JET March 2010

The March 2010 JET Work Camp to India

Trip leader Vishal Jani was so affected by his first trip to GP in March 2009, that he decided to return as a trip leader.

Chevuru Village Background

A total of 459 Dalits (formerly known as Untouchables), including 70 widows, live in thatched mud huts in Chevuru. Most of the adults in the village are unskilled agricultural laborers and are unable to find work outside the 3-month growing season each year. Because they earn barely enough wages to support their families, missing even one day of work to repair their fragile huts after heavy rain or floods can affect their ability to feed their children. Acquiring permanent housing will not The only allow these Dalit villagers to work more days of the year but will also raise their social status, giving them the confidence they need in order to stand up for their rights.

Fifty-one families in Chevuru were able to begin building permanent houses under a state government scheme that provides housing grants to people living below the poverty line. However, these grants are not enough to cover the remaining costs of the houses. These families have requested Longitude and ARV’s financial assistance to complete their homes, which have been sitting unfinished since last year. In order to put a roof on every home, we must raise US $1500 per house.

How You Can Help

Our group’s fundraising goal of $15,000 will subsidize the completion of 10 houses in Chevuru. Please help us meet this goal by either fully or partially sponsoring one family’s home. A contribution of any amount will bring piece of mind and security to a very deserving Dalit family!

THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL DONORS

Laying the Foundations Making this House a Home

Kevin Chang-an Chen

Joseph Burke

Aaron Carey

Kristin Namimoto

Kimberly Tordjman

Cesar Hernandez Jr

Kate K Viernes

Aurelija Urbaitis

Jennifer M. Ginsberg

Laura J Popp

Sayye M Tabib

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

Another Crew of Volunteers to Volunteer in Andhra Pradesh!

March 2010 Work Camp will take place from March 21 – 26 in Chevuru village, Andhra Pradesh State, India. Our international volunteer group will help the villagers and local masons construct much-needed concrete houses in this Dalit village. The group will also teach English to the village children and help organize a community meal in Chevuru. During the work camp, the volunteers will be reporting on their experiences on the Longitude Blog.