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No more debt trap for Bailmare Family: Thanks to Ecological Farming Technique

Bailmare family hails from Vidarbha, notorious for cases of farmer suicide. This family due to their strong family ties, commitment to ecological agriculture, have not only come out of the indebtedness but made agriculture a profitable venture and the family has progressed in all aspects. They have set an example for all the farmers in the region.

Bailmare family live in a village “Bailmarkheda” in Amravati district of Maharashtra where average rainfall is just 800-900 mm per year that too just for 40-45 days (average). A family of 5 members i.e. Sudhakar and Usha Bailmare along with … Continued

Flowering a Ray of Hope

Forest land that was lying idle in the past is being put to good use by tribals of ‘Boricha Mal’ village. Today they supplement the growth of paddy with vegetables under the horticulture project implemented by Sakav in partnership with Aid for change, for a region that is home for marginalized adivasis from the Thakar tribe.

In the midst of the legal battles to claim rightful ownership of land under the Forest Rights Act these green patches growing near river banks and foothills are contributing towards food security and income for the adivasis. One such initiative … Continued

Courage of her Convictions

She could take this step because of the counselling and support given by the staff of Savitribai Phule Mahila Mandal, a partner of Aid for Change working in Beed district. Recalling her past, Hausabai shares that despite being a class … Continued

From Farmer to Facilitator

As a newly-wed it was an uphill task for Reshma Dondu Rao at Village Varap working at the paddy fields all day. During the harvest a hefty share was taken away by the village landlord leaving behind very little for this family to survive on. Like many others in the village this family was caught in the vicious cycle of money lending and a debt trap that kept increasing its tenacious grip at every harvest.

With the intervention of Aid for change’s partner organization Sakav the village Self Help Group began to take root and soon the middleman was done away with. Villagers could now access easy loans on a minimum interest and a new … Continued

Father beats mother so I have to stay here

A weather beaten road leads to Ghutsavli village in Beed District (Maharashtra) where 7th grader Rohini Machindra Borwade tries to adjust living with her maternal uncle while her mother Shakuntala is away all day working as a day labourer in sugarcane fields.

As a child Rohini and her brother have witnessed their mother being beaten by her father who she feels is mentally unstable. She hastens to add that her father has never beaten her or her brother, he just beats up … Continued

A Witness of Change

While Tulya Linde Dore is not too sure about his age, he is acknowledged by all at Boricha Mal village as among the elders who have seen a splattering of tribal hamlets transform into a village.

He reveals that a decade ago this village had no road and every monsoon when the river would flood its banks he had to wade his way to a shanty that had turned into a puddle. “It was risky crossing … Continued

Agents of Change

In another incident, a widow found friendship but instead of rebuilding a future together, the man was more interested in her property. During a Diwali festive night his assault left her in a critical condition at hospital. She was given medical assistance, a police case was filed and a new job was provided. Today she is rethinking of a settling down.

Being the agents of change, such stories of hope for women victimized by domestic violence is fuel which drives the counselors of ‘Samvad’ – an advice and counseling center for women, established by NGO Masum and supported by Swiss Aid. … Continued

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