20 February 2009
Vinodini is the only bread-winner in her family. As the eldest child in her family, 20 year-old Vinodini could not complete her education, but got a place on a training program supported by DFID aimed at helping the youth of urban slums to supplement their household income.
She attended a three-month training course at the Shell petrol pump and today, wearing her uniform and working an eight-hour shift at the petrol station (pictured), she earns a basic monthly income of approximately Rs. 100 ($2) a day.
It's a tiny amount, but when combined with a quarterly bonus based on her performance, is enough to help support her two younger brother’s education needs. Her father, a daily wage labourer, is proud of his daughter’s achievement.
Another lady, Qammarunnisa, comes from a orthodox Muslim family. Being eldest in her family of eight members, she could only study till 10th standard. Her father, who is fruit vendor could hardly earn enough for the entire family’s needs.
Today, thanks to a DFID-supported livelihoods programme, she leads an eight-member team of telecallers at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance in Hyderabad.
For more about our work on urban poverty, read India's 'Slumdog' Millions.
Working together for a cleaner neighbourhood
Vinodini and Qammarunnisa’s homes are located within a slum called Raju Nagar, in the city of Hyderabad. Creating and developing sustainable livelihoods through training and skill building has been an important intervention of the DFID–supported Urban Services programme.
The programme gave these youths the opportunity to get into the job market by getting training. Most of them are now able to find opportunities in the services sector, from IT support services to plumbing services, hospitality and tailoring.
Also, through the DFID-supported Andhra Pradesh Urban Services for Poor Programme (APUSP), extensive slum rehabilitation work has been done. Now the streets are cleaner, the water supply is regular and the drainage system has been improved.
Key Facts and Stats
- A quarter of the urban population (around 18 million people) in the largest cities of India still live in slums.
- 20.5 million, out of the total 75 million population of Andhra Pradesh lives in slums.
- Improving access to clean water and sanitation remains a significant problem: Only 51% of urban households have piped water; and only 53% of urban households have access to hygienic sanitation facilities.
- APUSP is a partnership between the government of Andhra Pradesh and DFID aimed at achieving a sustained reduction in the vulnerability and poverty of the urban poor in Andhra Pradesh. DFID has committed £94.4m to the project (between 1999 and 2006), which focuses on the provision of services to the schedule castes and tribes residing in slums.
- DFID is supporting the Government of India to implement its £6 billion flagship urban renewal programme. This programme focuses on improving supply of clean water, proper waste disposal, urban infrastructure and other municipal services.
