Building Strength Through Habitat

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FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR’S DESK

Dear Friends,

Warm New Year greetings from Habitat for Humanity India!

It wouldn’t be too far off to say that 2021 was a year of tribulations, as was the year before. The spectre of COVID-19 still lingers as I write this message for the new year. Amidst all these, it is pertinent that we learn, adapt and innovate to make a transition from tribulations to transformation.

For Habitat India, 2022 will be a ‘Transformative Year filled with Transformative Thinking and Action’. We will refocus our time and energy to work with people at the bottom of the pyramid; to improve their lives through housing and housing-ecosystem interventions, ensuring social mobility for the families we work with and the nation at large. This transformation needs to happen at all levels - from individuals, families, communities to institutions.

Change is as inevitable as time itself. But transformation comes from a conscious decision and choice. And we will make that choice everyday, every step of the way. Though we were able to adapt and transform our actions the previous year, we look forward to reaching greater heights through Transformative Thinking and Action in 2022. Each thought builds on the next, so that brick by brick, magnificent things can be done. This is how we build strength, stability, and self-reliance for the communities that we serve.

Together, let us welcome a Transformative 2022 and help transform the lives of those in need.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2022!

In partnership

Dr. Rajan Samuel
Managing Director
Habitat for Humanity India

Eleven-year-old Athulya lives with her parents in Mundar, a village in the waterlogged lower plains of Kottayam district, Kerala. She is studying in 5^th standard at the Government School, Kellara Panchayat. Her parents are hindered by health complications – Latha, her mother was diagnosed with a brain tumour 3 years ago and Thankachan, her father, has chronic kidney issues.

The devastating floods of 2018 destroyed the only asset they owned - their house. As the house became uninhabitable, they moved to a temporary shelter that was insecure for the whole family and continued living there. Building a new house was an impossible dream since they couldn’t save up with Latha’s medical treatment taking off a huge chunk of their income.

When Habitat for Humanity India adopted Mundar village under its Rebuild Kerala program to implement Mundar Holistic Development project, Athulya’s was among the families who received support. With support from Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation India, the project was implemented with our partner Swayam Shikshan Prayog.

The family received livelihood restoration for poultry and her mother Latha was also enrolled as a member of the Self Help Group that formed under the project. They also received a solar household lighting system and a water purifier. To complete the circle, she moved into a brand new disaster-resilient home on 27^th December 2021. Athulya’s was among the 26 families with whom Habitat India partnered to build disaster resilient homes. 141 homes were also repaired under the project.

“When I saw the condition of the house after returning from the relief camp, I was sad and scared. I always prayed for a new house and also for my mother’s cure. God has heard one of my prayers by giving us a new and beautiful home. It’s my dream home where I can stay safe with my Appa and Amma. My Amma is safer in our new home. Thank you very much to all who supported us to build this beautiful home where I can study and play,” says Athulya.

Athulya’s dream for when she grows up is to be a teacher and to serve her community.

MUNDAR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The Mundar Redevelopment Project initiated by Habitat for Humanity India in partnership with HSBC India and Swayam Shikshan Prayog has rebuilt the lives of flood-affected families through disaster resilient housing and allied interventions in the village.

The handover of the project was held on 27^th December in the presence of dignitaries from Habitat India, HSBC India and Swayam Shikshan Prayog, with Ms. C.K. Asha, Member of Legislative Assembly – Vaikom Constituency serving as the Chief Guest on the occasion.

26 flood-affected families who now live in their new disaster resilient homes have already experienced the safety and security a home provides during the monsoon this year. 141 damaged homes have been repaired. All newly built homes are equipped with sanitation units. Redevelopment of the village also includes providing families access to solar energy through 286 household lighting systems, 120 water purifiers, installing 41 overhead water tanks and training 362 individuals in Community Based Disaster Risk Management, health and hygiene.

The emphasis has also been on rebuilding community infrastructure through the construction of an anganwadi centre, repairing the main road and community sanitation unit, the construction of 10 concrete foot overbridges as well as installation of 75 solar street lights and 2 RO water plants. Providing livelihood opportunities for the villagers especially for women is a unique aspect of this holistic project. Women leaders were identified and empowered to form 12 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) which now run successful micro-businesses such as catering, tailoring and grocery shops. Initiatives such as training in masonry, tailoring, summer crop farming, the distribution of chicks, quails, goats and cows to 223 families and the repair and construction of 30 cow sheds, have given a fillip to the village economy.

