Hello!

My Name is Manoranjan and I am from Bolangir, Odisha. I have been working as a humanitarian aid worker cum volunteer and have devoted past 7 years to address the need of the vulnerable communities affected by disasters. Recently I have got admission offer in University of Manchester to Study Masters in “International Disaster Management” and I need your help to pursue my dream course!

1. About me :
I was born and brought up in a remote tribal and drought prone village of Bolangir district, where there was no electricity or any means of communication till 2004. I was fortunate enough that I could complete my post-graduation despite of the pressing circumstances.

From 2013 I have been extensively working on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building activities, apart from my regular engagement- I have been working to educate the tribal girl children and education deprived children in the remotest tribal hinterlands of Bolangir, Kalahandi and Kandhamal in Odisha, India.

Since Our state is experiencing disasters in the form of various cyclones, floods and droughts in each & every year therefore, I have got the exposure - how lives are impacted and people are suffering due to these humanitarian challenges. In 2013, I was fortunate to get a job during Cyclone Phailin at the Inter-Agency Group (IAG) Odisha which is a network of CSOs, who are basicically working in the field of disaster Managment. During these 7 years professional journey, I had always strived to work to bring back the post disaster-situation to normalcy through various relief and recovery efforts under the aegis of various Civil society organisations and state Governments. 

Major disaster deployments/Voluntary Engagements

Year	Disaster Name	Type of Disaster
2021	Cycloen YAAS	Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, CAT-4
2020	Cyclone Amphan	Super Cyclone
2020	COVID-19 Response	Biological
2019	Cyclone Bulbul	Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, CAT-4
2019	Cyclone FANI	Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm, CAT 5
2018	Cyclone Titli	Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, CAT-4
2018	Kerala Floods	Flash Floods
2017	Odisha Floods	Flash floods
2015	Cyclone Hudhud	Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, CAT-4
2014	Odisha Floods	Flash Floods
2013	Cyclone Phailin and Subsequent Floods	Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm, CAT 5

During the aforementioned disasters I had directly and indirectly helped people in need and managed multi-sector humanitarian and early recovery responses in insecure emergency contexts covering thematic sectors like Shelter, WASH, Education, Livelihoods and Protection.

During my work I have also organized a series of state level meetings, Consultations and policy dialogues at the state level on Climate change,Disaster Risk Reduction and other state specific concerns.

And I have been a voice for the most marginilsed tribals and Dalit communities of tribal regions i.e.Bolangir, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Koraput and Rayagada districts of Odisha who are left behind from mainstream development and I have advocated to ensure their rights and development in different aspects at various levels.

1.1 Key Publications and other Achievements

• Editor of - “Building Back a Resilient Odisha “the book contains information of different best practices, lessons learned, key challenges etc. of Cyclone Phailin, huhud and 2014 floods in Odisha.
• Co-editor of“Phailin After 5 Months "a Book on Best Practices of civil society and Govt. During Phailin and Floods 2013 named, published in United Nations-OCHA, Reliefweb website.
• Team lead of  “Prayas” a book which contains innovations and Learning of CSO’s in 5 different Sector- WASH,Shelter, Resileint Livelihood, CBDP and Protection, published in United Nations-OCHA Reliefweb website.

Because of my work I have been recognised by some of the reputed platforms like Indian Red Cross society, Unicef, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) for good coordination and leadership in Disaster management.

1.2 Child Rights Related Work

• Provided mentorship to create 40 Child Labour Free, Child Marriage free and child sexual abuse free villages.
• Providing guidance to 40 Barefoot teachers who are educating over 2500 Tribal Girl children, child labours and other education deprived children on joyful learning process in 40 most backward tribal villages of Odisha.

2. Why I want to study disaster management:
Even though I have a Master’s Social Work, but being a DRR professional, I have been facing difficulties while working because of inadequate knowledge on the solution-oriented approach and fundamental aspects of Disaster Risk Management. I have played a very major role in some of the major assignments of government and Civil Society Organisations, however there is always an unsatisfactory feeling that I am not able contribute effectively in  the entire process.

Considering the above said problem and my passion, I have chosen to pursue a masters in the field of Disaster Management to contribute effectively and help more people in need.

I believe the said  course will give me space to inculcate the professional understanding and solution-oriented skills related to disaster risk management Climate Change Adaptation, Resilience Building and Sustainable Development. After coming back to my home country, I will defiantly harvest my learnings in my professional life in reducing the impact of climate induced disasters and I will try to reduce the human suffering instigated by disaster and environmental impacts through my small efforts, wherever I go.

Because of financial crisis triggered by COVID-19 my financial condition (salary)has significantly damaged and unfortunately I could not secure partial funding because of this pandemic, many funding agencies have shrunk their scholarships and funding opportunities.. The cost of attendance at Manchester is very high. This includes tuition, housing, books & materials, etc. As I already have financial burden therefore, I am not in the position to take education loan. At some point of time, I had decided to give up on my dream to pursue this course. However, as a last option- I have decided to seek the support of benevolent donors like you to pursue my dream course.

Currently I am in a deplorable situation to be able to attend this course and transform not just my life but also the lives of many others, but I lack the financial means to do so and this is where I need your kind help.

A. Total Course Fees as mentioned in the offer letter- 22,000 Pound

B. Total Living Cost as per the university website- 15,315 Pound(Break-up is given below.

• Accommodation (self-catered)- £7,605
• Meals (excluding meals out)-£2,080
• Clothes-£520
• Local transport (excludes travelling home / visiting friends)            £535
• Other (eg mobile phone bill, laundry, photocopying and printing)          £2,600
• International Health Surcharge           £475
• Emergency expenses incl. rent insurance       £1500
• Total B=          £15,315

Total fund requirement (Course Fees + Living Expenses)= 37,315 Pound equivalent to 38,40,036 Indian Rupees

I am taking a leap of faith and seeking your help. Please do contribute and support, if you can. I know the final amount sounds like a lot, but I am only asking for your support, whatever amount that may be. Please don’t think that your kindness is too small. Even if one person donates Rs 100 or Rs 500, it will help a lot as I hope to reach out to over one thousand people with in next 1 month.

Thank you in advance for your time and donation. I will never forget your generosity and vow to pay it forward when it’s my turn.

If you’re unable to donate, please share this on social media and help me to spread the word. Please share it in your networks or help in any other way. If you have any questions related to this campaign and its funding request then please feel free to reach out to me at mnbehera1@gmail.com  I will be happy to respond to make this process more transparent and accountable.

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