Robin Raina Foundation (RRF) announced today that it has finished the first phase of its ambitious plan to build 6000 free homes for the slum dwellers of Delhi and has handed over possession of 66 homes to the slum dweller families of Delhi yesterday. The project is seen as the most ambitious charity home building project undertaken by any organization in India without government help.
In a function organized recently during RRF Founder Robin Rainas visit to the slums of Bawana, Delhi, Robin handed over the keys of each of these 66 homes to the slum dweller families of the region. In typical RRF fashion, the inauguration and ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted by 75 year old Nathu Devi, a new slum home owner.
Each of the homes is 4 sided brick and has a concrete roof done exactly the way as any other middle class house in Delhi would have been built. Each home is built on a solid brick foundation of 4 feet. The home has two rooms, four power points, two fans and an exhaust fan. The homes look aesthetically nice from outside having been painted in two colors -- blue and light brown alternately, to give individuality to each home. Each home carries a nice granite name plate outside the home. That is a big deal to them as till now they did not necessarily have an address. Each of these homes today has taken a legal electric connection in their home.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Robin said, What makes this a rather satisfying experience is the fact that in the areas that the homes have been built, you cannot tell by any means that this area could have been a slum at anytime. These homes are sturdy, aesthetically beautiful and well designed. Granting of a home to anybody is the most humbling experience and one has to experience it to understand it.”
Robin also announced that work to build 150 more homes has already started and is expected to finish by 31st January 2008. He communicated that he expects the project to build 6000 homes to continue for the next few years.
At the occasion, Robin also released an appeal to all well meaning people around the world to donate to the cause of building these homes at a cost of $1600 per home. Robin also issued an appeal to the general public to donate generously to the building efforts.
All donations payable to Robin Raina Foundation” should be sent to:
Robin Raina Foundation – A $15 million Dream,
510 Covington Cove
Alpharetta, GA 30022
About the Robin Raina Foundation
A 501(c) charity, Raina Foundation has been setup to raise funds for work to be carried out to empower under-privileged children and their parents, who need help around the world. The foundation's focus is to make a difference in the lives of children -- who are handicapped, blind, mentally challenged, sick or in need of urgent medical help and underprivileged kids who need education. For more information, log into www.rainafoundation.com.