Project Report
| Jun 1, 2010
Shelter Home Construction Update
By Deepa Xavier | Director - Programs
![Dr.Sunitha Krishnan at the site overseeing Marking]()
Dr.Sunitha Krishnan at the site overseeing Marking
In January, 2010 a Construction Consultant Company was engaged to monitor the progress and quality of execution of the construction of shelter homes in Amangal. They reported that the work being carried out using that alternate /low cost technology did not promise ground stability and the safety of the structure would be questionable. Based on this report, the contract with Habitat Technologies was rescinded.
A construction company following conventional technology has been engaged after due diligence. The new company has started work on all structures started simultaneously following traditional norms. IPMC continues to monitor the quality and progress. The quality and speed of work is promising – all the buildings have been marked, excavated. The columns and pillars have come up. Construction is scheduled to be completed by end of December 2010.
Security personnel have been deployed to ensure safety of construction material at site. Fencing has been put all around the property.
We continue to contend with pressure from landlord of the shelter homes.
Meanwhile, furniture requirements for the upcoming childrens home and school in the new premises viz., Bunker beds (in steel), classroom benches (wood & metal) have been manufactured by survivors of trafficking at the livelihood skills unit.
Challenges encountered
- Mahbubnagar District, where Amangal village is located, there is a ban on excavation of sand. To overcome this hurdle, a representation was given to the Chief Minister. With his intervention and special consideration, permission has been granted for procuring sand from designated locations.
- The local villages raised an objection to the construction layout as it would come in the way of their movement and cattle grazing. An agreement was reached whereby a strip of land along one side of the plot has been given up in exchange for another portion which will serve as a backyard with a garden for meditation.
Emerging Challenges
The following components that have emerged as necessities have not been budgeted for -
- A 12 feet high compound wall with solar wiring on top to make the facility secure
- Integrating technology for renewable energy sources for sustainability of the facility – viz., rain harvesting, bio-gas and solar lighting – as this was not budgeted.
- to make the new shelter accessible for victims in the city
We thank all our supporters for their support and contributions. Your show of strength continues to encourage us...
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Dec 3, 2009
Construction in progress
By Deepa Xavier | Ms.
Today an agreement has been signed with Habitat Technologies, a low cost Technologies Construction Group from Kerala (Mr.G Shankar, whose designs we have approved used to work with Laurie Baker) for construction of the New Home for Survivors of Trafficking. The construction will take a year to complete. The deadline for evacuation of the current facility is nearing… work is being undertaken at neck breaking speed.
The past couple of months after purchase of the land we have been working towards fulfilling pre-construction statutory and legal formalities. These were delayed due to bureaucratic hitches but we are proud to declare that we did not give in to corruption. Despite the immense amount of pressure and blatant demands for bribe, we managed to get through all permissions without paying a single rupee in bribe. This is being stated as nothing short of historical.
We have installed a 10KV transformer and a bore well. We struck water at 90 feet (standard for the area is 160 ft) and kept going to 250 feet.
The campus will accomodate 600 survivors of sex trafficking both children and adults. It will have a school, hospice, administrative block staff quarters and in-house amphitheatre. We are also looking at the possibility of an electric crematorium if the government gives permission.
The total project cost is estimated at Rs.5 crores (USD 1.00 million).
We thank each one of the supporters who believe in the cause and are extending their help.
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Jun 29, 2009
Construction of a new home for survivors of trafficking
By Sunitha Krishnan | SOME RESPITE...AFTER A STRUGGLE
It is two and a half months since we were asked to vacate our shelters. The last few weeks were of nightmarish struggles and humiliation. Getting another rented space to shelter trafficked victims became virtually a impossible mission. It was as if we were the prime polluters in the city. I cannot recount the humiliation of being rejected again and again.
So we decided to buy some land and construct our own place. Tall order as we did not have the purchasing power. Then began the struggle to raise resources to buy land. The deadly combination of recession and election in India destroyed all chances of fundraising. But the whole Prajwala family came on the road to raise funds. For the first time staff and children went on a bucket collection to raise resources to buy land. The interesting fact was those we expected to support did not even lift a finger but help came from totally unexpected quarters. In fact some persons whom we thought were the friends of the cause went up to the extent of advising me to hand over the children to the government as I should not be taking so much of risk for 'these kind of children'.
Well it was not all darkness all the time...miraculous support flowed from unexpected sources...human beings who heard about us passingly or had read about us long time back. We were able to raise over 40 lakh ruppees(USD 80,000) in two months time.
Yesterday finally we have purchased 10 acres of land, 60 kms from Hyderabad a place called Amangal. I know the struggle is just began..long way to go, before we construct and shift to the new place.Infact we need to raise atleast 3 crore rupees which is about 400,000 USD for the construction.
But at this junction I would like to thank all our friends,partners and well wishers who have stood by us in this moment of crises. I am sure with all your wishes and prayers we will cross many more hurdles. Thanks for sustaining my faith in my mission.
Warm rgds
Dr Sunitha Krishnan
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