Rebuilding India

Habitat For Humanity India Quarterly Newsletter YEAR ONE October – December 2015 ISSUE ONE Editorial

Habitat for Humanity India’s (HFH India) driving We hope to keep you abreast of our activities CREDITS philosophy is to provide housing-related through this newsletter. We want you to be part interventions to low-income marginalized families of the change that we aim to make in India – you Editorial Team: Rajan Samuel across India. Since our founding in 1983, HFH can support our work by engaging as a Ritwik Sawant India has helped more than 1,00,000 families, a volunteer or contribute to a project to make a Apoorva Poojary milestone that is shaping our vision of impacting difference to 74 million families living in poverty 5,00,000 families by 2020. housing in India. You are welcome to make Copyright: suggestions to improve content and feel of this Habitat for Humanity India However, the need for adequate and affordable newsletter by writing to us at Cover Photo: housing continues to grow. In our endeavor to [email protected]. Ezra Millstein support the Government of India’s vision of ‘Housing for All by 2022’ and the ‘Swachh Best Regards, Bharat Mission’ to end open defecation in India by 2019, Habitat for Humanity India aims to align Rajan Samuel, with its goals in spirit and action. Managing Director Habitat for Humanity India Asia Pacific Housing Forum 5

“To bring dignity and hope to all we believe that none of us can live with dignity until everyone lives with dignity. ”

Mrs. Sheila Kriplani, Chairperson, Habitat for Humanity India

87 572 20 speakers delegates home partners

The Asia-Pacific Housing Forum (APHF), a biennial said, “To bring dignity and hope to all we believe to lend her support to Habitat’s Youth Builds conference organized by Habitat for Humanity, that none of us can live with dignity until across India. was held in Delhi () on 3 and 4 everyone lives with dignity.” September, 2015. APHF5 also saw the launch of an insurance Dr. Nandita Chatterjee - Secretary, Ministry of scheme for disaster affected families. Five such The India chapter of the fifth forum saw key Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, shared scheme policies were handed over by Vivek stakeholders, policy makers, leaders and the Government of India’s efforts towards housing Oberoi to women from Villupuram (Tamil Nadu) at advocates of affordable housing and sanitation; for all and highlighted the fact that nearly 20 the forum. all come together under one roof. They discussed million houses are required in urban India whereas and exchanged ideas, experiences, intervention rural India needs 30 million houses if we were to 87 speakers graced the event with their models on affordable housing, proper sanitation achieve the Government’s mandate of ‘Housing participation and 572 delegates registered for and sought market solutions and technology for all by 2022’. the forum. More than 20 home partners of solutions towards achieving housing for all and an Habitat for Humanity India from open defecation free India. It was a privilege to The demand for ‘Housing for all’ and ‘Total Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, , Uttarakhand have Mr, Chaudhary Birender Singh – Hon. Sanitation Coverage in India’ was also echoed and Delhi NCR came to Delhi for APHF5. APHF5 Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati by renowned celebrities, Vivek was indeed a national platform where a large Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation, come and Oberoi and Evelyn Sharma at the forum. Vivek number of people rallying for the cause of share his thoughts on rural and urban housing, Oberoi pledged to build 1,00,000 sanitation affordable housing and sanitation for all came land acquisition and role of corporates in units across the country in partnership with HFH together to dialogue, deliberate and dream. ensuring housing for all. Setting the sentiment India while Evelyn Sharma, promoting Habitat for Humanity India is committed to realize behind APHF5 was Mrs. Sheila Kriplani, volunteerism and involvement of youth in the the dream of a better India where everyone has Chairperson, Habitat for Humanity India who construction of houses for the poor, committed a decent place to live with dignity. Habitat for Humanity Celebrates World Habitat Day

The United Nations observes the 1st Monday of have transformed the dumping ground into a A total of 945 people every October as ‘World Habitat Day’ to reflect clean and environment friendly public space. on the state of our towns and cities and on the Children, youth, men, women and the elderly came together with basic right of all to adequate shelter. Habitat for now use the park for recreational activities. The Habitat for Humanity Humanity India (HFH India) celebrated the World saplings and trees planted by HFH India with the Habitat Day on 5th October, 2015 in , children and young leaders from the community India to celebrate this Delhi, and Chennai with great have added to the beauty of the park. Chennai enthusiasm. The Mumbai Program Implementation PIO celebrated the day at the Government momentous day. Office (PIO) celebrated the day in the warm Higher Secondary School, Kalyampundi by company of 110 students and teachers of organizing a painting competition for the Dnyansadhana High School in Manori students. The team also conducted a session on conducting a ‘staff build 2016’ in the school. the importance and impact of ‘Safe and Decent They even organised a painting and a rangoli Homes.’ The coastal town of Karwar in competition for the students and staff. Karnataka celebrated World Habitat Day in collaboration with Karwar Diocese The New Delhi PIO joined hands with the Development Centre (KDDC) at Mudgeri village. children of Chetanalaya non-formal centres and the youth from Savda Ghevra region to conduct A total of 945 people came together with a tree plantation drive in the local community Habitat for Humanity India to celebrate this park. The efforts of few environmental heroes momentous day. World Cities Day

