By Atul Lekhra | Programme Incharge
The current time is challenging! The world is fighting its toughest battle against the pandemic. India has just seen the devastating effects of the second wave and the loss it has made to the lives of hundreds of people.
The current situation brought uncertainty for many rural households around their health, livelihood and future. In India, it has become not only health crisis but an economic crisis also which has affected those living in poverty. In Seva Mandir’s work area, seasonal migrants, farmers, and daily wage laborers are being severely affected as most of them returned back to their villages and are now facing difficulties in finding employment.
During this medical emergency, we are working closely with health experts and organizations to understand needs and provide responses. Undeterred by the present situation and have learned our lessons from the previous year, Seva Mandir is ensuring an extended hand of support to the families during emergencies and also maintaining continuous dialogue between communities.
The SHGs (Self Help Groups) have been a crucial element of help in difficult times such as COVID-19. Beneficiaries have taken loans to meet the ends as the migrant workers had to return back home due to unemployment in the lockdown period.
Hakri, aged 45 lives with her husband and 4 children. Her husband has a small grocery store in the village along with farming on their own land which provides them income. Hakri joined Self-Help-Group "Sharda" and is a beneficiary of backyard poultry.
She at present, has a flock of 24 birds and has so far earned INR 7,000 ($94) by selling roosters. She invested the income to buy a male calf (untrained bull) for INR 3,000 ($40) and saved the rest. She believes this investment will further help her to improve her farming as it will allow her to invest in agriculture tools.
The nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19 was announced suddenly which did not allow many to reach home or arrange food stock. The money Hakri saved proved very valuable during this unprecedented period.
In her words
"All of a sudden everything was closed, no shops, no work; it seemed like life was put on hold. I had some savings from poultry farming activity so I managed in this critical period."
The story focuses on the impact of lockdown on the average citizen, lockdown was to prevent the spread of disease but it also brought many challenges for everyone. Seva Mandir worked alongside the government to provide relief in the most remote and furthest areas of the Udaipur and Rajasmand districts.
We greatly appreciate your trust in Seva Mandir and for supporting our project. We hope that our project keeps working towards making this world a better place and this certainly has not been possible without your support.
Thank you so much once again for your generous support.
Warm regards,
Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir Team
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