Shillong, May 29: In a bid to work towards inclusive and sustainable rural development the Rural Integrated Community Development (RICD) programme was inaugurated at Lumpengshyrngan SSA LP & UP School in Pynursla, East Khasi Hills.
The initiative, implemented by Apollo Foundation – Total Health and supported by Altius, aims to foster growth in rural areas by addressing various socio-economic challenges while enhancing community involvement and environmental sustainability.
The primary objective of the RICD programme is to implement integrated strategies that support the multifaceted development of rural communities. By focusing on education, healthcare, agriculture, and livelihood opportunities, the programme seeks to empower local residents.
The programme covers 10 villages in East Khasi Hills, benefiting over 4,170 individuals across 509 households. The initiative supports 10 schools serving 647 children, while also strengthening healthcare access through two Primary Health Centres (PHCs), catering to approximately 22,643 people and two Sub-Centres (SCs) serving 9,241 people.
According to a statement, under the education and digital inclusion component, the initiative has facilitated improvements to school infrastructure. This includes enhancements in classrooms, roofing, flooring, and overall campus strengthening across various identified schools. To further enhance educational capabilities, ICT-enabled smart classrooms equipped with computers and projectors have been introduced. Additionally, solar electrification systems have been installed to ensure uninterrupted access to power. Over 20 teachers, from LKG to Class 8, have undergone training in digital pedagogy and capacity-building programs, enriching classroom learning outcomes.
The project has also focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in two villages. It has supported the construction of gender-sensitive toilet facilities, installation of handwashing stations, and the deployment of RO-based safe drinking water systems for schools and community clusters. Regular hygiene awareness sessions and sanitation promotion activities are being conducted to encourage healthier practices and ensure long-term community well-being.
Through comprehensive healthcare delivery support for local primary health centres, the programme is improving diagnostics and patient care in remote areas. These initiatives are expected to positively impact approximately 31,884 individuals across 23 villages.
The programme was inaugurated on May 27 by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, in the presence of government officials, Altius and Apollo Foundation representatives, headmen, school teachers and students, and the community members.
In his address, Tynsong pointed out the essential role of public-private partnerships in overcoming resource challenges within the education landscape.
He said local representatives, while doing their best, often encounter barriers that hinder them from addressing all developmental aspects. However, initiatives such as corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, like the one currently in place at ten local schools in East Khasi Hills, have the potential to revolutionize educational outcomes. “CSR initiatives like this will impact each student significantly, affecting their household and community at large,” Tynsong stated.
