Village by village can be helped ...

This is my country

 - where those who grow food have not enough food on their plates
- where those who graze cows, sell every drop of milk to the urban consumers
- where the farmer is certian that he does not want his son to be a farmer
- where the schooling teaches the farmer's son that farming is a lowly occupation.

Every village needs engageing with ...

Eashwaramma called up to tell me that she will go to the doctor tomorrow, and will i please call him and tell him to see to her carefully. The doctor contact was through a friend, and he has proved a gem of a person who has given personal care and reassurance to Eashwaramma. Dr. Girija has supported the village with the best of ayurveda, and a village is moving away from a disabling allopathy towards ayurveda for simple and chronic ailments.

The school children are having their ayurvedic medicines and milk and have quickly left behind anaemia, and recovered health. This is tnrough another friend who is taking up all these costs. Varalu's goodness gets added to the milk she boils and prepares and serves ...

Annapurna called up to ask for the ginger pickle recipie, very happy that her pickles are being appreciated, and that people are 'asking for more'. She also asked for more tamarind orders. Another friend procures tamarind from her for the organic store from her, and over the last three years, her confidence has built. She has also suggested that she stitch cloth bags for the shop, as the shop intends stopping use of plastic for packageing. Annapurna, trying to rebuild her life post a battered marriage has some leads now.

Varalu said honey has collected in the beehives. Some honey for the childen, some money for the mother.
  
A friend came home and discussed how we could have some computer training in the village. Some motivated urban youngsters can come and stay in the village and give a crash course to the children ... computer skills can give them better jobs. the village youth are going thro' difficult times. A village stay will also give the city youth a perspective that will guide them through life ...

Varalu continues 'tutoring' Sasi and earning her small salary towards her three children she has to bring up singly. A friend contributes her salary. She collected her salary for the last month , and beamed down the phone ... 

Tomorrow is Vishnu's counselling, and i pray and hope the child gets a seat ... against all odds, severe family debt, a father's uncured illness, a brother's suicide, and hunger she has struggled and got 79% ... 

Village meetings and discussions with the collector has led to rainwater harvesting schemes getting grounded as also some drought programmes like NREGA and fodder schemes.

I say this just to show that similarly small efforts can and should go on through public support in all villages ... while we work  towards the time when villages stop needing support, and their own economy works towards vibrancy and self sufficiency ... A group of city dwellers need to engage with a village in many ways including helping them with all possible livlihoods and markets. There are many possibilities.