On the morning of May 11, 2023, we the volunteers arrived in Jodhpur through the efforts of Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation. From there, we went to the nearby Gangana village. There, we met Dehraj Bhill, who himself is displaced and has been living here for the past 12 years. He took us to two camps for Pakistani displaced families, which are a little distance apart from each other.
In the first camp, we met five displaced Pakistani individuals who were residing there. We talked to Bhairaram Bhill, Haduram Bhill, and Dehdaram Bhill among them.
(Bhairaram Bhill)
Bhairaram Bhill (age 45) has been living in mud houses for the past ten years. He told us that the local administration had demolished their houses a few days ago. Consequently, they were forced to endure the scorching heat without shelter. Due to the intense heat, children and elderly are struggling with illnesses.
However, they found great relief through the temporary shelter assistance provided by the Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation. They thanked us for the help and in their Marwari language, they said, “Swati Didi ro ghano ghano, Thank You.” “Didi ne unke sir par chat di hai, ab paani. Yeh vahi samasya hai. Humen yakeen hai ki keval Didi hi ise hal kar sakti hain.”
(The broken water tank, which was intended for storing water for drinking and other purposes)
When the houses were demolished by the administration, their water tanks were also broken.
( Haduram Bhill )
They said that in this heat, there were only four water tanks for 500 people, including two small tanks.
(Dehdaram Bhill)
Dehdaram said that with high hopes, he came to Jodhpur considering it his own country. He had to come here from Pakistan to save his life. Even here, one has to think twice before drinking water when the throat gets dry, so that the water doesn’t run out. After the house was demolished, Didi immediately had it rebuilt by coming to Jodhpur. It would be great if water is available here too.
Then we headed towards the second camp.
(Jemaram Bhill)
At the second Jodhpur camp, we met Jemaram Bhil. He said that whatever we have received, Swati Didi has provided it all.
Sometimes the temperature rises above 48 degrees. Adults can endure it, but children often die due to illness. But now there is shade available.
(Rokhman Bhill)
Around their house, several half-built huts were visible. Sitting in an incomplete hut, elderly woman Rokhman Bhil said, “Didi did a great job by providing supplies for the huts. People from our village work as laborers in the fields all day. When they return at night, it’s dark, and everyone is tired. That’s why work on the huts progresses little by little every day. This is why many huts are incomplete.”
We met Daulatram, who was building his hut in front of them, and was off work today. We also joined him in this work.
(Daulatram Bhill, who was building his hut)
Daulatram told us that all the adults in the house go to work in the fields all day. But the children have to stay at home. All the children sit around all day together. Since they get shade, a hut has to be prepared today itself. That’s why he is on leave.
In front, all the children were sitting in his brother’s hut, making drawings. When we asked Vikram, Ajay, and Rohit, “What games do you like to play?” He said, “We don’t play much because playing makes us thirsty in the sun and water becomes scarce.”
This statement by the children moved us emotionally.
( Mishriramji Bhill, to his right was Amlaki Bhill, and Arjun )
In the evening, we ordered 9 water tanks with a capacity of 1000 liters and of 4-layer quality, which we were supposed to receive the next day.
The next day, we went out to buy cement for making sports equipment and playground. For the children, we bought: 2 Carrom boards, 4 Footballs, 3 Cricket bats, 8 skipping ropes, 2 Badminton rings, Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, and many balls.
Along with that, educational materials such as Hindi and English alphabets charts and maps of India were also purchased.
After assessing the children’s needs, we went to buy bamboo, sand, and cement for the playground. Taking all the items, we reached the settlement.
After taking all the items, we ourselves started the work of building the playground.
By around 3 o’clock, we had completed the foundation work. By then, the water tanks had also been delivered. Seeing them, the children were very happy. The tanks were placed in one location in the small settlement and in 8 different locations in the other settlement. All the tanks were filled with water.
( Due to the scarcity of adults in the settlement for lifting water tanks, children themselves help in lifting the tanks )
In the joy of water tanks and play equipment, we made 500 liters of refreshing drink. By evening, all the people of the settlement had arrived. Everyone enjoyed the drink and thanked the Seva Nyay Utthan Foundation.
Before leaving Jodhpur, the elders of the community thanked the Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation.
SNUF and Pakistani Hindu refugees who are residing in Jodhpur.
The Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation (SNUF) is actively engaged in the rehabilitation of Hindu refugees displaced from Pakistan. The organization is providing shelter assistance to these families, ensuring they have a roof over their heads despite facing many challenges. SNUF also runs education centers for the children of these displaced families, offering them free education and opportunities for a better future. The organization’s dedication to supporting these vulnerable communities is commendable, and it is inspiring to see the impact of their efforts on the lives of these families.