COVID-19 CASE STUDY — By Teach For India (TFI), Hyderabad Alumni

Critical Crisis demands Collaborative Leadership

CASE No. — 1

Location — Rajoli Village, Wadepalle Mandal, Mahbubnagar District, Telangana

Affected people — 1500 weaver families dependent on 1000 handloom weavers

Problem highlighted by — Rajoli Chenetha Sramika Seva Samithi (RCSSS)

Problem highlighted on — 15th April, 2020

Problem resolved by — 16th April, 2020

Problem

Fig 1

Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the 1500 hundred families dependent on the handloom industry in the village were suffering because of no/minimal income as the sales stooped down to all time low. For almost 15 days, the families did not have access to proper meals which led to unforeseen cases of depression among few of them. They were in dire need of basic essentials. (Reported by Veeresh, volunteer from RCSSS, to Romila, TFI Hyderabad Alumni Impact Manager)

Our Research & Approach –

As the report was shared in the TFI Hyderabad Alumni group, one of our Alumni, Swati Agarwal, highlighted that this was the same village that was severely affected by the floods 8 years ago. [Fig 2]

Another Alumnus, Eshwar Bandi, found out that all these families were ration card holders and received 12kgs rice along with INR 1500 from the State Government and INR 509 from the Central Government. However, the main problem here was that due the closure of banks they were not able to withdraw the money. Their major ask was to ensure that the banks would reopen so that they can withdraw the money and either directly/indirectly buy other essentials. [Artefact attached — Fig3]

Simultaneously, another alumnus, Sai Pramod, reached out to the District Collector, Sruthi Ojha, to check the feasibility of reopening the banks. [Artefact attached — Fig4]

Solution –

Finally, after successful co-ordination among the alumni and the stakeholders involved in this case, we were informed that the Collector’s Office discussed the issue with the President of RCSSS and essential commodities were distributed among 185 weaver families at Rs.450 each (including 10 items) and were looking out to reach out to other families as well. [Artefact attached — Fig5]

SP Gadwal from the Collector’s office also confirmed that the banks were opened so that the affected families can withdraw the cash. [Artefact attached — Fig6]

End Result -

All the 1500 affected families were able to withdraw the cash from the banks and thus were able to access the essential commodities and survive in these tough times (Confirmed by Veeresh, volunteer from RCSSS).

This was one of the successful cases that was solved through the huge sense of community and belonginess by few of TFI Hyderabad Alumni who immediately got on task to resolve the issue as soon as possible, in fact within less than 1 day.

Fig 2 — Fig 6 (Top Left to Right )

Special Thanks to Meghna, TFI Hyderabad Alumni for drafting the report.

In case you have any question kindly email at yojak.biswas@gmail.com

Zindabad (Long Live Life)