Shingawadi , Maharashtra
Beautiful Visit in nature …
Farmers are severely affected due to a lack of rainfall and the resultant poor-quality yields. 60% of the farmers are dependent on money lenders for crop credit and pay high rates of interest, which affect their family income. Due to a lack of education and living in impoverished, sub-standard conditions, health is impacted by poor personal hygiene and sanitation.
Most of the people belong to the tribal and nomadic tribe communities. They settle in the remote interiors of the region where it is difficult to access from the main district. Some communities also belong to the backward communities and are frequently disregarded or ignored and thus shunned to far-flung parts of the region.
Terrace Farming
In response to the influx of rural migrants who returned to their villages during the pandemic, ACF initiated Terrace Farming in the hilly area of Jiwati, as a way to bring undulated, fallow wastelands under cultivation and increase the profitability of farming. Farmers have started growing cash crops — receiving an additional net income of Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 from this initiative. They also grew short duration crops like vegetables and drumsticks on its borders for soil conservation. As a result, soil erosion has stopped and the area under cultivation increased.
I have learned some truths and facts of the life from the experiences shared by people whom I meet during these CSR activities. I have come across various incidences which have impacted my life to a great extent.
I remember visiting an old age home, spending one full day with these people and when I was leaving from their premise, one of the old lady stood up and asked with shivering voice “Aap kal phir aaoge na?” (You will again come tomorrow, Right??). Her eyes were like, please say “Yes”!, and I was standing still, completely speechless and had tears in my eyes. I realized they don’t have very big expectations from people visiting their places. They have literally very small wishes like, “they want to smile”, “they want someone with whom they can talk”, “someone who can listen to them”, “who can have lunch & breakfast with them” and so on..
This is not just the case with old people, many a times I visit orphanage schools, some steer kids’ organization and it is amazing to see the kind of talent these kids have. I can bet that these kids can compete with children studying in private schools. They are so good in grasping new things, most of them having some unique talent and it’s hard to believe that despite the fact that they are deprived of most of those amenities which kids of higher society have, they are doing wonders in their respective areas.
I have seen what difference we can make to the lives of these people !
Every time I meet new set of such people, it is more of learning for me rather than for them. All of them are so inspiring in their own way. I wonder what if we all can join together and pledge to own just one of these amazing talents. Just imagine what kind of an impact we all can make to their life and even to this complete society. Think of a situation where we helped one of these kids to become an engineer, a doctor rather than a person who is getting involved in some illegal activities to feed himself and his family.
When we think about the kind of society we will give our children; then we also have a responsibility to work for a change which we want to see in this society. And for doing these CSR activities is one of the medium to achieve it.
For me now doing CSR activities have become an integral part of my life. I love spending time with these people. It’s an amazing feeling when you realize that few hours out of your busy schedule can bring smiles on their faces. There is always an excitement to meet these kids, these old people along with a fear of those difficult questions.
To say it precisely “I FEEL COMPLETE WITH THEM”!!
