October 2005 Update

October 2005 Update

October 2005 Update

Finally the rains bid adieu. This past week was dry and there is a crispness of autumn in the air. This month, the GSBG and others in Belgaon Dhaga hosted a marathon in which over 120 youth from the cluster villages participated including friends in the govt, private, and NGO sectors. The highlight was the training camp conducted by two grand old men who have retired from govt services and have committed their lives to training the youth in health care. On the economic side, there was a loan recovery problem with a saree vendor. The GSBG members took responsibility of handling the situation with care and prowess and, with her consent, a portion of her salary from her govt job will be deducted to repay the loan.

Marathon event sponsored by GSBG 

Monsoon Update

Monsoon Update

Monsoon Update

During the monsoon season that included four months of rain, Belgaon Dhaga faced the wrath of severe floods. Our entire farmland in the community was under water for a devastatingly long spell, destroying all the standing crops raised on drip irrigation systems. Nevertheless, the community has not lost an ounce of their spirits. Fresh crops can be seen all over. The community participated in welcoming Ganesha, the elephant God of prosperity and auspicious beginnings, who is also the most revered deity of our state, with rather low key festivities this year in which people of all communities participate in praying for well being. During the monsoon season our economic activities (mostly farming) has slowed down some including computer classes due to erratic supply of electricity.

Belgaon Dhaga farms under water 

July 2005 update

July 2005 Update

July 2005 Update

GSBG members are working on two major projects for finalisation: 1) Ashok's printing business and 2) an all women's raisin making enterprise. GSBG has also just given a loan to a very deserving family from the Dalit community who will sell excess vegetables from Belgaon Dhaga in the nearby market.

Mrs. Sonawane's vegetable shop