S A

S I Z E O FM A I N L A N D U K

R A J A S T H A N

I N D I A

A LW A R

WaterWise | The magazine from Wells for India | www.wellsforindia.org 5

S I Z E O F M A I N L A N D U K I N C O M P A R I S O N T O R A J A S T H A N A N D I N D I A

Building to capture and retain water

Building to improve access to safer drinking water

Building to improve sanitation

Strengthening community governance

Educating communities to make best use of scarce water

and improve sanitation

Empowering communities to develop ways to earn a living

Enabling women to have a voice, a choice and a future

Supporting communities in water emergencies

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9 0yrs

Partner: Apna Sansthan (AS)Apna Sansthan (AS)Apna Sansthan (AS)

Project: Improving agricultural water effi ciency, Improving agricultural water effi ciency, Improving agricultural water effi ciency, developing market skills and access for developing market skills and access for developing market skills and access for farmers, empowering womenfarmers, empowering womenfarmers, empowering women

6 3yrs

Partner: Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS)Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS)Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS)Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS)

Project: Project: Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water Capturing and learning about water effi ciency, sharing and saving togethereffi ciency, sharing and saving togethereffi ciency, sharing and saving togethereffi ciency, sharing and saving together

7 5yrsD A U S A

Partner: Prayas Kendra Sanstha Harsoli (PKS)Prayas Kendra Sanstha Harsoli (PKS)Prayas Kendra Sanstha Harsoli (PKS)

Project: Capturing water and improving quality, Capturing water and improving quality, Capturing water and improving quality, Capturing water and improving quality, growing and selling produce, sanitation growing and selling produce, sanitation teaching, sharing and saving together while teaching, sharing and saving together while teaching, sharing and saving together while seeking government supportseeking government supportseeking government support

8 9yrs

Partner: Gram Vikas Nav Yuvak Mandal (GVNML)Gram Vikas Nav Yuvak Mandal (GVNML)Gram Vikas Nav Yuvak Mandal (GVNML)

Project: Learning to plant, grow and care for Learning to plant, grow and care for Learning to plant, grow and care for trees to improve the land, lives and earn a trees to improve the land, lives and earn a trees to improve the land, lives and earn a living, while working together to leverage living, while working together to leverage government supportgovernment supportgovernment support


Lemon+AidMaya Grenia had the great idea to sell water and other drinks from her ‘Lemon+Aid’ stand to raise awareness of girls in India who miss school while fetching water. Raising a tremendous $1000, Maya’s donation will cover the costs of two water capture taankas so girls from two families can stop fetching water and go to school. Thanks Maya!

Warriors for WellsWe’re inspired by Kunal Vekaria of Head Projects Group who along with cousins, Darpan Patel and Ritesh Hirani, ran a 10k obstacle course in The Warrior Adrenaline Race in aid of Wells for India. They raised an impressive £425 thanks to family, friends and work colleagues.

Selfi e for SantaThe University of Northampton’s geography students were busy raising awareness and funds for Wells for India in the run up to Christmas last year, which resulted in a lovely £136 donation. They hosted a Christmas Fair with home-made Christmas cards, a ‘Selfi e with Santa’ photo opportunity and a ‘pin the nose on Rudolph’ game.

Water Harvest SupperSuccessfully nominated by Alan Frostick, Crosscrake's church in Kendal, Cumbria, hosted a Christian harvest supper, which resulted in a brilliant £1,120 donation to Wells for India including £100 from the local Girl Guides. Held at the nearby Punchbowl Inn pub in Barrows Green, the food was great and so was the company.

Fundraise for fun

Get InvolvedHow can you help

fi ght water poverty?


Om Prakash Explains…

NAADI

Man-made village ponds for the whole community to use, naadis are a traditional

way of keeping water locally in dryland areas – most Rajasthani villages have 4–5.

They collect rainwater from adjoining natural catchments but are prone to silting

and contamination. Covered water taankas preserve water longer and are

more hygienic.

NAME: JAMES WALKERAGE: 27HOME: BATH, UK

OCCUPATION Studying MSc Environmental Management (focusing on water) at the University of the West of England (Bristol). FUNDRAISING EVENT/ACTIVITY The Virgin Money London Marathon on 23rd April 2017. FUNDRAISING TARGET £5,000. TARGET TIME/DISTANCE Under four hours.

