Pune:
Jon Rainbow, a US national, sits with a group of women in a slum, intently discussing floor plans for a housing project. For the women sitting with folders strewn all around them, this is no ordinary project -- it is the realisation of their dream of living in a decent house.
Taking time away from his busy schedule, Mahila Milan Pune -- the NGO that Rainbow represents -- is working on a slum redevelopment project with Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres (SPARC) and National Slum Dwellers Federation (NSDF) for two years now. Their basic aim? A slum-free city through redevelopment with focus on electricity, toilets and other basic necessities of life for the urban poor.
Pointing to a large map where many different profiles are demonstrated, chairman of Mahila Milan Savita Sonavane said, "Slum dwellers have different problems. Mahila Milan has volunteers who themselves are slum dwellers and understand the difficulties well. We conduct workshops, activities, games to help to explain how everything can be worked out."
Since 1994, she has been mediating between the government and slum dwellers. "Mahila Milan essentially means women coming together, talking, understanding and helping," she added.
Mahila Milan works in the Sheela Salve Nagar and Mother Teresa Nagar slums near Koregaon Park. It has seven ongoing projects in seven different parts of the slum. "Redevelopment projects call for many visits; at times people even change their mind about redevelopment. The architects have to look at what the beneficiaries want. Our aim is that every house should have a bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room and a separate toilet. That is an enormous change because normally people in slums use a common toilet," said Rainbow.
"However, what is special about this project is that it has got funding from the government. Around 50% of the cost is given by the central government, 20% by the state and 10% has to be raised by the beneficiaries themselves. The allocation is limited to Rs2.70 lakh for each project," he added.
Pramila Shelar, one of the beneficiaries, is happy. "My son works hard to finance the redevelopment of our house. Our house will be ready in 80 days. It will have a new kitchen, toilet, bedroom and living room. Now, I can wash the dishes and clothes inside the house with regular water supply," she said. Development work being carried out in the Sheela Salve Nagar slum.
Copyright restricted. Under license from www.3dsyndication.com
Taking time away from his busy schedule, Mahila Milan Pune -- the NGO that Rainbow represents -- is working on a slum redevelopment project with Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres (SPARC) and National Slum Dwellers Federation (NSDF) for two years now. Their basic aim? A slum-free city through redevelopment with focus on electricity, toilets and other basic necessities of life for the urban poor.
Pointing to a large map where many different profiles are demonstrated, chairman of Mahila Milan Savita Sonavane said, "Slum dwellers have different problems. Mahila Milan has volunteers who themselves are slum dwellers and understand the difficulties well. We conduct workshops, activities, games to help to explain how everything can be worked out."
Since 1994, she has been mediating between the government and slum dwellers. "Mahila Milan essentially means women coming together, talking, understanding and helping," she added.
Mahila Milan works in the Sheela Salve Nagar and Mother Teresa Nagar slums near Koregaon Park. It has seven ongoing projects in seven different parts of the slum. "Redevelopment projects call for many visits; at times people even change their mind about redevelopment. The architects have to look at what the beneficiaries want. Our aim is that every house should have a bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room and a separate toilet. That is an enormous change because normally people in slums use a common toilet," said Rainbow.
"However, what is special about this project is that it has got funding from the government. Around 50% of the cost is given by the central government, 20% by the state and 10% has to be raised by the beneficiaries themselves. The allocation is limited to Rs2.70 lakh for each project," he added.
Pramila Shelar, one of the beneficiaries, is happy. "My son works hard to finance the redevelopment of our house. Our house will be ready in 80 days. It will have a new kitchen, toilet, bedroom and living room. Now, I can wash the dishes and clothes inside the house with regular water supply," she said. Development work being carried out in the Sheela Salve Nagar slum.
Copyright restricted. Under license from www.3dsyndication.com
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