Belagada Village is nestled in the tropical forests of southern Orissa. The villagers are Saoras, members of an ancient tribal community native to the region. These families have come down from the hills in an attempt to break away from traditional tribal techniques and integrate with mainstream society. As they try to do so, they face extreme poverty and lack basic skills necessary to provide a means of support for their families.
Food is scarce and they are sometimes forced to eat rice husks and leaves for their survival. Not surprisingly, the child mortality rate is very high. When we visited this humble village, most children were ill and few had sufficient clothing. In the mountains, the nights can be quite chilly, yet we noticed few blankets and rarely any beds.
About 30 families live in the meager thatched roof dwellings provided to them by the Indian government. As many as twelve men, women, and children stay in each of these mud and brick homes which are no more than one small room with a tiny kitchen/cooking area adjacent to that space. This village lacks sufficient land on which to grow crops and house livestock. Makeshift barns are kept at the front of these homes, inviting the risk of additional disease already prevalent due to poor hygienic conditions caused from improper sewage drainage.
Their only source of income is derived
from the illegal cutting of wood in the forest
and selling it to passersby traveling on the nearby road. Each small
bundle of firewood is sold for 5 rupees. In U.S. currency, that is less
than 1 cent. The needs of this village are many, but their primary need is
relief. Relief from hunger, relief from illness, and relief from cold.
The Jena Foundation is seeking funds to provide this immediate relief and to
begin a comprehensive five-year plan to teach this village how to achieve
self-sufficiency. The plan includes building cattle sheds away from the
family dwellings, building proper toileting/bathing facilities, vocational
instruction, and educational instruction for both children and adults.
NO child deserves to go hungry and NO parent deserves to watch his child suffer. Please help us offer hope to these villagers.
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The Jena Foundation, Inc. 8883 Moll Drive, Fishers, Indiana USA (317) 845-8495