Have you ever run a marathon before?“No, never, but it was a great opportunity to try something new. At fi rst the training was really diffi cult and I couldn’t comprehend running for 26 miles, but now I love it and I’ll do more runs in the future.” How did you come across Wells for India?“Mark Everard (Wells for India Ambassador) is one of my lecturers. He hosted a talk by Om Prakash Sharma, and I decided to get involved.” What inspired you to fundraise for Wells for India?“I was in India last year and the inequality and distribution of wealth was quite striking. I was really motivated by the success of Wells for India’s work and the passion of everyone involved. It’s also a great opportunity for me to challenge myself!”

I've been really touched

by people's donations, and

every sponsorship makes

me more motivated.

Sponsorship = SupportShow your support for James by helping him to smash his £5,000 target

T E X T

WFIN00 £5 to 70070

S E C U R E LY O N L I N E

virginmoneygiving.com/running_for_water

C H E Q U E

To ‘Wells for India’, marked ‘London Marathon 2017’ on the back and send to: Basepoint, 1 Winnall Valley Road, Winchester SO23 0LD, UK

FUNDRAISER PROFILE

Running for Water

for James by helping him to smash his £5,000 target

WFIN00 £5 to 70070

S E C U R E LY O N L I N E

virginmoneygiving.com/running_for_water


Right as RainPARTNER PROFILE: TARUN BHARAT SANGH (TBS)

Though a shadow of their former glory from deforestation and over-mining, the Rajasthani foothills of the Aravalli Range of mountains are an impressive backdrop to the development organisation, Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS). Meaning ‘Young Indians Association’, TBS was founded more than 40 years ago by students and professors from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, to promote rural education.

By the mid-80s, Rajendra Singh was Chairman (see his profile on page 9), and having moved TBS to the harsh and semi-arid lands of the Alwar District supporting two tribal

groups (Meenas on the plains and Gujjars in the hills), its priorities soon shifted to water when they saw the desperate need.

With wildly fluctuating seasonal temperatures (India’s highest at 50.6°C / 123.1°F until 2016), dried rivers and no groundwater for decades, both humans and the vast biodiversity of wildlife, including the tigers, were perishing. However, when Rajendra Singh and hundreds of volunteers began reviving traditional water harvesting methods to capture and store the sporadic rains to recharge groundwater, rivers and ponds, life began to flourish.

It wasn’t until 2014 that Rajendra Singh’s good friend, Om Prakash Sharma, Wells for India’s Director, agreed to an ambitious new project partnership co-funded by the local community in the Sarsa river catchment.

Alongside building ‘Johads' (check dams used to retain water and recharge groundwater, for which Rajendra Singh had become world-renowned), their ambition was to challenge centuries of tradition,

1,000 villages and 1 million people have benefitted from TBS’ work.

FACT FILE

Drip irrigation = 50% water saving


introducing ways to use less water in agricultural production.

Almost 170 farmers co-invested in drip irrigation kits and sprinkler systems, whereby methods of using less water achieved significantly improved crops. The results were staggering – an 80% time saving and 50% water saving, increased income (they could charge a higher price for better quality crops) and faster harvests so additional crops of coriander and ladies’ finger (okra) could be planted. Increased fodder for cattle improved milk production so the famous Alwar milk dessert ‘Kalakand’ could once again be made.

Surrounding communities couldn't believe how much the farmers had prospered and were soon asking to get involved. So TBS and Wells for India agreed to their second project, starting in late Spring 2017, which will see even more families benefit.

Now, with more water availability, smart ways to use it more sparingly, and the chance to build more sustainable livelihoods, families really are becoming right as rain.

Often called ‘The Water Man

of India’ and winner of the

Stockholm Water Prize (known

as the Nobel Prize for water),

Rajendra Singh is an inspiring

force for good. Championing the

water rights of rural communities

with government and business,

he was named by The Guardian

newspaper in the ‘top 50 people

who could save the planet’.

Born in Uttar Pradesh in

1959, a talk by the Gandhi

Peace Foundation set Rajendra’s

course to help rural communities.

As Chairman of Tarun Bharat

Sangha (TBS), in 1984, Rajendra

sold all his worldly goods for

23,000, (around £240) and took

a bus to the final stop – Alwar

District, Rajasthan.

