- +91-7682853610 /8118026555
- sambandhindia@gmail.com
- +91-7682853610/8118026555
- sambandhindia@gmail.com
A Journey to Hope: The Resilience of Sakuntala Giri’s Family
Sakuntala Giri and her husband, Basanta, live with their two children, Samay (7) and Lipsa (8), in the village of Kolipal, Deogarh via Pallahara, Angul district, Odisha. The family’s survival depended solely on Basanta’s meager earnings as a daily wage laborer, which were barely enough to provide food and meet basic needs.
Their struggle intensified when Samay became severely malnourished. The family couldn’t afford protein-rich food essential for his recovery, leaving them fearful for his life. The situation grew increasingly desperate as they battled hunger, poverty, and mounting health concerns.
During one of SAMBANDH’s routine outreach visits, a staff member discovered the family’s plight. Recognizing the gravity of Samay’s condition, SAMBANDH acted swiftly, providing immediate nutritional support that saved his life. However, the organization’s assistance didn’t end there.
To empower the family toward self-reliance, SAMBANDH provided them with 20 hens and 5 roosters to initiate poultry farming. With dedication and hard work, the family now collects around 15 eggs daily. They consume three to four eggs to ensure proper nutrition, sell 10 eggs at the local market for ₹10 each, and keep the remaining eggs for hatching. Additionally, selling hens and roosters during emergencies has become a reliable way to cover urgent medical and household expenses.
Today, Sakuntala’s family is healthier, financially stable, and full of hope. Expressing her heartfelt gratitude, Sakuntala says, “SAMBANDH gave us a new life. We were lost in despair, but their support brought back our hope and happiness. We will always be thankful for their kindness and help.”
Restoring Hope: The Transformation of Sabita Choudhury’s Family
Sabita Choudhury and her husband, Birsha, live in a small, thatched house made of mud walls and flooring. Birsha’s meager earnings as a daily wage laborer are barely enough to meet the family’s basic needs. Their situation is worsened by the challenges of raising two children: their 1.3-year-old daughter, Dasmati, who weighed only 6 kg, and their son, who is differently-abled and has been bedridden for a long time.
Sabita Choudhury and her husband, Birsha, live in a small, thatched house made of mud walls and flooring. Birsha’s meager earnings as a daily wage laborer are barely enough to meet the family’s basic needs. Their situation is worsened by the challenges of raising two children: their 1.3-year-old daughter, Dasmati, who weighed only 6 kg, and their son, who is differently-abled and has been bedridden for a long time.
A concerned community volunteer identified Dasmati’s critical condition and urgently reported the case to SAMBANDH. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the organization quickly provided Chhatua Protein Food for Dasmati and assigned a volunteer to guide Sabita on proper feeding practices.
Gradually, Dasmati’s health began to improve, her energy returning as she regained strength. The family, once trapped in despair, now had hope. SAMBANDH further extended their support by providing income-generating resources to help the family achieve a more stable and secure future.
Expressing her gratitude, Sabita says, “I had lost all hope. But SAMBANDH brought my child back to life and gave us the strength to move forward. I am forever thankful for their kindness and support.”
From Dependency to Self-Reliance: Puja Naik’s Inspiring Journey
Puja Naik, a bright 16-year-old tribal girl studying in 10th grade, lives with her family in a remote village. Her father, Nakula Naik, works as a daily wage laborer, struggling to provide for the family’s basic needs. Despite her circumstances, Puja dreamed of building a better life for herself and her family.
One day, she learned about Nutri-gardens through a community development worker from SAMBANDH, an organization dedicated to improving lives in her village. Curious and eager to learn, Puja approached the worker to understand more. She was shocked to discover that the vegetables her family consumed daily were often grown with harmful pesticides and inorganic practices, slowly deteriorating their health and well-being.
Determined to make a change, Puja sought guidance from SAMBANDH’s agricultural experts. With their support and strategic advice, she decided to establish her own Nutri-garden and poultry farm. Understanding her family’s financial difficulties, SAMBANDH provided essential resources and ongoing mentorship to help her get started.
The journey was challenging, but Puja’s resilience paid off. Her Nutri-garden now flourishes with fresh, organic vegetables that provide her family with safe and nutritious food. Meanwhile, poultry farming offers a consistent supply of eggs and meat. Selling the surplus at the local market allows Puja to cover her education expenses and contribute financially to her household.
Her parents are overwhelmed with pride and relief. They gratefully express, “Our daughter is becoming self-reliant. She no longer depends on us, and we feel relieved and thankful to SAMBANDH for their invaluable support. Their guidance has truly transformed our lives.”
Puja’s inspiring story reflects the power of knowledge, courage, and timely intervention, proving that with the right support, dreams can indeed flourish.
From Despair to Prosperity: Raghunath’s Journey to a Better Future
Raghunath Hembram, a marginal farmer from the small village of Mandam in Baunshanali panchayat, Jashipur, had long struggled to provide for his family. With just 1.20 decimal of land, the meager harvest barely lasted six months, forcing him and his wife to migrate in search of daily-wage labor for survival.
Their hardships deepened as they watched their children suffer—frequently missing school due to financial constraints, unable to afford even the basic necessities of education like books, uniforms, and fees. The burden of poverty weighed heavily on Raghunath, leaving him feeling helpless and hopeless.
