The Timbaktu Collective

Sobre nosotros

The Timbaktu Collective is a registered Not-for-Profit Organisation initiated in 1990, working for sustainable development in the drought prone Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) India. The Collective works in over 172 villages of Chennekothapalli, Roddam and Ramagiri mandals of Anantapur district, reaching and serving about 20,000 marginalised families. The Collective works with some of most affected by chronic drought, unproductive land , unemployment and poor infrastructural facilities in the region, among them the landless, small and marginal farmers with special emphasis on women, children, youth and Dalits.

Vision
Rural communities take control of their own lives, govern themselves and live in social, gender and ecological harmony while maintaining a sustainable lifestyle.

Mission
Enable marginalised rural people, landless labourers, and small and marginal farmers particularly women, children, youth, Dalits and the people with disabilities, to enhance their livelihood resources, get organised and work towards social justice and gender equity and lead life in a meaningful and joyous manner.

Strategy:
The Collective develops models that address the rights of the most disadvantaged rural people.
The models include: ecological restoration of waste lands; organic farming and marketing; alternative banking, credit creation, legal aid and counseling for women; child friendly education and spaces; livelihood through animal husbandry; and disability support.

Our work:
Ecorestoration: Regeneration of degraded ecosystems –land, water and forests
• Timbaktu: An experimental farm which is the base of our eco-restoration work.
• Kalpavalli: Protection and regeneration of village common lands
• Water Conservation: Watershed development and revival of traditional water harvesting systems
• Organic Farming: Rejuvenating land through sustainable farming practises
Women: Promotion of alternative banking for and cooperatives of women
• Women´s Cooperatives: Setting up women´s cooperatives and their federation
• Thrift & Credit: Women´s thrift & credit groups for economical independence
• Women´s Welfare: Welfare activities by the cooperatives
• Legal Aid & Education: Legal aid and support to women in distress
Children: Alternative education and advocacy of child rights
• Nature School: Alternative education for children from difficult circumstances
• Resource Centre: A resource centre for rural children
• Child Rights: Advocacy of ecological rights of children for a sustainable future.
• Back to Basics: A quality enhancement program for government schools
Rural Enterprise: Alternative livelihoods for farmers, landless labourers and youth
• Dharani: Producer-owned marketing initiative of organic products
• Gramasiri: Alternative livelihood for landless labourers
• CREAM – Course in Rural Enterprise Administration and Management: Enterprise and management education program for rural youth
People with Disabilities
• Pratibha: Advocacy through cooperatives of people with disabilities
• Balamilitha: Rehabilitation of children with disabilities

Manikandan is the Chief Functionary of the Timbaktu Collective.

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.