Housing project 2011/2012
In December 2011 our team of volunteers met three very special elderly women living in the village of Jutpani. All three women have had, and continue to have incredibly hard lives. The three women were living in conditions that the Western world wouldn't deem fit for animals. Their stories touched the hearts of our volunteers and a special appeal was launched to raise money to constuct these women new houses.
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who contributed towards this project. The houses have now been completed and the women are enjoying living in their new homes.
Please read their stories below.
Blind Santamaya
Santamaya has been blind since early adulthood. She has been abandoned by her husband and children and has been left to care for her 4 year old grandson (and he cares for her equally). When we met her she hadn't eaten in 3 days and she weighed just 28kg. Thanks to many generous donations a new house has been built for her and her grandson and we have arranged sponsorship for them so they are able to have at least two meals per day.
Stone-collecting Santamaya
Despite her age, Santamaya collects stones to sell each day to support herself and her mentally handicapped adult son. During the monsoon when she is unable to work they often can't afford to eat for many days. A new house has now been constructed for her and her son. We are seeking sponsorship for Santamaya so that she is able to feed herself and her son during the monsoon. If you can help with this please contact: cwon.aust@gmail.com.
Subrita
When we met her Subrita was patiently waiting for her house to fall down and kill her during the next monsoon. Her husband left her many years ago for another woman after their children all died. But instead of wallowing in self-pity she laughs and jokes and tries to enjoy what life she has left. She is a woman with remarkable spirit and we are happy that she now has a new home where she can live out the rest of her days without fear.
NB: CWON does not generally build houses for people in Jutpani. Our focus remains on projects that will benefit the entire community and enable families to become self-supportive. However the three women described were in such a bad way that it was deemed to be a life and death situation. If adequate shelter was not provided to them before the next monsoon there was a very real possibility their previous houses would have collapsed onto them.