------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Project Visited: Center for Development of Disadvantaged People (CDDP) Visit by: Premnath V. (Asha-MIT) Date: 30 Jan 96 VISA -- phone number - 91-4183-48025 CDDP: Phone number for Mr. Sethunarayanan - 91-44-236-4696 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ On 21 Jan 96, I visited the project VISA, near Vandavasi, T.N. to evaluate its proposal requesting funding sent to Asha-MIT. This project is headed by Mr. S.V. Vinayagamoorthy (referred to as SVV henceforth). SVV had studied at the Gandhi Gram Rural University under the guidance of Mr. S. Sethunarayanan, (henceforth called SS) who runs CDDP near Thiruteni, T.N.. Mr. SS who joined on the visit to VISA requested me to visit his project on a later day. I was also interested in seeing CDDP since VISA was also likely to follow in the same direction. On Mr. Sethunarayanan, Director, CDDP: -------------------------------------- (can be used in a newsletter as a profile of an Asha project leader) Mr. S. Sethunarayanan (S.S. for short) is the dynamic leader of the CDDP project. He is clearly quite well-read and has a clear vision for the project within Gandhian principles. After finishing his formal education (he is a M.A.), he joined the Gandhi Gram Rural University at Madurai for a course in B. of Educational Development. It was here that he met the founder of the University, Dr. G. Ramachandran and his wife Dr. (Mrs.) Soudha Ramachandran (both of whom had been with Gandhiji at his Ashram). It was their influence which shaped him into the Gandhian he is today with a firm faith that Gandhian principles in education, rural economics etc. are the only solution to the problems of India's poor. The change was dramatic---from an aggressive anti-Hindi pro-DMK college leader to a khadi-wearing pacifist channeling his organizational skills to benefit the rural poor. I quizzed him on several issues during our several hour long car journey to the projects. In general, he emphasized the differences in the Indian situation (different from other countries) which require a different understanding of rural economics and practical situations. He believes that Gandhian economics and the ideas of decentralization of power and government are sound and can work miracles in the rural areas. Perhaps the modest success of Gandhian projects or similar ones in various parts of India (inspite of a resources crunch) is proof in that direction. He did not think the Child Labor problem could be tackled through harsh laws since the problem had many dimensions and needed a steady concerted effort at improvement of the people's lot. He thought that giving power to village sanghas to take care of local problems, facilities (like hand pumps maintenance, community latrine maintenance, laying atleast kucha roads etc.) will produce results and also take care of corruption at every level. Since agriculture and khadi/ handloom sector still employs a large section of the population, he thinks lot of the efforts at rural development including basic education should be centered around these employment sectors. Since he was quite an effective leader in that area, I asked him he was ever planning to enter politics. The answer was no. He also expressed his sppreciation for Asha's efforts and the principles it stands for. Incidentally, Mr. S.S. is also a monitor (evaluates projects) for the central government agency called Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology. So he should be a good source of project info in the TN area. In general---- CDDP efforts and related project: ----------------------------------------------- CDDP is involved in several efforts (This from their brochure): * Women/Youth/Village Sanghams formation * Leadership traing/ awareness camps * Mass literacy, non-formal, adult education programme * Holiday camps for children --- for health, hygiene, environment, character development... * Coaching for slow learners * Talent exposure among children * Mushroom growing --Self Employed women * Canteen near Madras-- Self Employed women * Community health ed * Eco development camps * Smokeless chulah (I saw this) * Indigenous agriculture (I saw this) * Drinking water borewells (I saw this) and maintenance * Research and demonstration to villagers: (I saw all of these) -Organic farming (manure etc. and natural pesticides) - Drip irriation (Low tech) - Vermiculture - AIDS education - Street theatre In short they are well established in this area and seem to be doing good work with results. I was impressed with the "manager" and the village organisers. They are an enthusiastic lot who seemed to have genuine belief in their efforts and willing to learn. The group performed a street play for me. It was on the environment and problems associated with deforestation. The did it whole-heartedly. Some of these organisers are also quite talented. A word about the "manager". He seemed to be a good leader who did hands-on work with the organisers. I had a brain-storming session with the village organisers where I tried to find out their opinion on some issues. They told me about local problems with the people, with the government etc.. One of the problems mentioned was that of people initial resistance to acceptance of new ideas. And the question ----" Look, there so many people who are educated and cannot find jobs. under such circumstances, why should our children go to school?" Here the importance of education centered around their work has been useful. If some direct improvements are demonstrated then the willingness to change or to learn is better. The Asha School: ---------------- CDDP has decided to call the school "Asha School". I visited the school at village Nedumbaram. The school is a small room -----brick walls and a thatched roof and a black board. Around 25 children aged between (I think) 7 to 13 and dressed in white and blue uniforms (some torn) were there that day. They greeted me with a "Good Morning" ! The school has been in operation for 6 months. The teacher is a BEd and said to be quite capable. From what I saw she seemed to atleast be handling the children well and the children enthusiastically did what they were asked to. The children are largely from Nedumbaram. They belong to the SC/ST section of the village. (The villages here have segregated sections - one upper class, one SC, one ST). Most go out herding cattle during the day or take care of household stuff or siblings. They come to school in the evenings. They demonstrated some of what they had learnt. A couple of students were wrote some words in tamil by concatenating pebbles on the floor. It seems "playing" with these pebbles and learning has been quite successful. The kids also performed a street play on hygiene around a hand-pump. They did with great interest. Judging from their interest, I would say regular attendence shouldn't be a problem. They say it isn't. The kids sang a couple of tamil songs which they had been taught. (I found one of the songs having the potential of damaging the child's self-esteem but I guess they did not understand the full import of it. I mentioned it to Mr SS but did not "push-it" since I think we shouldn't be interfering too much. Mr. SS, in reflection agreed. Perhaps the song is so often heard around that area that they did not bother to think in those lines.) The kids also recited some lines on moral issues. The curriculum is primarily thought of by Mr. SS. He has put in some effort in that direction. He showed me a copy of a text for Tamil he has produced for these kids. Since I haven't seen the corresponding book in formal schools, I cannot make a comparison. But I think it is quite effective with some easy to understand methods. It also uses examples which are familiar to these kids like cows etc. with pictures etc. (ASIDE--- I discussed with him the possibility of creating a book of simple science with entertaining science magic which can be done with local resouces. I had in mind some books available in the US which we can translate and make it more relevant to the village with his help. He is willing and interested. I plan to pursue that esp. in the light of the fact that a development of scientific temper seems impt.) Pictures: --------- I have some pictures which shall be ready by end of Feb. Conclusion: ---------- This looked like a genuine and a well thought effort with some capable people. It is too early to see the effect of the school on the village, though basic education of the children is atleast being accomplished. The children seem to be enjoying the chance to learn and to go to school (also to meet and play together I guess).