India's Widows

THE WIDOWS IN THE SLUMS

OF BHUBANESWAR

The Satya Nagar Slum is located near a creek which often floods during the monsoon season and cylcones. There are well over 250 acres of “shanties” in the main slum area in Bhubaneswar.

THE WIDOWS OF THE RURAL 

GAJAPATI DISTRICT

There is no industry in this area, so most men work as day laborers or herdsmen, making clay bricks or picking cashews. Having another person in a home to provide for is a huge challenge and an unwanted burden.

Facts & Numbers

ABOUT THE WIDOWS

There are 27 widows supported by Global Partners in Life in the slums of Bhubaneswar.

There are 20 elderly widows in the rural Gajapati District supported by Global Partners in Life.

Shacks in the slums are allowed 1 extension cord for 1 light.

The highest recorded temperature here is 115.7 F.

55% of females in the Gajapati District are illiterate.

Challenges

& UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES

There is an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.

Health care is needed for the widows and their children

Transportation is challenging.

There is no permanent shelter to protect them from the cyclones and monsoon seasons.

There are many financial challenges.

There is a lack of avialable social services.

MEET SOME OF THE WIDOWS

& Learn about their Needs

Shanti Nayak

5 CHILDREN, ONE WITH SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS

Shanti Nayak is in her early 40s, and she lost her husband to tuberculosis, which is common in the slums. Shanti lives with her 5 daughters ranging in ages from almost 20 to 6, and the youngest is a deaf mute.

Marthama Pani

REJECTED BY HER FAMILY

Marthama is over 65 years old, and for a brief period of time she did live with her son. Unfortunately, the financial stress of having to provide for his mother was too much for him, so he kicked his mom out of his house. As she left, he gave her a bowl and told her to go beg the rest of her life, and that is what she has done.

Jikala Sarangi and Bini Singh

THESE TWO WIDOWS WORK TOGETHER TO SURVIVE.

Bini Singh is over 65 years old and has been declared disabled due to her curved spine and inability to walk.  She is so helpless that she and another elderly widow, Jikala, take care of one another.  Jikala Sarangi can walk well, but she is blind, so together they can assist each other and make it through the day.

Give

Every Dollar Helps

Your donation can help change the lives of the children and widows across the world. Global Partners In Life is a 501(C) (3) organization, so your contributions are 100% tax deductible. You may contact us at P.O. Box 3782, Peachtree City, GA 30269 or by sending an email.

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