Where are we now
1.2 acres of land is allotted by the government for the community where Nivasa has built 10 of the 24 suitcase units planned, through crowdfunding. Each unit area of 168 sq.ft, costs about INR 1,14,296.98(~ €1303).
Nivasa trained the first 10 families who will help in installing the next 14 units. All superstructure materials will be procured locally. The stones for foundations will be mobilised by the community and they will also provide labour for construction of foundations. The local government body is providing water and electricity required for construction of suitcase units and is also building community toilets.
Nivasa is currently looking for funds to build the remaining 14 houses.
An indication of our team’s capacity:
100% expertise already found
40% builders already found
Finance: € 18,195
Out of 24 houses, Nivasa has raised funds through crowdsourcing and built 10 houses. There are still 14 families in dire need of decent housing with majority of them being women and children. Their current living conditions are abysmal, with exposure to the leaking roof, harsh weather with a perpetual threat of snakes and fire.
With poor housing quality having devastating consequences on a person’s life chances, providing these 14 families with safe, humane and dignified living conditions will impact generations to come. It will have a lasting impact on their physical, mental & emotional health, education and future.
The funding not only will provide them Home but will also give them Hope!
Skills: PR & Marketing
PR & Marketing: Videographers/photographers to create documentries to capture the impact to build beneficial relationships between us, government agencies, donors, partner organisations and the communities we serve. It also helps create awareness about the need of humane and dignified
Stuff: Equipment & tools
Equipment: Smokeless firewood stoves or solar stoves- The community is currently using firewood stoves made of 3 stones for cooking. The smoke does not allow the family to cook inside their huts. Exposure to smoke for long hours is causing critical health issues like difficulty in breathing, eye infections etc in women and children. The community uses locally sourced wood and kerosene to start the fire which are hazardous. Recently, a 3-months old baby caught on fire and passed away in one of the huts. Smokeless firewood stove or solar stoves are not only energy efficient, but also is safe for women to use inside their huts during rains and reduces health and safety risks for children.
For the supplier, providing this community with smokeless firewood stoves or solar stoves helps with visibilty of their brand/product, building network with other organisations, government agencies and creating awareness on their product to build their business.
Hands
For volunteers, joining hands with the community to build 14 suitcase homes in Rayanakallu Village is an opportunity to be involved in a cause greater than self. Co-construction of homes for the homeless community which is a tangible representation of development, creates a lasting impact and serves the community for years. Co-construction encourages community participation which enables growth from within the community and provides an opportunity for volunteers to interact with the community to understand the issues faced by the landless homeless tribal communities at grassroots level.
Volunteers, design experts, structural experts, vendors, donors, local government agency and the community come together on a equal platform to collaborate (Not compete! ) and address a common objective. Effective partnerships leverage the strengths of each partner and apply it strategically to the issue at hand. Such partnerships not only increase lease of knowledge, expertise and resources but also push entities to see and understand issues from different perspectives.
