Sahadev Dhangra Majhi, 21, resides in Korang village, in Thuamul Panchayat, in Odisha’s Kalahandi district. After losing their parents a few years ago, Sahadev and his three brothers – Khageswar (27), Jalandara (24), and Khusiram (16) stayed united and lived in their parent’s home. Khageswar, the eldest, lives with his wife and child. The family’s livelihood primarily comes from farming and goat herding.

In 2018, Sahadev embarked on his first migration journey to Thrissur, Kerala, where he worked as a daily wage labourer at a construction site. The work was gruelling, prompting him to switch to a job at a beer bar, earning a stable ₹12,000 monthly. Sahadev generously sent ₹10,000 to his elder brother, Khageswar, to support their house construction, a significant contribution. However, he soon discovered that his financial contributions were misused.

A turning point came when Tambudhar Naik, a Community Champion with the Safe and Dignified Migration Programme (SDMP), found Khageswar intoxicated on the road near the village. As a Community Champion, Tambudhar plays a crucial role in identifying and addressing issues within migrant communities. He intervened, returning Khageswar home and later informing Sahadev about Khageswar’s misuse of funds. Seeking help, Sahadev turned to Tambudhar, who advised the family on financial literacy and the importance of judicious spending.

Through persistent efforts, Khageswar completed their house with Sahadev’s remittance. The family then invested in a rice mill, reducing the village’s dependence on a mill 3 kilometers away. With Sahadev’s savings, they plan to open a clothing store and a photocopy shop, creating new income sources within the village.

The Safe and Dignified Migration Programme, supported by Arghyam, is a comprehensive initiative that empowers migrant families like Sahadev’s. It aims to ensure safe and dignified migration by providing support and resources to migrant workers and their families. Initiatives like financial literacy sessions equip migrants and their families to transform remittances into sustainable assets and livelihoods.

The programme has reached 18,796 migrant workers and their families in 24 Gram Panchayats of Thuamul Rampur block in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, fostering informed migration, skill-building, and sustainable livelihoods for communities across Kalahandi.

Programmes like the Shramik Bandhu Seva Kendra (SBSK) in Odisha and Bandhu Shramik Seva Kendra (BSSK) in Kerala offer holistic support to migrant workers. They provide a range of services, including financial advice and legal support ensuring migrant workers make informed decisions and build financial stability. The SBSK also helps in repatriation of dead bodies of migrant workers from Kerala.

SBSK operations began this year in the Surada and Patrapur Blocks of Ganjam, the Daringbadi Block of Kandhamal, and the Rayagada and Mohana Blocks of Gajapati district. A new BSSK opened in Nettoor, Ernakulam district, Kerala, and the BSSK continued its operations in Perumbavoor, Ernakulam district. 7,486 migrant workers registered to access various services through these centres.

Sahadev’s story is a testament to how financial literacy and community support can turn challenges into opportunities, creating lasting impacts for migrant families.