Sabnam
A strength for her family and an inspiration for families around
She went through the roughest of days when her husband met with an accident, while she suffered from major health ailments, was indigent, and broke. Still, she stood and worked and has been the financial support system and a nurturer since, a provider for a family of 8 members. She works in 5 Kothis throughout the day, looking after the cleanliness and sanitation of the surrounding area.
As Utthaan launched in Haryana, CEGP’s team was out for the baseline survey of SafaiSaathis, selecting from various areas, we chose to visit Santosh Nagar in Faridabad, that week. As we were interacting with the SafaiSaathis and the community around, at the back of our heads was to find somebody who comes from their space, who is imbued with their hardships and challenges, who can act as a bridge between us and the people who we were there for.
While the data was being collected, and we were asking questions for the survey, a woman called Indu ji, our community mobilizer aside, asked her every question she possibly could, because she never came across people willing to work for those who work for everybody. While Indu ji was explaining the Utthaan initiative to her, the objectives to mainstream SafaiSaathis and the larger aspect of Waste Management, and how immensely she and her people are contributing to it, with exclamation she said, “Hum sab itna bada kaam kar rahe hain!” and since that day, Sabnam ji has been with us, in most of the camps we have organized, the Linkage Drives, the Data Collection Drives, Awareness camps and so much more. Earlier she had only heard about the government programs, which now she was a part of, through Utthaan, we provided her food security with Ration Card, Financial security through E-shram, and Health Insurance via Ayushman Bharat Yojana. A comprehensive protection to a family affected by uncertain adversities of times and many more such families during these 5 Months.
Sabnam ji has not only worked for her family but has been an inspiration to people around her, she has been standing up against violence against women, and many such persuading stories of which she has been a protagonist.
During our latest visit to Sabnam ji’s place, she informed us that finally in the coming months, she will get her heart treatment done, which was long overdue, she has been a heart patient, but now without any financial distress, she will be visiting the Safdarjung Hospital for her treatments, along with her Ayushman Bharat Card.
EFFORTS IGNITING CHANGE
A Second generation SafaiSaathi, Tanu, now a Technical Assistant
In 2017, at the age of 20, Tanu stepped out as yet another individual forced to accept the mandate which confined her to her mother’s reflected life; she began working at Kothis and collecting garbage from the adjacent areas.
When we met Shabnam ji, during one of our camps at Santosh Nagar, Faridabad, we found in her, a lady, who, having faced the injustices of life herself, catered in her heart, a tenderness for those who suffered a similar fate. Upon getting to know about “Utthaan”, she saw in it a ray of hope for herself and her people. She has been volunteering as “Utthaan Sahayak” since.
She began embracing our company, especially one of our community mobilizers, Indu ji. As conversations were exchanged, experiences were shared, one day she confined her concern revolving around the fear of witnessing her daughter, Tanu, being confronted with the evils she had to deal with regularly and the wish of sighting her daughter harbouring the opportunities of attaining education, but the hopeless image of her finances and daily subsistence brought her back to the harsh realities of her life.
Being impacted by these conversations, Indu ji resolved to meet Tanu and make an attempt at counselling her father. As she briefed him about the Utthaan initiative and how she met Shabnam ji, in an almost miraculous shift of events directed by Indu Ji’s constant efforts aided with the convenience provided by concepts like distance learning and the social protection given to him and his family of various government schemes comprising of health security, food security and financial security under Utthaan, led to mould his
perspective and nurtured a broader perspective on things.
In May 2024, Tanu took admission in class 12 under “National Institute of Open Schooling” (NOIS) and is pursuing Arts currently. For a comprehensive development and to broaden the horizons of future opportunities, Indu ji also enrolled her in a 40 days Computer Course, this July. Now, braced with the assistance of her educational qualifications she is employed in Flipkart, at Ballabhgarh, as a Technical
Assistant.
