Make Women in Rural India Financially Secure

Namaste,

We hope that you, your family and loved ones are safe and in good health.

The pandemic of Covid-19 has presented significant challenges to rural women. Seva Mandir’s role during this time became more important for these women and their families.

Seva Mandir has experience of more than 50 years of working with communities to transform and improve their lives – and that is no different now. Even during this pandemic, we remain committed to working with communities and helping them escape poverty.

During this period, we have increased our relief efforts to support these women and their families living in villages and urban slums of Udaipur and Rajsamand districts. Until now, we have provided around 50,000 relief kits for sanitation, food, storing grain and personal protection. Our food kit consists of onions, potatoes, grains, rice, oil, spices and salt, and in sanitation kit we are providing soaps and detergent packet, both enough to last a family of 5 for 2 weeks. Our comprehensive awareness campaign on Covid-19 has focused on the symptoms of Covid-19, how to protect those most at risk, quarantine methods, and more. Additionally, we are also coordinating with the government to support their own relief efforts. Until now, over INR 6 million (USD 80,000) has been spent in providing relief. We are regularly sharing updates of our relief efforts on our dedicated Covid-19 page on our website which you can find here.

Just a few months ago, Meera's mother died. She had been living under her daughter's care for many years, relying on her for every need. Meera's husband has died 25 years earlier, and, aside from her responsibility as a full-time carer, she also worked as a daily-wage labourer as a means of earning some income.

When the lockdown due to Covid-19 started, Meera's only way to earn an income was abruptly cut off. She didn't know how she was going to survive. Her only support network was her local Self-Help Group - a women-only group created and facilitated by Seva Mandir. Aware of her situation, they told her of Seva Mandir's Covid-19 relief efforts.

‘My situation is already so bad - I did not think it could get any worse.' Meera explains. ‘But then the relief kits came, and suddenly I felt like my own family is here to help.'

We deeply thank you for your valuable contribution. That has aided the families and communities to survive through this period of crisis till here.

We all know that the challenge is yet to be over, and the difficult times are ahead of us. Seva Mandir is unabated in its determination to continue working with its communities to find solutions for dignified lives and livelihoods. You can be part of this effort whether it is by donating directly to Seva Mandir, by spreading the word of Seva Mandir to people you know, or just by sending us your messages of support. You can give your support to our Covid-19 project by clicking here.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support. Please stay healthy and keep social distancing.

Regards

Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir Team

Follow us on www.facebook.com/sevamandir 

Links:

• Seva Mandir's Website
• Seva Mandir's Facebook Page