Forgotten And Struggling The Birhors Of Jharkhand Need Our Support, Join Rakesh’s Mission Today

“Years ago, degradation of the forest area, coupled with the introduction of new forest laws, forced the Birhor tribe out of the forests. Suddenly, they became a part of the modern world that was so different from their own. The outside world spoke languages they didn’t know. To them, it was as good as being mute. Although they were given new houses, they felt out of place. Their kitchens were empty. They slept on the floor. Their clothes remained ragged. Their children remained hungry. Begging was their only way forward.” – Rakesh Narayan, Founder, YUVA (Youths Union For Voluntary Action) . 

The Birhors of Jharkhand once led a fairytale life in the forests

While the rest of the world sprinted forward, eager for modernity, the Birhors stuck to archaic traditions. Belonging to a tribal group of hunters and gatherers, all their economic activities were closely linked to the forest. They made ropes with the help of bauhinia creepers in the forest, collected wood and herbal medicines, hunted and gathered food, and sold them. Cut off from the rest of the world, they were happy until fate dealt them a cruel hand.

“Forced out of the forests, the Birhors now live among us but remain isolated. Despite being close to healthcare, schools, and other facilities, they hesitate to use them. Language barriers and illiteracy are key reasons for their lack of confidence to integrate.” 

YUVA has become the guardian they need

Ever since they started working with the Birhors, Rakesh and his team at YUVA ((Youths Union For Voluntary Action) have been focusing on empowering the adults with jobs by honing their ropemaking skills and educating the children. By sending them to school, they aim to break the language barrier and end the generational chain of begging.

“While the parents are busy struggling for food, the children are exposed to tobacco and other substances. Our primary focus is to ensure that the kids don’t just go to school for the free meal scheme but really learn. In the evenings too, we do our best to keep them engaged, lest they go down the wrong road. Right now, the families have houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. But it will take consistent support and nurturing for them to make a home of it…” - Rakesh, Founder, YUVA (Youths Union For Voluntary Action).

Help YUVA (Youths Union For Voluntary Action) help the Birhors build a home beyond the forests

YUVA (Youths Union For Voluntary Action) needs your help to ensure that the Birhor families have access to basic needs such as nutritious food, and other necessary groceries needed for everyday living, to begin with. Contribute now, to give them the ability to stand on their own feet, and create a hygienic environment to raise children in, and eventually make a home for themselves among us.