In the face of pandemic-induced job losses and economic uncertainty, many families in Nanivali village, Maharashtra got affected. But instead of giving in to hardship, the villagers turned their challenges into an opportunity for change. Rather than allowing the challenges of COVID-19 to overwhelm them, these villagers channeled their collective energy into addressing a long-standing infrastructure gap that had impacted their daily lives for years.
Structure of bus stand and covering
The absence of a bus shelter along the main road in Nanivali wasn’t merely an inconvenience—it represented a fundamental infrastructure gap that affected the community, especially- school children, laborers, and elderly residents. Commuters often waited over an hour exposed to Maharashtra’s intense summer heat and heavy monsoon rains with no protection.
Under Goonj’s ‘Cloth for Work’ initiative, the community discovered its potential for change. They identified and mobilized locally available materials—bamboo, wood, and tarpaulin and worked collaboratively to construct a bus shelter. “We were facing this issue for many years, but never realized that together we could solve this problem ourselves. Thank you for your guidance. We now recognize our strength,” reflected the community members while expressing their happiness.
This collective action transcends the mere construction of a bus shelter—it exemplifies how localized solutions, driven by community wisdom can address critical infrastructure gaps. Furthermore, the Cloth For Work kits rewarded to the villagers for their work assisted them during the pandemic and made visible how targeted interventions can simultaneously address immediate needs while building long-term community assets.
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..
