This project will: • Support rural families which would otherwise find it difficult to pay for healthcare treatment. • Revitalise knowledge about the use herbs in a safe and effective way for everyday ailments and simple first aid. • Increase the biodiversity of previously unkempt and derelict land. It will do this during an initial 15 months programme by: • Training 24 women as trainers in medicinal plant growing methods. • Support the training of 10 further women and families by each of the 20 trained women. • Set up 2 demonstration herb gardens with indigenous plants that will lead to an increased knowledge of local flora by local people. • Support the creation of 100 family herb gardens. Extensive needs research on a range of health and other issue has been conducted in the beneficiary areas. Liaison has taken place with Tamwed’s partners and specialist NGOs in India. Research has established the lack of basic health care in the beneficiary areas; the remoteness of communities from health facilities; the high incidence of treatable diseases and injuries; and a decreasing knowledge about traditional medicines. The current government medical system (allopathic) is only able to offer primary health care to 30% of India’s rural population. Evaluations of the Kitchen Herb Garden systems have shown that up to 85% of participants are from the more deprived communities and so these projects actively play a role in poverty reduction. For example, medical expenses can be reduced by up to five times when using herbal medicines grown and harvested locally. This project will be delivered over 15 months, resulting in the development of two demonstration medicinal herb gardens and the initial employment of two part time gardeners. 12 staff from CRUSADE and 12 from Manushi will be trained by FRLHT who will train 10 women each. In total, 240 people will receive training and support and 100 household herbal medicinal gardens will be created. The demonstration gardens will provide the expertise and plant material for further gardens to be developed, including additional training for local people. The biodiversity of the two demonstration gardens will be increased as indigenous plants and other wildlife thrive under the protection of trained members of NGOs. Local people will reconnect with the environment, through their relationship with herbs and learn how to use them in a more sustainable way. There will be an open day at both gardens at the end of the funded project to share with the local communities the achievements and to show how the gardens will continue to be used. A second phase is envisaged, creating additional jobs through local business enterprises.