India
Meet Biru
As a person with a disability living in remote India, Biru faced the prospect of a life of poverty and discrimination.
With your support, he participated in entrepreneurship training and gained the skills to become financially independent.
Biru is seen working at his bicycle repair shop outside his home in his village in the state of Jharkhand, India. Photo: Sameer Bara/Caritas Australia
Biru and his wife Budhni sit with their children outside their house in their village in the state of Jharkhand, India. Photo: Sameer Bara/Caritas Australia
Biru lives in a rural village in India. He lost mobility in one of his legs after contracting polio as a child, which makes it difficult for him to walk. He managed to complete his education until grade six but was always dependent on his parents to get him to school because he was unable to walk significant distances on his own.
A member of India’s Ho ethnic minority population, Biru started to work as a shepherd from a young age, looking after other people’s cattle. He continued this work, after he married his wife, Budhni, and had four daughters, even though keeping up with the cattle was a challenge.
Over 26 million people who have a disability in India also live in poverty. A further, 69 percent of the population living with a disability reside in rural areas which makes access to support services, education and employment an even greater challenge.
Looking at others  who did not have a disability, I wondered what it was like to be them. I was wondering how to look after my family
Your donation can help
Biru is seen at a field where he used to graze cattle before setting up his bicycle repair shop in his village in the state of Jharkhand, India. Photo: Sameer Bara/Caritas Australia
Increase income for vulnerable communities
Biru with family members and neighbours at his bicycle repair shop outside his home in his village in the state of Jharkhand, India. Photo: Sameer Bara/Caritas Australia.
Raise community awareness about disability rights
Biru is seen working at his bicycle repair shop outside his home in his village in the state of Jharkhand, India. Photo: Sameer Bara/Caritas Australia
Support entrepreneurship training
You can support programs that help provide training and employment opportunities to people living with disability in vulnerable communities. Donate now to help transform the lives of people like Biru.
Donate NowSupporting entrepreneurs in rural India to forge a path out of poverty
Biru taught himself how to repair bicycles by watching other people, but he never dreamed of using those skills to start his own business.
With your support, Biru was able to access an entrepreneurship and livelihoods training program, run by Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas India. The program helped Biru to apply for government disability and housing schemes, and he gained the support and skills he needed to establish his own bicycle repair business. .
Now, Biru is financially independent and can forge a path out of poverty for his young family. He is a respected member of his community, working as a bicycle and motorcycle mechanic to keep his family, friends and neighbours safe on the road. His resilience and determination to overcome the odds has inspired others in his community who are living with a disability to advocate for themselves and become independent.
Biru is seen working at his bicycle repair shop outside his home in his village in the state of Jharkhand, India. Photo: Sameer Bara/Caritas Australia
Your generous support today can help people like Biru to create change now – and for all future generations.
Please give generously to generate sustainable and lasting change for people living in poverty. Along with your generous support, this program is also supported by the Australian Government, through Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
Anatercia carries corn next to her fields in Mozambique. Photo credit: Emidio Josine/Caritas Australia.
Anatercia's Story
12-year-old girl Anatercia lives in Mozambique and had to take on adult responsibilities after her father passed away.
Janice's Story
A Wagilak woman, Janice is a traditional dancer who tells stories through movements handed down over generations.
Janice is a traditional dancer who tells stories through movements handed down over generations. Photo: Richard Wainwright/Caritas Australia
