Rakesh Gaitonde, a hardworking farmer with a heart full of dreams , lived in a small village situated on the outskirts of Mumbai. Farming had been his only occupation but as the years passed , he found it more difficult to grow crops in his land and make his ends meet.
Poor soil quality, irregular rainfall and huge debts had turned his previously flourishing land into a barren patch of pain.
The Challenges Under the Sun
Every morning, Rakesh woke before dawn. His wife, Vimala, would hand him a cup of hot tea before he walked to his fields. Yet, in recent times, his steps had become slower as the crops that once blossomed vibrantly under the sun, now struggled to survive. Water scarcity had hit his region hard, and each year, the monsoons became more unpredictable.
“The soil had lost its strength,” Rakesh recalls. “Even if I put in double the effort, the returns were half. I was worried about my children’s future.”
Rakesh had two kids—Manish, who wanted to become a teacher, and Gita, who loved drawing. However, education requires money and since farming was yielding almost nothing, Rakesh began to think about selling off his land and move to the city for odd jobs. This very thought broke his heart.
Ray of Hope
One day, a NGO worker visited Rakesh’s village and introduced him to SankalpTaru foundation. He was told that it was an IT-enabled non-profit organization dedicated to panting trees and sustainable livelihood support.
At first, Rakesh was a bit skeptical thinking ‘How would planting trees help his family?’
However, the team calmly explained SankalTaru’s vision. They said they would be establishing opportunities for income by growing fruit-bearing trees, focusing on soil rejuvenation and implementing climate-resilient practices. Rakesh saw it as a last chance for a change in fate and decided to join hands with SankalpTaru, as he had nothing to lose.
The Seeds of Change
The team inspected Rakesh’s land and analyzed which kind of plantation would thrive there. After having discussions, they decided to start with tamarind and mango trees. These trees would be fruit-bearing varieties that would yield financial and environmental returns.
They said they would be establishing opportunities for income by growing fruit-bearing trees, focusing on soil rejuvenation and implementing climate-resilient practices.
Rakesh was trained by the SankalpTaru team, in sustainable irrigation techniques and organic farming practices.
They supported Rakesh in each and every way possible by providing saplings and guidance on nurturing them, regularly monitoring the plantations and boosting Rakesh’s hope by indicating a successful future of his barren land.
Rakesh worked tirelessly month after month. Each growing tree was a symbol of inspiration and renewed faith that instilled belief in him.
His children also joined him after school and watered the saplings. Slowly the barren land started turning green.
The Blessed Future
One and a half years later, Rakesh’s land had turned into a small ecosystem with lush green plantations. His friends and neighbors praised him for his outstanding effort. The mango and tamarind trees yielded fruits for the first time, which made Rakesh and his family feel happy, deeply satisfied and proud for the first time in years.
He started selling fruits in his own village and supplied them to nearby towns too. The extra income allowed him to pay for the education of his children and also clear debts. Vimala, his wife started selling homemade jams made from Guavas, in the village market.
Her eyes gleaming with happiness, she thought life had come back to their home.
Community Building and Knowledge Exchange
SankalpTaru’s initiatives went beyond financial and training help. The NGO helped Rakesh build a community group with other farmers for knowledge sharing and supporting each other. The farmers were given guidance in regards to organic fertilizers, water conservation and adaptation to change in weather conditions. So, it was more about planting resilience than just planting a tree.
Today, Rakesh is a community leader apart from being a successful farmer. He provides guidance to his fellow mates on how to adopt sustainable farming and narrates his journey to motivate and inspire them. His land is now a small ecosystem full of greenery.
“When I walk through my farm now, I feel peace,” he says softly. “Every leaf reminds me of the journey I took from despair to hope.”
One Among Thousands
Rakesh’s journey and life changing story is one among thousand across India, where SankalpTaru was the catalyst of transformation. Donors can track and see how their trees are growing. Hence it creates a beautiful bond between people, planet and progress.
Conclusion
Rakesh stands there amidst the land with a smile as her children plucks ripe mangoes and sketch scenery of the sunset.
“If not for SankalpTaru,” Rakesh says, “I might have left this land.”
His story is a living example of what happens when action meets compassion.
Every tree planted is a promise. A promise to farmers like Rakesh. A promise to the planet. And most importantly, a promise to the future.
