From: baveja@acsu.buffalo.edu (alok baveja)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Subject: Gurukul--A Visit to Sri Vidya Trust
Date: 10 Apr 92 17:21:52 GMT
Organization: UB



          ___A_Visit_to_SVT:_An_Update_on_SVT's_Activities___

Gurukul,  a Buffalo  based non-profit  organisation,  is currently  supporting
the literacy and low cost housing  programs of Sri  Vidya Trust.  Started by a
group of students at the University of Buffalo in 1989, Gurukul has now become
a platform  for many people   to  channelize their  efforts  and  skills  in a
constructive way. Gurukul has stressed on generating awareness among people to
do  "their    bit"  for  providing   the   economically   underprivileged with
opportunities to be  self-dependent. Our  experience in  this regard has  been
very positive. We have  found that in response  to such endeavors, people come
forth willingly.  An example of this was the Popular Indian Music Program held
in Buffalo which brought together the effort of about 60 students. Gurukul has
initially  decided  to support   the  activities  of an Andhra  Pradesh  based
non-profit organisation, Sri  Vidya Trust.  Over the  past 2 years Gurukul has
been able to raise over $7000 for some of SVT's programs.   To  get a feedback
of Sri Vidya Trust's current activities  one of us  here at Gurukul went for a
site visit.  A report is presented below.

_Introduction_

The headquarters of Sri Vidya Trust are based in a  picturesque village called
Devipuram located  about   10  km   from  the town   of Ankapalli,   close  to
Vishakhapatnam.   Dr.   Sastry, an  ex-scientist  from the Tata  Institute  of
Fundamental Research, is the  founder and  chairman of Sri  Vidya Trust.   Dr.
Sastry along with his family lives in Devipuram. Some  of the activities which
SVT is currently undertaking are outlined below.

                      The_Literacy_Program___

SVT is running non-formal education schools  in  about 30 villages in the Sab-
bavaram Mandal of Ankappali.  These  schools cater to  those children who work
during the day  and cannot attend  day schools. Each school has  approximately
20-30 students and runs from 7-9 in  the evening.  Generally, schools are held
either  at  the teacher's  residence   or at the   Gram  Panchayat Office. The
teachers themselves work elsewhere during the day. Teachers are generally from
the same village and are paid Rs. 100  a month. They  are  trained by SVT with
the help of the state government.  Currently there is  one supervisor  and one
co-ordinator who see to the proper functioning of the schools.

Each  school contains three   stages (or levels).  SVT  has an  agreement with
the state government that after the third stage if the student so  desires, he
or she will be inducted into the formal education system. Based  on a surprise
visit to 5 such schools the following information was obtained:

 Signs_of_Encouragement_

   o What was most striking was the high level of motivation and commitment
     of the teachers. Even though many of them were young, they exhibited
     a high level of maturity in conducting the classes.  For instance, there
     was a case of a student who was experiencing great deal of difficulty in
     writing because he was left handed and was being forced to write with



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  his right hand. This fact was recognized by the teacher and he convinced
  the parents that there was nothing wrong with the use of left hand. The
  teacher very proudly told us that this student has an inherent aptitude
  for arithmetic and is doing very well.

o The students were highly self-motivated. This was obvious from the fact
  that even though they work hard during the day, the attendance was
  almost 100%.

o The topics being taught were in tune with their daily needs. Subjects such
  as proper diet, hygiene, techniques of house building, modes of transport
  etc. are part of the curriculum.

o When asked, most students indicated that their parents were very happy
  with the idea of them studying, and yet contributing to the family income.

o We were told by Dr.  Sastry that the drop out rate was high which he
  indicated, with a chuckle, was a very encouraging sign. When questioned
  as to how drop outs could be an encouraging sign, he informed us that
  most students who drop out do so to join formal day schools. He said that
  there was a case of one school which had to be shut because all students
  decided to join day school. According to him, the importance of education
  is being recognized by the parents.

o Students from these schools participate in annual sports and cultural pro-
  grams. Some of these cultural programs are based on educational themes
  such as the importance of hygiene or the relevance of family planning.

o We noticed that a large percentage of the students were girls.  When
  asked, we were told that parents generally discourage girls from going
  to day schools.  So these girls find non-formal education schools a great
  opportunity.  One of the teachers informed us that generally the desire
  to learn is so high among these girls, that they attend despite all odds.
  These girls go back home and start sowing seeds of education among their
  younger brothers and sisters.

o According to the guidelines laid down by SVT, a student is not registered
  in a school till he or she has attended classes for three months. That is,
  the students are required to prove their desire to learn before they are
  admitted in the schools.

o Having seen what their children are getting out of these schools, some
  parents too have started attending.

o There are some cases of brilliant students who are being encouraged to
  continue education via formal schools. SVT has approached Gurukul to
  support such students via scholarships so that they dont have to work and
  can join day schools.



