Introduction

Rural Development Service Center (RDSC) is a non-profit making autonomous, non-governmental organization dedicated to community development in rural areas of Nepal particularly in Far Western Development Region (FWDR). RDSC was established in 1993 and registered in District Administration Office, Doti (Regd. No. 13/049/50) and Social Welfare Council, Kathmandu (Regd. No. 1097). The Pan No. of the organization is 301505176 registered in Internal Revenue Office, Dhangadi, Kailali.

The FWDR is least developed region among the other development regions of the country. Most of the people in FWDR are living in extreme poverty. The region has least developed institutional and physical infrastructures. Recently built Karnali Bridge has directly linked this region with the rest of the country through inland roads. Otherwise, one had to travel via India in order to reach other parts of the country including Kathmandu. Exceptionally, high infant mortality rate and poor nutritional status, lowest literacy rate, poor drinking water and sanitary condition, high population growth rate, lowest agricultural productivity, rapid degradation of natural resources in terms of soil erosion, landslides, floods deforestation, drying up of springs and streams many social and cultural conservation are some of the important features of this region.

With minimum opportunities for income (earning cash) as well as supplement food requirement, young people generally migrate to India and other parts of the country in search of employment. Therefore, women perform all households as well as agricultural activities except ploughing. In addition, rural women have also to gather fuel wood and fodder as well as graze animals in the forest. Despite such hectic routine of laborious work, they hardly get enough to eat. After critical examination of these crucial issues, RDSC has been established with a view to mobilize the rural people, which are the beneficiaries and promoters of their development programs, particularly on natural resource management and benefit from comparative and competitive advantages. RDSC is committed for working on demand-driven community development activities, which utilizes local resources and generates income in uplifting the needy communities on a sustainable basis.

Objectives

RDSC was established with the main objective of organizing community participation for rural development. The specific objectives of RDSC are to:

• Implement sustainable and integrated rural development programs related to health, education, agriculture, forestry, land, renewal energy technology, water and environment based on resource endowments and comparative advantages of the working area;

• Organize sustainable community development and awareness programs for the benefit of poor and disadvantage rural people;

• Improve living standard of rural people by helping them develop their skill and subsequently by assisting them in implementing income generating activities in close coordination and cooperation with national and international organizations;

• Implement gender specific programs, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, family planning and population activities, peace and governance activities;

• Create employment opportunities and assist in tourism development activities and exploration of tourist spots in the region;

• Preserve and protect culture and cultural heritage of the region; and

• Organize trainings, awareness programs, exploratory and research activities.

Vision and Mission

Vision

Distinctly competent rural development service provider that uplifts socioeconomic status of the rural people in inclusive manner managing natural resources for sustainable development

Mission

• To empower and develop capacity of the rural people.
• To enhance livelihood of the rural people mainstreaming gender equity and social inclusion with sustainable use of natural resources.

Approach and Strategy

RDSC has adopted a strategy of working with the rural people at the grass-root level to achieve the goals of people-centered sustainable development. Therefore, RDSC acts as a catalyst to encourage community involvement in solving locally identified problems.

It also encourages communities to reach out all ethnic groups and to give particular attention to the needs of poor, disadvantaged groups, backward groups, women and children, and other minorities.

RDSC has approached to educate the people as its first entry point into the process of community development. Interaction with the community begins with literacy classes, and awareness-raising activities. Through a process of dialogue and consultation, the felt needs of the community are gradually articulated and these become the focus for project ideas. It has also approached to seek community's confidence, promote problem-solving skills, capacity to make harmonious decisions and develop local leadership. For this reason, beneficiaries are included in all phases of the project cycle right from the identification of areas and programs for community action and their implementation and evaluation.