Rajendra delivered Ayurvedic

medicine and education until a

village elder said: “Water is a much

bigger problem than education.

You need to work with your hands

if you really want to help!”.

Seeing that traditional water

conservation techniques had

been abandoned in favour of bore

wells, Rajendra began reviving

and building ‘Johads', earthen

dams that stored rainwater and

recharged groundwater.

He has since built 375 dams in

the Arvari river catchment bringing

water for the first time in 60 years,

won court-cases closing down 470

mines to stop water evaporating

in pits, helped build over 8,600

johads capturing water in 1,000

villages and revived five rivers.

MEET

RAJENDRA SINGH


After 30 years, Wells for India has supported 1,600 villages and 1.6m people, providing 1.3bn litres of water

1973 – Image 1

Gandhi disciple, Ramsahai Purohit, inspires Nicholas and Mary Grey in Belgium after he completes a peace walk from India to Rome, Italy, meeting the Pope.

1987 – Image 2 Joining Ramsahai in Rajasthan, Nicholas is shocked by a drought where wells have dried up and 60 million animals die. A UK charity to raise awareness and funds called ‘Wells for India’ is born.

1989 – Image 3, 4 Wells for India builds and deepens wells in 80 villages in response to worsening drought conditions.

1994 – Image 5 Realising that water provision is the key to particularly girl’s education, Wells for India launches a decentralised water supply scheme in 83 villages with the government.

1999 – Image 6 Drought devastates rural villages in Rajasthan once again, lasting four more years. Wells for India responds with emergency supplies of water, food supplements and fodder for cattle.

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11WaterWise | The magazine from Wells for India | www.wellsforindia.org

2001 – Image 7, 8 Om Prakash Sharma, a water engineer, joins Wells for India to lead projects in India. He recognises that providing the ability to capture rainwater, rather than fi xing wells to tap parched groundwater sources, is more sustainable and focuses on water harvesting.

2003 – Image 10 Wells for India creates women’s self-help groups where learning to manage money and save together builds confi dence and a future for their families. Following more severe droughts, Wells for India provides emergency relief to 120 villages.

2004 HRH Prince of Wales invites Wells for India to a fundraising event at Windsor Castle raising £50,000.

2006 – Image 9 The England Cricket team and HRH Prince of Wales present funds to Wells for India’s projects, in the face of severe fl ooding in Rajasthan.

2007 Wells for India’s India offi ce is established and expands its water and sanitation education programmes due to increasing water-borne diseases and deaths.

2012 The UN Millennium Development Goals meet their target to halve the number of people without access to safe water while Wells for India hosts a reception at the House of Lords, raising issues including water safety.

2014 – Image 11 India Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, launches the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign), aiming to install 120m toilets by 2019. Wells for India works with the govern-ment on sanitation projects.

2015 – Image 12 Nicholas and Mary are made Honorary co-Presidents. Wells for India introduces ways of reducing water usage through drip irrigation in farming, and develops new opportunities to sell crops.

2017 – Image 13 Today, Wells for India’s current projects place a great importance on building communities’ governance skills to make decisions cooperatively across caste and religion, and lobby for government funds. So much work has been achieved and yet there’s so much more to do!

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Wells for India Appeal • Wells for India Appeal • Wells for India Appeal • Wells for India Appeal •

Sharing Successes at Voices from the Desert, October 2016Friends and supporters alike enjoyed a very informative presentation from Om Prakash Sharma, Wells for India’s India Director, sharing the successes of the past year and exciting plans for the future. A big thank you to our friends at the Gandhi Restaurant in Winchester for providing a wonderful Indian supper afterwards.

A Meeting of Minds at the University of West England (UWE)

Inspiring Young Leaders Committed to Positive Change at PeaceJam 2017

Sharing and learning DATES FOR THE DIARY

9 M AY 2 017

Spring Sammelan Charity DinnerEnjoy a delicious Thai meal and hear the latest from Rajasthan at our annual Spring charity dinner. From 7.30 – 9.30pm at Manow Thai Restaurant, Winchester SO23 8AH, tickets are just £25 (first drink included). Places are strictly limited – reserve your seats by e-mailing: [email protected], then pay on the night.

