Raghunath Kulasika, a 38-year-old father from Khambesu village, once struggled with the isolation of living in a place without mobile network coverage. For years, even the simplest phone call meant trekking to the nearby panchayat of Guma. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Raghunath faced an even greater challenge—his son, a 14-year-old student, needed to attend online classes, but with no signal in the village, this task seemed nearly impossible.
When Outreach India assigned a Human Development Facilitator (HDF) to the village, he visited all the households, discussing their challenges and facilitating problem-solving through the Participatory Human Development Process (PHDP). During these meetings, Raghunath, along with other villagers, expressed their frustration over the lack of network coverage, which affected education, emergencies, and even communication with distant family members. Many villagers, including Raghunath, owned mobile phones, but without network access, they were almost useless.
Guided by the HDF, the community came together and decided to take action. With collective determination, they submitted a request to the Jio (Reliance Network) office in Rayagada, advocating for the installation of a tower. This time, with persistent follow-ups and a clear plan, their efforts paid off.
The 4G mobile tower was finally installed, changing everything. Now, Raghunath’s son can easily attend his online classes, and communication within the village and beyond has become seamless. Emergencies are no longer a source of panic, and connecting with relatives is as easy as a phone call.
Reflecting on the change, Raghunath shared, “The PHDP process helped us realize the power of working together. By coming together as a community, we can solve our biggest problems.” He expressed gratitude to Outreach India and the HDF for guiding them through this transformative journey.
Thanks to their unity and effort, Khambesu has entered a new era of connectivity, opening up opportunities for growth and development.