India
Vimal Kumar is the founder of Movement for Scavenger Community (MSC), an organization committed to the eradication of manual scavenging in India and bringing education and awareness to the existing scavenger community. As one of the rare members of the scavenger community who was able to obtain higher education, Kumar provides the unique perspective needed to provide insight on the issues caused by India’s caste system. Kumar’s Leadership Action Plan seeks to eradicate caste violence and prejudiced attitudes towards the scavenger community through the establishment of leadership education centers.
To date, the five MSC centers have provided 10,000 people with free meals, working together with upper caste members through collective community action. As a recipient of the COVID-19 In The Arena Grant, Kumar will be able to augment that work. Four community center leaders will identify the most vulnerable and needy members of the sweeper caste in their respective locations, providing PPE to sanitation workers and food to those who have lost their jobs.
Placement Organization: Cure Violence Global
