Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, Apr 11: The dream of owning a house remains unfulfilled for Vanitha Shetty of Jarandgudde, even two years after her mud-walled house collapsed. The house was purchased to save rent money and provide education for her children, but the family continues to struggle in difficult circumstances.

The Bantwal Bantara Sangha, which took responsibility for constructing a new house, has completed most of the work. However, as the project reached its final stage, expected donor support did not materialize, leaving the house surrounded by overgrown vegetation. The responsibility of completing the construction has now fallen on Vanitha Shetty herself, adding to the burden of managing her household and supporting her three daughters' education.

Fear of theft of materials

Only the installation of windows and doors, plastering, and electrical work remain pending. Materials such as sand and cement provided by generous donors are going to waste as days pass. As Vanitha Shetty is the sole breadwinner, the house remains unattended when she goes to work, raising concerns that construction materials could be stolen.

Education at risk

Vanitha Shetty’s three daughters are talented students; the eldest is currently studying in II PUC. Despite aspiring for higher education, she has decided to discontinue her studies after II PUC due to her mother’s hardships and the family’s financial difficulties.

Struggles for shelter

Currently, the family lives in a small nearby hut, which serves as their only shelter. During continuous rains, water seeps into the ground, making it extremely difficult to get through the days. For the past two monsoons, Vanitha has been spreading jute sacks on the damp floor, placing mats over them, and spending nights with her three children.

Vanitha Shetty says completing the construction of the new house at the earliest would ease her family's suffering.

“I wish to educate all my three daughters, but the responsibility of building the house has made my situation even more difficult. Many donors have extended support to the best of their ability, and the construction is in its final stage. However, the burden of completing the house has become an obstacle to my dream of educating my children. Managing daily life itself has become a struggle,” said Vanitha Shetty, the distressed woman from Jarandgudde.