Posted: 01/12/2008
The weather in India is famous for the intense heat of its summers. As a result, it is easy to forget the unforgiving winter months. As winter approaches our concern naturally turns to those members of our slum communities who are most at risk from exposure to the cold. Those living in makeshift housing have little protection from the elements.
.jpg)
Slum women filling water buckets by the road in R.K Puram
As the heavily pregnant women walked up the path from her home in the Coolie Camp slum to the Asha van I was struck by her dirty, ragged clothes. Despite their poverty, most slum women take great pride in their appearance and dress as well as their circumstances allow. After meeting her, it soon became clear that this woman was one of the poorest members of her community, unable to afford even the most basic necessities.
A member of Asha's staff distributes a blanket to an infirm man
Even in the slums there is a difference between those who are able to scrape together a living and those who are totally reliant on donations from the wider community. Elderly slum residents without families to take care of them, single mothers, the infirm, and families with many dependents often fall into the category of most vulnerable residents.
To combat the risks faced by these community members during the winter months, Asha has launched a program to distribute blankets. These blankets can mean everything when it comes to survival and were gratefully received by those who would have otherwise gone cold. The woman we met a Coolie Camp was one of the first recipients of the scheme.
I was widowed at 25 and left with 3 children – the youngest was just one year old. Asha helped me financially so I could send my children to school and now have a job as a maid. I thought about ending my life but Asha gave me the support to carry on.
Vimla, Ekta Vihar
