Cross-Cultural Collaboration & Sustainable Growth: A Day of Impact in Basirhat

 

In the early morning of 26^th February 2025, the Project Coordinator of the Brickfield School and Organic Sack Farming projects along with Mr. Henk Loos, Ms. Maria, and Mr. Shane from Calcutta Rescue Netherlands left from Kolkata for an immersive visit to Basirhat.. The visit aimed to provide the delegation from Netherlands with first-hand insights into the ongoing initiatives at the Basirhat Resource Centre and the Brickfield Schools, particularly the Sack Farming project. The day celebrated cross-cultural partnerships, showcased grassroots innovations, and highlighted the transformative power of community-led projects in education and the unique Sustainable Organic Sack Farming.

   

Upon arrival at the Basirhat Resource Centre, the guests were greeted in a traditional Indian manner with Uttario, flower bouquets, Diya, and Tika, symbolising respect and Indian hospitality. As a token of appreciation, they were presented with handcrafted sling bags and small handbags made by students from the tailoring course. The adolescent group then performed a vibrant cultural dance, which was met with joy and appreciation from the visitors. Following this warm welcome, the Project Coordinator introduced the lead teachers, tailoring instructors, and adolescent groups to the guests.

   

The team was then guided through the various activities at the Resource Centre. They were shown the Sanitary Napkin ATM, tailoring classes, and special adolescent group sessions. The visitors enthusiastically participated in a drawing class with the adolescent group, engaging with the students and gaining insights into their learning experiences.

   

The next leg of the visit took the delegation to three out of seven Sack Farming locations in the brickfields — Banarsi, Agragami, and Pratimaa — where they met the mothers’ groups involved in the project. The visitors were delighted to see the thriving vegetables growing in sacks and appreciated the efforts of the community. As a gesture of encouragement, they personally harvested cabbages, broccoli, tomatoes, brinjals, spinach, and other vegetables, which they themselves distributed among the beneficiaries.

   

The team also had the opportunity to visit an operational brickfield site, where they observed labourers at work and gained a deeper understanding of their challenging working and living conditions. Witnessing the daily realities of the migrant workers further strengthened their appreciation for KMWSC’s intervention in the brickfields.

   

Impressed by the impactful work being done in education for migrant children and Sustainable Organic Sack Farming, the visitors expressed their admiration and committed to continued support in the future. Their visit reinforced the significance of partnerships in driving meaningful change for marginalised communities.

   

Impact & Reflections:

The visit served as a powerful testament to the synergy of global partnership and leadership at grassroots level. By bridging cultures, the collaboration between Indian communities and Dutch delegates deepened through shared stories, traditions, and aspirations, fostering a spirit of mutual learning and solidarity. Beyond cultural exchange, the day showcased sustainable models of empowerment — organic sack farming and menstrual hygiene initiatives emerged as scalable, life-changing solutions, proving that innovation thrives even in resource-limited settings. Equally significant was the palpable pride radiating from mothers and adolescents, whose ownership of these projects underscored the irreplaceable role of local leadership in driving enduring change. Together, these elements painted a vivid picture of how global support and community agency can intertwine to cultivate dignity, resilience, and hope.    

Next Steps & Call to Action:

Building on the success of organic sack farming in Basirhat, KMWSC aims to expand this transformative initiative to two new locations in West Bengal by the end of 2025. By empowering communities to adopt sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture, we will replicate the model of self-reliance that has already enriched marginalised migrant families and improved food security. This expansion will involve collaboration with our funding partners, local leaders, training workshops, and resource distribution to ensure thriving, community-led gardens. Join us in cultivating resilience—your support can help turn barren spaces into green havens of nutrition and hope. 🌿    

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 Mail Us: kmwscloreto@gmail.com ; 📞 : +91 33 23290229

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