The monsoon recently has left a trail of destruction in Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and other places across the western side of the country taking lives and livelihood of millions of people.

Around 103 taluks in 22 districts of the state of Karnataka has been badly hit with over 6.9 lakh hectares of crop loss. Around 75,317 houses are damaged due to the rains. In Karnataka, 54 people died and 15 are missing after rivers burst their banks when authorities released water from dams, and the death toll is still on the rise.

Nearly 7 lakh people have been evacuated in the state till now.

In such a time of ordeal for the population of North Karnataka, there are young girls like Suma who studies in Xth standard, who are initiating collection drives in their villages to raise funds to help the flood victims. Suma is a peer girl from Bahadurbandi village in Koppal district of Karnataka. She is a cluster level representative in our Spoorthi project, which covers approximately 4240 girls in 51 villages of Koppal block.

Last year, the adolescent groups from 51 villages contributed a good amount of Rs. 60,000/- for the Kodagu relief fund and handed it over to the Koppal D.C., Mr. P Sunil Kumar. This year, Suma collected Rs. 2200/-. Since cash was not being accepted for the donations, she managed to buy stationary items like copies, pens, pencils, erasers, etc. apart from 50 new sarees and 70 kg rice. All these materials were then submitted to TV 9 channel.

Similarly, a representative of Irkalgeda cluster initiated a collection drive for flood relief and collected Rs. 6000/- which was submitted in their college.

We believe that we are progressing and girls are beginning to take the lead on several fronts.  The role models girls groomed to be leaders and influencers under Sphoorthi project are showing all signs of growing into responsible citizens who will work for the welfare of their communities.  These girls have their humanity intact and we are proud of them!