HFH India and World Vision India in initiatives, HFH India strives to educate collaboration with UN-HABITAT organized maximum children in school to make India an event commemorating World Cities Open Defecation Free by 2019 in alignment Day on 30th of October, 2015 in Delhi. with the Government of India’s Swachh A painting competition followed by an Bharath Abhiyan. exhibition for schools was organized in Delhi NCR with the aim of raising The event was graced by Mr. Justin awareness about homelessness, lack of Jebakumar (Director – Delhi PIO, Habitat for sanitation facilities and poverty housing. It Humanity India), Dr. Harbans Gill, Executive also addressed the theme ‘Inclusive Director, HUDCO and Mr. Sweeharan, Children Friendly Cities’. With these Strategic Alliance, World Vision India.

World Toilet Day

Toilets are a serious business in India, with An exclusive twitter chat with Bollywood hands of the young and we can make a over 60.4% of the population still without actor and celebrity Mr. Purab Kohli gave a difference”, said Purab Kohli and urged everyone access to sanitation. Poor sanitation increases boost to our campaign. “The future lies in the to take a positive action to end open defecation. the risk of disease and malnutrition, especially for women and children. Women and girls risk rape and abuse, because they have no toilet that offers privacy.

HFH India celebrated a week long campaign titled ‘#don’tcontribute to open defecation’ on the occasion of World Toilet Day (19th November 2015) from 13th November to 21st November, 2015. The motive of this campaign was to create and spread awareness about the sanitation problem in the country. This campaign chose multiple platforms to reach a large number of people. Hundreds of people joined the campaign on social media and took a pledge to make India open defecation free. “The future lies in the hands of the young and we can make a difference.” Purab Kohli, Bollywood actor and celebrity Habitat Young Leaders Build 2016

Habitat for Humanity Young Leaders Build decent homes as a way out of poverty. Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. (HYLB) 2016 was launched on United Nations International Volunteers Day - 5th The Young Leaders Build campaign will The past year’s campaign, then known as December, 2015 - marking the celebration reach its peak on 2 April 2016, when ‘Habitat Youth Build’, brought together over of volunteerism. One of the largest youth hundreds of thousands of young people will 669,000 volunteers and participants from movements in the Asia-Pacific region, HYLB take part in simultaneous house builds across 15 countries and one SAR in the Asia-Pacific has been taking place for last five years India or will lend their support to HFH India region, to help over 13,000 families begin focusing on tackling the challenges of via social network. Awareness and their journey to secure safe, decent homes. poverty housing. fundraising activities are taking place in 15 Volunteers worked on 9,498 houses, and countries and one Special Administrative raised INR 3,73,58,320 towards programs This youth-driven campaign expects to rally Region (SAR), including Australia, to alleviate poverty housing. more than one million youth, celebrities and Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Hong corporate participants in India to volunteer, Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, fundraise and speak out for the need for Philippines, Singapore, South Korea,

In 2015 Volunteers worked on 9,498 houses, and raised INR 3,73,58,320 towards programs to alleviate poverty housing. Partnership with IIT Mumbai’s Mood Indigo Festival

Habitat for Humanity India officially open defecation in India. sight of the pot out in the open, students partnered with Mood Indigo 2015; the happily participated in the activity and even annual cultural festival of Indian Institute of The biggest barrier in eliminating open contributed towards Habitat for Humanity’s Technology, Mumbai. Held from 18th defecation is the silence surrounding it. In mission of building 1,00,000 toilets in next December 2015 to 21st December 2015, order to break this silence, HFH India placed five years. With a massive support from a HFH India raised awareness among the a commode in the IIT campus and invited large number of individuals, the campaign youth and advocated how youngsters can students to click pictures and selfies while even raised INR 15,065/- over a period of play their part to put an end to the growing sitting on it. First a little taken aback by the four days.

