Shillong, May 29: A Rural Integrated Community Development (RICD) Programme has been inaugurated at Lumpengshyrngan in Pynursla recently.
The initiative, implemented by Apollo Foundation – Total Health and supported by Altius, was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
The programme aims at inclusive and sustainable rural development. Tynsong emphasised that the education sector remains the topmost agenda for the government, with a core mission to ensure every child is well-equipped with quality learning and education.
Addressing the gathering, Tynsong highlighted the vital role of public-private partnerships in overcoming resource constraints. He noted that while local representatives face inherent limitations in addressing every developmental aspect individually, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, such as the project currently implemented across 10 local schools in East Khasi Hills, are poised to create a transformative impact.
Currently, the program 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 nearly 9,241 people.
Under the Education and Digital Inclusion component, the initiative has facilitated improvements to school infrastructure, including classrooms, roofing, flooring and campus strengthening works across identified schools.
More than 20 teachers from LKG to Class 8 have also undergone digital pedagogy and teacher capacity-building training programs to enhance classroom learning outcomes.
As part of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions across two villages, the project has supported the construction of gender-sensitive toilet facilities, installation of handwashing stations, and deployment of RO-based safe drinking water systems for schools and community clusters. Regular hygiene awareness and sanitation promotion activities are also being conducted to encourage healthier practices and long-term community wellbeing.
To strengthen rural healthcare delivery, the RICD Program has supported 2 PHCs and 2 Sub-Centres with essential medical equipment aimed at improving diagnostics, patient care, and service delivery in remote geographies. These interventions are expected to benefit approximately 31,884 individuals across 23 villages.
