RURAL UNFORTUNATES SAFETY TALISMAN ILLUMINATION COTTAGE (RUSTIC)

RUSTIC works to generate income for community development through the creation and provision of consumer support services in urban areas.

RUSTIC's strategy consists of two components-a solid waste disposal program and a grocery delivery service. Solid waste disposal services is available to urban households thereby providing employment and raising funds for its activities from service fees. Under its waste management program, it works with the sweeper (Hindu garbage collectors) community in Khulna city where male members of the sweeper colony collect and dispose kitchen waste from households. Seventy five percent of the income from the project goes towards schools for the sweeper community and the remaining 25% is allocated for the organization's general fund. The general fund has been set up so that the organization can continue its programs in the event of decreased donor support. In the long term, RUSTIC plans to produce organic fertilizer from the waste through composting.

RUSTIC also provides grocery delivery services, an idea which came from the members of the waste management committee. There will be a monthly service charge like the waste management program. RUSTIC will purchase quality products at wholesale prices and sell to customers at retail prices. The garbage collectors will pick up the grocery requisition slip on their rounds. The system for collecting payment and delivery of groceries will be similar to the waste management program. The waste management teams will not deliver groceries. There are 20 persons employed in the waste management program and 6000 households of different socio-economic background are part of the program. A waste management committee comprised of members of the community being served assists RUSTIC in the management of the program.