India

The caste system was officially outlawed years ago, but for people from society’s lowest ranks in the poorest, rural regions of India, life is as difficult as ever. Having been shut out of society for centuries, many can hardly fathom what it would be like learn to read, to earn respect or be protected by laws — let alone make a decent living.

Empowering Those Who Have Been Powerless

It still takes tremendous courage for Dalits (India’s lowest social caste, the so-called “untouchables”) and people from native tribes to speak up for themselves and demand what they deserve. These groups face overwhelming obstacles. Women especially.

In 2009, LWR held a community meeting to kick off a women’s empowerment project — one of several we support. Women and men both came, but the women sat in the back, covered their faces and did not speak as we discussed income-generating opportunities for them.

By 2010, those same women were learning how to read and write, opening a group savings bank account, and ready to begin business management classes. They were chatting and smiling, and making plans for the businesses they’d like to start.

Their children notice the difference. Now they want to learn, too.

Your donations help LWR end injustice and human suffering in India.

• Education, technical skills and access to credit that allow people to start small businesses

• Irrigation systems, training on improved agriculture practices and upfront credit for farmers to invest in better seeds and tools

• Information that helps people understand their rights, and encouragement to advocate for those rights

So that Dalits and people from native tribes — especially women — can:

• Improve their livelihoods and build confidence in their abilities and worth;
• Provide sufficient and nutritious food for their families year-round while earning a better income; and
• Benefit from the protection of the law, so that they are not exploited and do not suffer needlessly.

KEY STATISTICS

BIHAR

LWR projects in India are focused in Bihar State. Bihar has the highest population of Dalits and is the poorest state in India.

82 million
TOTAL POPULATION

$360
GNI* PER CAPITA

31%
AT OR BELOW POVERTY LINE

INDIA

1.155 billion
TOTAL POPULATION

$1,120
GNI* PER CAPITA

27.5%
AT OR BELOW POVERTY LINE

64 years
LIFE EXPECTANCY

84% (rural)
ACCESS TO IMPROVED WATER SOURCE

31%
ACCESS TO IMPROVED SANITATION

* Average Yearly Income
  Source: data.worldbank.org (as of June 2011)