ASIA PACIFIC HOUSING FORUM 8

The 8^th Asia-Pacific Housing Forum, with the theme 'Building Forward Better for Inclusive Housing' took place virtually from 7^th- 9^th December 2021. The forum highlighted the urgent need for affordable housing solutions.

Habitat India’s Managing Director, Dr. Rajan Samuel and Lara Shankar Chandra, Director of Strategy, Partnerships, and Coalitions took part in the forum as panelists. Dr. Rajan Samuel was a panelist for the discussion on 'Enhancing Sustainable Design and Construction Skills through Digitalization and Innovative Technologies.' Lara Shankar Chandra was a panelist on two plenaries - 'Securing Land, Housing and Property Rights for All' and 'Improving Policies and Systems to Ensure Equitable Access to Inclusive and Resilient Housing in Informal Settlements.'

ROAD TO RECOVERY 2.0: COVID-19 RESPONSE

Till date, we have served 3,39,714 people by providing them with Hygiene and Family Essential Kits and by setting up Habitat Care Centres under Road to Recovery 2.0. Under Road to Recovery 1.0, Habitat India served over 1.32 million people from March 2020 to March 2021.

The crisis is far from over. We request you to consider our urgent appeal and donate now to help Indians affected by the pandemic.

You can contribute as an individual or through your company’s CSR department. Write to Mr. Mohan D’Souza, Director - Resource Development on [email protected]

Click here to learn more about or contribute to our COVID-19 response.

DEDICATION CEREMONY OF ROAD TO RECOVERY 2.0 PROJECTS

Providing Government Hospitals with Specialized Medical Equipment | Supported by Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

20 government medical institutions comprising 18 hospitals and two COVID-19 Care Centres in Bengaluru received specialized medical equipment.

Supported by Lowe’s, this initiative aims to augment the infrastructure of 20 medical institutions in Bengaluru, enabling them to provide essential medical care to the marginalized people and their families.

A dedication ceremony was organised on 17^th December 2021 in Babu Jagajeevan Ram General Hospital, Bengaluru.

“At Lowe’s we are committed to supporting our communities. Through this collaboration with Habitat for Humanity India, our aim is to provide swift relief measures in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, including medical assistance to government hospitals in Karnataka, in the most efficient way,” said Mr. Ankur Mittal, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Lowe’s India.

Habitat India provided PPE kits, oxygen concentrators, ventilators, digital thermometers, pulse oximeters, N-95 masks and semi-fowler beds with mattresses, pillows, pillow covers, bedsheets and blankets to medical institutions. In phase two, onsite oxygen generators, nebulisers, ECG machines, ICU para monitors, portable x-ray machines have been provided to augment the capacity of these medical institutions at the forefront of the COVID-19 response.

Habitat Care Centres in Tamil Nadu | Supported by KOICA and Shinhan Financial Group

With the aim of strengthening the existing healthcare infrastructure to combat the adverse impact of COVID-19, Habitat for Humanity India has partnered with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Shinhan Financial Group to provide hygiene kits, medical equipments and to set up COVID-19 care centre facilities in 3 government hospitals in Walajabad and Uthiramerur located in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu.

Medical equipments and provisions for COVID-19 care centres - known as Habitat Care Centre - including 100 beds, 200 bedsheets, 200 blankets, 200 pillow covers, 1600 PPE kits, 400 Hygiene Kits and 2 X-Ray machine developer systems were handed over to the District Health Department, Government of Tamil Nadu for setting up the facilities in 3 government hospitals in Walajabad and Uthiramerur.

Distributing Medical Equipments to the Government of Kerala | Supported by Healing International

30 oxygen concentrators and 5 ventilators were handed over to Ms. Veena George, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Kerala, in the presence of Mr. V. D. Satheesan, Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, on 29^th November 2021. This project was supported by Healing International, with support from the Government of Western Australia, Malayalee Association of Western Australia and World Malayalee Council.

