The Indian Government has taken many initiatives to address rural poverty, but in the process the rising urban poverty has been somewhat neglected.
In Nagpur, approximately 40 % of the population lives in slums. There are 289 notified (legal) slums, where inhabitants pay taxes and 135 non-notified (illegal) slums. The inhabitants are mostly rickshaw puller, seasonal small vendors, house maid servants with an income ranging from meagre Rs.1500 to Rs.3000 (25 to 50 Euros) per month. After a hard and low-earning work day, most of the men spend their daily earnings on home made illicit liquor which is very harmful to the human body. Excessive alcohol consumption is the most common cause for death in the slum areas. In addition, due to poor hygiene, poor sewage system and irregular clearing of the garbage system diseases malaria, cholera and abdominal problems are widely spread among the slum dwellers.
Since 2006, in an effort to address some of these issues the Sangam has initiated development work with a Slum Team in 3 Slum-Centres in Saraswatinagar, Jattrodi and Ambazari Tekdi slums. Through these Slum-Centres the Sangam reaches out to 7 of the urban slums around Nagpur.
The Slum Team, consisting of a two Social worker and four Slum Nurses, have made a survey of the 7 slums, visited all the slum dwellers houses and are able to maintain a very close contact with all the residents and their families. The main focus of the Slum Team is to improve the living standards of the people by seeking their involvement and participation in the various activities of the Ecumenical Sangam.
The Slum Teaams activities include the raising of general awareness on health, hygiene and sanitation issues, generating additional income through Tailoring and Sewing Classes, training in hand embroidery and the promotion of small savings and other micro-enterprises through the formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs).
Through the Self Help Groups, the women are motivated to meet regularly in order to discuss local issues and concerns, including the importance of regular saving. The ultimate aim is to make the women self sufficient, so that they will be able to effectively deal with the many different issues and challenges of the slums without being dependant on any Non Government Organisation or other body.
 
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