The plight of Widows
It is estimated there are 40 million widows in India today - 10 per cent of the country's female population. India is the country with the largest widow population in the world - it has become home to the "husbandless".
Many widows are thrown out of family homes by their children or abandoned by their in-laws as evil women who caused the death of their husbands. Unfortunately, without a man by her side a woman has no respect in rural Indian society. It is part of a patriarchal culture where a woman is respected only if she is a mother, daughter and wife. On news of their husband's death, they break their bangles and can no longer wear jewellery or use sindhoor - the red powder women wear in their parting and on their foreheads to denote their married status.
The Care Home
The Development for Rural Oppressed People's Service Society - (DROPSS) is a Charity registered Care Home and is supported by a group of passionate and committed Community Workers. It began life in 1999 and provides food and accommodation, health and related care services for widows who would otherwise be destitute.
The Need
In February 2011, Bhupendra visited the Home and saw at first hand the fantastic work of the staff who struggle to provide basic services on a shoe string budget. The bulk of their time is taken up by seeking in kind donations for the up keep and general running of the home. Currently the home is providing accommodation for 25 widows and is led by an inspirational woman who manages to provide adequate support on a miniscule budget with minimal support from Government agencies. In response to this situation the Foundation feels compelled to raise funds for this incredible project.
The Prajapati London Foundation (PLF) is the charity arm of the Shree Prajapati Association, London. Their aim is to take on small projects which will relieve poverty and improve the lives of people throughout the world. To this effect they have kindly come forward to support the latest collaboration with Kamla Foundation.
"Changing Minds - Changing Lives" is at the root of the philosophy of Kamla Foundation and we firmly believe that providing a stimulating environment and helping the widows to stand independently will enrich their lives within an otherwise wretched existence, enabling their voices to be heard and helping to uplift their status in society. The widows are the unacceptable face of India, a range of agencies including Central and Local Governments have failed them, Politicians with rare exceptions have ignored them and the rest of society will continue to exploit them.
Click here for further information on the Widows Home Project
To learn more about the work of PLF please click here