Tribal Education Initiative (TEI)
T. Krishna and S. Anuradha (Members of TEI) are an architect couple who have been working in the voluntary sector from when they had finished studies. They had worked in Gandhigram and then with tribals in Gudalur of Nilgiris Dist. , Tamil Nadu, mainly in tribal housing projects. Since the last 2 years they have been travelling as well as looking into education related work and networking with like minded groups.
The TEI will create a Resource Centre for tribal education that
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Acts as a focal point for individuals/groups to pursue knowledge and skills |
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Provides a variety of learning resources & materials – such as a library and a laboratory |
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Supplements what is taught in existing school systems |
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Gives workshops on practical skills such as pottery and carpentry |
Thulir (sprout)
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They are setting up a Learning Resource Center at Sittilingi village. |
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This would be a place,for children to be in the presence of adults who can motivate children and provide support for learning |
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for children to access basic learning resources that are not available to them in their homes or schools (art materials, books, lab facility, computers etc). |
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for children to attend supplementary classes , or to self study/ prepare for exams etc. away from crammed and noisy homes |
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for children to interact with visiting professionals from various walks of life to get exposure |
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where young adults would be trained to create similar spaces for children in their own villages |
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As the children grow into young adults, the centre can conduct vocational training courses, and network with other centres where interested students can obtain such training. [this would happen not immediately but after a few years. |
The SEED Programme (Sustainable Ecological and Environmental Programme)
The
shift from traditional organic farming to farming incorporating use of foreign
chemicals with the advent of modern technology is the factor responsible for the
recent downtrend in the general well being of the people.
Deforestation has lead to loss of ground cover and subsequent soil erosion and a drop in the aqueous retentive capacity of the soil.
The absence of water management has resulted in a lack of proper water supply to the fields during urgent need leading to a drop in production and the same has also led to depreciation in the water table.
Our plans :
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To promote tree planting in the vacant lands of the tribal population and use trees as a source of income, fodder and fuel. |
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To inculcate methods of soil conservation and prevent loss of top soil |
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To teach methods of rainwater conservation by means of various types of low-cost bunds and other methods |
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To expose and demonstrate to the tribal farmers, profitable and sustainable methods of organic agriculture and to group them into informal co-operatives for long term mutual support. |
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Documentation of data – both weather and agricultural patterns and traditional methods of food growing and preserving |
