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4
Annual Report 2020-21 I Atul Foundation
Chairperson’s foreword
Dear All,
The COVID-19 pandemic has become a challenge for humanity. The magnitude and
unpredictability of the pandemic has tested the resilience of mankind like we had never
imagined. It has affected the lives and livelihoods of people. Atul Foundation in its own
small way stepped up its efforts to serve the community particularly in the remote parts
of Gujarat.
In the year 2020-21, three schools under Atul Foundation, namely, Kalyani Shala, Atul
Vidyalaya and Atul Vidyamandir conducted online classes and Atul Adhyapikas took
up
faliya
-based classes to engage the students productively through activity-based
learning. The Foundation along with Atul Institute of Vocational Excellence provided
training and support to 113 tribal youth, transforming them into micro-entrepreneurs
and trained 793 youth, farmers and women, which helped them to find suitable
and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The Foundation, in collaboration with BAIF
Development Research Foundation, supported 1,120 tribal families to grow nutrition
gardens, which met the need of quality food as well as supplementary income for these
families. Under the Ankur project, the Foundation trained and supported 4,777 children
to grow vegetable gardens in their backyards. The Foundation provided necessary
medical equipment to three hospitals to treat the patients infected with COVID-19. It
alsoworked towards creating awareness by educating 25,000 villagers about COVID-19
safety protocols. Masks and grocery kits were distributed to the needy and adequate
support was rendered to migrants to reach their villages safely. The Foundation has
developed seven model
anganwadis
, constructed a white-topping road, renovated
toilets in schools and upgraded public amenities in nearby villages to improve the quality
of life of the rural community. The Foundation established a village-based solid waste
management system (in Atul village) for the first time.
It is with great delight and satisfaction that I report to you that the 125 cows given a
year ago by Atul Foundation to as many poor families increased their income by three
times; the cows valued at
`
66.37 lakhs generated an almost equivalent income of
`
66.04 lakhs for them in one year.
Atul Foundation stands firm in its commitment to support the health and well-being of
communities, especially the less fortunate. Many families have lost their breadwinners,
many children have lost either one or both the parents and many people have lost jobs;
they find their future bleak. The Foundation will work to dispel misconceptions about the
vaccines amongst the reluctant urban as well as rural people. It will continue to drive a
positive change by working relentlessly towards a better society.
On behalf of Atul Foundation, I thank all the supporters and well-wishers for their
continued support and cooperation.
Sincerely,
(Vimla Lalbhai)
Chairperson