Build With Santa

This year Habitat for Humanity India number of individuals participated re-defined the idea of festive giving with a enthusiastically in this campaign. It was unique campaign called Build with Santa. heartwarming to see the staff members Build with Santa was launched as a part of across the country participate HYLB 2016. The campaign urged individuals wholeheartedly. As a result of their untiring to imbibe the spirit of Christmas and make a efforts, this campaign raised an astounding difference in the lives of people yearning to amount of INR 21,92,338 own a decent house.

This month long campaign was flagged in the beginning of December and culminated This campaign has at the onset of the New Year. A large raised an astounding amount of INR 21,92,338 Story from the Field: Rafikan (New Delhi)

“My story is no different than any other, I thought so earlier. After getting married, I lived with my husband at JJ colony. It was among the better known slums in the Delhi NCR region”, says Rafikan.

Rafikan was detected blind from her birth. Rafikan was always worried about her It was during this time that they came across About 20 years ago she got married to children’s safety, especially her daughters. two volunteers from Habitat for Humanity Khalid who was a painter. Sometimes he The shack’s vulnerability to surrounding India - Saira and Farukh. “Allah ka reham also sold fish to make ends meet. They have noises was also affecting their studies. The aakhir aagaya hum pe” (The almighty has two daughters Sajena (18) and Nasreen (12) varying temperatures in the summers and finally been merciful), Rafikan said. The and two sons Salman (17) and Irfan (14). winters were difficult to sustain. The house volunteers approached her and explained didn’t have a toilet and they were forced to as to how they could support to make her An unfortunate misery struck Rafikan’s life. defecate at open places. Helpless and dream come true. “Today we have a Khalid suffered from Tuberculosis for 10 distressed, they started seeking financial well-furnished house. We have our own years and passed away in the year 2012. It support from their neighbours and family to toilets. I don’t worry about my girls’ safety was a great a shock for her and her build a toilet and bathroom. They wanted like I did before all the time. All our friends children. In a desperate bid, her older son financial support to construct their house and family now praise our beautiful house. Salman took up fishing just like his father. from a temporary shack to a sturdier Never in my farthest dream, had I thought I They continued living in the same house as permanent dwelling. But they had no money, would ever own a house of my own. I walk before. It was very small for a family of five no savings, no one to support and no hope with pride and dignity in the society and I and often got flooded during the monsoons. to get a loan from the bank. The frequency am no more dependent on any one. For her young girls there was no privacy or of asking for financial aids for repairs and “Shukhriya (Thank you) Habitat for space, to change clothes. As the doors of renovation of the house increased each day. Humanity- India. You made this possible for the shacks were not made of concrete, me and children” says Rafikan with gratitude. Being a Part of the Change Anna Charly, Associate Director - National Volunteer Programs

Editorial Team: How did your journey with himself. Unaware to most of our staff amongst the youth rapidly and it seems to HFH India begin? members, I am the sole recipient in India of grow even larger by 2020. Besides, Anna Charly: In the year 1994, I had a the prestigious ‘US President’s Volunteer planning and coordinating the builds three chance to interact with Maggie Smith from Service Award’ awarded by President Jimmy months in advance is very cumbersome. Habitat for Humanity International at Carter at Los Angeles in 2007”. It was a Running around back and forth locating Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) during one of my proud moment for me. projects and houses becomes burdening at training sessions. I used to train youngsters times. It becomes possible due to great on personality development those days. It Editorial Team: What do you find most teamwork. was then that I learned about Habitat and challenging about Volunteer Programs? their work. Maggie invited me to join her as Anna Charly: The nature of volunteer Editorial Team: Why only Habitat for a volunteer to do the need assessment for program is dynamic yet challenging. Earlier, Humanity for 21 years? Habitat for Humanity’s presence in India and we used to sponsor volunteer travel but Anna Charly: The Founder President of HFH I accepted. During the course of my now they come to India on their own Millard Fuller has always inspired me. He volunteering I learnt about the hardships expenses. To create equilibrium between said to me, “Charly, If you cannot give, no that people face due to the lack of proper one’s willingness to volunteer and their one can give, but if you can give, everyone housing facilities and this moved me so much financial limitations is always challenging. can give – what are you going to give – you that I committed myself to the organisation There are several volunteers who stay back have to decide.” This conversation with him and joined as the National Partner to only due to lack of finances. Volunteering for changed my life and made me dedicate my develop housing intervention program social causes has now been mushrooming time and talent to Habitat for Humanity. across the country.

