Anil Bhai is a Lokmitra serving with ESI, supported by Share & Care, in the village of Waghjipur in Gujarat. Anil is passionate about nutrition, and upon learning about the benefits of natural farming, he decided to engage his community through organic gardening. He encouraged the villagers to start growing their own food by setting an example, growing food in his own kitchen garden. Though the villagers were not convinced of the benefits of farming their own produce at first, they were interested in his garden. Anil began sharing his seeds with a few families that were ready to start their own gardens, and eventually, the entire community started exchanging seeds and working to grow their own fruits and vegetables. Over the past few months, 15 families have become completely sustained by their gardening efforts, enjoying the produce grown, the money saved, and the sense of independence it brings.

Recently, 25 women received life-changing vocational training from Bhupat Bhai, a Lokmitra serving with ESI, supported by Share & Care, in the village of Lilapur in Gujarat. A total of 12 women received training in the jewelry trade, while 13 received training in stitching. Bhupat received support both from Share & Care and the Government of  India to conduct this training, and the skills the women learned during the process helped them to increase their confidence, become financially independent, and gain enough stability to pursue their dreams and uplift their communities. Many of the women are now working for businesses within India, operating their own businesses from their homes, or continuing to hone their skills through training.

Women in rural India are often relegated to strict gender roles, limiting their ability to use their talents and enjoy independence. Nauka Ben is a Lokmitra serving with ESI, supported by Share & Care, in the Kada village of Gujarat. She saw the untapped potential of the women in her community, and she devised a plan to carve out a path of independence for them. Nauka organized a training program to teach women to make khakhras, a type of thin cracker common to Gujarati cuisine. Around 30 women participated in the training, learning to make the best quality khakhras while also learning how to grow their businesses and manage their finances. Within 30 days, the women were able to generate sales of Rs. 7,000-8,000. This training, supported by Share & Care and facilitated by Nauka, helped these women realize their potential and become more financially independent.

Farukh Menon is a Lokmitra, or “friend of the people,” serving with the Environmental Sanitation Institute (ESI), supported by Share & Care, in the village of Chadotar in Gujarat. As a Lokmitra, Farukh strives to sow the seeds of connection, cooperation, and compassion to uplift his village. Here are just a few of the ways he has brought community members together:

• When a young woman’s husband passed away unexpectedly, she fell into a deep depression. Farukh began visiting her daily, offering a listening ear, and he encouraged other villagers to visit her regularly as well. After some time getting to know her, Farukh worked with her to organize a sari library in her home, helping her find a renewed sense of purpose and giving her a reason to reintegrate with her community.
• Farukh is dedicated to providing the children of Chadotar with a role model and helping them experience new opportunities. He planned an outing for them to visit the Gandhi Ashram, where they learned about peace and non-violence. For many of the children, this was the first time they had ever left their village, and this experience will help them be more courageous, confident, and open-minded when facing new challenges.
• When a boy’s mother was injured, she could no longer work to afford his school books. When Farukh heard about this, he collaborated with villagers to open a new library where students could collectively read, study, and learn together. The boy now had access to the necessary books, and studying alongside other students helped him focus and become more successful in his schoolwork. He is currently continuing to excel in school, and he is working to support his mother as well.