|
|
|
|
 |
FROM THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR’S DESKDear Friends, Greetings from Habitat for Humanity India! I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits as we continue our mission of empowering communities and building homes that transform lives. As we approach the midpoint of the year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we have embarked upon together and share some exciting updates. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you who has contributed to our cause. Your unwavering support has allowed us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of countless families across the country. Together, we have worked tirelessly to provide safe and decent housing, paving the way for brighter futures and stronger communities. Over the past month, we have witnessed inspiring stories of resilience and hope from the families we serve. It is through their determination and strength that we are reminded of the importance of our work. We are not merely building houses; we are building dreams, opportunities, and the foundation for a better tomorrow. I want to reiterate my heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support and generous contributions. Together, we are creating lasting change, one brick at a time. The journey towards building a world where everyone has a decent place to live is challenging, but with your continued support, I am confident that we will achieve our goals and make a profound impact on the lives of countless families.
|
|
|
 |
|
Suvarna Mane, Beed, Maharashtra “We are a family of 6. We were living in Badlapur near Mumbai and earning well. The pandemic was harsh for us. It took away our jobs. All of us had to return to our native place. My husband and I were working hard to make ends meet and provide quality education to our children through agricultural labour work. I was looking for an additional source of income but did not get any worthwhile opportunities. I found a way when Habitat’s project started in our village. We had formed the Kranti Jyoti Self-Help Group (SHG) for monthly savings, but we were just saving INR 100 per month. Habitat's team trained us in paper-plate making. It was new for us but the training was in-depth and helped us understand every aspect from start to finish,” says Suvarna Mane from Vida located in Beed district in Maharashtra. “The women in the group are from various age groups, hence we all wanted to opt for a business which will support and engage each one of us. Paper plate-making provided us with the exact livelihood option we were looking for. We are also reaching out to the market in nearby villages to connect and grow our venture,” says Suvarna. She further adds, “COVID-19 snatched our livelihood and pushed us into a financial crisis. Habitat gave us an opportunity to come out of that crisis. |
|
|
|
Habitat for Humanity India and ExxonMobil Join Forces to Improve Sanitation for Children |
 |
Four government schools in Bengaluru and Chikkaballapur (Karnataka) now have access to new and upgraded sanitation units and clean drinking water facilities thanks to the partnership between Habitat India and ExxonMobil Services & Technology Private Limited (ExxonMobil). The new infrastructure offers improved access to safe and hygienic sanitation facilities and clean drinking water to more than 1,200 students. Additionally, two anganwadi centres in Chikkaballapur have gone through a complete makeover, with one being newly constructed and another renovated. Pregnant women, mothers and children up to 5 years of age who visit the anganwadi centres to avail the integrated child development services will benefit from the newly built infrastructure. The facilities were handed over to the schools and anganwadi authorities in a handover ceremony held on 1st June, 2023. The ceremony was attended by Vipin Rana (ExxonMobil, India Market Manager – Lubes), Chinedu C. Agbalaka (ExxonMobil Technology Center Subsurface Manager), Kirti N. Parmar (ExxonMobil, Technology Center IT Manager), Sartaj S. Ghai (ExxonMobil - Technical Advisor), Habitat India’s team and dignitaries from the schools and anganwadis. Under the project, sanitation units and hand-washing facilities have been built in Swami Vivekananda High School in Hoskote; Siddhartha Educational Society in Lingarajpuram, Bengaluru; Model Primary School and Government Higher Primary school in Avathi, Chikkaballapur district. The anganwadis are located in Mandikal village in Chikkaballapur district. The development of the school sanitation infrastructure and anganwadis is part of Habitat for Humanity India’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and community infrastructure development initiative. |
|
Bloomberg Employees Brighten Up Mohite Patil School in Mumbai |
 |
On May 27, 2023, Habitat for Humanity India had the privilege of organising a volunteer activity in collaboration with Bloomberg. This initiative aimed to uplift the surroundings of Mohite Patil School, located in the community of Mankhurd, Navi Mumbai. With the participation of 20 enthusiastic Bloomberg employees, the school underwent a vibrant transformation through a day of painting. Mohite Patil School serves as a beacon of hope for underprivileged students, with 90% of its student body coming from the slums in and around Mankhurd. Currently, the school has 600 students enrolled. Recognizing the importance of providing a conducive learning environment, Habitat for Humanity India and Bloomberg joined hands to revitalize the school through a painting project. The dedicated team of Bloomberg employees worked tirelessly to bring new life to Mohite Patil School. Two classrooms, each spanning approximately 300 square feet, were lovingly painted, radiating vibrant colors that will undoubtedly inspire the students. In addition to the classrooms, the compound wall, main gate, and two iron shutters serving as classroom doors also received a fresh coat of paint. The impact of this volunteer activity extends far beyond the physical transformation of the school. The act of painting not only enhances aesthetics but also creates a positive and engaging atmosphere for learning. As we celebrate the successful completion of this volunteer activity, we are reminded of the transformative power of collective action. Through collaborative efforts, we can create a ripple effect of positive change, one brushstroke at a time. Habitat for Humanity India remains committed to fostering partnerships that make a lasting impact on communities and empower individuals to build a brighter future. |
|
Project Nirmanshree State Level Workshop in Odisha |
 |
Policies influencing the participation of women in the construction sector, gender equality, raising awareness about women’s rights and formation of Women’s Collectives for building their capacity were the emerging themes from the state level workshop on 'Women in the Construction Sector' organised by Habitat for Humanity India. Held in consultation with the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Result Based Management and Social Innovation, Gopabandhu Academy of Administration (GAA) Odisha, the workshop was attended by senior bureaucrats including Mrs. Usha Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Skill Development and Technical Education Department; Mr. Santhanagopalan R., IAS, Commissioner cum Secretary, Labour and Employee State Insurance Department; Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, IAS, Labour Commissioner, Odisha; Mr. Manish Agarwal, IAS, Additional Director General of Gopabandhu Academy of Administration and other officials from the State Government of Odisha along with members of women collectives. Habitat for Humanity India is implementing Project Nirmanshree to empower women economically and socially through technical and enterprise training and support in construction sector. Funded by the European Union, Project Nirmanshree is implemented in Odisha (Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts) and Maharashtra (Osmanabad and Beed districts). One of the key recommendations of the policy study is formation of Women Collectives consisting of women construction workers on the lines of self-help groups which has the potential to empower socio-economic condition of women. Other recommendations include representation for women masons in Government construction work, maternity benefits, access to Anganwadi Centres near work site for the children of women construction workers, sanitation facilities, workplace safety, training, skilling and capacity building. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|||||
|
|||||
Enjoyed reading our newsletter? Subscribe to our mailing list today as we deliver impact straight to your inbox! |
|||||
 |
|
|
|
||||