International Shramadana Camp in May Buddha Gaya, the ancient Indian city where the Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment, will be the venue for Sarvodaya's next international camp where Sri Lankan, Indian, Korean and other volunteers will take the Sarvodaya message to over 9,000 underprivileged villagers. Dongeswary Village, situated in the Gaya district of the Bihar state India, is home to sixteen communities comprising of 1500 families of low caste Hindus. The Harijana caste has been shunned throughout history and is today a poverty stricken, backward community lost in time. Most of the adults are hired laborers. Most of the children are beggars stricken with malnourishment and disease.
Mothers usually give birth every year.
Sanitation conditions are poor and environmental pollution is escalating. Most families live cut off from the rest of the world surviving on a single meal a day in their daub and wattle huts. Although the nearest town is only 20 kilometers away, less than half the approach road is motorable. Sarvodaya was invited to participate in the uplifting of this battered community by a Korean monk, Ven. P. R. Sunim, who has already initiated social work in the district.