Help Hundreds Of Brick Kiln Workers Fight The Cold Wave, Donate Warm Blankets And Sweaters

The bone-chilling winters are here. Thousands of workers still wake up at the crack of dawn and set out for a long day of work at the brick kilns. They toil endlessly in the scorching heat of the kiln, their faces covered in soot, sweat and sometimes, even blood. The ache in their bones is a constant reminder of their daily struggles. They work with bare hands, their fingers cracked and bloody. The extreme heat in the kiln drains them of every ounce of their strength. And yet, each night, when work is done, they dread leaving the blazing kiln. 

Because what’s awaiting them at the end of their long day is a makeshift tarp tent that can’t shield them from the numbing cold. Within the cold tents, hunger gnaws harder, their body feels heavier, sleep seems distant, and life is simply unbearable. Far away from their homes in an unknown city, they wait for a miracle to change their lives.

Earning as little as a rupee per brick, they are struggling for a meal

Leaving behind their homes in the rural areas of states like Bihar and Chattisgarh, the workers live in temporary shelters near the kiln. Each day, they earn piece-rate wages, making no more than 400 rupees per day. But in winters, even that becomes impossible.

“In winters, drying the molded bricks takes longer. So, their production numbers are reduced by 20-30% compared to the peak months, and their wage takes a hit. Barely able to afford a meal, they live in hunger. They have no warm clothes or blankets to cover themselves. If constant exposure to the kiln smoke doesn’t cause illness, chronic hunger and malnutrition does. And when they fall sick, they can’t even afford medicines. Their plight is heartbreaking…” – Divyanshu Upadhyay, Co-founder, Hope Welfare Trust. 

Freezing nights, empty plates and aching bones – it’s too much to bear

This winter, the cold wave is expected to be harsher with temperatures dropping below 5° C. Despite working hard, the labourers are unable to escape the cycle of poverty and misery. Children still shiver in the cold, old labourers still struggle to sleep on frozen floors, the mothers still struggle to cook a filling meal with the scarce groceries. The migrant workers are living a life that is hard for one to even imagine. Only a miracle can help them survive this winter. 

Join Hope Welfare Trust in their mission to bring warmth and hope to the workers 

Through their winter relief campaign, Hope Welfare Trust aims to provide the brick kiln workers with essential supplies such as blankets, warm clothing, and nutritious food. With a little help from you, they can deliver these essentials to thousands of workers and make their winters a little bearable. Contribute now.

“It isn’t much. A blanket to protect them from the biting cold, and a warm meal that can ease their hunger and pain and they deserve that! With your support, we would be able to give them that comfort. Together, we can make a difference.”

About the NGO:  Driven by a vision of empowering rural communities, Hope Welfare Trust, founded in 2015 by passionate youngsters, works tirelessly to improve the lives of those most vulnerable in India's villages. Their focus lies on empowering women, a crucial force for positive change, through comprehensive programs in health, education, and livelihood opportunities. Hope Welfare Trust's dedication to sustainable development ensures lasting positive impacts for rural communities across India.