Although this post is a bit delayed (the field trip took place Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th of August) I figured people would understand, given I have been without a computer for a week.
Anywho, here is a quick look at a field trip that really changed me. I say 'change' as if some tidal wave of understanding came over me. Of course that is not the way things work, but I can affirmatively say, the SVYM changes many of my perspectives about the way I can learn about (and from) education and health here in India.
First, a background: (I really think it is important to understand the mission of SVYM before I talk about my exposure to the various projects I got to visit and see in person.) "Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) is a development organization, engaged in building a new civil society in India through its grassroots to policy-level action in Health, Education and Community Development sectors. Acting as a key promoter-facilitator in the community's efforts towards self-reliance and empowerment, SVYM is developing local, innovative and cost-effective solutions to sustain community-driven progress" (http://www.svym.org/ for more information). Basically, the organization has been functioning to serve the needs of society (especially rural societies) for over 27 years. Their mission and what they are able to provide to people is amazing.
Second, the itinerary and some photos!
One of the other very neat aspects of this field visit was going to the organic farm that Ramesh works on. Organic farm meaning, no pesticides, no chemicals, no fertilizers, and VERY LITTLE human interaction. The farm operates like this: plants (that are natural to the environment) are introduced and planted; REGULAR growing cycles are maintained; everything is natural; no one comes in to weed or do anything ("weeding" that does take place is in the form of pulling up grasses and covering the area up again; there is very little foot traffic through the farm grounds (one farmer!); when the food is ripe and/or ready, it is simply pulled from the trees and prepared ON LOCATION; the distribution of the food grown is not very far in distance at all - most is eaten by the students and staff at the school and hospital in Saragur. The thought process behind this farm is, food grows better when it does so naturally. There is no sense in adding a lot of chemicals, or trying to produce more food than what grows naturally, or by introducing species that are not natural to the environment. Humans have screwed up agriculture by introducing genetically modified organisms, fertilizers, and producing mangoes all year simply because we feel like Mango in December, for instance. The truth is, and it is proven by this farm and others like it, you can actually yield more (and more delicious) food when it is grown naturally and locally. I'm not all of a sudden a huge advocate for organic food. You see, the difference between this farm and "organic" farms/food in the US is that in Saragur it is grown, collected AND eaten locally. Importing "organic" oranges from California when you live in New Hampshire is no better than buying GMO Oranges from Market Basket. This visit has really made me rethink how and what we eat in America.
Backwaters of the Kabini River
Anywho, here is a quick look at a field trip that really changed me. I say 'change' as if some tidal wave of understanding came over me. Of course that is not the way things work, but I can affirmatively say, the SVYM changes many of my perspectives about the way I can learn about (and from) education and health here in India.
First, a background: (I really think it is important to understand the mission of SVYM before I talk about my exposure to the various projects I got to visit and see in person.) "Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) is a development organization, engaged in building a new civil society in India through its grassroots to policy-level action in Health, Education and Community Development sectors. Acting as a key promoter-facilitator in the community's efforts towards self-reliance and empowerment, SVYM is developing local, innovative and cost-effective solutions to sustain community-driven progress" (http://www.svym.org/ for more information). Basically, the organization has been functioning to serve the needs of society (especially rural societies) for over 27 years. Their mission and what they are able to provide to people is amazing.
Second, the itinerary and some photos!
SVYM in Saragur
This is the way many of the classrooms were set up
The program (through donations and fundraising) is able to provide a lot of resources to the kids who attend this school. Even in the younger grades, I was impressed by the classroom sizes and materials available. Science and mathematics are particularly well established. The school is a young pre-school (3-year-olds) through 10th grade (which is the grade when secondary school stops). The students are taught in Kannada AND in English (and while perusing some of the student's folders, I was quite impressed by their reading and writing levels - far better than the 4th graders who I work with while I am at Syracuse). We were told there would be plenty of teaching opportunities here if we wanted to use this facility for our month-long internship project... seriously considering it.
Ramesh showing us how lessons in the pre-school classrooms heavily involve skill-based learning (i.e. meal training, how to tie shoes/zip zippers/etc, traditional religious practices and more) The pre-school classroom also has a one-sided mirror that parents can use to observe how their children are taught. In rural India, parents are often concerned about how their children are handled in modern facilities. This addition to the facility reinforces SVYM's dedication to providing appropriate technologies and resources to children ALL WHILE making sure home values are being preserved and continued during the school day.
One of the other very neat aspects of this field visit was going to the organic farm that Ramesh works on. Organic farm meaning, no pesticides, no chemicals, no fertilizers, and VERY LITTLE human interaction. The farm operates like this: plants (that are natural to the environment) are introduced and planted; REGULAR growing cycles are maintained; everything is natural; no one comes in to weed or do anything ("weeding" that does take place is in the form of pulling up grasses and covering the area up again; there is very little foot traffic through the farm grounds (one farmer!); when the food is ripe and/or ready, it is simply pulled from the trees and prepared ON LOCATION; the distribution of the food grown is not very far in distance at all - most is eaten by the students and staff at the school and hospital in Saragur. The thought process behind this farm is, food grows better when it does so naturally. There is no sense in adding a lot of chemicals, or trying to produce more food than what grows naturally, or by introducing species that are not natural to the environment. Humans have screwed up agriculture by introducing genetically modified organisms, fertilizers, and producing mangoes all year simply because we feel like Mango in December, for instance. The truth is, and it is proven by this farm and others like it, you can actually yield more (and more delicious) food when it is grown naturally and locally. I'm not all of a sudden a huge advocate for organic food. You see, the difference between this farm and "organic" farms/food in the US is that in Saragur it is grown, collected AND eaten locally. Importing "organic" oranges from California when you live in New Hampshire is no better than buying GMO Oranges from Market Basket. This visit has really made me rethink how and what we eat in America.
