Wells, bore wells, and hand pumps often ran completely dry, especially during summer. Groundwater levels had fallen so drastically that even the deepest wells held very little water and dried up quickly. Women would walk miles under the scorching sun, balancing heavy pots on their heads, just to fetch a few litres of water for their families. Often, there was barely enough even for drinking, let alone farming.
With no assured water, farming became a gamble. Monsoon crops failed often, forcing men to migrate to cities for work. Families were separated, children dropped out of school to help at home, and dreams withered away before they could take root. The land, once fertile, lay barren; the environment degraded completely.
We, living in cities, are far removed from this harsh reality. This was not living, it was survival in conditions that felt medieval, with no infrastructure and not even the most basic amenities.
Despite generations of poverty, there was hope. Villagers had the potential to break free from the cycle of scarcity, but they were not immediately ready to contribute to the cost of construction. Aakar Charitable Trust had to first convince them explaining how the project would work, the long-term benefits, and the transformation it could bring.
The idea behind this contribution was simple: when villagers invest their own funds or material and labour (minimum 30% of the total cost) they gain a real sense of ownership over the project. This stake in the structure ensures they maintain it for years to come, prevents dependency on outside help, and strengthens their dignity and self-confidence.
The check dams built by Aakar Charitable Trust became more than just water structures, they revived ecology, restored livelihoods, and instilled a deep sense of ownership. Villagers proudly maintained their dams by setting aside 2% of their produce for repairs. In places where check dams were not geographically possible, ponds were constructed to ensure similar benefits.
This empowerment extended beyond their own villages. Motivated by the transformation they experienced, communities even offered monetary help to neighbouring villages to build their own water bodies. From being dependent on outside aid, they became leaders in change lifting not just themselves but also those around them out of the rut of poverty.

Wells, bore wells, and hand pumps often ran completely dry, especially during summer. Groundwater levels had fallen so drastically that even the deepest wells held very little water and dried up quickly. Women would walk miles under the scorching sun, balancing heavy pots on their heads, just to fetch a few litres of water for their families. Often, there was barely enough even for drinking, let alone farming.
With no assured water, farming became a gamble. Monsoon crops failed often, forcing men to migrate to cities for work. Families were separated, children dropped out of school to help at home, and dreams withered away before they could take root. The land, once fertile, lay barren; the environment degraded completely.
We, living in cities, are far removed from this harsh reality. This was not living, it was survival in conditions that felt medieval, with no infrastructure and not even the most basic amenities.
Despite generations of poverty, there was hope. Villagers had the potential to break free from the cycle of scarcity, but they were not immediately ready to contribute to the cost of construction. Aakar Charitable Trust had to first convince them explaining how the project would work, the long-term benefits, and the transformation it could bring.
The idea behind this contribution was simple: when villagers invest their own funds or material and labour (minimum 30% of the total cost) they gain a real sense of ownership over the project. This stake in the structure ensures they maintain it for years to come, prevents dependency on outside help, and strengthens their dignity and self-confidence.
The check dams built by Aakar Charitable Trust became more than just water structures, they revived ecology, restored livelihoods, and instilled a deep sense of ownership. Villagers proudly maintained their dams by setting aside 2% of their produce for repairs. In places where check dams were not geographically possible, ponds were constructed to ensure similar benefits.
This empowerment extended beyond their own villages. Motivated by the transformation they experienced, communities even offered monetary help to neighbouring villages to build their own water bodies. From being dependent on outside aid, they became leaders in change lifting not just themselves but also those around them out of the rut of poverty.