Meet Biru

Biru lives in a rural village in India. He lost mobility in one of his legs after contracting polio as a child, which makes it difficult for him to walk. He managed to complete his education until grade six but was always dependent on his parents to get him to school because he was unable to walk significant distances on his own.

A member of India’s Ho ethnic minority population, Biru started to work as a shepherd from a young age, looking after other people’s cattle. He continued this work, after he married his wife, Budhni, and had four daughters, even though keeping up with the cattle was a challenge.

Over 26 million people who have a disability in India also live in poverty. A further, 69 percent of the population living with a disability reside in rural areas which makes access to support services, education and employment an even greater challenge.

Supporting entrepreneurs in rural India to forge a path out of poverty

Biru taught himself how to repair bicycles by watching other people, but he never dreamed of using those skills to start his own business.

With your support, Biru was able to access an entrepreneurship and livelihoods training program, run by Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas India. The program helped Biru to apply for government disability and housing schemes, and he gained the support and skills he needed to establish his own bicycle repair business. .  

Now, Biru is financially independent and can forge a path out of poverty for his young family. He is a respected member of his community, working as a bicycle and motorcycle mechanic to keep his family, friends and neighbours safe on the road. His resilience and determination to overcome the odds has inspired others in his community who are living with a disability to advocate for themselves and become independent.