We have three programs for 2006:

Women and children's development program

An integrated program designed by 11 women's co-operatives in some of the remotest villages in Ladakh. Their goals are to address global climate changes affecting their agricultural self-sufficiency, as well as nutritional/developmental deficiencies in 0-14 year-olds in their villages.

The women work on new crops and technologies (greenhouses, solar-electric fencing), construct solar-heated centers in their villages and establish a life-skills education and nutrition program for all based out of those centers.

They have united as one group to enhance income from their micro-enterprises, giving them their own money to develop future programs for themselves.

Future leaders program

Young Ladakhis from the remotest and most disadvantaged villages in Ladakh, who have been forced to end their own schooling to take responsibility for their extended families, join our team for 3 years. During this time they work with us on all our projects, gaining practical skills in community development.

We also support them in completing their education and place them in special training programs across India, where they acquire specialized skills needed here in Ladakh (from physiotherapy training to desktop/book publishing).

At the end of their internship, we place our young people in the government system, where they can support change from within.

Life skills education

HEALTH Inc is continuing this 7-year program as the only NGO in the region providing universal access to information and literacy in all the 3 languages of Ladakh.

Whether a picture book set for illiterate farmers who are growing vegetables at altitudes over 4,000 meters (over 13,000 feet), an adolescent health game discussing high-risk behaviors, or a children's comic book about disabled kids, our materials reach an audience of over 125,000 in Ladakh, and tens of thousands of others through partnerships across northern India.