“I’m living in Dakshineswar slum for the last 15 years, under a roof made of plastic sheeting tied tightly on bamboo sticks in a one-room shack of bamboo. It has been a difficult journey. Especially during storms. In the last super cyclone in 2020 called Amphan, our homes were almost decimated. But not anymore.” said Bani (name changed). Bani’s and 15 other families have finally bid goodbye to their flimsy shelters made of plastic sheeting and bamboo sticks in the Dakshineswar slum.
Their newly constructed one-room concrete homes, equipped with sturdy tin roofs, sliding windows, and cement floors, provide them with much-needed safety, comfort, and protection from harsh weather conditions.
According to Asif, the head of the Calcutta Rescue Living Standards project, “We started construction with 16 households. It was completed by the middle of March. By the end of March, we have completed 28 constructions. And currently, 18 more houses are being constructed. With everything going well, we feel that we can construct all 60 households in the next 5 months.” This project is truly making a difference in the lives of the residents.
Mehul (name changed) and Vishal (name changed) express their happiness, “Before when we had muddy floors, it was really difficult for us to concentrate on our studies. Our clothes will always be dirty and during the Monsoon, rainwater would seep inside our home, making it so difficult for us to live. Now, I am very happy that I can live in peace and study.” Their new homes have given them a safe space to learn and grow.
Zainab (name changed), who had spent his life as a daily labourer, feels incredibly fortunate to retire in the comfortable home that he had always dreamed of. “A nice home! I have dreamed of it for a long time. Now, finally, it’s real. Thank you Calcutta Rescue.”
Calcutta Rescue’s commitment to improving living standards for the marginalized is evident in its efforts to provide safe and secure homes for those in need, transforming the lives of Dakshineswar slum residents with new beginnings full of hope and joy.
