Leelaben Baria, Gram Sathi (Moti Mangoi, Block: Devgadh Baria, District: Dahod)

04Apr

By Anandi IndiaApril 9, 2021Photo Stories, Stories from the field areas of Devgadh Mahila Sangathan and ANANDI organisation

Gram Sathi Leelaben Baria, along with the family who receives entitlement of Palak Mata Pita Yojana

Seventy-two year old Bikhabhai Dalabhai Rawal and his wife Gangaben lives in Moti Mangoi village. When Bikhabhai’s widowed niece remarried, the responsibility of her four children was taken by him. The old couple had no way to support the children. When Leelaben got to know about this she made all the efforts so that out of four, two children started getting monthly allowance of Rs. 3000/- each in their bank accounts under Palak Mata Pita Yojana. Not just this, because of Leelaben the old couple starting receiving old age pension as well. Also, her efforts are ongoing so that this family receives rightful allowances of government schemes.

Gram Sathi Leelaben Baria, along with the women of Moti Mangoi village

Leelaben has always strived to resolve many issues of Moti Mangoi village. Seven hand pumps of the village was lying defunct, Leelaben made all efforts to get it repaired and helped the women of the village, as now they get water at their doorsteps. She even got two new hand pumps installed at different places in the villages and brought a solution to the problem of drinking water. Especially the women of Gadhoi and Nishal streets had to walk half a kilometer to fetch water for drinking as well as for livestock. But due to efforts of Leelaben their issues are resolved.

Gram Sathi Leelaben Baria, along with the recipient of the Scheme of Housing

Leelaben had to work a lot so that necessary documentations are collated for 115 marginalized familiets to get the entitlement of the Scheme of Housing. Poor and migrant families usually do not have even Aadhar card or ration card to claim their rights. Leelaben is well aware that without Adhar Card no one could access any schemes, therefore she worked behind getting Adhar Card for 102 families. Leelaben took the responsibility of taking all, even the old aged people to Mamlatdar office for getting documents done.

Leelaben Bariya teaching children of her village

Many families from Moti Mangoi are migrant workers; therefore even their children are unable to get enrolled in schools. The Sangathan has created a Faliya School Committee to enable education to these children. Classes are conducted by the Samiti at Leelaben’s home. These classes are being conducted since last five years and over 100 children are regularly learning here. ANANDI helped them by providing necessary things like black boards, books, pens, chalk, duster and cupboard. Also Leelaben has taken special training from ANANDI which has helped her in creating special songs and lessons for these children. This unique method of teaching is like by all and has helped in reducing the dropout rate in the village.