Editorial Team: Tell us about your most memorable moment at HFH India. Anna Charly: During one of our builds in Hyderabad in 1997, we built a home for a visually challenged man and his family. During the time of house dedication, he stood inside the Habitat home and said, “I can see our future.” This till date is one of my most memorable moments. For me building new homes means building future generations. During my journey I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing people from across the globe; including the former US President Mr. Jimmy Carter Sensitise to Sanitise (S2S) Coalition by Habitat for Humanity India

2.7 million people impacted through sanitation from July to December 2015

Habitat for Humanity India (HFH India) has defecation free district by district! donors and funding agencies, international aligned with the national mandate of NGOs and micro finance institutions. We aim making India open defecation free (ODF). The coalition aims to work collaboratively to partner with more organizations who Our sanitation intervention includes with partners and actively seek ways to share our mission to improve the sanitation individual household sanitation, school enhance the well-being of marginalized ecosystem in India. sanitation, community sanitation and access communities through providing access to to water. In addition, HFH India is focusing on sanitation facilities. It will enable partnerships Currently the coalition has 12 members behavior change communication (BCC) and between organizations working in the area including Eram Scientific Solutions, Leaf training to ensure total sanitation usage and of sanitation, offer a knowledge sharing Society, Finish Society, Mahila Housing Sewa coverage. platform for technology and innovations, Trust, Gramalaya, Samagra, Guardian, foster joint fundraising initiatives, encourage Shelter Associates, CDD Society, Wash In order to reach out to organizations and planning and implementation of holistic institute, World Vision and Habitat for individuals in the sanitation sector in India, sanitation projects and promote behavior Humanity India as the Secretariat. HFH India conceptualized the ‘Sensitise to change communication efforts. Sanitise Coalition’ in November 2014 and To join the coalition, write to Ms. Lara launched it in July 2015 as a platform to The S2S coalition will bring together various Shankar on [email protected] collaborate and pool in complimentary skills organizations and institutions with comple- and resources to work towards ensuring mentary skills including practitioners, sanitation for all and making India open technology providers, research agencies, We express our deepest gratitude towards our supporters:

Aditya Birla Group Exxon Mobil Mayfair Housing Ashiana Housing Fedex Monsanto B A Continuum GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Ltd Netapp Bank of America Merrill Lynch Dhanraj Dhadda Charitable Trust Northern Trust Bharathi Cement HDFC ERGO Pfizer Bharti Foundation HDFC Life PNB Housing Finance Brick Eagle Hero Motocorp PNB Metlife CB Richard Ellis HSBC 1 Prudential Process Management Services CISCO HUDCO India Pvt. Ltd. Citi Ingersoll Rand Rotary Club CREDAI Jones Lang Lasalle Samsung C & T Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment JSPL Foundation Standard Chartered Bank Bank Kimberly Clark Tata Housing Credit Suisse Kotak Mahindra Bank Thomson Reuters Dow Chemical International Pvt. Ltd. KPMG Foundation United Way- Mumbai Dow Corning Lowe's Services India Pvt. Ltd Wells Fargo Dow Jones Lubrizol Advanced Material Western Outdoor Interactive Ebay M K Tata Trust Wheels Foundation EMC Made Easy

3 4 JAMMU & KASHMIR

PUNJAB UTTARAKHAND

4 Delhi RAJASTHAN BIHAR UTTAR PRADESH ASSAM Shillong 1

GUJARAT 1 MADHYA Calcutta 3 Ahmedabad Habitat for Humanity India PRADESH 2 Operation Outreach (As on December 2015) CHHATTISGARH WEST BENGAL Nagpur 5 ODISHA Mumbai Programme Implementation Office

MAHARASHTRA National Office 5 Coalition Members (Organizations) 10 ANDHRA PRADESH Satellite Offices KARNATAKA Embedded Model: NEICORD Bangalore Chennai NEICORD Head Office

KERALA 3 SPHERE Network Members (Disaster Response)

TAMIL NADU AFHTAC (Affordable Housing and Technical Assistance Centre)

MicroBuild (Operations)

Habitat for Humanity India’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat for Humanity India works with low-income, marginalized families to build homes, to provide housing-related services and raises awareness for adequate housing and sanitation. Since its inception in 1983, Habitat for Humanity India has touched the lives of 4,90,962 individuals across 18 states and aims to support 5,00,000 families by 2020. The core area of our work is: Shelter Assistance, Sanitation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Response.

A-301, Everest Chambers, Marol Naka, Andheri Kurla Rd, Andheri (E), Mumbai – 400 059 Tel: 91-22-2920 9851/52 | Email: [email protected] | www.habitatindia.in

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