Reconstructing Lives

As part of an effort to rebuild the spirits of the worst-hit individuals, care today gave widowed Ratiben Govindbhai, a mother of five, an initial grant of Rs 5,000 and set up a fixed deposit of Rs 75,000 for a three-year period that will ensure her a monthly income of Rs 600 for nutritional expenses. Five others have also been given grants of Rs 5,000 and Rs 75,000 each will be deposited in their names. CARE TODAY has set aside Rs 16 lakh to support a total of 20 such cases. The society is partnering the Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan in building 450 houses for Rs 2.16 crore. The construction of the first 150 houses will begin in August. The building of a school at Aadariyana, for which care today contributed Rs 5 lakh to the Eklavya Education Society, is under way and students will begin their classes this term in a completed section. Also, with the return of a large number of paraplegics to their villages after treatment in Mumbai, Pune and other places, there is a need to offer them long-term rehabilitation packages. We are discussing the possibility of such a project with Abhiyan.