Five women of a small village in Palakkad district of Kerala show us how to stand up in the face of a challenge by the pandemic. One, whose daughter was about to get married… one, whose children have dreams to fulfil, and others, with just the task of survival… When their husbands and sole breadwinners lost jobs and income, these women came together to address the problems they face. A small community farm was the solution they came up with. About a month ago, they planted various seeds given to them by Goonj. Our team member, Dhrisya, hailing from this village, not only mobilized and motivated them to work together to grow their food, she also coordinated for the required land and irrigation facilities. All through the past few weeks these women planted and nurtured their spinach plants like their own babies… Today their first harvest is ready to sell. “In the past, we have taken loans to keep our house running and somehow we found ways to repay it, but now husbands have been sitting at home for the last 4 months and they can’t earn to repay – now it’s our chance to help them out,” says Latha. “I have been an agricultural labourer all my life, but now I get to work for myself and not for someone else,” added, a very content Rajamma. Goonj Kerala teams have motivated 4 other women groups in Ernakulum district to turn their barren land into community farmland. Our villages and farmers feed the entire nation…with their determination, hard work, wisdom and natural resources. In this hour all they need is for all of us to stand with them, with dignity and respect… Their inspiring stories are the soul of our work at Goonj!
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