6 O C T O B E R 2 017

30th Anniversary Party for Wells for IndiaSave the date for an evening of celebration in Itchen Abbas, Winchester – more details to follow!

Wells for India was delighted to host a workshop for a lively group of 14–18 year olds called ‘Water, Women and Sanitation’ in March this year. Activities included looking at why rural communities in Rajasthan have water shortages and possible solutions, female participants carrying water on their heads,

In a changing world, Wells for India believes in sharing and collaborating with like-minded organisations to innovate for new ways to alleviate water poverty. As such, it was a pleasure for Wells for India to present to Environmental Management students at UWE, supported by their Associate Professor and Wells for India’s new Ambassador, Dr Mark Everard, who said: “What Wells

like the women in Rajasthan who fetch water, to think about what problems this causes, and what difference improved sanitation will make to the elderly, disabled and women in particular.

for India is doing is one of those precious jewels scattered across the face of the Earth from which wider society needs to learn, before the roots of the tree are totally debilitated.”


Wells for India Appeal • Wells for India Appeal • Wells for India Appeal • Wells for India Appeal •

Font of KnowledgeIn the harsh and unrelenting Thar Desert, many tribal communities are nomadic, walking for miles in search of water and food. This way of life is particularly hard on the elders who keep the wisdom of the community. That’s why we have pledged to provide 300 monsoon water capture taankas, supporting 300 families with elderly relatives. Each taanka costs £350, but will benefi t generations.

Can you help us to fi ll the font of knowledge? Just £10 will buy 42 bricks towards building a taanka. Go to: www.wellsforindia.org/donate or send a cheque to the address listed on the back page. Thank you.

Every Drop Counts

Many of our 50 farming families in the Aravalli mountain range have been trained and are now using drip irrigation systems, thanks to the Every Drop Counts appeal. Using 50% less water, they are growing stronger and more abundant crops such as mustard seeds and coriander, which they are selling at better prices in new markets.

Our funds fall short of helping just three remaining families – can you help us reach the remaining £1,500? If you have already supported this appeal, thank you – your donation is creating sustainable, lasting livelihoods.

With your help, we’ve reached our target to support 50 girls with all their water and sanitation needs across 50 villages in Rajasthan. Previously trapped in a cycle of drudgery and ignorance having to fetch water all day, every day, your gift has freed these girls and given them a chance of a brighter smarter future. So on behalf of them all, a heartfelt thank you.

FULLY FUNDED!

Almost there – 94% of £25,000 target

Seeking Support

Font of Knowledge Appeal

Rajasthani Elephant

Jaipur Kite Festival

Little Elephants

Miriam

Tree of Life

Water Bearer

Bright Tiger

Dancing Peacock

Exclusive Greeting CardsWells for India exclusively designed cards for any occasion, left blank for your own message. £3.50

for a pack of 8 (same design)


Super Spring ShoppingSnap up some bargains for Spring at the Wells for India shop.

Why not treat a friend to a beautifully designed card, and an

authentic gift such as a trinket box or silk painting, handmade

in India. All card designs were exclusively made and donated to

Wells for India, and all profi ts go to support our work.

For our complete range, go to: www.wellsforindia.org/shop

Dancing Peacock

Gifts & AccessoriesPick up something handmade and pretty from India.

Green jewelled trinket box: £4 (available in other colours)Blue shoulder bag with elephant detailing: £10 (available in other colours)Red decorated purse: £10 (available in other colours)

WAY S T O P AYComplete the order form on pages 17 & 18, and send it in to Wells for India

Visit the Wells for India online shop at: www.wellsforindia.org/shop

WaterWise | The magazine from Wells For India | www.wellsforindia.org 15

Handmade Silk PaintingsBrighten your home with an authentic painting on silk, ready for framing. View our extensive range of themes and sizes at www.wellsforindia.org/org.

Green Budgies: £8

ProfessionalRunning Vests

Get trim in style with our professional running vests, now

at the bargain price of £10. Available in Unisex or

Ladies shape, all sizes. NOW

£10

16

M E N D A W E L L . . . . £ 4 0 7A large village well in rural India can often be the only source of free water for miles around but if it’s not looked after, it can get contaminated. Your gift will allow Wells for India and the local community to fix a well to benefit all.

