Emergency Food and Medicine for Kolkata's Poorest

Akbar lives with his family in a small hut beside a sewage canal in Topsia Mazdoorpara He recently lost his father who was a ragpicker and was suffering from Tuberculosis. His mother is also a rag picker who has to look after the six children and struggling to meet ends.

Akbar is in Class VIII studying in a formal school admitted by Tiljala Shed team. Last year it was the first time in 13 years, he entered into a school in his life which was very exciting for him. 

Tiljala Shed provides him with all educational support to ensure he doesn’t face any difficulties to continue with his studies.

Akbar regularly goes to the after school educational learning centre at Topsia for remedial classes run by Tiljala Shed. Although a mediocre student, he puts in a lot of effort in his studies. One day he wishes to become a teacher. One of his elder sister got married but after the birth of the child, her husband also deserted her and she is now staying with Akbar;s family. 

Akbar is a malnourished child and so is the whole family. After the death of his father, Tiljala Shed has been providing dry food rations to this very needy family every month. It would never have been possible without the contribution of the donors. Your every penny is helping these families to sleep with at least a 2 square meals for the entire family. Families like them generally starve and eat only one time and that too without an adequate quantity. 

But with the support from this project, families like them get emergency nutritious food which is helping the family to fight malnutrition and starvation. Our slogan is clear, fighting poverty, one family, one time. Though families like Akbar requires a longterm support from this project. Tiljala SHED is dedicated to serve these families for a longer period and also find other solutions for his mother and elder sister for livelihood opportunities to make them self dependient in the future. 

We thank each and every donor for sending in their contributions regularly to this project and feeding hungry stomachs. 

Thank you. 

NurBanu, a 73 years old widow staying with her family of 5 living in a squatter settlement beside the railway tracks at Park Circus.

She lives with her son Anwar, 47 years old and a waste picker earning approximately INR 3000 per month (US$ 36). His income has dipped after the installation of garbage compactors by Municipal Corporation and thus unable to earn much. During monsoons his earnings further goes down as it’s very difficult to get much waste to sell. Her daughter-in-law Jahanara, 43, is a maid servant who washes dishes and earns a meagre amount of INR 1000 (US$ 12) per month.

NurBanu also has 2 grandchildren, who attends the Park Circus after school educational centre run by Tiljala Shed. NurBanu was also once a waste picker and earned a small amount but now she cannot work due to advancing age and a lot of ailments. The family is struggling to make ends meet. There are many times Tiljala Shed has been helping this family with dry rations and other necessary support such as clothes, tarpaulin, blankets etc. for which they are thankful to Tiljala Shed supported by Shanty Trust.

The Emergency food Ration kit is a saviour for their family. It has prevented the family from starvation.