Approach and Method
Sanjay Colony is a refugee settlement of erstwhile miners in Bhatti involved in construction work and now seeking safe and sustainable livelihoods. Starting work during the pandemic, AeSha has developed a grassroots lab with Bhatti Mahila Evam Bal Vikas Mandal (BMBVM), a local group of over 1000 women for sustainable development in the remote urban village.
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Women’s income generating work
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Initiatives for women’s street livelihood that change neighbourhood character
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Experiments with sustainable models of self-employment for single mothers and survivors of domestic violence
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Professionalising the work of BMBVM as a social and economic organisation working for community development
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Women’s civic participation
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Community-driven research by women on the issue of water and its health cost for inhabitants
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Collaborative planning for advocacy with local bodies on public infrastructure development
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Experiments with citizen participation strategy for infrastructure development before elections
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A meaningful
social life
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Conversations, meetings and recreation that speaks of an ethic of deep friendships
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Creating opportunities for cultural celebration of work milestones
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Weaving psychosocial support that prevents social breakdown and fissures