Successful Completion of the Fundraising Initiative, Uplifting the Livelihoods of Shikara Community Affected by Covid-19
The project started with an intention shared by two organizations Cherish Expeditions and Sustera Foundation with continuos support from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) to help the Shikara Community of Alleppey, whose livelihoods were directly affected due to the Covid-19 crisis. According to the latest news, there are a couple of Covid positive cases in the region of Muhamma and the location is marked as a containment zone.
Tourism is a source of employment to around 23.5% of the total population of Kerala. And the state passed through a recurrence of events like two floods, Nipah virus and then, Covid-19 had put the entire country in lockdown which severely affected the tourism sector directly or indirectly. We have been working closely with these communities directly from the past one year and were very well accustomed to the ground reality and hence could empathize with the struggle of these vulnerable community members.
Our team (Cherish Expeditions & Sustera Foundation) did an in-depth research and came up with a strategy of supporting the most needy families by transferring 2000 INR to provide some relief under their hood during the lock down. We could draw the attention of the tourism department so that the impact could be created at a much deeper level.
We are happy to share that we have been able to successfully transfer funds to all the deserving families of the Shikara Community and could also draw the attention of the Tourism officials of Kerala Government as the initiative to support and bring back tourism was featured in a couple of print and virtual media, Times of India, The New Indian Express — Edexlive and Malayalam daily — Kerala Kaumudy.
We are glad to hear that higher officials from the tourism department have got in touch with the community and are taking measures to find a solution.
Please go through the articles below:
Times of India
The New Indian Express — Edexlive
Kerala Kaumudy
The community members mentioned that as a token of gratitude, they would gift each of the donors with a complimentary Shikara ride at Alleppey which can be availed any time until December 2021 when the donor decide to visit for a laid back vacation to the God’s own Country.
Our team expresses our heartfelt gratitude to all the donors for believing in the cause and joining hands to make a difference.
