From Isolation to Independence – The story of Teji Nanama
Teji Nanama a resident of a very remote village came in contact with RBKS when the workers of the organization reached her village to motivate parents to send their girls to schools. Teji had attended school up to the first standard but had to discontinue due to financial constraints in the family. Her father was personally given motivation by Pandit Jeevatram Sharma to send her to the schools being run by RBKS.
Agreeing to the request of Panditji, Teji was sent to the school in Godawara. Eventually her parents agreed to send her to the girls hostel of RBKS. While living at the hostel Teji completed her education up to the 12th standard successfully. Her academic performance and long association with the organization helped her to become the warden of the girls’ hostel where she resided as a student. During her wardenship Teji took a teachers’ training and was employed as a Government school teacher.
Today Teji Nanama is the Headmistress of a Government school in her region and is proficiently managing an entire school. Besides managing the school Teji is also supporting her family and parents. She is widely recognized by all, for her efforts to reach to this juncture. Teji is an example of a woman making best use of the opportunities coming her way to give meaning to her life.
Varjubai: Taking Initiatives For Self-Development
Varjubai is a widow belonging to a village called Nala. She owns 2 bighas of land and resides with her son. She planted subabool on her land after being included as a beneficiary in the SALT programme of RBKS. She gave a lot of dedicated attention to her work and took concrete steps to ensure the survival of her trees. As a result the survival rate of her plants is 95% as compared to the 40% in case of others. She has made efforts like putting up a fence around the plants to prevent them from cattle grazing. She takes care of her plants all by herself and spends her own resources on their care
So far she is the only woman beneficiary in the SALT project who is actively involved in the project activities. Seeing her success five more people in her village is now motivated to undertake plantation of subabool.
Varjubai is very enterprising as an individual and for a woman of her age and profile. Seeing her interest and commitment towards her work she has been given the opportunity to go out for an exposure to build up her potentials in this area. Further her dedication has compelled the organization to give individual attention to her to motivate her further as a farmer.
NAKI’S CHALLENGE FOR WATER
Naki is wife of Mr.Kalyan mal s/o Rama Dungri . She is living in Pantalai hamlet of Kharadiya village. They house is top of hill. They have 8 Member in the family. The animal in the family are – one cow, 3 buffalo, 2 he buffalo and 8 goats also part of the family. Naki is taking care of all the family members and cattle. She fetches water for the drinking and domestic use from open well. She needs to walk 3 km and it takes 2.5 hour for one round. She has to go for four to five rounds daily to fetch water at home. Major challenge for Naki in summer season because she goes to work in NREGA and during that period cattle does not have drinking water. When she arrive at home in evening, does not go to take water from open well. Hence, many time even do not have water for domestic purpose and finally Naki face big challenge how to bring water for her family.
Naki’s husband Kalyanmal s/o Rama is also member in Village development committee of kharadiya village. Before two yrs. back during VDC meeting kalyanmal discuss water problem at his home then Village Development committee decide to construct Roof Rain Water harvesting at his home. During construction Naki works hard in digging tank. She also helps to bring raw material to the construction site as it is far from the road side. The capacity of tank is 7500 liter and this year 2010 it filled 7500 liter water. In 2008 it was filled 6000 litter. The family has used the water for domestic purpose and grow vegetables like brinjal etc. The vegetable was available till February 2009. Beside this 8 Goats, 1 cow, 2 buffalo also drink water from the tank. Last year (2009) also it was filled full. The family started to use water at the end of October and use it by end of April 2010. Cattle (Goat) drink water from the tank and it also used to grow vegetable for household purpose. The vegetables were available to the family for 6 month. The family is very happy to have this water tank and they feel proud to have it. It can see clearly to Naki’s face. Not only neighbours of Naki but also all the villagers of Kharadiya and adjoining villages demand in Village Development Committee meeting and approach to RBKS to construct the tank at their home also.
ROOF RAIN WATER HARVESTING HELP HOMLI TO REDUCE BURDEN OF FETCHING WATER
Homli is wife of Mr. Sukhlal s/o Bhera Gorna . She is living in Kathi nera hamlet of Parevi village. They have 4 child, beside this 6 goats and 2 cows are also part of the family. Homli is taking care of all the family members and cattle. She fetch water for the drinking and domestic use from well. She needs to walk 2.5 km and it takes 2 hour for one round. She has to go for four to five rounds daily to fetch water at home.
A Roof Rain Water harvesting Structure is constructed at their house. The capacity of tank is 7500 liter and this year 2010 it filled 7500 liter water. In 2008 it was filled 5500 liter. The family has used the water for domestic purpose and grow vegetables like brinjal, chilli etc. Chilli is planted during rainy season and brinjal in winter. The vegetable was available till February 2009. Beside this 6 goats also drink water from the tank.
Last year ( 2009) also it was filled full. The family started to use water at the end of October and use it by end of April 2010. Cattle ( goat) drink water from the tank and it also used to grow vegetable for household purpose. The vegetables were available to family for 5 month.
The family is very happy to have this water tank and they feel proud to have it. It can seen clearly to their face. Not only neighbours of Homli but also all the villagers of Parevi village and adjoining villages demand in Village Development Committee meeting and approach to RBKS to construct the tank at their home also.
