Unleashing Potential
– a journey with children, youth and their communities in rural Jharkhand
During the year of report, Development Focus worked across 69 tribal villages in Ranchi, Gumla, and Simdega districts. The Munda, Oraon, and Kharia tribal communities, with their rich traditions in agriculture, forest based livelihoods, and the Sarna faith, continue to shape the cultural identity of the Chotanagpur Plateau.
Our presence in these villages is guided by a simple but profound purpose: to support communities in overcoming poverty without compromising their culture and identity. We believe that every individual has the inherent potential to aspire for quality of life—a holistic vision of well being that encompasses health, education, social relationships, environment, and personal fulfilment. Our role is to facilitate pathways that communities themselves consider appropriate, enabling them to move forward with dignity and confidence.
Drawing competition in the children's club
Generations of exclusion and isolation have left these communities vulnerable. Yet, when mobilized into homogeneous groups, their collective strength becomes transformative.
Our projects therefore work through a network of Community Based Organizations (CBOs):
Community Watch Groups (CWG): Volunteers elected by their peers to monitor and strengthen planned activities.
Children’s Clubs (CC): Safe spaces for children (9–14 years) to build social skills, creativity, leadership, and confidence.
Youth Clubs (YC): Platforms for youth (15–22 years) to discuss challenges, explore opportunities, and develop entrepreneurial and life skills.
Cluster Level Associations (CLA): Representatives from CBOs across five villages, lobbying for infrastructure, services, and social change.
Farmers’ Committees: Forums of 20–25 farmers for training, joint learning, and collective action.
Livestock Committees: Groups of youth engaged in livestock rearing as a livelihood option.
Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs): Village level bodies under the National Health Mission, strengthened by our project teams.
Recreation time - Leadership Academy, Dalmadih
Initiatives and Impact
Children’s and Youth Clubs meet weekly for games, competitions, cultural activities, and village clean up drives. Many clubs run savings schemes, offering small loans from pooled funds, and encourage group enterprises. They also discuss social issues such as child marriage, child labour, and alcoholism, working with CWGs to promote healthier practices.
Community Watch Groups act as umbrella bodies, supporting children and youth clubs, and linking villages with duty bearers such as police and block level departments.
Cluster Level Associations advocate for improved schools, Anganwadis, health centres, and community infrastructure, while motivating villages to reject harmful practices like domestic violence, unsafe migration, and substance abuse.
Together, these structures demonstrate that when communities are organized, their potential is unleashed—not only to improve livelihoods but also to transform social norms and strengthen resilience.
Santhoshi, A Yuva Mitra, holding a Children’s Club meeting on Child Rights
