WIDOWS WELFARE SCHEME
Sunderbann, Kolkata, India
by
GLOBAL MERCY FOUNDATION (www.globalmercyfoundation.in or www.globalmercyfoundation.com)
Prologue: Journal 01/06-2016
Sunderbann in Kolkata region(West Bengal) is known for its natural scenic beauty. Many tributaries of the Ganga river meet the Bay of Bengal Sea in this region. Thick forests occupy more than 2/3 rd of the land area, where tigers and many other animals roam freely. Many laborers leaving their families at home have gone into the forest to gather wood, herbal plants and hunt small animals as part of their hired job. Wild life in this forest, mostly the tigers, have attacked and taken the lives of these men. Their widows number around 2000 plus.
Global Mercy Foundation(GMF) – a recent involvement
On 3rd Jan 2016 the founder-chairman of GMF Abraham and his wife, along with a team of 15 volunteers visited the village area surrounding Rai Dighe. His local workers had gathered about 512 widows, age group ranging from 30 to 85. The sight of these widows moved their hearts with compassion. The team members sobbed, hugging these widows. That scene remains before their eyes and is unforgettable.
Abraham and the team decided on that very day to help these victims.On surveying these widows and their lives, it was discovered that most of these widows depend upon their children or relatives for their daily living and to have daily 3 meals a day, clothing and accommodation was a struggle. Most of them were in white saris (you must have seen the movie ‘WATER’).
Looking at their physical condition any one can easily diagnose that they suffer from malnutrition, wear old clothes and carry a small vessel to collect food for their next meal.
The Needs
Proper clothing-We are trying to collect saris from well to do people and distribute immediately.
Proper food-they need to earn money to get food. We are proposing projects to teach them to be employed/self employed. Those who are aged and cannot work-we need to provide accommodation and look after them.
Proper healthcare program and counsel for nutritious food
Proposals
Pilot Project
It was remarkable that the Panchayat President who was present at this location when we visited the site offered to give land for any project.
Approach No.1
Step 1
We have now identified 40 widows to start the stitching training program. We have 3 machines in one place and 3 more in another place. Each of the locations will need sponsors for the following :-
Stitching training program for 10 woman with food and accommodation.
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Machine 3 Nos. —————–@Rs.4500/- to 6500——-Rs. 15000/–already paid
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Accessories 5 no.—————@Rs.600/———————–Rs. 3000/-already paid
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Clothes total 100mt.———–@Rs. 20./————————Rs. 2000/-already paid
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Fooding for 10 and one trainer @Rs.1500/—————–Rs. 16500/- Monthly.
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Salary for Instructor————-Rs. 6000/- Monthly
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Others—————————-Rs. 1000/-
Total Rs. 43500/-. A monthly requirement Rs 23500/- approximately, about USD 400 a month for six months for 4 locations
List of 40 Widows:
| 1 Purnima Daly 2 Bimala Midda 3 Taramani Daly 4 Urmila Daly 5 Gouri Doly 6 sumittra Doly 7 Charu bala Midda 8 suchitra sarkar 9 Sandha Barik 10 Hemangini Patra 11 Purnima Patra 12 Behula Majee 13 khukhu daly 14 Laxmi Daly 15 sumitra Daly 16 janoki Daly 17 Sandah Devnath 18 Gonga Das 19 laxmi Pramanik 20 Sandah Giri |
21 Paddhmabati Maity 22 protima Haldar 23 sandah khan 24 Kamala Mondal 25 anguri jana 26 Nandarani jana 27 Bindu basi Das 28 Indu Mondal 29 kalpana Mondal 30 sindhu bala daly 31 Nihari Daly 32 Drauepati Patra 33 Menoka Bar 34 Nirodha Bera 35 Durga rani Mondal 36 Radharani Boyragee 37 Sandha Mondal 38 Badhu rani Purkaite 39 Protima Purkaite 40 kamala Das |
Step 2
Acquire land from panchayat President (apply for 11 acres minimum) , at least 1 acre, earmarking adjoined lands for future expansion.
Step 3
Raise finance for,
- Leveling of the land
- Access road
- Electricity
- Bore-well
Step 4
Raise finance and construct a building of 20′ x 30′ load bearing, sheet roofing with 4 toilets.
Step 5
Procure 8 sewing machines (cash already donated by team members) appoint 2 teachers and enough money to be raised for maintenance of the teaching course for 6 months.
Step 6
Raise finance for accommodation of 40 widows initially, as these trained personnel will become teachers, helpers and other related workers to bring in more widows.
Approach No. 2
- Periodical medical camps for eye/ ortho/ skin ailments, general medical checkup. Advice on nutrition. Treatment of malaria, tuberculosis and other common diseases.
- finance needs to be worked out.
Approach No. 3
- Agricultural development-by procuring more lands
- Poultry/cattle farms
- Vocational job training in handicrafts
- Adult literacy programs
Approach No. 4
Identify the need for a school and hospital – (the local social workers already mentioned that there is no hospital within a vicinity of 20 kms.)
