Our Impact
Our Impact
Changing power relations between state and settlements- by collective mobilization, learning and actions
Based on their demonstrated credibility and financial, informational and organizational base, communities are beginning to change the traditional relationship with local authorities thus impacting outcomes for the urban poor.
Negotiations with officials first began when communities tried to obtain basic facilities, secure government allocations for eligible households, present their survey results or resist demolitions. Community leaders have had to regularly meet with municipal and other department officials to get various permissions, understand standards, submit settlement surveys and collect payments – an empowering process in itself. As more organised communities have gotten involved, the city has had to sit up and take notice of thousands of slum dwellers all working on building a people’s agenda. Gradually, authorities began to see the federations as helpful partners and constant interaction and successful initiatives with authorities has built confidence and credibility on both sides.
What People
Says About Us
“Shantipalli is located centrally in the city but not connected to basic amenity provisions such as garbage collection or sanitation. Nearly 75% of households defecate in the open and there is not bathing place for women. In 2016 we approached UDRC for assistance and were able to repair one open-well platform and add a bathing area. My friends and I feel much safer now and also empowered that with one, small change we were able to make such a big impact.”
Puja is an 18 year old living in Shantipalli, Bhubaneswar whose parents are daily wage labourers and migrants from the district of Athagarh.
“As the Community toilet in our slum built by Berhampur Municipality was in defunct condition for years, we all were forced to defecate outside and it was creating many health hazards to us and to our family members. That toilet was neither in usable condition nor handed over to the community. So with the intervention of UDRC, the community was able to manage and use it finally. Another problem in Mochi Sahi was that a tube-well with its platform was in damaged condition. It was always filled with dirty water. So with the intervention of UDRC and the local corporator, the community was able to repair it and make it usable.”
Kamal is a widower who has been staying at Mochi Sahi, Behrampur for the last 15 years.
“I’ve stayed here with my family for almost 20 years. But in our slum a lot of issues exist in regards to water, waste and sanitation as it is treated as a dumping yard. Also, the city’s drainage system lies beside our slum. As our surrounding is filled with waste and garbage, dirty odour pollutes our air. So, we suffer from many diseases and we spend around 20% of our annual income on treating these. After suffering for so long, UDRC supported us to build two community toilets which has greatly improved our lives particularly for women and children. The two toilets are still not enough but it is a start.”
Yasmin lives with her family in Khaja street, Behrampur.
“The settlement has 5 tube wells for drinking, cooking, washing, bathing and other purposes but only 1 of them provides drinking water leading to long queues. In 2015, some of us women asked UDRC for help and with funds we were able to build a water tank with one motor fitting inside the tube-well and two taps”
Padmini migrated with her husband and children from the district of Mayurbhanj 10 years before in search of livelihood and settled in Patia Jali Munda Sahi, Bhubaneswar city, to work as a daily wage labourer.
“My husband is a tailor and as my two children grew, it became difficult to manage the home with his meager income. Despite this, I managed to create a small pool of savings with the Mahila Milan collective. In 2015, when financial assistance was needed, I approached UDRC which sanctioned a loan of INR12000. We used this to upgrade my husband’s tailoring shop by buying two new machines. Our business has slowly improved and we are much happier now.”
Damayanti lives in Canal Sahi Gate Bazaar, Behrampur with her husband and two children.
“My husband happens to be a driver and whatever he earns we live a happy life with our two children but I had no money to educate my children. I had been involved for a long time with Mahila Milan and so through them I sought help from UDRC which sanctioned me a loan of INR 20,000 through our self help group. My son is now studying electronics at ITI college and with UDRC’s guidance, I also sell sarees to pay off my instalments and save some money.”
Shrimati lives with her husband and two children in Bazaar, Behrampur.
“We live in a slum where there is no toilet and very little space to defecate also. My husband works in a private company but has a minimum salary which is not enough for us to build a toilet with. We approached UDRC in 2017 and they supported the settlement by constructing a community toilet. Before this, the children used to defecate on our streets and it was difficult for us to even walk here but now it is much cleaner and the people are happier.”
Ullash has been living with her family in Baragarh Sabar Sahi for 50 years.