Let's help Odisha recover from Fani
I'm supporting NGO CYSD in Bhubaneshwar, who are on the field doing a fantastic job helping those affected, especially the most vulnerable, with basic needs and emergency relief. I appeal to all my friends and well-wishers to donate for: temporary shelter kits (₹1,500/unit), survival kits (₹1,200/unit) and dignity kits for women (₹600/unit).
Let's do our bit for Odisha! I've pledged my contribution, now it's your turn! Thank you.
All it takes is a little bit from everyone!
Thank you for your donation! People like you are creating a new generation of givers
About the NGO
Centre for Youth and Social Development
So they employed energetic youth, nurtured a network of non-profits already in the field, built a backbone of community based organisations, and ensured that government schemes – such as the current mid-day meal at schools and guaranteed minimum employment – are effectively deployed.
Imagine a landless tribal family of a husband, wife and three kids living in a tiny village. The couple work as agricultural labourers, barely earning Rs 100 a day between them while the oldest child, a girl, stays home to do chores and look after her siblings.
This is an example of the precarious existence of India’s rural poor – with no work or food guarantee, or a future for their children. And what CYSD found themselves up against when they formed in 1982, with Odisha being home to the highest number of tribal households in India.
But their multi-pronged approach – particularly their livelihood strategy that focuses on household food and nutrition security and in expanding income opportunities – is working. In 2016, CYSD has reached out to over 31,000 families in 709 villages.
One such family is that of daily wage earner Madhu Munda from Keonjhar. Too poor to send his older daughters to school, his son Arjun too dropped out after primary level so he could be put to work at a hotel 140km away.
Soon the hotel owner stopped paying Arjun’s wages and Madhu and his wife turned to CYSD to rescue their little boy – which they did, with the help of the local police and child protection officer.
Arjun has now returned to his studies, supported by CYSD. His parents too have been directed towards government poverty alleviation schemes and other income generation activities. Plus, Arjun’s case has spread awareness, with five other child workers from the same village having since been rescued and sent back to school.
Working to improve lives in cyclone-prone Odisha has also meant that CYSD have widened their remit to include disaster management. So when Phailin struck in 2013 their response was swift and effective and they managed to rehabilitate 3,000 families devastated by the cyclone.
CYSD’s intervention in rural Odisha has already impacted a million lives. But latest figures show 13million still live in extreme poverty. Help CYSD make their mission possible.