Our initiative draws its inspiration from Gandhi and Vinoba. This organization aims to improve the lives of tribes living in remote areas i.e. to provide basic facilities and help setus who have given up their comfort and modern lives for the betterment of these tribes. Why help these tribes? These tribal areas are not even shown on the map of Gujarat. These areas lack electricity, health care fac
ilities, schools, good roads etc. Because of lack of finances, the elders in these tribes cannot afford to send their kids for higher education, and in some cases, cannot even afford primary education ; they cannot afford basic health care and basic nutrition. Due to their remote locations, they don’t have access to good roads or public transportation. Because of their monsoon-dependent farming, there is no change in their financial condition. Because of remote locations, some times there is no electricity available. And in the entire season of monsoon, most years, there is absolutely no electricity. On top of this, villages have a lot of other problems. For eg. child marriage, deforestation, stealing wood, land issues and the most scary for them – the danger of their existence being wiped off. The migration rate of these areas has increased ( due to financial causes). Who are setus and how do we help them? Setu means bridge. There exist a lot of bridges in our lives that play an important role – small or big in our lives. Take a bridge across a river. This bridge helps people from all walks of life. In a way it becomes a medium to bring happiness and joy to people. Similarly, here we talk of a human bridge which brings happiness and development to the tribal areas of Gujarat. Due to this setu, knowledge and growth (emotional, mental and financial) of these tribal areas has been achieved. All these setus have been well educated and they are inspired from Gandhi, Vinoba and Babal Bhai Mehta. They face their own set of problems, building a house, getting accustomed to the new culture, building trust and faith in the community, interacting with people, getting to know their problems and working alongside them and according to their needs. These setus often face opposition and distrust, emotional and financial problems and various other issues. Where do we come in? We feel connected and compassionate with the setus and aim to help them and in turn help the villages. The setus need support and they have a lack of connectivity and technology and often cannot ask for help from outside. Hence we bring the help to them. We provide guidance, training, finances for their projects and work. To help these projects last long term and be self sustainable. To raise funds for these projects. How do we want to achieve? To create a space of maitri (noble friendship )
To educate and improve the quality of life
To train similar minded people (like us) and help them help us. To connect with other NGOs. To approach various schools and colleges with the idea of Gandhi and Vinoba and spread their message via seminars and constructive activities. Create a connected atmosphere. In the sense that both the city and the village draw cultural inspiration from each other. Create a cultural bridge in a sense. What we want to achieve? Through professional help rural community should be self sustain in their own. Support community and sets emotionally. End each person’s condition will be good financially.
