Desperation and Transformation
By Anita Mellott

"Children of today are citizens of tomorrow," Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, once said. But children in India face overwhelming odds: More than a third of the population lives in poverty; 63 million children are malnourished; and of every 1,000 babies born in India, 80 die before their first birthday.

Bleak though the situation may seem, there is also a glimmer of hope.

In fact, 132 families of a "scheduled" tribe (a group belonging to the lowest caste in Indian society and often deemed as outcasts) in Hosur, Southern India, are finding help through an 11-year-old program initiated by RAID, Rural Association for Integrated Development. HFH India in Bangalore is partnering with RAID to provide some 20 families with housing.

"Our children are better off here," says Subramanium, a Habitat homeowner for several months. "Previously we lived an 'uncivilized' life," adds his wife, Valli.

RAID social worker John Siromani agrees: "I can't even begin to tell you how much their lives have changed," he says. "The children have been totally transformed. Children who once were dirty, unkempt and running around with runny noses, today are clean, they wear clean clothes and even have shoes. They attend school and speak English," he explains.

Subramanium and Valli are happy with the change. They know firsthand about living in bleak poverty, having lived as "ragpickers" 10 years ago.

Once members of a nomadic tribe, they—like many other families—found themselves marginalized as Hosur began to industrialize in the '80s. Having no formal education or skills to obtain employment, people resorted to begging and "ragpicking"—rummaging through trash to find items that could be sold, such as glass bottles, aluminum cans, bottle tops or plastic. Families eked out a meager living, and faced the occupation's dangerous consequences—such as coming into contact with contaminated waste, thereby contracting diseases, even AIDS.

Children joined their parents amid the trash dumps, often earning only a few rupees a day (about 40 cents) for their efforts. Living under trees or on sidewalks, the children grew up with no sense of belonging or security. Alcoholism was rampant, as was frequenting money lenders. Nutrition suffered as daily meals consisted of rice with tamarind and pickings from the trash.

Happily, life is different today for these families.

To assist this marginalized group, RAID helped them get ration cards that provide basic groceries from the government at reduced rates. The organization also began an informal education program to teach basic hygiene and health practices.

When local schools would not accept the children, RAID began an education program uniquely tailored for the group that allowed the children to go ragpicking until 10 a.m. Lunch was provided to ensure that the children had at least one nutritious meal.

"Now, the parents have their own organization to ensure that all children attend school," says Siromani, "and the children themselves now want to go to school." As they reached a certain level of education and grooming, government-run schools in the area began to accept them.

Many of the families are now self-employed: The men may sell fruit, vegetables or plastic items on push carts, or repair stoves; women weave hairpieces from the shorn hair of temple devotees.

To address housing needs, land was rented from a nearby temple and one-room thatched dwellings were constructed. Though better than living under trees, or on sidewalks, there was no water there, the families lived in constant fear of eviction, and the thatch required constant upkeep—a costly proposition for a family in poverty.

"When it rained, we'd put out pots and pans to gather the water," remembers Valli. "The floor was made of mud and had bumps and holes. White ants and termites were a problem too. Our children were constantly ill. Every month they would be in the hospital with colds, coughs and infection."

Eventually, the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board allocated land for 37 families. But neither the bank nor the government agency was willing to provide loans for houses since they were unsure of the families' ability to repay. That's when Habitat for Humanity stepped in.

"If it wasn't for Habitat for Humanity, we'd still be living in huts with no hope," says Subramanium. "No one would give us a mortgage."

Even though these families have been homeowners for only six months, they are already enjoying the benefits of a simple, decent house.

"Our children can study better in their Habitat home," says Chinnaswamy, another Habitat homeowner. "Moreover, alcoholism has dropped. When we came here, we saw our neighbors and we want to improve ourselves."

The families are grateful that there is a public water faucet close by from which they can get water. Valli is relieved that her children don't fall ill as often.

"These people now feel like they are a part of society," says Siromani. "Previously they were outcasts, but now, with land and a house, they feel like they belong."


"I used to pity my children in the old house. They couldn't sleep well or study well. There was a drain outside the house and the water would come in when it rained. There were lots of bugs and my children would get boils and sores on their body..."

—Jose Pia Comando, Habitat homeowner,
Manila, Philippines

"We lived more than six years in a rented house. Rain would come into the house. One year, [in the monsoon], I had to carry my children to a nearby school for shelter. After building a Habitat house, I am very happy. Everyone should live in a comfortable house like me."

—Pushpanathan, Habitat homeowner,
Bangalore, India

Anita Mellott is international communication associate for Habitat for Humanity International.


Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, October/November 1999.
This article may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
©1999 Habitat for Humanity International