A Village Without a Gathering Space Finds Its own Solution
In Murbad, a village in Palghar district, Maharashtra, the absence of a community center meant that residents had no common space for meetings, social gatherings, and local events. Public discussions happened by the roadside, festivals lacked a shared space, and the need for a structured gathering place was long overdue.
When Goonj’s team facilitated conversations with the community, residents voiced their concerns and reflected on possible solutions. Instead of waiting for external support, they decided to take ownership and build two Samaj Mandirs (community centers) themselves.
In just a few weeks, villagers came together, pooling resources and labor to create multi-purpose community centers in Paagipada and Dhagadpada.
A Collective Effort for a Shared Vision
- Using Local Wisdom & Resources – The villagers collected bamboo, wood, and other locally available materials, ensuring sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
- People-Led Construction – Women, men, and elders, worked together, proving that self-driven rural development is possible when communities unite.
- Creating Functional, Multi-Purpose Spaces – Each center now gives seating and shelter for people, serving as a hub for meetings, cultural functions, and even a local library.
For their hard work and dedication, all participants were rewarded with Goonj’s Family Kits, reinforcing the idea that development must be led by people, not imposed from outside.
Impact That Goes Beyond the Build
- Empowering Villagers to Take Ownership – The initiative demonstrated that communities can solve their problems by mobilising local knowledge, skills, and resources
- Strengthening Social Bonds – With dedicated spaces, people can now gather, discuss local issues, and organise cultural events, reinforcing the role of social infrastructure in village life
- Replicable Model for Other Villages – Murbad’s success sets a precedent for other villages that lack community spaces but have the will to create them
Goonj’s Cloth for Work initiative has catalysed thousands of such grassroots-driven rural development activities, where people are not just passive beneficiaries but active changemakers.
Be a Part of Community-Led Change
This story is a reminder that actual development happens when people come together to build solutions from the ground up. Across India, similar self-driven infrastructure projects are transforming rural communities, one initiative at a time.
Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
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