Giving a friend or loved one a Wishing Well Charity Gift is a lovely way to show you care, and will directly help people struggling with the impacts of water poverty in rural India.

WaterWise | The magazine from Wells for India | www.wellsforindia.org

S E E O P P O S I T E F O R H O W T H E W I S H I N G W E L L W O R K S , T H E N P L A C E YO U R O R D E R I N T H E F O R M

L E A R N A L E S S O N . . . . £ 5A teaching pack provides the tools to teach a classroom of 25 children how good hygiene practice can save lives.

F I LT E R D I R T Y W AT E R . . . . . . . . . . . . .£10Every minute, a child dies from a water-related disease. A simple filter makes life-saving water safer to drink.

G I F T O F T H E G A B . £ 4 3Help communities to multiply the impact of our work by securing support from local government schemes to improve access to water and sanitation. Your gift will enable us to coach village leaders for a whole year to know what to say and do.

P O T L U C K . . . . . . . . . . . £ 6Women in rural India still carry traditional clay matka pots on their heads for up to 8 hours a day, fetching water. Metal matka pots are lighter, cleaner and stronger, and 10 pots will benefit a whole family.

L A D L E I T O N . . . . . . .£12Water is precious, so when you have it, you need to keep it clean, or risk spreading water-borne diseases. 200 metal ladles will provide for a whole community to hygienically share water, and will last a lifetime.

F O O D FA I R . . . . . . . £10 8Even with produce to sell, it’s difficult for communities to reach customers. With the help of your gift, Wells for India will host a food fair 4 times a year, creating a market for people to sell their produce and support their families.

T R E AT A T O I L E T . . . . £ 9Government grants are paying for more and more toilets to be built in rural India, but Wells for India ensures people know how to use and look after them. Training 30 toilet champions can change a whole community.

P L E D G E A P L A N T . . £ 32Once a community has water, it can grow produce to make a living. Your gift will enable Wells for India to provide 100 fruit and fodder plants for villagers to sow and sell.

C AT C H A N D K E E P R A I N . . . . . . . £ 315A roof rainwater harvesting system captures and stores precious monsoon rain from the roof of a family’s house to pro-vide life-saving drinking water.

Gifts that Give Back

Order FormGIFT CARDS

One pack of 8 cards and envelopes: £3.50 (per design) Quantity

Rajasthani Elephant Tree of Life Dancing Peacock Miriam Water Bearer Bright Tiger Little Elephants Jaipur Kite Festival

Total Cost of Gift Cards (£)

RUNNING VEST £10

Tick or write quantity for each size

UnisexSmall Medium Large Extra Large

FemaleSmall Medium Large Extra Large

Total Cost of Running Vest(s) (£)

Quantity

Learn a Lesson: £5 Pot Luck: £6 Treat a Toilet: £9 Filter Dirty Water: £10 Ladle it on: £12 Pledge a Plant: £32 Gift of the Gab: £43 Food Fair: £108 Catch and Keep Rain: £315 Mend a Well: £407

Total Cost of Charity Gift(s) (£)

COST SUMMARY

Gift Cards (£)Running Vest(s) (£)Silk Painting(s) (£)Accessories (£)Wishing Well Charity Gift(s) (£)

Postage (£) 3.50

Optional Donation (£)

Total (£)

Please make cheques payable to Wells for India and mark on the back: Merchandise

DONATION

When you make a donation, every drop counts. For every £1 donation: 74p Delivering programmes to support

communities in India 24p Investing to generate future funds 2p Ensuring good governance


SILK PAINTINGS Quantity

Green Budgies – £8

Total Cost of Silk Painting(s) (£)

H O W T H E W I S H I N G W E L L W O R K S1. Choose a Wishing Well Charity Gift.2. Complete the order form, write a cheque

and send it to us, or Make a Bank Transfer.3. We will send you a gift card for you to give

to your friend or loved one.4. They will be supporting Wells for India

working on the chosen area of the gift.

Gifts that Give Back

GIFTS & ACCESSORIES Quantity

Green trinket box: £4 Blue shoulder bag: £10 Red decorated purse: £10

Total cost of gifts & accessories (£)

For many other authentic Indian gifts, please visit our online shop: www.wellsforindia.org/shop

PAYING BY CHEQUE

Complete this form, ensuring all relevant sections are fi lled in. Then enclose a cheque for the total amount and post it to Wells for India.

