Lok Kalyan Sansthan

A socially marginalised widow named Gero Devi wife of Taga Ram lived in a small cluster of Barmer district. She was born in a Scheduled Caste Meghwal family. At the age of 75 she headed a family with his 30 years-old son Kheta Ram and 28 years old daughter in law. Kheta Ram’s daughter and two-school going sons were also living at the same place. There were six members in her family. Gero Devi belongs to Naganenchia Dhunda village situated near Kawas of Baitu Tehsil. She was dependant on her son Kheta Ram. Her son would hardly be able to arrange the minimum survival for his family members. Depended on seasonal agriculture and labour he did not have alternate source of income. He had attended village school up to 5th class but was hopeful for the higher education of his children.

Gero Devi could not forget the horrible midnight of August 21, 2006, when sudden arrival of devastating floods had changed the whole structure of the Kawas area. Within hours the situation was like mini-tsunami all around the area. She along with her family had some how managed to leave the house. All their belongings including four mud-built huts, beddings, clothes, food grains, utensils and a goat were engulfed in the floodwater. Nearly 30 feet water had filled in his agricultural field. Bajri, gawar and moth crops on his 18 Bigha’s of land were completely destroyed. Her family members had taken shelter atop a nearby sand dune. By her shear luck she had narrowly escaped from any human loss in his family.

Two days passed without food waiting for external support. There was scarcity of food, clean drinking water and clothes. But she did not loose courage against adverse situation. She said that after two days non-government organisations had approached them and provided relief materials such as biscuits, food packets and other essential items. They felt some comfort when food supply camp was set up by LKS in close coordination with Consortium of seven NGOs supported by Christian Aid, New Delhi. School of Desert Science (SDS), Jodhpur had taken this initiative. Gero Devi said that daily use items such as toothpaste, clothes, soap, slipper etc. were also distributed in the camp. She said that during the floods, victims did not receive any help from the government agencies.

This relief work was for immediate term so they needed long-term support. Accordingly this immediate relief work was merged into a raw food supply camps that continued for one month at different flood-affected sites. This humane work of consortium brought a ray of hope for flood victims. A survey of the area was undertaken to assess the needs of the people. It was felt that people required goat, as it would furnish them milk and livelihood, since agriculture and rearing livestock were the main sources of income there. So, a milking goat from Sarohi district was provided to her by the Consortium. Now, Gero Devi could drink milk tea and give nutritious food to her grand children. Days passed and the situation started to become normal, but chilling cold was approaching. She was afraid of additional cold owing to the floodwaters in the nearby Kawas.

During those days Mohan Ram, who was actively involved with the work of the consortium, visited the area. He identified that Gero Devi’s family was homeless, and hence proposed for the allotment of a Model House. The construction of Model House had begun on October 27, 2006, and was completed on November 15, 2006. The house consisted of a hall (12 1/2x10 ft), a kitchen (10 ft), a bathroom (5x5), and a tanki/water tank (5 1/2 x 10).

Gero Devi could not hold her tears of pleasure when she received the model house handed over by the Consortium. She was quite happy and rendered thanks to all the concerned persons. Model House had culminated the agony of the flood-affected widow. She said that it was the Consortium, which empowered her to start a new life. She was capable to head the family members and her grand children could continue their study and lead a healthy life. Gero Devi said that the government extended its hands and helped the miserable persons but it was null and void. Long live such organisations that first arranged food and later a permanent house. She hoped for more model houses for other flood victims for the safety and security in cold season.