Partner Organisation-National Livelihood Resources Institute, Gramin Vikas Trust Location- Bhadwasa, Ratlam (M.P) Year of Association- 2007 No. of students traineds-95 Major Employers – Global Computers, Himalaya International School, IPCA Laboratories, ICA Computer Centre

About the Founder: Krishak Bharti Cooperative limited (KRIBHCO), a premiere Cooperative in Fertilizer sector under the Administrative Control of Government of India.

The Department for International Development (DFID), UK is an Independent legal entity to plan and implement participatory development programmes in resource poor areas.

About the Organisation: Gramin Vikas Trust aims to establish and maintain long-term links with the Governmental Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and Resource Institutions, to sustain and strengthen the livelihoods development in backward tribal areas.

GVT has a wide experience in Project planning; Implementation of holistic programmes and strategic support for inter-sectoral approaches for livelihood and poverty reduction. GVT has a proven track record in the area of generating livelihood options for the poor with strategic support at the district, cluster and village levels.

Association with Smile Foundation: GVT, in association with Smile Foundation, runs Smile Twin –e – Learning Programme. The programme is designed to increase the employability prospects of underprivileged adolescents by equipping them in marketable skills like English and Computer. This helps them get employment in service sectors and particularly retail outlets, BPO’s etc. Besides necessary orientation, the job oriented Smile Twin e-Learning Programme trains these young boys and girls in soft skills, basic management including retail and sales, personality development, career opportunities & counseling, team work and leadership qualities. These students are also sensitised about the gender issues, reproductive and sexual health issues and diseases like HIV/AIDS.

Other activities: Gramin Vikas Trust also runs skill development programmes in masonry, plumbing, carpentry and block printing and also a programme that trains people in modern farming systems.

Stories of Hope: Bhuwan Singh (22), of Chorasi Badayala, Ratlam, is one among the third batch of STEP in GVT. He had been turned down by all employers when he started finding a job because he lacked computer knowledge and proficiency in spoken English. He wanted to take a course that would train him in all this, but found all of them very expensive. His friend then introduce him to the Smile Twin e-Learning Programme and after 6 months of training, he is employed with ICA Computer Centre of Ratlam.

Kan Singh of Patakhedi village, Ratlam, enrolled for the STEP programme after his father’s demise. Being the eldest among three brothers, he alone had to shoulder the requirements of the entire household. Encouraged by his mother he enrolled for the livelihood programme and today is employed with the GVT Seed Unit.