Drains are a major concern in my work. When friends ask me, 'What's the most frequent complaint you attend to?'. You've guessed it...drains! Clogged drains upset people to the extent that they ring me up at 2 am to disturb my peaceful slumber. However, clogged drains lead to problems like dengue and pollution. It is common for fallen leaves to cause clogging in drains. Stagnant water provides a great breeding ground for mosquitoes. Councils provide regular drain cleaning services on a monthly basis. Contractors are hired to ensure the cleanliness of drains. It becomes my job to monitor the level of service provided by these contractors. Some of the drain problems I face in my area are:- Delays in carrying out drain cleaning jobs by contractors Improper disposal of rubbish removed from the drains by contractors Illegal modifications by home owners who cover their drains with concrete slabs, making cleaning of drains impossible Dumping of waste into drains (I had the sho...
This blog started with my research in North Sumatra and Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao. I documented the stories of women workers, unionists and labour leaders who were struggling for justice. Over time it evolved into means of studying women's leadership within marginalized communities.