They Give A Dignified End To The Dead, Help The Dom Community Live A Life Of Respect Too

It is believed that those who are cremated in Varanasi attain Moksha - freedom from the cycle of life and death. And it is also believed that one cannot enter the gates of heaven if their bodies are cremated without a Dom.  

The Dom Community forms an integral part of the Hindu funerals, with hundreds of them living around Varanasi’s main cremation grounds at the Harishchandra ghat and Manikarnika ghat. They conduct last rites on these ghats, often conducting funerals for unidentified bodies as well. And yet, the community faces immense discrimination and struggles to make two ends meet.

They Fight Poverty & Poor Health Every Day

Breathing in the smoke and surrounded by ashes day in and day out, the Dom community suffers through several life-threatening health issues, with no means to get treated for the same. Working around dead bodies every single day also takes a toll on their mental health, because of which many of them turn to alcohol or substance abuse to cope with being surrounded by death.  

“While there are some working as farmers or weavers, there are over 5000 Doms who have no means to get any other work. People often discriminate against them due to the nature of their job, and they spend their lives in poverty, hunger and pain.” Divyanshu Upadhyay, Secretary, Hope Welfare Trust

However, there’s a silver lining. Hope Welfare Trust wants to help uplift the Dom community and give them a better life.  

Hope Welfare Trust’s Impact

An initiative by youngsters with a will to bring about a change in society, especially in rural India, Hope Welfare Trust started as a nascent movement from Varanasi in September 2015. A few students from various universities and colleges joined hands with the aim to bring about sustainable development in rural Indian villages and involve women to play a key role.  

Their efforts throughout the pandemic have been tremendous. While they helped sadhus get grocery kits and meals during the first wave, they have also worked to help the leprosy patients in Varanasi, distributing medical and oxygen supplies to Lucknow, Varanasi and Mirzapur.

They Now Need Your Help To Support The Doms

Hope Welfare Trust wants to give the people of the Dom community the support they need to survive. And they can do that with your help. Donate groceries, ghee and cloth to cover abandoned bodies, so that they can continue working while also keeping themselves and their families healthy.  

About the NGO: An initiative by youngsters with a will to bring about a change in society, especially in rural India, Hope Welfare Trust started as a nascent movement from Varanasi in September 2015. Their efforts throughout the pandemic have been tremendous. While they helped sadhus get grocery kits and meals during the first wave, they have also worked to help the leprosy patients in Varanasi

Note: All the donations towards this campaign are eligible for Indian Tax Exemption.