Waste-pickers of Pune call for support in the devastating times of Covid-19.

Dirty or infected tissues, disposed packaging, diapers, bottles, leftover food and other waste that leaves our homes makes it to someone’s hand to sort, pick, and dispose. These are mostly women and Dalits – and despite working consistently through every lockdown to ensure our homes and streets are clean, they remain largely invisible and entirely vulnerable.

2020 took a huge toll on waste-pickers. Their incomes declined though they were continuously exposed to infection while working throughout the lockdown. Their critical services of collection and recycling, save money for the municipality and ensure our waste is properly managed and recycled. The second wave and the rising cases in Pune, has crippled the community again, and most families are now dependent on the income of the waste-picker member. Amidst the growing instability, they have continued to provide the essential service of waste collection and management to the citizens of Pune. 

Our campaign: Direct cash, safety, vaccination support for 3,500 waste-pickers. Every rupee you donate will be doubled

Every donation made to this campaign will be matched additionally and equally by our partner organization, the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation.

1. Cash transfers: Rs.1000 to each waste-picker with priority to elderly/women/differently-abled.

2. PPE kits distribution: Costing Rs.235 PPE kits (5 soaps, 2 100 ml sanitiser bottles, 2 PU coated gloves, 2 double layered 3 ply cloth masks) each month.

3. Vaccination support: Rs.500 for both shots per waste-picker towards travel cost/loss of income.

About the matching donor: The HBS Foundation (The Harish & Bina Shah Foundation) will be supporting this campaign with an equal donation for every rupee raised. This Mumbai-based family foundation actively works with nonprofits across India on issues related to agriculture, education, livelihoods, gender equity, human rights, governance and healthcare, and promotes the empowerment of individuals, collectives and organizations. They are past and continued supporters of KKPKP's work.

This initiative ensures waste pickers have access to funds while continuing to work despite substantial loss of income, that waste pickers are safe and healthy and continue servicing the city and supporting their families, and to ensure that no waste-picker is left out of the vaccination process.