Report on the Visit to AID District at Vembaakkam, TN on June 10, 2006

Mr. Balaji said that among the districts, Vembaakkam district (which serves 41 villages) was the first to start, but requires most field help. The lady who was the coordinator in that district went on maternity leave, so the district needs a coordinator with new and good ideas and organizing skills. 

We met with Karuna (an IIT graduate and a former AID-bay area chapter member) and  other local workers. The day we arrived was the second day of the Eureka school that had been started there. There were 2 classes, LKG and UKG. The new school building consisted of two, about 3m x 3m class rooms and had nearly 20 children in each. Being only the second day of school, the children were a bit restless and were very happy to have the distraction of visitors and to be photographed.  There were two teachers,  two aides and a couple of parents. The school building, a good size office building and three bath rooms were in a plot of about 1 acre which was plain ground with no trees. It was quite hot and it seemed that some shade trees would help. But the district people do not plan to plant trees in the yard where they plan to build a small playground. (We can’t remember why).  There was good running water and the premises were very clean.

We were told that the parents are very eager to admit their children in the Eureka school and some even took their children out of government schools. But the catch is that many of them come from a distance and had to drop the children and pick them up a few hours later, which affected their jobs. So the parents are asking for school transport, since these children are too small to walk or take rides. In the absence of such transportation, attendance might decline. It was also clear that the classes needed ideas for toys, play group materials and yard play facilities. These ideas need to be for self sustaining activities and not be dependent only on hand-outs. (We were considering how to make safe colored playdough, stacking blocks, tennikoid rings, finger paints,  non irritant soap water tub, ladders, swinging bars with soft fall landings, markers etc.). Only a small snack was provided to the children. The teachers were clearly competent and were very kind with children.

The district is also experimenting with organic paddy (rice) cultivation in a one acre plot behind the main facility. There are two components to this (1) Cultivation of two crops per year using organic methods – compared to the usual three crops. One of the crop durations is used up by planting soil renewing plants like legumes etc. The plan is to make a model cultivation method and persuade local farmers to adopt the method.  (2) Digging a well that taps into an aquifer as opposed to digging directly into the deep ground water. We witnessed the dynamiting and removal of soil.  First, a 50 ft pit was dug and then horizontal holes were being made till the aquifer is found. 

The first crop of rice has been produced and we bought the fabulous parboiled rice for Rs. 25 per kg which is Rs 10 cheaper than the super market. The 5 kg bags are made with cotton and marked by hand.  It was a unique experience to see the smile on the face of the farm worker who was very happy to sell his first crop to us.  Yet, the sad fact Karuna told us is that even one of the farm workers, who has his own farm, is unwilling to take the risk of going to two crops instead of three due to the uncertainty of being able to sell  the organic rice at a higher price.

Well (pit) being dug. The faintly seen line is the wire rope used by workers to go up and down. Water welling up during digging is pumped out.

Picture: Karuna (middle sitting) and well workers (standing), farmers sitting

The AID worker (mostly young women) told us about the health program where they visit each house, check the nutrition and weight/growth of children and give booklets and suggestions to parents. It appears that even in this day, there are a lot of superstitious beliefs in these villages that endanger the pre and post natal health of the children.

We had great fun eating ‘Nungu’ from the palm trees and enjoyed the company and hospitality of the people there. Karuna impressed us with his dedication, competence, simplicity and wisdom. Balaji impressed us with his informality, abilities and enthusiastic yet unbiased assessment of the AID activities. We felt proud and grateful to know them.

The workers taught us how to have fun while doing the hard work of development.

(Our) suggestions for involvement by AID-San Diego

General

·        One of us becoming a coordinator for Vembaakkam.

·        Be in constant touch with Vembaakkam coordinator and provide support, sort of be an assistant coordinator at large.

·        See if it is possible to provide a computer/internet (We believe they don’t have it now, needs to be checked).

·        Check with Vembaakkam coordinator and provide technical help if they need it.

·        Work on a more comfortable staying place for volunteers.

Eureka School

·        Help with the transportation for children (e.g buy two three autos and pay for  drivers).

·        Set up the classrooms with work and activity centers (Montessori style) so that children are able to take turns and try out everything over a period of time.

·        Go to Vembaakkam and teach children/provide support to teachers for short periods.

·        Assist in the making of toys/ teaching materials

·        Provide ideas to make teaching materials cheaply, indigenously and sustainably.

·        Work on playground

·        Ideas for lunch/meals.

Organic Farming:

·        Go to Vembaakkam and assist Karuna in his efforts even for peak times of work.

·        If we know any experts on organic farming and/or well/irrigation issues, ask them to visit and provide advice.

Work on a vegetable garden.