Henceforth, in Tanu’s story, her knight in shining armour, was not one person but the cumulative efforts of team CEGP, backed by “Utthaan” and initiative of UNDP India and Coca-Cola India
The Sawariya Family
While our team executives, Yogesh and Atish were out for the baseline survey, they reached Krishna Nagar Colony, where they were resounded by echoes of Vicky’s name, like prayers being chanted in a village. A middle-aged man took them to his place, and that is how we discovered our first Community Mobilizer, Vicky Sawariya.
Vicky, a resident of AC Nagar, Faridabad, has been raising his voice for the people of his community, working for them and bringing government services to them. When we met him, it was nothing but sheer happiness on his face, when he witnessed such an initiative being implemented for SafaiSaathis, “My people” as he says. Since then he has been attached to the CEGP Foundation and Utthaan, an initiative by UNDP India and Coca-Cola India. On an afternoon in May, Vicky called Yogesh, and with his throat welled up and choked voice, he said “Papa ka operation ho gaya hai bhaiya, jald hi ghar aa jayenge. Bhaiya aap log nahi hote toh hum kahan jate, kya karte! Bhaiya, aap wale Ayushman se hi ilaaj karwaya hai.” (“Papa’s operation is a successful brother. He will be back soon. If you hadn’t been there, what would I have done? Where would I have gone? The operation was done by the Ayuhsman card you made.”) 2 months ago, when
we were in AC Nagar, we met Kailash Sawariya, Vicky’s father, he told us then, about his ill health, and within a month his condition critically deteriorated. But in the very first camp that we organised in Faridabad, we got many SafaiSaathis in AC Nagar, linked with Social Protection Schemes and PMJAY was amongst them, 50+ individuals along with Kailas Sawariya were facilitated with the Ayushman Card and
Abha Card. Through that, Vicky was able to register his father under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and access the necessary medical treatments without worrying about the financial burden.
Vicky’s story is one amongst the many stories that are a testament to the beautiful impact that UTTHAAN has and the supporting role played by the many implementing organizations like ours, the CEGP Foundation
You only reap benefits - Story of Melicio Fernandes
(Deussa, Chinchinim)
Like an abrupt pause brought upon a symphony of sounds, our lives were struck shut in the year 2020.Yet, an intangible ray of hope continued to outshine all adversities prevailing around the nation. A few minds persisted with the aim to bring about positive changes in our surroundings, no matter the circumstances. Few voices continued affirming with thoughtful words. One amongst those voices was the voice of Melicio Fernandes, a man in his early forties, residing in Deussa, Chinchinim, motivated and supremely mindful.
“We used to spend most of our time in the lawn outside, and through a few interactions we shared, I was fortunate to get associated with Mrs. Pereira, who introduced me to the concept of Home Composting, with leaves and kitchen waste.
It was transforming for me, I not only got a purpose but also a perspective that entirely changed the way I and my family perceived waste”
The CEGP Team went to meet Mr. Melicio for an interview in order to capture his outlook on wet-waste management. While all of them were in his backyard which pleasantly reflected the glory of goodness, fruity smells and aroma of freshly grown vegetables, he took them for a stroll across his lawn, showcasing the organic produce which was a result of home-made compost.
He has separate sags for dry and wet compost, one from leaves and other from kitchen and mixed waste, respectively.
He, along with his son and wife, manages the waste produced at home. When asked about the possible challenges of the process, with conviction he said, “You only reap benefits. When we walk thrice a day to our yard to put waste into the compost, we exercise. We don’t buy manure anymore, and hence we save. We grow our own fruits and vegetables, we reduce health risk. We don’t burn, we preserve.”
Mr. Melicio, while treating the team with his home grown tropical fruits, explained that the only sum of money they had to invest was at the initial stage, after which, there was only maintenance.
He believes people should engage themselves in such activities, because unless we ourselves will not
understand the environmental concerns, the coming days will be detrimental.
It takes from us nothing, but gives us a lot from what we consider as nothing.
Efforts that count A story of Lourdes Pereira
(Deussa, Chinchinim)
Lourdes Pereira, an inspiration to people around, a protagonist to many documentaries, an expert, an environmentalist, a plant lover, a woman who speaks volumes of her dedication towards environmental preservation.
