Empowering Foundations: Advancing Equality and Opportunity through Rural Engagement

In a significant demonstration of international interest in rural India’s development initiatives, David Moss, Senior Vice President and Head of Trading Compliance at a leading New York-based investment management company, conducted an extensive two-day visit to various IARF-RFYN projects in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, during October 19-20, 2024. The visit showcased remarkable achievements in youth empowerment, interfaith harmony, and women’s economic development.

Youth Empowerment and Skill Development

At the heart of the visit was a compelling session at Sony Computer Education centre, where Moss engaged with RFYN, aspiring professionals, sharing invaluable insights about global finance career opportunities. Moving beyond traditional accounting roles, he emphasized critical skills needed in today’s financial sector, including professional email communication, financial fundamentals, and proficiency in digital tools such as Excel and Google Sheets. Moss particularly stressed the importance of staying informed about global financial trends. 

The impact of his guidance was evident in the enthusiastic response from participants, who presented him with a hand-sketched portrait as a token of their appreciation.

Interfaith Harmony and Educational Initiatives

The visit highlighted significant strides in promoting interfaith harmony through education and cultural exchange. Moss visited Anjuman English Medium school, An Urdu school which stands as a beacon of religious integration. The school’s unique approach ensures children aged 5-13 years from various religious backgrounds study together, fostering early understanding of religious diversity. Despite language barriers, students made commendable efforts to interact with Moss in English, demonstrating their commitment to global communication skills.

Further emphasizing the interfaith aspect, Moss visited a local Jain temple, where Mr. Deepak raj Jain provided insights into Jain philosophy and traditions. This cultural exchange exemplified the program’s commitment to promoting understanding across different communities.

Vocational Training and Career Development

A significant portion of the visit focused on RFYN’s innovative ‘Careerfirst’ initiative, which bridges the gap between underprivileged youth and employment opportunities through government-sponsored vocational training. Moss visited several prestigious training centres, including CII (Confederation of indian industries), ATDC (Apparel Training & Design Centre), and Ashok Leyland’s training facility in Chhindwara. During these visits, he engaged directly with students, learning about their economic backgrounds and aspirations. His encouragement to complete their courses and pursue career goals resonated strongly with the trainees.

Women Empowerment and Rural Economic Development

In Bamhni village near Tamiya block, situated 95 km from Chhindwara, Moss witnessed the transformative impact of RFYN India’s women empowerment projects, which have shown remarkable success over the past 7-8 years. The village, predominantly tribal and challenged by work opportunities, has been uplifted through a collaborative initiative involving Cosmo foundation, Sony Computer Education and RFYN.

The installation of Chironji de-shelling machines has created sustainable livelihood opportunities for women’s self-help groups. This initiative processes seeds from the Buchanania lanzan plant, a high-value dry fruit with strong export demand, particularly in Gulf countries. Villagers shared how this mechanization has provided an additional benefit to their economic conditions.

Leadership and Recognition

During his visit, Moss met with IARF Chhindwara Branch members to learn about the organization’s history and development in the region. The success of these various initiatives is attributed to a dedicated team of professionals, including Mr. Manoj Soni (Secretary, IARF Chhindwara Branch), Mr. Aayush Soni (RFYN Representative and VP, IARF), Mr. Immanuel Manish Daniel (Senior Member, IARF), Dr. SA Brown (Ex. Council Member, IARF), Dr. KK Shrivastava (Founding Member of IARF Chhindwara branch), Mr. Ansari (Founding Member of IARF Chhindwara branch), Mr. Ratnesh Jain (IARF Member), Mr. Vishwesh Chandel (Member, IARF Chhindwara Branch), Mrs. Kirti Soni (Director, Sony Computer Education), and Ms. Janhvi Gupte (Ex. VP and RFYN Representative, IARF).

Future Implications

“The synergy between various stakeholders – from government agencies to educational institutions and community organizations – is what makes these initiatives truly successful,” 

Moss observed during his concluding remarks. The visit highlighted how targeted interventions, when properly executed, can create sustainable change in rural communities while promoting education, women’s empowerment, and interfaith harmony.

The success of these programs, particularly in Bamhni village and through the Careerfirst initiative, demonstrates the effectiveness of RFYN’s approach in identifying and bridging gaps between job seekers and employers. This model of rural development, combining skill development, women’s empowerment, and interfaith harmony, could serve as a template for similar initiatives across rural India.

The comprehensive nature of David Moss’s visit not only highlighted the impact of RFYN’s initiatives but also strengthened the connection between global expertise and local development efforts in rural India, setting a promising precedent for future international collaborations in rural development.