Help Neeta Ben Feed 100+ Slum Children in Bhuj Everyday

The massive earthquake on January 26, 2001, devastated Bhuj and nearly 12 lakh houses were damaged. One of those houses was of Neeta Ben Thakkar. She had no shelter, money or food to survive. But then, an NGO came forward, giving her a ration to cook food. She could not only cook for her family of four but also for many other displaced families. Several other women joined her to cook and distribute the food. This practice became a habit for these women and gave them so much joy that they continued serving the needy even after things got better.

A Vision Born from Compassion

Neeta Ben Thakkar established Saheli Mahila Sangatan after witnessing a heart wrenching scenario where 2-3 children were eating leftovers from a dustbin. What started with feeding 10-15 children grew to 100-150 children, all belonging to nearby slums. Neeta gathered all the women willing to help and started serving nutritious food to these children.

When the ‘Saheli’s’ (friends) went to visit these slums to deliver food they realized that the women of these households were struggling to provide for their families while their husbands engaged in irregular work, often battling addiction and ill health, rendering them unable to work consistently.

To support the family, these women would also take up labor work, unable to provide proper food for their children to keep the lights on.

Feeding Children and Supporting Women

Saheli Mahila Sangatan shows the spirit of sisterhood where 40 women come together to not only feed hundreds of children daily across five locations in Bhuj but also help young girls and mothers achieve financial independence by providing them vocational training in stitching and embroidery.

“We are not wealthy, we come from middle-class families and we cook with whatever we have at home, limiting us to do more for these children. These kids wait for us and when we don’t go, we always have that lingering feeling that these children might be hungry today. It pains us that we are not able to provide them with food regularly.”- Neeta Ben Thakkar

Your Support is Needed To Rise Above This Limitation

The Sangatan relies on the generous donations of its members, which has sustained it for the last seven years. However, now they face increasing difficulties. Some weeks, they can only visit the slums twice to provide meals, or they have to borrow from vendors to continue the program.

Neeta Ben and her team need your support to continue their feeding drive. You can donate groceries for the children and help Neeta Ben feed all of these children.

With your help, Saheli Mahila Sangatan can continue to make a difference in the lives of women and children in Bhuj. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to a brighter future for these vulnerable families. Join us in supporting Neeta Ben’s mission to provide food, care, and hope to those who need it most.