Radha’s family was one of those affected by the Chennai floods in 2015. Radha was a homemaker, completely dependent on her husband’s income to run the family. While the family was still struggling to cope with the damages caused by the floods, their life turned upside-down when her husband was diagnosed with heart disease. He underwent open-heart surgery and was advised complete bed rest. Radha was finding it impossible to make ends meet. That was when she became aware of the rehabilitation activities undertaken by the DHAN Foundation, under the auspices of Rebuilding Communities Programme (RCP) of Cognizant Foundation.

She joined one of the self-help groups supported by RCP. She became aware of the various livelihood opportunities available. With the livelihood assistance of Rs 20,000 from the Revolving Fund, she was able to start a small food stall near her house. Her business flourished beyond her wildest dreams. She is now able to earn a monthly income of Rs 75,000. She is proud that she can support her family through her business.

“I will be forever thankful to the self-help group for giving me newfound happiness, and allowing me and my family to have a secure future”, says Radha.

This story is an example of the many women who were benefitted by the Cognizant Foundation Rebuilding Communities Programme. The devastation caused by the unprecedented rains and flood in Chennai in December 2015 and by Cyclone Vardah in December 2016 led to the social and economic deprivation of thousands of families in and around Chennai. Cognizant Foundation launched its Rebuilding Communities Programme (RCP) to execute relief and rehabilitee fifteen communities affected by the natural calamities. RCP was implemented in partnership with Development of Humane Action (DHAN) Foundation and Hand in Hand India in Kanchipuram and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu.

The main beneficiaries of RCP were daily-wage labourers, construction workers, housewives, petty-shop owners and farmers, all from poor socio-economic background. Some of the key interventions of RCP were women empowerment, livelihood restoration, education, housing, healthcare, skill-building and environment management. RCP benefitted over 25,000 individuals.