In Galipadu village, Andhra Pradesh, India, farming is closely tied to everyday life. The fields are not just a source of income, but also a source of food. The lack of reliable irrigation water, has been a challenge troubling the village for years.
Goonj is a supporting partner to Indian communities, repositioning cities’ unused material as a resource that brings rural communities together to take collective action on their own priorities. When Goonj reached Galipadu, a conversation with the people slowly started opening up about their common difficulties. Most people came back to the same worry: water. Goonj “only supported” to mobilise and motivate people. As a result the community began thinking together about what could actually change the situation. What followed was entirely community-led.
Over a hundred villagers came together to excavate and build two water storage ponds. The physically demanding work reflected something deeper: people coming together around a shared concern that affected every household in some way.
Slowly this work began strengthening a sense of togetherness and collective responsibility within the community. This process addressed water scarcity while it strengthened peoples’ participation, shared responsibility, and confidence in collective action.
Let this spark your imagination how local solutions built together can create lasting change.
Read more about this village and the supportive partner Goonj here
picture credits go to Goonj