Make cheques payable to Wells for India and mark on the back: Merchandise

PAYING BY BANK TRANSFER

Make your payment to HSBCAcc No: 71734407Sort Code: 40–46–39

Then e-mail offi [email protected] detailing:Your contact details Delivery address (if different to contact details)Your orderTotal amount paid

Wells for India will confi rm receipt of payment, then post your order.

CONTACT DETAILS

Name

Address

Postcode

TelephoneWe will only contact you if there is a query with your order

EmailTick if you do not want to be contacted with updates

Delivery Address (if different from above)

Name

Address

Postcode

Placing Your Order

WHERE TO SEND THIS FORM

Please send this completed form and cheque to:

Wells for IndiaBasepoint1 Winnall Valley RoadWinchesterHampshire SO23 0LD UK

+44 (0)1962 832 692offi [email protected]

GIFT AID

If you buy a Wishing Well Charity Gift or make a donation, Wells for India can claim an extra 25p for every £1 at no extra cost to you, on this and all future donations:

I am a UK tax payer and I want Wells for India to reclaim tax on all donations I make.

Signature

Date

PAY SECURELY ONLINEThe easiest and quickest way to pay is to go to our online shop:www.wellsforindia.org/shop


LEAVE A LEGACY

I would like to know about how to make a gift in my Will to Wells for India

Please contact me byPost Email Telephone

Remember to complete the contact details above


Women for Women

As a Trustee of Wells for India, I wanted to see the positive impact of our work in empowering women and share this with my daughter, Jen, a talented astrophysicist. So earlier this year, we visited some projects.

In Sohanpura, Jaisalmer, we met Peppo Devi and her family who are proud owners of a taanka. Previously, she and her daughters would walk 10–15 kms a day to collect water. Of their average annual income of Rs 25,000 (less than £300), around a quarter would be spent on water. The family now saves Rs 1000 a month – Peppo Devi has bought 20 goats, three cows and she is saving for a camel! Her two sons, but also her four daughters, now attend school. This one taanka has had a huge impact on the quality of all of their lives.

At an all-women self help group in Jaisamand, we met women who’d learnt to manage the family finances (something men had always done), taking charge of their lives and modelling excellent behavioural change.

Seeing how different their lives were to Jen’s and mine humbled and enthused me to do all that I can to ensure women like Peppo Devi not only have access to water but are also supported to live empowered lives too.

Jen and I will cherish the memories of the women we met, and the endless cups of ‘chai’!

B Y M A U R E E N G U P T A ,

T R U S T E E , W E L L S F O R

I N D I A

I was fortunate to have been born in a society in India (Meghalaya) where girls are cherished, unlike in the rest of patriarchal India. My parents always encouraged me, and as I look back on many years as a successful doctor, wife, and mother living in the UK, I realise how different my life could have been in a rural Rajasthani family.

STAY IN TOUCH

Wells for India in the UKBasepoint1 Winnall Valley RoadWinchester SO23 0LDUK+44 (0)1962 832 [email protected]

Wells for India in India1139 Hiran MagriSector No 4Udaipur – 313002RajasthanIndia+91 294 [email protected]

www.wellsforindia.org

FOLLOW US

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Printed on 100% recycled paper.

Wells for India is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 1127564), and a non-profit making company limited by guarantee registered in England (No. 6484901).

The Wells for India logo is a registered trademark.

EVERY DROP COUNTS!

WHERE YOUR £1 GOES

E N S U R I N G G O O D G O V E R N A N C E

Building to capture and retain water

Building to improve access to safer drinking water

Building to improve sanitation

Strengthening community governance

Educating communities to make best use of scarce water and improve sanitation

Empowering communities to develop ways to earn a living

Enabling women to have a voice, a choice and a future

Supporting communities in water emergencies

OUR AREAS OF WORK

2p

24p

I N V E S T I N GT O G E N E R AT E

F U T U R E F U N D S

74pD E L I V E R I N G P R O G A M M E S T O S U P P O R T C O M M U N I T I E S I N I N D I A

just add water - waterharvest add water 30 years of harvesting water ... villages and revived five...

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