REHABILITATION OF HOMELESS PAVEMENT DWELLERS

Equitas lauched Equitas Birds Nest (EBN) in the year 2009, a comprehensive rehabilitation program to empower economically weaker and highly vulnerable segment of homeless families. Equitas deployed a wide range of its Ecosystem initiatives (health & Hygiene, Skill Training, counselling, food security, Education and job placement for unemployed) in delivering this intervention mechanism to the target segment through the women of the household.

JOURNEY OF SUDHA MEGANATHAN FROM PAVEMENT

Until 2016, Sudha Meganathan and her two young daughters were living on the pavements. Her husband had abandoned them, leaving Sudha to shoulder the responsibility of caring her two girls, aged 7 and 5 selling flowers on streets. Living on the pavements brought her numerous hardships, making even basic activities like accessing proper sanitation facilities for her children a daily struggle. The constant presence of anti-social elements and exposure to climatic disasters added to her difficulties, making it almost impossible for Sudha to find peace and rest in such difficult living conditions.

ENDING HOMELESSNESS TO LEAD DIGNIFIED LIVES

Thanks to Equitas intervention, Sudha's life has taken a positive turn. She and her two daughters now reside in a safe and secure house. Equitas also played a crucial role in Sudha's personal development by providing her with two skill development training programs (Chemical Preparations and Tailoring). Through these programs, Sudha acquired the knowledge to create washing detergents and solvents, which she now uses in her own household. Additionally, she learnt tailoring and utilized her newfound skills to create products that she successfully sold to her neighbors.

Furthermore, Sudha's children have been receiving scholarships for the past four years, significantly easing the burden of educational expenses. These scholarships have been instrumental in helping them pay their school fees and purchase necessary school supplies. Sudha was happy and proud to share that her elder daughter has scored 245 marks in her 10th grade this year. With Equitas support and the opportunities it has provided, Sudha and her family are now on a path to a more stable and empowered future.