Amidst this despair, a ray of hope emerged when SAMBANDH, a local organization working for community development, took notice of Raghunath’s plight. Through its dedicated Community Mobilizer, the organization introduced him to the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method—a revolutionary approach to paddy cultivation promising higher yields. Skeptical yet desperate for change, Raghunath decided to take the leap.
Amidst this despair, a ray of hope emerged when SAMBANDH, a local organization working for community development, took notice of Raghunath’s plight. Through its dedicated Community Mobilizer, the organization introduced him to the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method—a revolutionary approach to paddy cultivation promising higher yields. Skeptical yet desperate for change, Raghunath decided to take the leap.
For the first time, Raghunath felt a sense of security and optimism. No longer would he have to leave his home in search of work. His children could now attend school regularly without the fear of dropping out. He and his wife were overwhelmed with gratitude, vowing to continue this method in the coming years. With newfound confidence and a sustainable livelihood, Raghunath Hembram’s story became a testament to resilience, transformation, and the power of timely intervention.
Forever grateful, Raghunath acknowledges that SAMBANDH did not just help him grow crops—it helped him reclaim his dignity and dreams.
A Farmer’s Triumph: Jayaram Hembram’s Journey from Struggle to Success.
In the remote village of Ramasahi, Jayaram Hembram, a marginal farmer, lived with his seven family members in a small thatched house with mud walls and flooring. For years, he toiled on his one-acre land, yet his harvest barely provided enough to sustain his family. Each passing season deepened his despair—how could he feed his children when his fields refused to yield?
With a heavy heart and dwindling hope, Jayaram searched for a way out of his hardship. That’s when he heard about SAMBANDH, an organization committed to supporting poor farmers. Encouraged by their mission, he approached them, desperate for a solution.
SAMBANDH’s community volunteers welcomed him with open arms. They introduced him to an agricultural expert who taught him about the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method)—a technique that could transform his barren fields into thriving farmland. He was advised to first plant green manure for 40 days to rejuvenate the soil. With renewed determination, Jayaram followed the guidance diligently, preparing his land with care and patience.
Next, he planted San 20 species paddy, ensuring regular weeding to allow the crops to flourish. SAMBANDH provided organic and handi manure, further enriching his soil. He nurtured his fields with newfound knowledge and hope, eagerly waiting for the results.
And then, the miracle happened. His harvest increased from 6 quintals to an astonishing 16 quintals on just half an acre of land! Tears of joy filled his eyes as he stood in his golden paddy fields, knowing that his family would no longer go to bed hungry.
His wife and children rejoiced, their home once filled with worry now brimming with laughter and gratitude. The entire village celebrated his success—Jayaram had proven that with the right guidance and unwavering perseverance, even the most struggling farmer could rewrite his destiny.
Today, Jayaram is not just a farmer; he is a beacon of hope, inspiring others in Ramasahi to embrace sustainable farming. And at the heart of his transformation stands SAMBANDH—the guiding light that turned his despair into abundance.
Padmini Behera – From Daily Wage Labour to a Confident Farmer
Padmini Behera is a hardworking woman from Begunia village. She lives with her husband, one son, and two daughters — a family of five. Life has not been easy for them. Coming from a poor background, the family mostly depended on daily wage labour to meet their daily needs. Padmini and her husband worked whenever they found work, but the income was never enough to lead a stable life.
Padmini owns 1.6 acres of land. However, only 1 acre of this land was being used for farming — mainly for paddy cultivation during the rainy season. The remaining 0.6 acres had been lying fallow for years because they lacked resources and knowledge to make proper use of it. Apart from farming, Padmini also collected forest produce like leaves, fruits, and wood from nearby forests to sell in the market. That small earning also helped in running the household.
Things began to change in 2023, when Padmini came in contact with Sambandh, a development organization working in her area. Under their Kitchen Garden/Nutrition Garden initiative, Padmini received a seed kit and fencing materials to set up a home garden. She was also given training on organic farming, including how to prepare organic manure and how to manage pests without using chemicals.
Motivated by the training and support, Padmini decided to make good use of the 0.6-acre fallow land. With the help of Sambandh, she received seeds of maize and cowpea and started farming on the previously unused plot. It was the first time she tried something new apart from paddy, and she gave it her full effort. Her hard work paid off — she earned a good income of ₹17,980 from the sale of maize and ridge gourd. This was a big achievement for her and gave her a lot of confidence.
Inspired by the success, Padmini did not stop there. She continued to farm on the same land. Now, she grows tomato, radish, potato, and ridge gourd. She also maintains her kitchen garden regularly, which provides her family with fresh green vegetables like spinach, coriander, and other leafy greens. This has improved the nutrition level of her family, as they now eat vegetables grown in their own backyard.
Along with farming, Padmini still does daily wage work whenever she can, but now she has an additional source of income and food from her land. She has become more confident and aware of how to use organic methods to grow crops and make the best use of the land she has.
Padmini Behera’s story is a strong example of how timely support, training, and a little encouragement can bring a big change in the life of a woman farmer. With the help of Sambandh, she has not only increased her income but also ensured better food for her family. Her journey from a daily wage labourer to a confident farmer is truly inspiring for many other women in her village and beyond.
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