A Neglected Space, A Daily Struggle
In the scenic village of Deyarkot, in the hills of Chamoli District, Uttarakhand, a once-functional cattle shed had turned into a burden for the community. Built years ago for shared use, it slowly filled with debris and grime. Over time, it became completely unusable.
For the women of the village, the impact was significant. With most men away for work, they bore the full responsibility for household chores and animal care. Bringing water from a distance, bathing cattle in unsafe conditions—these daily tasks became even more challenging in the absence of a clean, working shed.
Community Dialogue Sparks a Collective Mission
Everything changed when a meeting was convened under Goonj’s Cloth for Work (CFW) initiative. It wasn’t just about infrastructure—it was about listening, organising, and empowering.
In this meeting, women openly voiced their concerns and proposed a simple, powerful idea:
“Let’s clean the cattle shed together.”
Three Days. Countless Hands. One Changed Space.
For the next three days, the women of Deyarkot worked tirelessly—to reclaim their space.
- They cleared layers of waste and mud
- Removed stagnant water and harmful debris
- Swept and sanitised every corner
The cattle shed was not just cleaned; it was reborn. The ease of bathing and feeding animals returned. But more importantly, so did the sense of ownership and unity.
“This wasn’t just about cleaning,” said one participant, “It was about reclaiming our role in solving our own problems.”
Women cleaning the cattle shed in Deyarkot
Dignity Rewarded, Effort Recognized
In acknowledgement of their effort and solidarity, Goonj mobilised and motivated the women with Cloth for Work kits—carefully curated essentials that addressed everyday requirements. These were not handouts, but symbols of dignity and shared achievement.
And with the shed now clean, the women made a pact: they would continue this upkeep together, ensuring no such challenge arose again.
A Model of People-Led Change in the Hills
The Deyarkot story captures the core philosophy of Goonj: that real change happens when communities lead their own solutions. It affirms that development isn’t about aid—it’s about agency.
Through small but meaningful acts like this, villagers are becoming the architects of their own resilience.
Clean cattle shed after collective effort in Deyarkot
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..