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_What_is_Lacking?_

   o For some of the schools visited, we found that the condition of the text
     books was poor.  We were told that due to lack of funds, textbooks are
     passed on from one group to the next. Therefore due to lack of replenish-
     ment, the condition of the textbooks has become worse over the years.

   o Since most schools are held in make shift locations, lighting tends to be
     poor.  There were cases, when schools were held in the light of a few
     lanterns. SVT considers getting electricity at these locations a high 
     priority. Efforts are already underway. Dr. Sastry indicated that he wants
     to see the villagers recognize the importance of education in the lives of
     their children. He says that once that happens, the villagers can get 
     together and build a school building. This has already happened in one 
     village.

   o The teachers are currently being paid a very small amount for the kind of
     effort they are putting in.

   o SVT believes that the solution to hard child labor is in identifying 
     projects and self-employment schemes which utilize existing skills within 
     the village.  Dr.  Sastry indicated that he plans to give teachers the 
     task of collecting data on existing skills within the village.  Since,  
     the teachers are from the same village, getting this information for them 
     will be not difficult. For these additional services, their salary will 
     be increased by Rs 50 per month. SVT considers its teachers its greatest 
     resource and wants them to be the catalysts for growth in each village.

   o SVT plans to expand this program to 100 villages within the next 2 years.
     But they are being careful not to expand unless they can take proper care
     of these schools. So they are adopting an approach of caution.


                  ____The_Low_Cost_Housing_Scheme____


Why_Housing?_

SVT thinks that a  pre-requisite for growth  is  to   have  strong roots.  One
perennial problem in this cyclone-prone  district  of Andhra Pradesh has  been
shelter. Villagers build thatched huts whose roof have to be repaired at least
once every two  years.  In case there  is a big  cyclone, there is always  the
danger of the  hut  being swept away.   Besides  the  physical limitations  of
having a temporary shelter, Dr.  Sastry thinks that it prevents villagers from
having a long term vision of growth (since they  always consider 2 year period
as a renewal point). Therefore, SVT  believes that  having a permanent shelter
will provide  the villagers an opportunity to  think into  the future.   Since
building material is  expensive, good   designs which use   less expensive raw
material have to be identified.  By making these houses cost  effective, there
is the possibility of benefiting many more people.


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What_Has_Been_Done_So_Far?_

Gurukul  donated  a  microfiche library   to  SVT   containing  1000 books  on
Appropriate Technology.  These books  have  information  on actual  cases of
appropriate  technology  implemented  in  third  world countries.     Based on
information available in these books, Dr.  Sastry  identified  4 designs which
could be appropriate  for  the conditions in this  area of Andhra Pradesh. The
idea is to build a 15' by 15' house with 4 houses constituting one  unit which
has shared  bathrooms. An   experimental house, based on one   such design has
already been built in Devipuram at a cost of about Rs.  9000. Also, Dr. Sastry
is currently working on a design  with  the Structural Engineering  Re- search
Center, Ghaziabad (earlier located in Roorkee), which uses ferro-cement as the
building material. Indications   are that  this  design holds   great promise.
Besides  offering a   more robust  structure,  the local  availability of  raw
material makes this design less expensive.


What_Next?_

As indicated above, the first step is to find a really good design.  SVT wants
to make sure that the design is really what is most appropriate  to the needs.
The plan  is to decide  on a design in  the next 3 months  and then build  a 4
house  unit in Devipuram to estimate   the costs. Once  a design  is tried and
tested it will be used to  build houses in  the villages.  The  villagers will
provide the labor. SVT plans to hire a full time mason, and a field supervisor
to facilitate this  plan. They plan  to purchase a concrete mixture  to ensure
the quality of the structure being built. Part of the money donated by Gurukul
will be used for this purpose.

       Despite  all the  problems  such as lack  of   communication, commuting
difficulties (for instance to go to each school we had to go  through almost
impossible driving conditions), we were touched  by the enthusiasm, dedication
and commitment of the people working for SVT.




If you need any further information about Gurukul and its activities
please send e-mail to : baveja@acsu.buffalo.edu 

Thanks for your continued love and support.

Gurukul--The Buffalo and Pittsburgh Groups

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