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| My Dream Home |
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“My old house was crumbling around us. Once every 3 years I had to replace the reeds (Karvi) for which I had to walk for around 15 Kms to collect these shoots from the mountain slope. After cutting and cleaning these shoots 15-16 bundles had to be carried back over the distance. The hut was unable to protect my children. Given the nature of the construction we were exposed to the elements and vagaries of nature. During the Monsoons the rain water seeping from the roof top dampened the flooring making it difficult to sleep on and the strong winds made it very difficult to light up the chula(for cooking). But now conditions have changed. I have built a Pucca house of my own. My children are extremely happy since we have shifted to the new house. |
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| The house is dry, safe and warm even after the heavy rains during June this year. My children are also keeping much better health now. I am really grateful to all those who supported me to build a better home for my family.” |
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This is the story of Manda Warghade who was abandoned by her husband . She was left to fend for herself and her three children. With no where to go she returned to her tribal village in Karjat taluka of Maharashtra. She made a mud house near the house of her brother and eked out a living cultivating paddy on the small piece of land given by him. To supplement her income she took to rearing livestock which were purchased with the assistance of a local Non-Government Organization. This now gives her an income of around Rs. 10,000/-(approx. 244 $) per annum.
The house in which Manda lived was a 225 Sq.ft. hut made of reeds and mud. The makeshift hutment offered little protection to her family |
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from the unfriendly weather during the monsoons and during the winter, which lead to her children falling ill, often. During the course of one of the village meetings she learnt about the housing support being provided by Habitat for Humanity. In desperation she approached the Local Self Governance Institution (Panch Committee) in the village and requested them to consider her name for housing assistance. The members of the Panch Committee, knowing her background and need, recommended Manda's name for the housing assistance.
Enthused by the sanction of the financial assistance from Habitat, Manda started the collection of raw material like wood, tiles, cement, stones, etc. to comply with her contribution needed towards her part of the stake. Buying bricks from the market was an expensive affair, which she overcame by making bricks using mud/clay from nearby fields. A 325 sq.ft. plot was excavated and the foundation laid to build Manda her dream home. |
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