Water tank system and bathroom
Donation protected
GoFundMe campaign: Water system, deliveries, bathroom, and camel cart for Rakesh Bhopa and family, Dec 2018
3 years ago with your help, we were able to buy land and build a house for Rakesh Bhopa, our favorite street kid in India. Thanks to many of you we were able to do that for this very poor (low-caste) family.
The family lived in the plastic covered thatched hut (see below) on government squatter land for most of their lives. When it rained they had to put all their belongings on their bodies as they slept on 2 beds we purchased for them as the water ran through their hut during monsoon.
This is the new house many of you helped us build!
Sadly, Rakesh (now a grown man) cannot find decent work to provide for his family. Working in a factory for $1/day is the reality that Rakesh faces. As street children grow into men and fathers they have very little success with begging.
While we give him money every month to pay for staples like rice, dahl, tea, butter, chapati flour, and sugar, there is little money left to provide a decent life for his eight brothers and sisters, mother, wife, and 2 children.
PROJECT
Please help us provide some comfort and opportunity for Rakesh and his family. With your help, we will purchase a water tank and plumbing system for Rakesh so his wife does not have to walk a long distance for water. For the first time in their lives, the family will have an in-house toilet and running water.
Additionally, we want to help Rakesh create an income for his family. He has requested that we purchase a "camel cart" for him so that he can make a living carting goods and tourists through the desert of Rajasthan where he lives.
Please consider donating to this very personal cause. We have seen Rakesh grow up from a young mischevious boy of 8 years old to a young man striving to provide for his family under the stresses of a low-caste uneducated existence in Rajasthan, India.
Sadly, there are many people in the world without work, running water, and a place to call home. However, helping one family is a start and a way we can feel like we contributed to improving the lives of one family.
Camel cart
Rakesh's wife and son
The 2 children
Rakesh was lucky that his parents moved to the area near Pushkar over 20 years ago. He was able to learn English from tourists in the streets. He met us.
Rakesh and family
Janet and I with Rakesh's parents
Rakesh's father passed away this year. We provided Rakesh with funding for a traditional funeral service for his father, over 250 caste members attended.
Funeral photos
We work directly with Fior di Loto, a non-governmental agency in Pushkar, Rajasthan. The money for these projects is sent directly to the directors of the charity and dispensed by them to the contractors as needed. They have a great deal of experience with building, land purchase, education, food programs, and more. You can find out more information about their main mission - providing education for poor village girls on their website at www.fiordilotoindia.org.
GOAL : $6,000
NEEDS:
1. water tank installed on rooftop
2. water pipes connecting faucets, tank, and roadside filler connections
3. one year of water deliveries
4. outdoor "outhouse" bathroom
DREAMS:
-- A camel cart for freelance work as a "camel cart man" (see pic above)
-- A hot water heater (they have never had a hot shower in their whole lives)
-- Electrical service (still no electricity) for heater and lights
Thanks for your consideration and Happy Holidays!
Rakesh in 2005
3 years ago with your help, we were able to buy land and build a house for Rakesh Bhopa, our favorite street kid in India. Thanks to many of you we were able to do that for this very poor (low-caste) family.
The family lived in the plastic covered thatched hut (see below) on government squatter land for most of their lives. When it rained they had to put all their belongings on their bodies as they slept on 2 beds we purchased for them as the water ran through their hut during monsoon.
This is the new house many of you helped us build!
Sadly, Rakesh (now a grown man) cannot find decent work to provide for his family. Working in a factory for $1/day is the reality that Rakesh faces. As street children grow into men and fathers they have very little success with begging.
While we give him money every month to pay for staples like rice, dahl, tea, butter, chapati flour, and sugar, there is little money left to provide a decent life for his eight brothers and sisters, mother, wife, and 2 children.
PROJECT
Please help us provide some comfort and opportunity for Rakesh and his family. With your help, we will purchase a water tank and plumbing system for Rakesh so his wife does not have to walk a long distance for water. For the first time in their lives, the family will have an in-house toilet and running water.
Additionally, we want to help Rakesh create an income for his family. He has requested that we purchase a "camel cart" for him so that he can make a living carting goods and tourists through the desert of Rajasthan where he lives.
Please consider donating to this very personal cause. We have seen Rakesh grow up from a young mischevious boy of 8 years old to a young man striving to provide for his family under the stresses of a low-caste uneducated existence in Rajasthan, India.
Sadly, there are many people in the world without work, running water, and a place to call home. However, helping one family is a start and a way we can feel like we contributed to improving the lives of one family.
Camel cart
Rakesh's wife and son
The 2 children
Rakesh was lucky that his parents moved to the area near Pushkar over 20 years ago. He was able to learn English from tourists in the streets. He met us.
Rakesh and family
Janet and I with Rakesh's parents
Rakesh's father passed away this year. We provided Rakesh with funding for a traditional funeral service for his father, over 250 caste members attended.
Funeral photos
We work directly with Fior di Loto, a non-governmental agency in Pushkar, Rajasthan. The money for these projects is sent directly to the directors of the charity and dispensed by them to the contractors as needed. They have a great deal of experience with building, land purchase, education, food programs, and more. You can find out more information about their main mission - providing education for poor village girls on their website at www.fiordilotoindia.org.
GOAL : $6,000
NEEDS:
1. water tank installed on rooftop
2. water pipes connecting faucets, tank, and roadside filler connections
3. one year of water deliveries
4. outdoor "outhouse" bathroom
DREAMS:
-- A camel cart for freelance work as a "camel cart man" (see pic above)
-- A hot water heater (they have never had a hot shower in their whole lives)
-- Electrical service (still no electricity) for heater and lights
Thanks for your consideration and Happy Holidays!
Rakesh in 2005
Organizer
Ed Croteau
Organizer
Felton, CA
