Indira, a waste-picker from Bengaluru, lives in a dilapidated house that barely provides shelter for her family. She dreams of upgrading to a better home. Buying a flat or building her home is beyond her budget. Citizens, however, can help her realise her dream.
Hasirudala, an organisation that works for the welfare of wastepickers, has taken up an experimental project to rebuild homes of workers using construction debris and used materials. Indira is one of the beneficiaries of the pilot project. The organisation is looking for donations from the public in the form of construction debris and usable scrap, such as old kitchen slabs and interior decoration material that can be used for building purposes.
A similar project had been adopted by a cooperative of wastepickers in Pune, SWaCH (Solid Waste Collection and Handling), where a few homes were remodelled using recycled construction material. Hasirudala has decided to replicate the model.
“We started working on the project in the beginning of this year by identifying wastepickers who wanted to upgrade their homes. A market survey was also conducted to see if we could get the required material,” said Indha Mahoor from Hasirudala.
Many of houses are in low-lying areas and get inundated during the rains. “As a result, the houses face extensive damage. We want to help such people,” said Nalini Shekar, co-founder of Hasirudala.
To make the project a reality, the organisation needs access to construction debris and is, hence, reaching out to the public.
“We are requesting people not to throw away any construction material, but instead donate it for the rebuilding of homes. We will start constructing the homes after we have received enough material,” said Ms. Shekhar. “The city generates a considerable amount of construction debris, which is thrown away and ends up in landfills. It can be put to a better use. It will not only ensure a better, and lower cost homes for the poor, but also reduce the strain on the city's waste management system.”
The organisation has tied up with Selco Foundation, which provides sustainable solutions for the poor, for technical and financial support. Hasirudala is also hoping that the government will provide loans to wastepickers to help them rebuild their houses using secondhand material.
“Only then can this model become sustainable,” she added.
People wishing to contribute to the project can check the list of materials needed on http://hasirumane.hasirudala.in/donation-drive
