Help Build Homes and Eco-Toilets in Santhom Slum

Dear Supporters,

Cochin is one of the world's fastest growing economic centres. In 2014 we identified a small section of the Santhom neighbourhood on Kochi island, which is part of Cochin as one of the areas most in need of support and development. Since then a lot has changed.

With your support, we managed to construct 14 houses. Small enough to fit the tiny allocated plots but large enough for a family with children to call a home, and strong enough to withstand the monsoons. You enabled us to build a playground, organise vocational training and renovate and strengthen local schools and their capacity to deliver education in one of the most disadvantaged areas.

The work isn’t done yet, there are more houses to be built, more infrastructure to develop and more vocational training to be done. But, with a strong basis for development laid, we decided to refocus and move efforts to other areas.

Further support for the section will come from the organisation Freedom From Poverty, fundraising right now for further efforts.

When we started the project our aim was to work towards improving the lives of the people in the area, specifically families with children. We have succeeded in doing so, thanks to your support.

Since we started raising money for this project we have been able to achieve the following:

• Constructed 14 brand new, monsoon proof house for families with young children in Section A of Santhom Colony.
• Built a playground with slides, swings and merry-go-rounds for all of the children in Santhom Colony to enjoy.
• Completely rebuilt a toilet block at the local school, St Louis, which serves 100 students and teachers on a daily basis.

The houses

The homes that we built in Santhom are waterproof, flood-proof, comfortable and secure. This means that the families don’t have to worry about spending money on repairs or worry about monsoon rains flooding their homes, rather using their incomes for food, education and medical care.

The playground

The community playground, open to all members of Santhom, has been busy non-stop since we opened it and we are really pleased to report that it has been a great central point for the community. Not only is it a great area for the kids to play in, but it has also meant that people who otherwise wouldn’t have interacted get a chance to meet, which strengthens the sense of community.

The toilet block

The new toilet block means that for the students washing hands has become a fun experience, numbers of ill students have decreased and the school grounds surrounding the sanitary facilities can safely be used for a vegetable garden and even a playground. The old block was completely unsafe and unfit for use. The long-term effect is that the school can now accept more students and with a wheelchair friendly ramp and doorway it will also be able to accept disabled students.

Thank you for all of your support and donations which have made all of these amazing achievements possible.

If you would still like to find out what we are doing in India, please have a look at our Community Project focused on education, women’s empowerment and support for people in Kerala.

With Gratitude,

GVI India

Links:

• Find out more about Freedom From Poverty