Posted: 16/10/2007
Background
In April 2006, thousands of people lost their homes when the Delhi Government demolished their homes with less than 24 hours notice. Officials ignored the residents' pleas and Asha's interventions even though many people had documentation proving that they had lived at Thokar No. 8 for around twenty years.
After much insistence and lobbying by Asha, some of the residents were allocated land 30 kms away on the outskirts of Delhi.
Savda Ghevra was merely an isolated patch of land where the displaced people could begin building shelters. The people of Thokar no. 8 had not only lost their homes but also their clinic, access to schools for their children and often their livelihoods as they had no means of travelling to the areas in Delhi where they had worked.
Above: In the early days, a few months after the resettlement
Challenges to be overcome
Numerous challenges faced the community and Asha staff after the relocation. The community had to be organised and motivated to make the area suitable for living. Women's and children's groups had been thriving at Thokar No. 8, but the people became demoralised when faced with so many new problems.
The new area had no health clinic (the nearest medical facility is 15kms away) and no school. There was no transport available into the city and so people couldn't reach their jobs. A few mobile toilet blocks were the only provision for sanitation, and an open drain formed a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. A water tanker visited sporadically, causing many conflicts between people struggling to get their share.
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Above: Savda Ghevra as it is now, with wide roads, businesses, and electricity pylons
Progress...
... with Healthcare
Almost immediately after the relocation, Asha started visiting Savda Ghevra with a mobile clinic each week. With an auxiliary nurse/midwife and 2 Multi Purpose Workers, Asha has treated over 2000 people so far, and 500 children have been fully immunised. In addition to this, the Mahila Mandal members' strong commitment and enthusiasm were instrumental in the provision of a government dispensary which is now operational.
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Above: queuing for treatment at the Asha mobile clinic
... with Community Groups
A Mahila Mandal group of 25 women is already active and receiving regular training from Asha in lobbying skills, healthcare issues and problem solving. These women are continuously being empowered and are acting as a pressure group, lobbying the civic and political authorities for infrastructure improvements in the area.
.... with Transport
Thanks to repeated visits of the Mahila Mandal members to government offices, there is now a bus service running into the centre of Delhi every half hour between 5.30 to 9.30am and 3.00 to 10pm, and the residents are able to reach their places of employment in the city.
... with Water and Sanitation
There are now two permanent toilet blocks in the area; one that is operational and another that is soon to be operational. The Mahila Mandal women are still raising the need for more mobile toilets along with the existing toilet structure, and convincing others in the community to ensure that the toilets are well-maintained.
Though there are some water taps and hand pumps in the area, water tankers are still needed. The water tanker comes each day but the timings are not regular and consequently the people have to start queuing as early as possible, disrupting their work and other tasks for the day. The Mahila Mandal is currently taking steps to deal with this issue.
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Above: A much-needed visit from a water tanker
...with Environmental Issues
Initial lack of drainage and garbage disposal facilities caused the area to be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and various other diseases. Asha drew the attention of local women and men towards the urgent need for insecticide spraying of open drains, and a local garbage disposal facility. After much pressure from the Mahila Mandals and other community members, the government started this work and has begun construction of a community dustbin.
The open drains continue to cause problems and conflicts within the community due to the spreading water and filth, so the people of the area along with Mahila Mandal members are now lobbying for the provision of effective drainage facilities.
...with Education
The intervention of Asha in areas of health and empowerment helped to make people more aware of their other needs, including education for children. There are now three schools in the Savda Ghevra area, including a primary school and a Government co-ed middle school.
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Above: One of the area's new schools
...with accessibility of basic provisions
Every Saturday, a market is held in the area where the community members are able to buy goods at a very low price and skilled people and traders are able to sell their goods as well.
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I've been involved with Asha for years now. I hardly used to go to school, and had no direction in life, but since Asha encouraged me to study I've realised how important it is. This July (2010) I was admitted to Delhi Technological University to study Engineering - Asha supported me a lot during my exams and the application process. Now I know that I can succeed, and all my hard work will be worthwhile.
Mahesh, Dr Ambedkar Basti
