With frequent confrontation and domestic abuse from husband, Nirmala moved back to live with her mother in a remote village of Newsara in Kasinagar block located at Gajapathi. She was forced to separate from her family, leaving the daughter with special needs to be with her husband. Nirmala was extremely heartbroken of her situation and time. Her father passed away a while ago and her brother holds the possession of her father’s property. Nirmala’s mother was living alone and unable to attend to her daily needs, she started begging on the streets.

Nirmala was devasted by her situation and the condition her mother was passing through. To survive, Nirmala and her mother started begging on the streets and door to door for a single meal a day. Their existing shelter was under the miserable condition and with the fear of unstable roof looming, they spend most of their days sleeping outside their home. To her misery, cyclone Tithle washed away her home and all her belongings including utensils, clothing, and little handy cash she received from her begging.

CCD NSIP staff came across her case and decided to meet with Nirmala to provide possible assistance. They apprised her about the benefits of the self-help group (SHG) and SAMARTH program.  Nirmala agreed to join in the self-help group (SHG) Mahamai Bhinakhyama Dalo in her village, to regain control of her life. After joining the SAMARTH/ CCD, she was provided with proper clothing through relief support by CCD. Nirmala later started actively participating in regular SHG meetings and shared her everyday plight in her life, with the group members. 

CCD staff encouraged Nirmala to actively participate in local panchayat meetings and requested the panchayat group to extend their support for her upliftment. Her situation was also explained to the BDO, Kasinagar and after a quick verification by block and panchayat officials, her mother was granted a work proposal of approximate Rs. 1,30,000.00 under PMAY. Nirmala also received Rs 1,19,000.00 through the Tithli cyclone relief fund by the state government. She was also signed in for a monthly pension assistance program of Rs 500.00 per month and 35 kgs of rice grains from the panchayat.

Nirmala getting better control of her situation started rebuilding her home for shelter and opened a small grocery store near her house for business. She was able to get complete control of her situation and started living a more independent and self-esteemed life being able to take care of her aging mother for now. She one day is determined to bring her child with special needs back to her home and provide a better life for her. Nirmala feels happy and fortunate to find CCD and advises people in great need of this organization.

Venketes is a VI person residing with his family of 2 children, father, mother and wife with total member of 6. He belongs to washer man family. Their main income is from washing the cloths of the villagers and getting monthly income of Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1500/-.  With the low income he is not able to maintain his family and even not able to provide 2 times food.  His son is reading in Nursery class.  The income from washing the clothes is also seasonal.  In rainy and summer season, it is very difficult to get income.  His blindness is also creating hindrances and he was always felt useless for his family.  But when he came into contact with CCD / SAMARTH, he was being counseled in every monthly network meeting.  He is assured to extend support from SAMARTH if he could start some business activities for daily income. 

He has decided to start a petty shop infront of his home and started the business.  Initially he invested his own and with low investment, he was earning Rs. 800 in an average and getting net profit of Rs. 100 (Approx.).  His self confidence is enhanced and inspired by the counseling of SAMARTH activists to improve his business.  CCD / SAMARTH has supported Rs. 12000/- on Sept, 2015 as micro credit and Venketes has invested more in the business.  Now his business transaction is increased and getting Rs. 1500/- per day with net profit of Rs. 400/- per day (Approx.).

Mr. Santosh Raita is living with his family consisting of 5 members i.e., mother, wife and two children (one son and one daughter).  Two children are reading in 1^st std in school.  He is having only 0.50 acre of land.  They are cultivating maize and getting very low income in a year.  The living condition was very poor.  Due to his disability, he was unable to go outside to search employment.  He is studied upto 5^th class.  Without any livelihood options, he felt very alone and helpless to maintain his family and very much discouraged to live with dignity. 

When CCD identified him, Santosh was asked for his interest for livelihood.  He could not select any options rather left on CCD staff.  CCD and SAMARTH have decided to provide some vocational training to that he can get his own livelihood.  District administration has declared khalli stitching training at Andhra Bank Rural Self Employment Training Institute (ABRSETI) at Paralakhemundi for 10 days at free of cost.  Mr. Santosh has interested to join the training and learned khalli stitching technique.  After the training, CCD has supported one stitching machine to Santosh with the support of NSIP.  He has collected leafs and prepared khalli.  Initially he earned Rs. 50/- daily approx.

In the mean time, OTELP / ITDA has supported Rs. 55,000/- and with the support, he started a petty shop at his house.  Now he is earning Rs. 400/- daily approx from the petty shop and side by side he is also stitching khalli.  His earning is also increasing and able to save monthly Rs. 50/- in the group.  Now he is saved upto Rs. 5000/- in the bank.