A Road Worn Down, and the Spirit to Rebuild It
In the scenic agricultural village of Udkhola, nestled in the Chinyalisaur block of Uttarkashi, the main pathway isn’t just a stretch of land—it’s a lifeline. It connects people to their fields, schools, and livelihoods. But during the rainy season, this essential path became cracked, slippery, and dangerous.
The fear wasn’t abstract—it was real. Children slipped. Livestock stumbled. And every journey brought anxiety.
Over 100 villagers. 3 Days. One United Effort.
Rather than waiting for external intervention, the villagers came together and took matters into their own hands through Shramdan (voluntary efforts). With guidance and encouragement from Goonj under the Cloth for Work (CFW) initiative, the community committed to:
- Repairing the 400-meter-long path
- Building a protective wall along the route
- Cleaning the village school campus
- Clearing the overgrown vegetation along the road
Over three days, working 5–6 hours daily, over 100 people took part—farmers, women, children, and elders alike.
Community members participating in road repair activity
Why This Road Matters More Than Distance
For Udkhola’s farming families, the road is their daily artery—connecting them to their fields, water sources, and weekly markets. For school-going children, it’s their route to education. Before the repairs, this path symbolized isolation. Now, it’s a symbol of safety, self-reliance, and shared resilience.
“This wasn’t just about repairing a road,” shared a community elder. “It was about reclaiming what was ours, together.”
More Than Infrastructure—A Story of People-Led Change
This road repair effort is a powerful example of infrastructure management through community participation. Under Goonj’s Cloth for Work initiative, the effort was not incentivized through charity, but recognized with dignity. The community received essential materials that addressed their day-to-day needs—not as aid, but as a gesture of respect for their collective efforts.
Beyond Relief—Building Systems of Self-Reliance
Udkhola shows us that real development doesn’t arrive—it emerges—from people, for people. Whether it’s rebuilding roads, schools, or pathways of hope, when villagers lead the change, the impact endures.
Goonj’s Cloth for Work model activates communities to solve local problems using their own wisdom, will, and willingness to work.
Completed village road in Udkhola after collective effort
Be a Part of Change
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..
