NurBanu, a 73 years old widow staying with her family of 5 living in a squatter settlement beside the railway tracks at Park Circus.
She lives with her son Anwar, 47 years old and a waste picker earning approximately INR 3000 per month (US$ 36). His income has dipped after the installation of garbage compactors by Municipal Corporation and thus unable to earn much. During monsoons his earnings further goes down as it’s very difficult to get much waste to sell. Her daughter-in-law Jahanara, 43, is a maid servant who washes dishes and earns a meagre amount of INR 1000 (US$ 12) per month.
NurBanu also has 2 grandchildren, who attends the Park Circus after school educational centre run by Tiljala Shed. NurBanu was also once a waste picker and earned a small amount but now she cannot work due to advancing age and a lot of ailments. The family is struggling to make ends meet. There are many times Tiljala Shed has been helping this family with dry rations and other necessary support such as clothes, tarpaulin, blankets etc. for which they are thankful to Tiljala Shed supported by Shanty Trust.
The Emergency food Ration kit is a saviour for their family. It has prevented the family from starvation.