Dipali and her husband Anjulush work as daily wage labourers at the Chaibari Tea Estate in Chapar block, located in Dhubri district of Assam. They live with their school-going children, Jakriyas and Jeuty, in a modest house provided by the tea company on the premises of the tea garden. They both work in the garden for six to seven months of the year, earning between 300 and 400 rupees per day.  

With this income, they are unable to repair their home or fund their children's education. During the off-season, Anjulush travels to a nearby town for daily wage work, but even then, affording two meals a day remains a challenge.  

Dipali's house is more than 30 years old and over the years has lost its strength. The roof is damaged and the walls have become weak. Bamboo fencing around their home is also broken. During the rainy season, water seeps inside, damaging their belongings and making it difficult for their children to study. “Should we use the little money we earn to fix the house, send the children to school or buy food?” Dipali wonders.  

Along with several others in the tea garden, Habitat for Humanity India provided Dipali with an Emergency Shelter Kit (ESK) to repair their homes after the destructive storms of Cyclone Remal blew their roofs and tore their homes apart.  

Dipali and Anjulush used the contents of the Emergency Shelter Kits to strengthen their home. They covered the roof with a tarpaulin sheet to keep the rain out, allowing their children to study without interruption. Anjulush uses the spade and handsaw in his wage-earning activities, such as earthmoving, carpentry and other similar tasks. He has also built a new fence around their home using the hand saw, hammer and nails from the ESK.  

“We can now stay inside safely during the rainy season. These materials have helped us repair our home and I hope we can finally live in peace,” Dipali says. Amid uncertainty and hardship, small changes have given Dipali and her family a renewed sense of security and hope.  

As part of its Disaster Risk Reduction initiative, Habitat for Humanity India, has provided Emergency Shelter Kits to 329 families affected by Cyclone Remal in Dhubri and Barpeta districts of Assam. Each ESK consists of a tarpaulin sheet, covering sheet, hammer, spade, nails and washers, tie wire, rope, handsaw and a plier, helping them rebuild their homes and livelihoods.