‘As long as I have my health…’: Development vs Poverty vs Income

‘What is development?’ is a question that I have asked myself after having worked with Paryavaran Mitra (PM). My perception of the role of charities and social enterprises who serve those living in poverty, is to facilitate their transition out of poverty so that they can enjoy a higher standard of living, specifically by raising their income. But after spending time with PM, I saw that other sources of value in addition to income, are also highly important for a more holistic improvement on people’s lives. 

By being an honest actor in the market, PM have increased the monetary returns to rag-picking. However, this can only go so far. The market does not suitably reward rag-picking and as such the women who do this job do not earn a sufficient income to break themselves or their family out of poverty. 

PM provide the women with other non-monetary services. PM operate health camps for the women, where they not only learn more about health related issues but also gain treatment and/or medicines if needed. PM treat the women with love and respect and also facilitate leisure activities for them. Every Saturday the women come together, play games, sing, exercise and importantly have the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings with the group. This builds strong intra and inter community bonding and this tighter community spirit among the women increases their knowledge and power, which can help resolve other issues too. 

Improvements in physical and mental wellbeing, mean the women will enjoy a higher standard of living, without raising their income sufficiently to get them out of poverty. These contributions to their standards of living add huge value to improve the women’s quality of life, but do not have a monetary value. The women who work with PM still live in the slums and so the perception is that they are still poor, but if they are mentally, physically and socially satisfied, are they?