By Joyce Connolly | Honorary Director
The main aim of any farm is to cultivate and grow. Therefore, we’re really pleased that this report is all about growth in different areas.
First off, we have an extra three acres. We wanted more land to expand the variety of produce we provide to our shelter home. It took one month to turn the rocky terrain into arable land and put in the topsoil and irrigation. Having this extra acreage means we can now grow more protein-rich staples like mung beans, red-eyed beans, soya bean as well as cereals such as maize and sorghum. It also means we can start providing variety in the vegetables and pulses we deliver to our shelter home, providing a more balanced diet to our beneficiaries.
Other crops we grow:
BeetrootBitter gourdCabbageCarrotCauliflowerCluster beansCorianderCucumberCurry leafDillEggplantFenugreekGreen peasOkraRadishRed pepperRidge gourdSafflowerSorrelSpinachTomatoWe also have a new project manager. Kalidas left a career in banking and finance three years ago to join Snehalaya. Facing a transfer with the bank to another city and within a few days of his imminent departure he paid a visit to Snehalaya. He realised that his heart was in his home city and giving back to society through social work. We were very lucky and instead of packing for a big move to a new city he moved into our shelter home becoming a caregiver to some of the boys who live with us.
He did a great job in that role and earlier this year he was promoted to the role of project manager of our Himmatgram. He and his wife and baby son moved to our GKN Center, which is where our over 18 boys live, on the doorstep of our farm. As well as working with the 26 people living and working at the farm he is also able to keep a fatherly eye on our older boys.
He says: “There are challenges in my role, for example we are not making any profit yet and water is a constant issue (at the time of writing we are still awaiting the full start of the monsoon). I’d like to welcome more beneficiaries to our home of courage which in turn would increase production and the supplies to our other projects. For now though, as long as everyone I work with is happy then I am happy too.”
We are also really happy that you have chosen to support this project - thank you!
Links:
By Joyce Connolly | Honorary Director
By Shashikant Torane | Project Manager, Himmatgram
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