An 'Umeed' for the downtrodden!

NAGPUR: Chandu couldn't have dreamt of leading a decent life. But now gone are the days when he eked his living by collecting garbage as Chandu is now a trained welder.
Kirti Japurkar led a miserable life. She couldn't sustain her family on the meager sum that she earned by collecting garbage. But now after being trained in tailoring her life is more than just an existence.She doesn't have to worry about getting the next meal for her family. Like Chandu, she too now can think of a better and dignified life.
Neelima Dhitre, another unfortunate woman, was unable to get any education as she was married off at an early age. Wife of a rag picker, her child's uncertain future haunted her day in and day out. But today she is free of tension as her husband is a trained mechanic and has started his own hardware shop.
An initiative undertaken by Church of North India-Social Service Institute (CNI-SSI) has brought this change in their lives. Aptly titled 'Ummeed', the initiative aims at training rag pickers. 'Ummeed' has brought a ray of hope in their lives. It provides them with an alternative mode of livelihood by training them in various vocational trades for long-term alternate employment opportunities.
A CNI-SSI, CHF (Community Habitat Finance) survey in 2008 showed that most rag pickers were deprived of earning a respectable livelihood. So CNI-SSI teamed up with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to make an attempt to improve the lives of these rag pickers and help them live with dignity and respect through self-employment. The project was launched on September 16, 2008, at Bhandewadi dump yard by the then municipal commissioner Aseem Gupta.
When TOI spoke to some trainees, they expressed their gratefulness to the good samaritans who brought this sea of change in their lives. "This training has given me self-confidence and also changed my perspective" said Kirti. Another trainee, Aarti Shanker said, "I am happy that I am also a breadwinner for my family. I have restored the deteriorating financial condition of my household."
Kalpana Bansod beamed as she said, "I came to identify my capabilities after undergoing this training programme. Now I have more faith in myself". So far about 503 rag pickers have been rehabilitated and trained through this project.
Their teacher, Rekha Taksande said, "I have been training rag pickers for past two years. Before CNI-SSI came into my life, I never stepped out of my house. Today I have a standing in the eyes of my family and in-laws".
The programme aims at uplift of the deprived section of society. Relentlessly working towards improving the livelihoods of rag pickers, 'Ummeed' walks towards building a better world.