The year 2019 was difficult, frustrating, and heartbreaking as my crop yielded very little in the final quarter. I had no other option but to leave my family behind in search of work in Bhopal.

Balu Munsi Bhilawekar, a marginal farmer from Kakarmal village, was finding himself struggling to make ends meet. Fortunately, he got a job as a labourer in building construction, but before he could fully settle in, the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the nation.

With the strict lockdowns and shutdowns, thousands of workers, including Balu, lost their jobs and were forced to return home. For Balu, this meant a long and difficult journey on foot, as he walked nearly 400 km with limited resources.

When he reached Kakarmal, he found that the situation at home was not very pleasant. His family was struggling with hunger, and his younger child was suffering from malnourishment.

The Caritas India SABAL team came as a rescue for Balu’s family. The SABAL community facilitator visited his house and introduced the project’s initiatives aimed at helping marginalised communities improve their livelihoods.

Caritas India implemented the SABAL program, which focused on supporting Korku families with livelihood initiatives to ensure their food security during the pandemic. Over 250 impoverished and marginal families, including Balu’s, were identified and supported with various initiatives such as tailoring, petty shops, and grocery stores. These initiatives are functioning effectively at the village level, enabling many families to stop migrating and earn a livelihood locally. The SABAL programme has had a significant impact on the lives of the Korku community, providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive.
Balu was drawn to the idea of organic farming and was chosen to be an IGP beneficiary.

He was provided with monetary support to start a ladies’ cutlery items business and was trained in various livelihood activities, including organic farming and backyard gardening. He soon found success in his cutlery business, earning INR. 3,000 on a weekly basis.

Balu no longer relies on outside sources for food, and his child is no longer malnourished. He expresses his gratitude for the Dayasagar Social Center and the SABAL project, which have helped him and his family overcome their difficult circumstances.