Major Achievements
Reliance Social Center has made significant strides in improving health, dignity, and quality of life for vulnerable populations. Sixteen self-help groups were established for individuals affected by leprosy, filariasis, persons with disabilities, and the ultra-poor, fostering solidarity and mutual support. Seven individuals with disabilities received prosthetic legs, restoring mobility and independence. The Kalika Self-Care Learning and Rehabilitation Center was established to support MCR patients through micro-cellular rubber shoes and footwear, directly benefiting 170 NTDs-affected individuals. Through systematic malnutrition identification using MUAC mapping, 807 severely malnourished children and 5,879 moderately malnourished children were identified in Kapilvastu district and linked to appropriate interventions. The Center supported municipalities in declaring full immunization, zero home delivery, and strengthening maternal and child health services. Capacity-building initiatives included developing training manuals, NTDs profiles, and health worker guidelines. Awareness programs on menstrual hygiene management were conducted in schools and communities, and adolescent-friendly health services were certified and strengthened across multiple health facilities. Additionally, 16 birthing centers, 6 laboratory facilities, and 6 PHC/ORC clinics were upgraded with essential equipment.
Reliance Social Center has played a vital role in empowering civil society organizations and strengthening community networks. Thirty-four local NGOs and three networks were promoted, capacitated, and mobilized to support poor and marginalized communities, including people with leadership roles in local governance, user committees, and school management committees. Fifteen women advocacy forums at district and former VDC levels were strengthened to raise awareness on critical social issues such as citizenship, birth registration, early marriage, domestic violence, women’s rights, girls’ education, and gender equality and social inclusion. Furthermore, 610 self-help groups—including women, agriculture, and disability groups—were promoted and mobilized to enhance livelihoods through income-generation activities and institutional development. To improve financial inclusion, 30 cooperatives were strengthened, enabling right-holders to access financial resources and develop sustainable saving habits.
Community empowerment remains a core achievement of Reliance Social Center. A total of 790 self-help groups were promoted and strengthened, of which 327 were women-led, fostering leadership and economic participation. Youth engagement was enhanced through the promotion of 21 youth clubs, 177 child clubs, and 31 adolescent groups, ensuring inclusive participation across age groups. Seventeen Youth Information Centres were established to provide guidance, awareness, and opportunities for young people. The Center also supported two Ward-level Child Protection Committees to safeguard children’s rights. Community awareness was further strengthened through the celebration of national and international days related to health, nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, leprosy, and NTDs. Focused community orientation programs were conducted in LNOB sites, Kapilvastu district, and among Netwa, Patharkatta, and brick kiln worker communities to ensure no group was left behind.
Reliance Social Center has actively promoted disability-inclusive development by empowering blind and visually impaired individuals through training, skill transfer, and access to resources that enabled them to apply their skills for sustainable livelihoods. Housing support was provided to 36 persons with disabilities to renovate their homes and improve living conditions. Access to healthcare was strengthened by distributing 15 wheelchairs to health facilities and individuals, and by supporting the construction of ramps in five health facilities to ensure barrier-free access. Seven persons with disabilities received assistive devices to enhance mobility and daily functioning. In addition, advocacy and awareness campaigns were conducted to promote the health rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities. The Center also provided orientation programs to the Disability Coordination Committees of 10 municipalities in Kapilvastu district and to five Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) on government services, rights, and available support mechanisms.
Reliance Social Center has strengthened community resilience by supporting disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation initiatives at local levels. Community Disaster Management Committees were formed to enhance preparedness and coordination during emergencies. The Center supported municipalities and communities in developing Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) and Community Adaptation Plans of Action (CAPA), ensuring climate-responsive planning. During disaster situations, grain banks were established to improve food security, and disaster risk reduction trainings were conducted for school teachers and students to build awareness and preparedness. First aid boxes were distributed to 97 schools and community institutions for emergency response. The Center further supported 217 schools in Kapilvastu and Rupandehi districts to develop School Disaster Response Plans, and assisted 13 municipalities—10 in Rupandehi and 3 in Kapilvastu—in preparing Municipal Disaster Response Plans to strengthen coordinated disaster management systems.
Reliance Social Center has strengthened food security and nutrition among vulnerable communities by promoting sustainable agriculture and healthy food practices. A total of 216 smallholder farmer groups were promoted, supported by three Farmers’ Support Centers, to enhance agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Farmers received training on seasonal and off-season vegetable farming, as well as livestock rearing such as goats and pigs. Financial support in the form of low-interest loans was provided to smallholder farmers, while 14 hectares of private and public land were improved through better land management practices. To strengthen irrigation facilities, 37 deep borings and 380 trailer pumps were installed, ensuring reliable water access for farming. At the community level, 1,890 nutritious food demonstrations were conducted through mothers’ groups, focusing on the critical first 1,000 days of mothers and children. These initiatives improved nutritional behavior, promoted home-made food consumption, and benefited 7,400 mothers by increasing awareness of nutritious food intake during ANC. Nutritious food baskets were also provided as models, along with the slogan “Harek Baar Khaana Chaar” (four types of food every day), reinforcing healthy and balanced dietary practices within families.
Reliance Social Center has been at the forefront of advocacy and community development, driving impactful changes across health, education, and social empowerment. Through policy advocacy, issue-based campaigns, and evidence-based initiatives focused on the best interests of the community, the center has achieved remarkable milestones: 100% immunization and ODF (Open Defecation Free) declarations, universal enrollment in education, and the promotion of child-friendly local governance. Efforts to eliminate child marriage and reduce home deliveries have strengthened community health and welfare. The center has also fostered social cohesion and empowerment by promoting and strengthening 16 self-help groups for people affected by leprosy, filariasis, and disabilities, 29 youth-led NGOs, 21 youth clubs, 177 child clubs, and over 147 women-led self-help groups. Additionally, 14 Village Women Advocacy Forums and one District Women Advocacy Forum have been promoted, alongside 28 cooperatives in Kapilvastu and Bhojpur districts. Emergency response planning has been developed across 374 education initiatives and 15 municipal plans to ensure community resilience in crises. This achievement underscores Reliance Social Center’s unwavering commitment to empowering communities, fostering inclusivity, and building sustainable local governance.