Many words are used to describe the movement called women empowerment but once you visit Tilonia the only word that comes to fore is sustainability; empowerment is a by-product. This unique concept conceptualised and realised by Mr.Bunker (Sanjit) Roy gives a helping hand to those women who do not have the resources but have a strong will to learn and make a difference. You do not need a basic educational qualification to be eligible to get admission here, nor are you bound by a minimum or maximum age factor - same goes for the teachers too. The mamas (that’s how they are lovingly referred to here in Tilonia) give six months of their lives to this one-of-its-kind college and learn such life skills that help them attain any heights in profession, skill, and financial independence. Imagine a woman who, a victim of circumstances could not finish her education, was married off early in life and has no hope of ever having a control over her life. Barefoot college is that ray of sunshine in the lives of these women that gives them a dream and the tools to realise that dream.
We have been recommending a visit to the college to many a visitors over many years but hadn’t had a chance to go there ourselves. On one fine day while enroute Jodhpur from Jaipur, we just decided to take a right turn to where the arrows were pointing and head to the Barefoot College. Without a prior intimation or an appointment we just showed up at their “visitor information centre”. Somewhere inside, we were prepared to get disappointed and knew we would be turned away. But thanks to the considerate visitor coordinator, Mr.Brijesh Gupta who took out time from his extremely busy day and did not let our hopes of getting to know Barefoot College get dampened. He offered to take us on a short trip across the set-up. His reason was simple, “you have come this far to know about us, so I will let you get a glimpse into what we do”. Having spent over three decades of his life here, Mr.Gupta is a true ambassador of the college and the cause.
Before I take you on a tour of the college through my written word, let me tell you honestly that however hard I may try or howsomany words I may use, I would not be able to do justice to the introduction to this Oasis of upliftment nestled in rural Rajasthan. One has to visit and soak in the experience to understand what the college for the poor does. I would still try and make a humble attempt. Rest, you must listen to the man himself here.
The Campus
The campus is divided in two parts - old and new. We drove to the new campus which is around 5-7 minutes away from the old one. The first look itself is so inviting that you want to get enrolled here yourself, or at least be a part for a day at this amazing college. As one sets foot on the campus, one is continually amused and amazed at the revelations that hit you one after the other. The words “looks can be deceptive” best describe what you see here. We saw a group of traditionally clad village women huddled around some iron rods on the ground under a shed. A closer look revealed that the women were but a group of skilled welders and were finishing their day’s job! If that doesn’t surprise you, what will? But wait, there are more such surprises coming along. Another shed and another group of ladies in traditional Rajasthani outfits and grandmotherly wrinkles on their faces. Not underestimating their capabilities, we sheepishly asked what their skills were and LO! They were Solar Cooker Manufacturers!! These ladies who could not complete their basic education were now successfully making and assembling solar cookers, the parabolic basic cookers that can prepare a meal in ten minutes. You would wonder, if they haven’t finished basic schooling, how then do they understand the measurements and precisions that are needed in such scientific tasks. Well, the answer lies in COMMON SENSE and REFERENCE. They are not taught theory here, they learn through practicals straightaway. Their scales are painted on the flooring for them to use as references, colours are used as codes to teach the wiring wherever needed.
Next, we came to the main classrooms at the college. Now this was a truly awe inspiring experience. The classroom can best be described as a globe enclosed in four walls and a few windows. Ladies from all around the world (101 countries are now a part of this movement) were learning technical skills here in this centre. They are adoringly referred to as “solar mamas” at the Solar Energy Technical Centre. Gupta Ji called out the name of the country and the ladies raised their hands smilingly. Here they were learning to make circuits for solar lights, lamps, and lighting systems. To simplify the learning process, colour codes were given to components and wires and put up on boards in the classroom and sign language was used for communication. The teachers were all from nearby villages - men and women and were teaching this mixed group without knowing their languages. Another board gave out the numbers of women from different countries. Women from one nationality sat together for making it easier to comprehend and help each other but in the hostel the group is kept all mixed up. And guess what, like in any classroom, you could see the students chatting with each other without even comprehending each others’ languages!