With her 15 years of experience in home composting, she raises concerns on waste management and how to utilise the kitchen and wet waste, and on leaves composting, understanding that Goan houses have lawns, mostly covered with leaves. She is renowned in her neighbourhood, the lanes of Ward 9, Deussa, Chinchinim, resound with her name when someone talks about sustainability and environment. Mrs. Pereira produces enough to nourish the plants of her campus and also gives away to people reaching out
to her, making sure that when they leave they are versed with the concept, necessity and importance of managing their own waste through home composting.
“People just need to put in a little efforts, if I can do it, anyone can, we have spaces, every household produces kitchen waste, we just have to know where the waste goes, once we get that clear, other things will be sorted”.
She congratulated on the efforts taken up by the CEGP Foundation on Reduction and management of waste through the SAIM initiative and the awareness and sensitization being created by the CEGP Team. She wishes to see a larger impact and was generous enough to offer her support wherever, whenever needed.
Navi Disha- Reorientation Story of Poornima Sawant
(Camurlim Village)
As the CEGP Team concluded an Awareness Session at Camurlim Village, Salcete, Rusikesh, one of the field team members, was walking around the green expanse belonging to Mrs. Poornima Sawant. A lady in her mid 50s, who owns a crown with many jewels.
Being the President of a Self Help Group (SHG) “Navi Disha”, and an exemplary Community Resource Person (CRP).
Upon tracing the lengths of the picturesque setting for a while, Rushi came across a few fence-like structures
filled with brown dry leaves.
Evidently Intrigued, he asked Mrs. Poornima, “Do you practise Composting, already?” With a slight laugh she replied, “For 2 years now, but you all made me learn a little more today.” As they start dwelling into conversations, touching topics related to her experiences, learnings and sharing, they get to know that she initially started composting in a small Vase, and gradually as she read and learned more about it, she started Home Composting at a large level.
She explained how she uses her kitchen waste and dried leaves to create compost. “Nothing that holds the slightest amount of value gets discarded under this roof. We should know the value, the richness, and most importantly, the capacity waste holds, once used with mindfulness” says Poornima. Each of her potted plants, trees and lands are nourished with the compost she prepares, giving a lush green
shine to her blue villa.
Proffering this idea to her neighbours, she takes great pride in her revered ways of contributing to the society, upholding and justifying the true essence of the name of her Self-Help Group, Navi Disha.
It all starts at home -A story of Kazir Wazir Miya
(Camurlim Village)
Wazir, who lives in Curtorim Village, Salcete, runs a repair shop, looks after a family of 3 members, and works diligently towards his commitments and responsibilities, spends his day just as any other person would. Although, what makes him distinct is how he not only thinks about himself and his family, but believes that the environment is a significant part of our being. He caters the belief we all should be
adequately responsible for taking care of it.
“Perhaps because my own life has largely been devoted to the pursuit of Waste Management and Behaviour Change, I am trying everyday to propound the idea in and around my community” Wazir said.
What worries him most is the open dumping. He often initiates the Clean-up Drives, takes up Awareness Sessions with his people and promptly proffers the problems related to waste management in the Gram Sabha meetings.
His aim lies not only in putting forth the complaints and challenges faced by the people, but in suggesting the possible solutions to those problems with a nuanced and well rounded perspective.
The CEGP Field team went to see him at work, noting with interest the clarity of his thoughts, his zest for social work along with his deep understanding of the challenges of sustainable development in the steepy-sloopy areas he lives in. He had left the team in awe of his commitment to not only direct changes he sought imperative, but himself to be the change the society needs.“It all starts at home”- He says. With exclamation he impressed upon his view that he alone can encourage people for a few months, perhaps even a few years, but to eternally preserve the idea and sustain the interest of people, a dedicated waste-collection system needs to be established.
His only wish, he says, is to witness the sight of a vehicle coming to collect their waste, to see his hilly lanes clean and to breathe in fresh, clean air.
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