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Restoring Health with Dignity: Yadahalli’s Collective Cleanup Around Their Health Centre

Restoring Health with Dignity: Yadahalli’s Collective Cleanup Around Their Health Centre

Restoring Health with Dignity: Yadahalli’s Collective Cleanup Around Their Health Centre

Floods, Health, and Unspoken Risks

Located in the Mudhol block of Bagalkote, Karnataka, the village of Yadahalli faces frequent flooding during monsoon months. These floods don’t just bring water—they leave behind stagnant pools, debris, and garbage, especially around sensitive spaces like the Primary Health Centre in the SC Colony tola.

By early September 2024, the situation had worsened: garbage piled up, mosquitoes swarmed, and mothers feared for their children’s health. Illnesses like dengue and malaria loomed large, and the health centre—a place meant to heal—had become a place people hesitated to visit.

Action Led from Within: 110 People, One Purpose

The people of Yadahalli didn’t wait for an external intervention. Women and men, many from the Devadasi community and daily wage backgrounds, took initiative.

Their goal was simple yet powerful: restore cleanliness, reduce disease risk, and reclaim their health space.

Armed with local tools and immense intent, they cleared waste, drained stagnant water, and revived the area around the health centre. The work was hard—but it was collective, spirited, and full of purpose.

 Women and Men Cleaning Around the Health Centre

Women and Men Cleaning Around the Health Centre

From Cleanup to Community Confidence

This effort was about more than just sanitation. It rebuilt trust. People could now approach the health centre without fear, and the space regained its role as a safe access point to care.

To honour their dedication, each participant was rewarded with a Family Kit through the Cloth for Work (CFW) and Rahat initiatives. These kits served as reminders of mutual respect and dignity in participation

 Family Kit Rewarded – Yadahalli

Family Kit Rewarded – Yadahalli

Reimagining Disaster Response Through Local Action

This story from Yadahalli is a vivid example of what happens when a community doesn’t just endure disaster—but responds with agency, empathy, and unity.

By choosing to act, rather than wait, the people of Yadahalli are reclaiming their spaces—and their say—in how development happens.

“Relief becomes resilience when people lead the response.”

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..

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