Helping community members to rebuild their livelihood alternatives in Patdi Taluka

Introduction: Disha (Developing Initiatives for Social and Human Action), works in Surrendernagar district with fellow field worker, who pursue the development activities under the registered Kharapat Gramin Vikas Mandal and it is one of the registered groups under the DISHA's Fellowship Programme. The programme is to create local leadership for responding the issues affecting the labourers, poor and marginalized groups. The mandal has been pursuing the issues concerning to agricultural labourers of Patdi taluka.in 15 villages around Alampura. The earthquake led huge damages to houses and properties in Patdi taluka.almost entire taluka's villages have suffered damages. The Patdi talukais located closer to Little Rann of Katchch. The majority of people work as agricultural labourers or saltpan workers. The earthquake led complete shut down of economic activity, thus rendering people without work. The earthquake affected people could be helped by providing and facilitating the income through economic activity. Even after six months, the government is yet to help earthquake-affected people. After the earthquake entire life came to standstill, as people suffered huge losses to life property and livelihood sources as well. And often-initial phase was marked by rescue and relief work provided by the voluntary action. As most of attention, during this phase is towards relief. But often the regeneration of livelihood sources is neglected. There fore people suffer further agony and distress for how they would be rehabilitated. The regeneration of livelihood sources is one of the steps towards to the process of rehabilitation and also rebuilding the hopes and community empowerment to look forward.

The affected people have traditional skills of weaving the cloth on Ambar Charka but they do not have money to buy the Ambar charka and raw material to work for weaving cloth from cotton( As the Gujarat state was reeling under the severe drought condition due to failure of rainfall, therefore people are unable to buy the Ambar charka, the recent earthquake has left the community most vulnerable and helpless to rebuilt their houses.

We have conducted survey in six villages namely, Sosiya, Gosana, Maro, Naviyani, Sadla and Alampura and identified 80 families, whose, houses have been damaged very badly. The households belong to socially disadvantageous group like schedule caste, Koli and OBC(Other Backward Caste). In each village around 80 families could be helped for economic activity for weaving the cloth on Ambar charka. The people in Patdi taluka have weaving skills and they can make clothes if provided some external help like Ambar charkas and raw material for weaving the cloth. The cloth produced would be Khaddar and cotton cloth, which has very good market in local area and also at Co-operatives

The finished product of clothes can be marketed in local co-operatives, the potential buyer in Patdi taluka.

The project profile for 480 families: Each family could be provided one Ambar charka (worth Rs.1800) and raw material of cotton and thread (worth Rs.500) amounting to Rs.2300 per beneficiary.

Item Cost per unit Total cost
Ambar Chakra Rs.2,300 Rs.11,04,000
Raw material (cotton, thread) Rs.500 Rs.2,40,000
Total   Rs.13,44,000

The project will provide employment to 480 families in selected villages. As the community can work on Ambar charka, at their own home. They can have employment forever as long as they can procure the raw material and it's not the problem. As per available information, each individual can earn at least Rs. 65 per day so the two members can earn Rs.130 per day. The local co-operative provides raw material to skilled weaver in the Patdi taluka.

The people will contribute the 10% as they start earning the livelihood and gradually pay back entire amount. So the amount can be used for further providing the assistance to other needy families, thus it can be revived.