Friends, This is about our visit to Alampur: Though it seems a very big mail to you, I didn't pen what all I wanted to share about my experience and thoughts. It happens. If we do not share immediately, we end up losing track and we get busy and will not have enough strength and time to share. (This is true in my case). As it is getting delayed to give an update, I decided to close this today at any cost.
In a nut shell, I can say that Relief (monetary or material support) does not serve any purpose. It neither offers any hope nor serves their needs. Lessons Learnt 1. If you want to offer any help, offer to the entire village (place) but not to few families. Even if it is just a spoon or mug, that is fine. Never think of offering enough help only to selected families. 2. The place from where you distribute should be completely enclosed, there should not be any way open for others to throng. We could distribute only 450 to 475 kits as planned. Remaining 225 were grabbed. So everyone of us were completely disappointed. We know that 100% perfection can never be achieved but still we were very much depressed for various reasons. Execution The reason why we decided on Alampur was that it was completely devastated and we thought we could do something there and to them. Why we thought of extending help to so many families was that we visited and spoken to them and it created some hope. We want to offer our help and there by gain their confidence and then work on providing livelihood opportunities and other stuff. As distributing coupons going to each house would take time, we got the details through mail (ration card list) and then prepared coupons for each street. We gave a call to the representative of each street, asked them to distribute to the dwellers of their street and also suggested them to come in specified time. Meanwhile we requested the Montessory school Headmaster to provide us an enclosure so that people cannot encircle us. We got a very good place wherein there are two gates and we have our volunteers at both the gates. Based on the Headmaster's suggestion, we even requested police to come in (was not interested though personally). Two to three constables came. Everything was going on as planned though the Brahmana veedhi dwellers were late and the delay did impact to a certain extent. The only loophole was that there was no gate on the third side and people (specially of Akbarpet) came and began to make noise. These people blocked the place and there was no option for the actual coupon holders to come and collect the kits. The Akbarpet dwellers did not budge no matter how well we convinced them. Even the Principal/Correspondent came and tried to control to some extent. I tried Gandhigiri also (many of our volunteers didn't like it and were angry on me). I wanted to see if this works. It was like 50-50. They listened to only one statement of my request but not the other one which was crucial. At last people boarded the van and grabbed the material. We could save some material that was there in another van. Observations 1. Literally everyone requested for help saying that they too lost everything and are not getting any help. a. School workers (even the Headmaster asked if we are interested to help them. Around 23 workers are there) and watchman b. Police constables who came to help us in distribution c. The doctor who works in the govt. hospital also sent a person to ask for help for her staff. I spoke to her over phone and she said that even she too has lost her property. 2. I was shocked by the nature of the people as I really didn't expect it from them. a. They are fine even if we go back without distributing to anyone. Give to all of us or go. We do not mind. Even if it is a spoon, give to everyone. 3. Not every person was so.......!! a. Many people heeded to my request and they understood when I explained. I told them we are not from government nor we from any big trust. Within our limits we are doing and we will keep coming to Alampur regularly and visit them too. 4. Miscreants I feel the people who did the mischief came there for mischief only. They also would have suffered no doubt in that. Almost every person and family in that village got affected but not everyone behaves so. 5. Greediness After the exercise, some of us went to meet the Correspondent to thank him for the support. He reiterated that we have to give to everyone otherwise give to PDS (Public Distribution System). When it comes to greediness he stated that the people who are rich grab lands and yearn to earn more and more and when compared to them these people who have lost everything were not greedy at all. 6. Less scope for livelihood According to the correspondent, the people here have very less scope for livelihood. Most of them are agricultural labourers and petty shop owners. What Next? To be frank, I have no clue. Being discouraged and depressed enough by the fact that Rs. 4,50,000 and the entire effort has gone waste, I do not have a clear cut idea as of now on what to do next. I want to do something concrete to them directly or proxy as I promised help. (I also want to express my thanks to all the volunteers who supported. In fact, I feel very proud of their attitude. Everyone wanted to keep their promise. Though I know Kiran Anumalasetty since May this year, never get an opportunity to discuss with him. The discussion we had while writing coupons made me understand what he is. Till then I didn't know that he has such a depth and authority on life, philosophy, education etc., I felt very happy for the interaction. We have such wonderful people around and if we do not optimally utilize our strengths, we would definitely be culprits. We are not exploring and utilizing our collective strength in required manner.) (This is not to boast but only to weigh the return of investment, Satya and I kept leave on Thursday to purchase the items. Giri garu joined us in the evening. On Friday, Satya and Giri garu purchased the items. Eleven of us were awake all through the night to pack, to write coupons etc., We planned very well and executed well too. Only thing is we didn't care about the worst case scenario though being warned by some of the localites and volunteers. I had so much of trust that I want to see it for myself if they really grab when we go with such a good plan and convince them of our motive.) Anyway, if this exercise goes well probably I would never learn the lesson that I learnt now. I am never going to participate in any relief effort with monetary support. All the effort should go into rehabilitation and motivating the people there and if possible, offer enough guidance. We didn't aim this exercise for relief but as the first step of rehabilitation. Advantages 1. The support from Montessory school Principal and Headmaster. They mentioned that if we inform them before hand they are ready to give their place to us for any livelihood initiative. (As I understand if not on Sunday, other days it would disturb the children) 2. Members of many streets know about us now and it would not be like starting from scratch. They very well know that what they did was wrong. (Kiran Anumalasetty spoke with some of the villagers there. I felt very amused (as I didn't know what to feel also) by their response. We hate our attitude but can't help. We only look for external help. Though we know that what we are doing is wrong, we wish to do. If we do not come and pick, it is only that we do not have enough strength to grab. We cannot sit idle if someone comes and distribute the kits) 3. Good rapport with authorities One senior journalist, Usha, volunteered to introduce us to Damayanti garu, collector of Mehboob Nagar, as she has good rapport with her. Once we chalk out a plan or come up with any ideas, may be we can meet her and take her advice and support. Anjaneya Sarma garu is also cooperative. Challenges 1. Gaining their confidence and convincing them to stand on their own. 2. The place being far and we could go only on alternate weekends. We do not have enough volunteers to distribute the task and see to that some of us visit Alampur every weekend. -- Thank you. with regards, PRASANTHI. http://groups.google.com/group/birdsofsamefeathers ---- When you want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
