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The Sustainable Development of Indigenous Tribal Populations program empowers people to overcome generations of disadvantage.
Tribal communities in the Karnataka state of southwest India need healthy, thriving forest land for their agricultural livelihoods. However, communities are facing an ongoing lack of land for housing and farming, on top of the constant threat of being moved off the land by the government. As a result, many families are struggling from a shortage of essential resources to survive, such as nutritious food, clean drinking water, education for children, and livelihoods for sustainable income. With the generosity of Jesuit Mission supporters, our local partner North Karnataka Jesuit Educational and Charitable Society - Loyola Vikasa Kendra is on the ground working closely with tribal villages in the region. Our program for Sustainable Development of Indigenous Tribal Populations is specifically targeting the deep-set causes of disadvantage that generations of tribal communities have faced. The program objective is to empower individuals and groups in rural villages with the resources and training they need to help their community flourish—now and into the future. This means facilitating inclusive and quality education for children so they can have bright futures full of opportunity. It means empowering women to become self-reliant community leaders. And strengthening men with the education required to know their rights around land entitlements.
“The aim is to help tribal communities facing vulnerability to become self-sufficient so they can initiate action as part of the change process through collective efforts—and finally owning the change by themselves.”
– Jerald D’Souza SJ, North Karnataka Jesuit Educational and Charitable Society - Loyola Vikasa Kendra People living in tribal villages have been pushed to the margins of society with the ongoing threat of having their land taken away. Rural families are fighting to survive with extremely limited access to life’s essentials. This program empowers people at all levels of the community with the resources and know-how they need to defend their rights and protect their future.