FOREFRONT Charity (India)
The FOREFRONT Charity empowers people, creates leaders and establishes self-sustaining communities. Since launching in 2015, FOREFRONT has listened to local needs in rural India through 16 community forums, each with hundreds of attendees.
They learned that people spent about eight hours a day getting water from contaminated sources. The water would often make them sick and unable to attend school or work. In response, they worked with community members to build 45 clean water wells, bringing clean water to over 73,000 people.
In 2021/2022, the Eurofins Foundation supported a project entitled ‘Innovative, Scalable & Modular Water Treatment Plant for Rural, Underdeveloped Communities.’
The FOREFRONT Charity developed a transportable, scalable, and sustainable water treatment technology called the SN300 (Sangam Neeru, which means community water). The SN300 provides clean drinking water to rural communities in India and creates awareness of the importance of clean drinking water for the well-being of communities.
The core features of the SN300 are its usage of locally sourced and cost-friendly materials, minimal use of electricity, and its simple operation and maintenance, making this design suitable for the remote communities the organisation serves.
As a result of the Eurofins Foundation’s grant, FOREFRONT Charity launched the SN300 first as a pilot unit in the Suddapalli village located in rural Andhra Pradesh, India, as a continuation of an existing relationship with the community. FOREFRONT Charity collected water quality data and feedback on the SN300’s functionality from the Suddapalli community, and used the lessons learned from the pilot to improve the SN300’s design, manuals, implementation, and community outreach.
Since the SN300 pilot was successful, FOREFRONT Charity will rapidly scale up the implementation to more villages in rural India. The resources and implementation offered with the SN300 will be suited specifically to the needs of each local community, as FOREFRONT Charity conduct preliminary assessments and community outreach. When implemented in remote rural areas, the SN300 provides a valuable sustainable alternative to borewell water.
In 2022/2023, the Eurofins Foundation renewed its support to FOREFRONT Charity, specifically to the project STEM Education for Children in Rural India. Through a highly interactive curriculum, FOREFRONT School encourages critical thinking, leadership, collaboration, and life-long learning. Many of the students are the first in their families to attend school, and the programme target girls’ enrolment through outreach and scholarships.
Thanks to the Eurofins Foundation’s grant, the FOREFRONT School expanded to the fourth and fifth grades. In July 2023, FOREFRONT welcomed its first cohort of 30 fourth grade students and 20 fifth grade students. This expansion has enabled a transition from teachers who generally cover all subject areas, to teachers who specialised in particular topics (science, math, English and Hindi). This period of growth led to a restructuring of the classroom experience so that students receive a comprehensive education.
To meet this need, FOREFRONT hired three additional teachers to teach on specialised subjects. These teachers have developed an interactive, in-depth curriculum that encourages critical thinking, leadership, collaboration, and life-long learning, particularly in the areas of science and mathematics. This sustainable expansion has enabled FOREFRONT to now serve a total of 230 students with quality education.
With the Eurofins Foundation’s support, FOREFRONT was also able to install a library where students can explore a diverse array of books and other educational resources. According to a FOREFRONT school teacher, the library” serves as a hub for learning and quiet contemplation, fostering a love for reading and academic excellence among students”.
In addition, FOREFRONT School installed its first computer lab. The computer lab features 30 computer stations, enough for a full grade. In addition, FOREFRONT School staff have created the computer science syllabus. Through the class, FOREFRONT School will equip students with essential skills in typing, basic research, and the use of key computer applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, among others. These skills will prepare the students for expanded educational and professional opportunities in the future.
Many of FOREFRONT School students are the first in their families to ever have received a formal, high-quality education. English and Hindi literacy, computer proficiency, and basic science and mathematic understanding were previously unthinkable and non-existent for children and families in this community. The availability of a comprehensive primary school education will enable students to pursue further secondary education and break the cycles of poverty within their communities.
The education not only equips students with technical knowledge on specific subjects, but also is designed to equip them to build strong character and leadership. In doing so, the children are positioned to think critically, solve problems, and become leaders in their respective villages.
Parents have provided positive feedback on the school education and the growing interest in the school highlights the importance of the school within the society at large.
This project contributes to the following United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
