I : Ramachandran
Both Ramachandiran and Usha, a visually impaired couple, are members of “Vizhuthugal“(Roots), thesupport groupfor the disabled formed by CRUSADE in Amithanallur village in Ellapuram block.
“My wife Usha lost60% vision in one of her eyes during her childhood due to an accident. A few years back on a sunny day CRUSADE staff visited our village and explained how to access the Disability Identity card from the Government for Usha. Subsequently Usha joined the Disability group ‘Vizhuthugal’ formed by CRUSADE in our village and I attended the monthly meeting and the noticed my own vision problem and took both of us for assessment to the Taluk hospital. I was shocked to know that I have already lost 80% of my vision as assessed by the doctors due to eyes exposure to chemical during my employment in a private company in the past.
“A tint of darkness entered our life as both of us were assessed low vision. With CRUSADE’S assistance both accessed Identity card and monthly allowance from the state government which gave us partial relief. Then the idea to create our own kitchen garden and plant tree saplings in one cent of our land in our backyardwere suggested in the monthly meetings. With the fencing materials provided by CRUSADE free of cost and with my interest in agriculture has made me create fully fenced garden with saplings of Teakwood, Banana, Chikku, Lemon and Fig provided by CRUSADE.
“: Besides fruit and timber seedlings, we await every year organic vegetable seed packets provided by CRUSADE.Organically grown vegetables such as Auber gene,bottle guard, lady finger, tomatoes, chilly, greens make our dish healthy and hopefully preserve our vision too. Selling organic vegetables to my neighbors fetches small income, but more satisfaction looking at its health benefits. We are happy and see “Brightness inspite of our blurred vision” – proudly narrates Ramachandran.
II : Abilasha
Being a member of Thirumagal Women SHG, Kulathumedu village, Minjur block, Abilesha feels proud for not only being financially stable but also for her small contribution to nature. Abilesha is a member is of the group for the past 20 years. Her husband is a two wheeler mechanic. Both of her sons are graduates, married and living separately.
“Creating a kitchen garden at home remained a dream for years as we lived in a rented house where there was not enough space to plant trees. I admire plants in my village whenever I pass through them. My dream came true when the panchayat provided 2 cents of land for housing to landless people.
“As soon as I heard about the distribution of tree saplings by CRUSADE in a meeting in 2021, I procured variety of tree saplings such as banana, Chikku, Guava, Mango, Pomegranate, Jack fruit, lemon, Grapes and drumstick.
“Banana trees started yielding us quickly and I earned Rs.300 per banana bunch. I was skeptical to plant grapes as I thought our climate may not suit but the grapevines grew well and I could see few bunches of grapes hanging in the garden attracting little squirrels. Tasty home grown grapes brought us great excitement and my neighbors too were excited to see a well grown grapevine in my garden. Other saplings were also growing well competing each other.
“As I have health concerns, my husband is very supportive in tending the garden
“Flowering plants add more beauty to my garden and I offer the flowers to the nearby temple. What more we need from CRUSADE? it’s a complete package of not only various benefits and development but fulfillment of our dreams” asserts Abilesha.
III : Tree plantation on common land, Athur
CRUSADE always promotes tree plantation as one of its climate change adaptation activity under the Environment program. One acre panchayat fallow land located on the bank of a pond looks now green with 58 mango saplings and few Guava saplings planted by CRUSADE in Athur village of Sholavaramblock. The saplings planted originally during 2022 monsoon was totally destroyed due to heavy rain. At the request of the Panchayat CRUSADE again distributed around 60 mango seedlings for replanting during 2023 season.
Panchayat fenced the whole plot with wire mesh fencing and installed an iron gate. The saplings planted neatly in are now 5 to 6 feet height, with young tender leaves. Few saplings could be spotted in flowering stage.
Shanthi member of WSHG expresses her gratitude “We are proud to say with the support of CRUSADE our panchayat will have a beautiful mango farm in few more years. Complete fencing and the nearby tank full of water areadded advantages. We draw water from the pond and water the saplings twice a week. We are excited and awaiting eagerly to pluck the first fruit in the farm, hopefully in another two years”.
The mango sapling plantation has motivated students of a private college nearby came in batch and planted 10 coconut saplings around the mango saplings.
“We feel happy in and the farm in future may add to the income of our panchayat which may indirectly help in the betterment of our village panchayat. Expressing mere “Thanks” may not be sufficient to express our gratitude to CRUSADE” says Shanthi.
IV : Sarasammal -Tree plantation / kitchen garden
Sarasammal, residing in Devadhanam Colony in a joint family comprising five members. Despite possessing a five-cent land, the family did not engage in agricultural activities until three years ago. Three years ago, CRUSADE provided Sarasammal's with 55 saplings, teak wood, guava, coconut and other fruit saplings. Last year, during monsoon she was provided seeds packets to her . They cultivate a variety of vegetables, ladies' finger, tomato, greens, and other vegetables. She produces vegetables organically without using chemical fertilizers, opting instead for natural fertilizers. This eco-friendly approach not only ensures the production of healthier crops but also contributes to environment conservation efforts.
Sarasamma shares the surplus vegetables with her relatives. She is hopeful that by that time her children are grown up she could harvest and sell to spend for marriage functions of her children. The case of Mrs. Sarasammal exemplifies the transformative impact of sustainable agricultural practices facilitated by CRUSADE.
