From huts to modern shelters: The changed face of Musahar settlement in Lahan

Siraha, June 3: The appearance of the Musahar settlement in Jahadi, Gamhariya, Ward-22 of Lahan Municipality, Siraha, has changed these days.

This settlement, which was filled with torn tarpaulin and thatched huts until few days back, now has 24 modern permanent houses standing in a row.

These safe shelters have changed the standard of living of the impoverished Dalit families who have been seeking shelter for years.

The modern houses were constructed with a bilateral investment of more than Rs 12.8 million from the Lahan Municipality and Habitat for Humanity Nepal, and with the technical support and facilitation from the local Bhawani Integrated Development Center, and local labor contribution.

This pleasant change has also brought happiness on the face of 50-year-old Shanti Sadaya from the settlement. The difficult days of having to stay awake all night whenever rainwater leaked from the roof and shivering in the cold during winter are now over forever for her and other families living in the settlement.

 “Son Dharmadev, with daughter-in-law Soni and our four grandchildren, used to live in this shed. Only God knows how much hardship we endured living in this small hut. Now we have our own permanent house, and we can sleep peacefully,” said a cheerful Sadaya, pointing to the old dilapidated thatched hut next to the new permanent house.

Just like Shanti, happiness is also palpable on the faces of Jahar Mochi and Ghughari Mochi of the same neighbourhood. For them, who have been barely making a living through labor, a modern permanent house was only like a dream, which has now turned into reality.

Tuesday was a day of celebration for these 24 impoverished Musahar and Dalit families of Jahadi Gamahariya, when Mahesh Prasad Chaudhary, the mayor of Lahan Municipality, handed over the keys to houses built under the 'Safe Housing Construction Program for Impoverished Families' to them in a special ceremony.

For this housing project, Lahan Municipality contributed Rs 8,285,000 and Habitat for Humanity Nepal contributed Rs 2 million, while beneficiary homeowners provided voluntary labor worth Rs 2,571,000.

According to Sujit Chaudhary, Program Director of Bhawani Integrated Development Center, each newly constructed house has two rooms, a kitchen, a veranda, and a proper toilet.

These houses are earthquake-resistant, and their minimum age is more than 30 years.(RSS)