| Rural |
Rural Empowerment and Community Health (REACH) is a program established by Shree Vithalrao Joshi Charities Trust with the main objective of bringing about a total socio-economic transformation by the people and for the people. The trust has been active in assisting the local population for the past several decades with their various social, health and economical needs. REACH however is a program created to enable the surrounding population to become self sufficient so they are capable of addressing their own issues and needs. REACH was created with guidance and assistance from Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD) headquartered in Sidhbari, Himachal Pradesh. The program started in April 2007 and initially piloted in the villages in Ratnagiri district and is ongoing in the villages in Sindhudurg district. REACH began by establishing unique groups to address the different needs of the community members. Groups included:
- Mahila Mandals (Groups for women)
- Self Help Groups
- Yuva groups (Youth groups)
- Bal Vihar groups (Group for Children)
- Kisan clubs (Groups for farmers)
These groups allowed for discussion on various topics, ideas, problems and solutions with all members of the communities. Each group was enabled to find solutions to their own problems with assistance from members of REACH if necessary.