We run a food distribution program to help poor workers survive. Many people in India work and still live in desperate poverty. Our food distribution program is set up so that these poorest of the poor can at least meet their basic needs. The first scheme was set up with Shiv Shakti Stores in Santa Cruz market.
We hope in the very near future to expand the food distribution program to more locations, to offer scholarships and helping workers with rent.
We also have one off projects such as distribution of slippers and mosquito nets. Many children contract malaria because of exposure to mosquitoes. A simple item like a mosquito net can save many lives.
We aim to run a crèche for the migrant workers who come to Goa from poorer states in India to earn a living. The little boy in the top right photograph is Anil.
He plays happily enough like any other child, but his toys are stones, cement and his mother’s pickaxe! The need for childcare facilities amongst manual labourers is urgent and largely uncatered for. We ran this project for a short time in 2009 but ran into problems that hampered development because of the uncertainty of only having a short term lease on the property.We hope to have our childcare facility up and running as soon as possible, currently we are fundraising to buy a property to run the facility on a permanent basis.
If you want to know more about our projects please send us an email at thebranchesproject@gmail.com and we will write back to you as soon as possible.