Entrance to the Organic Farm
The Plantain Trees were my favorite - it was so cool being under their cover
This is the student garden
Even students are trained and encouraged to grow/eat locally
Touch-Me-Nots:
Best part of the trip? Not exactly.
Exciting to touch them over-and-over again to see them close on their own? Absolutely.
Good thing holding my bladder has come easier than when I was 5 years old...
...don't you just want to use this toilet/bathroom facility?
One aspect of the SVYM I really like is how the organization emphasizes introducing appropriate technology. They know people WILL NOT participate in using new technology if (1) they are unaware of why what they are doing could be improved (2) they are not trained (3) the need is not appropriate for their current lifestyles. Take: using a toilet. To me (and to you) this is simple. Toilet paper? OBVIOUSLY. A door? Even without a lock on public bathrooms Americans refrain. Before coming to India (though warned) I had no idea that the concept of a toilet was so revolutionary. For centuries, people here have always practiced public urination and deification. Then, when it became more obvious that was a health issue causing major illnesses and sanitation issues, organizations began implementing sewage systems and toilet facilities WITHOUT training people how/why to use them. SVYM does a good job (with this and with any technology they introduce to people) integrating the use of this into the daily lives of the people. It may sound simplistic to us, but truly the education element of it all really captured my attention and gave me a lot to think about (especially when we have all these programs (i.e. AmeriCorps, PeaceCorps and others...) that just "go in" and build and build and build and don't teach why or even consider the natives' point of view/previous experiences).
It's called a Peepul Tree
I think it is beautiful
SVYM at Hosahalli
Halli, simply, means village.
The next location on our trip was to the small village near the city of Shimoga in Karnatka.
I'll allow the pictures to speak for themselves:
Thumbs Up!
Are the children beautiful? Duh.
Does being there with them (and learning from them) make me incredibly happy? Yes.
Did we play hop-scotch together? Obviously.
Would I have kidnapped some of them if no one was looking? My answer may lead to questioning later...
There's not much I can say.
I will tell you that the tribal school (Viveka Tribal Center for Learning - VTCL) does an excellent job merging traditional teaching methods with native practices to give all students a well-rounded educational experience. Like most schools in India, I once again noticed the strong emphasis this school put on skill-based learning. During our tour, we were even told "we don't want the kids to be taught something, we want them to learn something." There is a difference, and I wish schools in the United States had that same mentality.
Backwaters of the Kabini River
We visited the backwaters of the damn that flows into the Kabini River. We were "promised" we would see Elephants. And even though we didn't, I think what we saw was so much better.
Yes, this is a real photo I took
I know it looks like a painting
That is why it was incredible there
A family using their boats (a Teppa) to string a fishing line up in the water
This family (the man actually) also contributed to one of the best moments I have had in India thus far. As soon as we got to the backwaters (and learned how tranquil and beautiful it was there) we wanted to get inside the boats. They weren't ours, and we had no paddle, so we gave up the thought. However, this family came to string up their fishing nets. I think the man could tell we really wanted to go out in the boat, so he gave all 10 of us (4 trips!) a ride out in the boat. Incredible? Yes. The best part though was coming back to shore; he spun us around as if we were on a Tea-Cup ride at an amusement park. It was incredible, and seeing that his daughter was with him, I couldn't help but think: 'that is exactly what he does with her...' It was awesome to have had that experience. AND to think the man wanted nothing in return. He just did it for us. He, like many of the Indians I have met, just like doing things (simple things) to make people happy.
SVYM at Kenchanahalli
Our last stop for the day (and then where we would rest and spend the night) was at the hospital in Kenchanahalli. Although the tour of the hospital wasn't until morning, it was nice to explore the grounds of this really rural place. It was so dark, so quiet, and the stars were so bright. It actually reminded me of home. I had the best food of my abroad experience here (both dinner and breakfast the next morning) and a peaceful nights sleep (even though all 8 girls slept in bunk-beds in the same big room..) Even though there is also a hospital in Saragur, this particular clinic services many of the tribal people who live in the area. They combine traditional practices with a more modern facility. For everything being so old, the place is well kept and staffed.
Ayurvedic Medicine: Refers to a form of holistic, alternative medicine developed in India. The term "ayurveda" derives from two Sanskrit words: ayu, meaning life, and veda, meaning science. Ayurvedic skincare focuses on plant extracts and essential oils. In other words, completely natural ways of curing illnesses, rashes, injuries, etc.
Behind the crate is where they grind up all the plants grown on site to produce various topicals and medicines
Solar panels provide energy to the clinic
Overall, a very amazing field trip!
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