Still in awe of what we just saw, we were directed towards another room where the trainers were being trained. These men and women of all ages were too busy learning the skills that they would then impart further to the women who come here to learn and become independent. Another room was a huge computer lab. This was just one section of the college that Mr.Gupta could take out time to show us. There are many other such sections where women learn other skills like embroidering, sewing, weaving, handicrafts and technical centres where they learn to make water filtration and desalination systems. The basic premise that the college functions around is sustainability, harnessing the sun’s energy and harvesting the rain water eventually becoming self sufficient.
The Culture
There is an air of comfort and simplicity around here in this college campus. The women come from far and wide to devotedly give six months of their busy lives here to takeaway a priceless gift for life - skills to be independent. They do not understand each others’ tongues or cultures but what they understand is an environment of love, compassion, care and camaraderie. The batch usually comprises of 25-30 women from different countries. Two such batches run in a year. The group is all mixed up and women share space with other women from a totally different cultural background. This helps in forging a bond so strong that they weep and cry when they depart and make promises to always keep in touch, which we are sure they are keeping too.
The mess cooks up vegetarian affair from locally sourced seasonal vegetables and grains and the food is relished by one and all. Once in a while, non-vegetarian food also is served keeping in mind the varied group of varied food habits that is assembled here.
There is a local clinic close by which is their go-to medical centre in case anyone falls ill. For cases that require a detailed investigation or treatment, the closest city is Kishangarh where they are referred to. The whole bunch of students and trainers are like one big happy family and take care of each other in such times. The college has its own transport department and vehicles.
Mr.Gupta added, this is such a valuable opportunity for these ladies that they do not consider taking leave before their six months are over, not even for emergencies and exigencies back home or in case of a loss of a loved one. They mourn and grieve here only, with the new found family because they know that once they go back, joining the course again would be totally out of question.
What’s in it for these students
Number one of course is the priceless skill that they learn which will empower them to start their own businesses or get better paying jobs if they so desire, but in most cases they use their skills to brighten their own communities, villages, cities. The statistics of how many villages across the world have been lit up by these solar mamas will surprise you.
Then, comes the personal touch and family atmosphere which is highly conducive for learning. Besides this each of these students gets a pocket money of Rs. 4000/- per month for the duration they are here. That is not all, they are given USD 700 per student when they finish their course and return to their respective countries. Many corporates, business houses, families have joined hands to partner and ensure the success of the cause. A whole list of these partners is available on their website www.barefootcollege.org .
Totally self sustained
The Barefoot College at Tilonia has to its credit a unique radio station which is run, operated and listened to by the people involved in this noble cause. The audience reach of the radio station is more than 50,000.
The college generates its own solar energy and runs completely on this energy. They make their own solar lamps and cookers, have their own water purification system too.
A small telephone exchange has been set up which supports 250 lines.
There’s a night school for village children where they are taught basic life skills, about politics, about democracy and are made to role-play into forming a cabinet of ministers and a Prime Minister.
A small marketplace - shop and online - which sells the handicrafts made here and assists in keeping the economy of the college in place.
And a Bank too - Union Bank of India has a branch running within the campus.
How Can You Help
The Barefoot College is not just another NGO where one donates money to support the cause. Donations though are always welcome but a helping hand would be more welcomed here. If you have a skill, the knowledge of which you wish to share, you can write to the authorities at the college and they would get in touch with you. Most of the volunteer work is in the form of an unpaid internship which will earn you a much coveted experience and in turn open many doors for you in your personal and professional life. Volunteers come here from all across the globe. Minimum duration for an internship is three months.
You can also choose to buy gifts and souvenirs for your personal use from their shop “Hatheli Sansthan” and contribute in your own little way. The shop is a treasure trove of handicrafts, toys, stationary, linen and hand crafted artefacts and wearables. You can visit their shops at the campus or on Jaipur - Ajmer Highway or can also shop online.
Barefoot College is not just a college that teaches skills but is a revolution in itself. Come and be a part of this inspiring movement, be it for a few hours only. Call us or write to us to help arrange an educational tour for you to Tilonia’s Barefoot College. Click here to get in touch with us.
No comments:
Post a Comment