Distribution of Hygiene Kits and Specialised Medical Equipments | Supported by MUFG Bank

Support from MUFG Bank has enabled Habitat India to provide 5000 PPE kits, 500 hygiene kits, 51 oxygen cylinders, 25 ventilators, 50 thermal scanners, 50 glucometers, 50 nebulizer machines, 50 digital BP apparatus, 50 pulse oximeters, 20 biomedical waste bins and 10 ICU para monitors to 5 government hospitals in Delhi NCR, Jaipur (Rajasthan), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Sriperumbudur (Tamil Nadu) and Thane (Maharashtra). This project will positively impact the lives of over 2,750 individuals. The handover ceremony was held on 1^st December 2021.

HANDOVER OF ANGANWADIS IN ASSAM

The Assam floods of 2018 caused widespread damage to the state’s infrastructure. In Barpeta district, two anganwadis (daycare centres) in Rasulpur and Srirampur, were severely damaged during the floods.

Habitat India, with the support of Godrej, rebuilt the Rasulpur anganwadi using bamboo crete technology where bamboo is used as a major component for the structure, along with steel bars and concrete. The new anganwadi is aerodynamically designed, can withstand high-velocity winds, with a raised plinth that prevents water stagnation and makes the structure disaster-resilient in times of floods. The structure is also monolithically cast which helps during earthquakes.

The Srirampur anganwadi was also repaired, and both centres were handed over on 21^st December 2021, with Mr. M.H. Khan, President of Jania Press Club, Assam and Mr. Ayub Ali Khan, Chairman, Rasulpur Council, Assam who attended the dedication ceremony. Both anganwadis will serve approximately 55-60 children each in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY FOR INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLD LATRINES, MAHARASHTRA


A ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of 218 Individual Household Latrines (IHHL) was held on 25^th November 2021 in Gondia and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra. This project is supported by Mahindra Rural Home Finance Ltd. (MRHFL), and 1074 families will benefit from this intervention.The Chief Guests present at the ceremony were Mr. Abhijeet Deshmukh (Regional Business Head, MRHFL) and Ms. Vishakha Patel (Regional HR – MRHFL).

PROJECT NIRMANSHREE

Project Nirmanshree is a multiyear project (2020-2022) funded by the European Union with the aim to train and create social enterprises around the housing eco-system to provide an opportunity for women entrepreneurs to break into a male-dominated construction business. In December 2021, 213 women in Maharashtra and Odisha received theory and practical training in LED bulb manufacturing and phenyl preparation. So far, 3009 women have received training and certification in Construction Skills (Theory and Practical), assessed by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) and issued certification. 3255 women have received training in Enterprise Development, awareness on Government Schemes and Low Carbon Emission Products.

LAUNCH OF HABITAT YOUNG LEADERS BUILD (HYLB) CAMPAIGN 2022

On the occasion of International Volunteers Day on 5^th December 2021, Habitat India Managing Director, Dr. Rajan Samuel launched the 2022 edition of Habitat Young Leaders Build (HYLB). Following this, HYLB Leadership Hub Training was conducted for 52 students encouraging Young Leaders to create sustainable communities in India and bring together youth across the region to support families in need of decent housing. The 'Dress Up for a Social Cause' initiative was also launched to support our Stay At School, Habitat for Heroes and Water Wheels campaigns. Since the launch more than 270 students are actively supporting these causes.

WOMEN BUILD INDIA SUPPORTS STAY AT SCHOOL

Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build India was launched when former President of the USA Jimmy Carter and the former first lady Rosalynn Carter had come to India in 2006, for the India edition of the Carter Work Project. Since then, the Women Build India committee has served Habitat through their passion for raising awareness and resources for better housing and sanitation for vulnerable families in the country. Women Build India’s young members Meher Taff, Sunaina Saldana, Sneh Koticha-Contractor and Nirvaan Birla have launched individual campaigns to support Habitat India’s Stay At School campaign in December 2021.

PARTNERING WITH PHONEPE


PhonePe has partnered with Habitat India, in support of our Stay At School campaign, which helps girls in schools have access to better sanitation and hygiene. Launched as part of the HYLB 2022 campaign, PhonePe offices across the country will spread awareness for the cause and motivate people to donate towards it through advertisements on the PhonePe application. On 9^th December 2021, the partnership was officially inaugurated with Habitat India’s Managing Director Dr. Rajan Samuel, along with Ms. Tanveer Mujawar, Management Trainee - Mumbai, PhonePe and Mr. Anna Charly, Director – Individual Giving and Volunteer Programs.