Community to community: creating a better way of life

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Following the success of a pilot project in an impoverished village in India, the community of Rockyford is showing a united front by raising thousands of dollars to provide better quality of life to a dozen families in the hometown of one of their community members.
Father Joseph Nagothu, parish priest of St. Rita’s Church – a small church in Rockyford – grew up in poverty-stricken Thurakapalem, where citizens live in mud huts, are exposed to extreme weather conditions, and battle invasions of rats and snakes. Since moving to Canada 15 years ago, Father Joseph has had a big influence in the community that failed to go unnoticed by its fellow residents.
After the launch of a $25,000 pilot project for the construction of a 600 sq. ft. home for one of the families in his hometown in 2012, residents were touched by the success and decided to get involved in Phase 2 – providing 12 of the Thurakapalem families in need with 12 sturdy, reliable, and safe homes.
“We discovered that he had come from a very different world than ours. He grew up in a village where many of the people lived in thatched huts, where they were constantly surrounded by snakes and poisonous insects, where their huts were knocked down by monsoons and floods al-most every year, and they were without electricity, clean water, and sanitation. And when we saw how hard he worked in our community we decided it was only right that we do everything we could to help the people from his community.”
The village in India was asked to hand-pick a dozen most vulnerable families in need of the new homes, which would only cost $12,500 per dwelling. At only one-third of the square footage of the pilot project size, at 400 sq. ft., Locke assured the space would still be adequate for five or six individuals.
While the project has already raised $50,000, an additional $100,000 is required to turn the three-phase undertaking into a reality. In an effort to accumulate the remaining funds, the Vikas India Housing Project is hosting a silent auction, hoping to raise enough money for two more homes – approximately $24,000.
“We have gotten up to the $50,000 level at this point in time, but would like to have the second $50,000 before we proceed with the first phase so we always have something there to keep things going,” said Carol Munchrath, coordinator for the Rockyford Partner Group. “The beauty of the project is that all of the work is done by the villagers themselves, and so it provides work and an opportunity to learn different skills. This was all clarified in process when they built the pilot home in 2012. They found out how they could do this the best way.”
According to Munchrath, the Rockyford Partner Group’s goal of raising $12,500 was quickly surpassed in April through the contributions of the people of Rockyford.
Members are already scrambling to fill 25 tables at the June fundraiser, and already have six confirmed tables. The Vikas India Project is sponsored by the Calgary Diocesan Mission Council, and Locke emphasized the cost of the event will be covered ensuring all donations go directly to the project.
The Vikas India Housing project is comprised of three phases that will begin by demolishing the existing huts and the creation of a foundation, construction of walls, roof, and infrastructure to be accompanied by electrical work, plumbing, and sanitation, and finally the installation of windows and doors. The design will also take into consideration flooding by raising the building to assure the house remains stable.
The Vikas India Housing Project’s Raising the Roof Dinner and Silent Auction will take place at the Rockyford Community Centre on June 20 at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase a ticket, which are sold for $50, please contact Carol Munchrath at 403.533.2266.