By: Maanasee Sharma and Tarini Gandhiok
It was 2015, and Mangar – a small village in Haryana, was on the edge of destitution. It’s occupants, over 2000 people were riddled with low income and major health hazards – owing to poor sanitation and a lack of skills. It was here that Enactus LSR launched its much coveted Project Auric, with the objective of developing Mangar, and specifically its most oppressed community: women, through skill enhancement, economic liberation, and social upliftment.
Project Auric has blossomed as a business that manufactures a dishwashing liquid by the same name. Under the project in Mangar, five women from from families with no earning members have been trained to manufacture dishwashing soap, which is later transported and sold via various distribution chains and the efforts of the many members of Enactus LSR. Moreover, the women themselves are provided with their own bottles of the liquid, to promote usage of soap as an alternative to the ash, which is traditional but also a source of major health scourges in the area.
Even though Auric has been successful in helping these women generate a livelihood and improve their lifestyle, problems persist in the streets of Mangar. The business is hampered by obscenely high transportation charges which cost these women huge chunks of the profits they are entitled to. The absence of any waste disposal system has led to an exponential spread of disease and vector-borne infections. Men, women and children have no awareness about sanitation,and hygienic practices. Many women have spent the entirety of their lives unaware of the existence of products like sanitary pads and widely engaged in using cotton, wood shavings, or cloth during their menstrual cycles which expose them to countless infections. Additionally, there is mass practice of burning all waste, which causes major predicaments related to pollution and harmful combustion.
Traipsing steadily, but surely, on the path of remedying lives of the citizens of Mangar, Enactus LSR has initiated a fundraising campaign. This endeavours to transform both the women’s business into a self-sustainable model and the village into an improved place of dwelling.
No crusader is mighty enough to take on a cause of this measure in solitude. Project Auric, too, has taken assistance by setting up its crowdfunding campaign on Ketto , through which it aims to raise 2 lakh rupees by January 5 2019. For a project that is now in its third year, this is a pivotal juncture. The fundraising has been kickstarted after a multitude of efforts undertaken by Enactus LSR – conducting a health camp, educating the young and old alike, as well as imparting menstrual advice to the women of Mangar.
To ensure complete transparency, all objectives that will benefit from the proceeds have been listed out preemptively. These include (but are not limited to) deposition of domestic incinerators to take care of waste disposal, including menstrual products, facilitation of transport costs, pervasive community development, miscellaneous motives et al.
Till yet, the project has helped a substantial number of women in Mangar gain economic independence. Enactus LSR believes the cause is extremely worthy and the change is tangible. But the spirit of social entrepreneurship commands the pursuit of a more comprehensive impact. This campaign reflects the realisation that alone one can do so much; together, so much more. The littlest of contributions from the members of a sensitive and aware populace can go on to make a big difference where it is most required.
The project as a whole and this crowdfunding campaign in specific have bridged the gap between the rural and the urban. It has provided a practical instrument to realise the goodwill and intent that is inherently present in every person.
It is an opportunity to bear change and be a catalyst of the change that you wish to see.
The crowdsourcing of funds is an attempt to uplift one community, undertaken via a cohesive effort of people who wish to do their part and bring in a new wave of socio-economic liberation.
You can read more and donate to the project here.