Phone Conversation with Daniel from Ashraya (5/11/08)
taking notes: Melissa
in attendance: Jessie, Tim, Gauri, Dave, & Melissa
*quotes from Daniel are not word-for-word
Where is the school located and what is its target population?
The school is located in a large slum outside of Pune, India. It is part of a larger, umbrella project called Ashraya which includes an orphanage and public health initiative. The slum is a mono-caste slum, so the target population is made up of just one tribe of people formerly of the "criminal caste." Originally from Gujarat. They speak neither Hindi nor Marathi, but a tribal language. The school itself serves students from kindergarten through tenth grade.
What stages of development are you in?
Currently, there is no architectural plan for the school. Between September and June, I will conduct workshops and planning groups with both children and parents from the community to help decide the plans. The curriculum is already being developed.
One of our ideas is to establish some sort of community center/library, but we would like to know more about the needs of this community and how such a center might best serve those needs.
Inevitably, the school itself will function as a sort of community center. The situation in the slum is such that learning can really only be done in a facility like this one. Therefore, it will double as a school and "dormitory facility." There is a need for space within the slum for community self-governance. Currently, those who attempt to meet and organize must meet outside the slum. Hopefully, the school will provide a place for them to do this within their own community.
80-85% of the community is illiterate. Thus, it may take a while for a library to grow active. Adult education is a pressing need and something that could be expanded upon. Programs for adult education might not only focus on literacy but principles of planning -- practically oriented. A community center component could really be at the center, both physically and conceptually.
Is this something that you could undertake yourself, or are we providing a unique contribution otherwise unavailable?
I might get around to it in the next ten years, but couldn't develop such a program now (at this crucial point). I have several leads and ideas that I am unable to pursue due to a lack of time. Your involvement will be well-timed since you will be present just after the school has opened. I am happy to let you make this project as much your own as you would like. We are only a three-person organization: one of us runs the children's home, another the public health project, and I run the school. I'm definitely excited by the idea of collaboration.
How sustainable would such a project be? How gauranteed is its existance long after our time in India?
If we start collaborating soon enough, the project could be quite sustainable. Our organization has a vast amount of resources at its disposal. It may work best to let the community really take over ownership.
What sort of challenges do you envision to creating community incentive for involvement?
If the services offered are practical, the community will want to come. The demographic will most likely be women (mostly mothers). Bear in mind, this tribe has been marginalized for quite some time. It has gained a strong sense of independence and self-organization. We will likely need to do political tip-toeing and make sure the community is involved in decision making.
What sort of diversity exists within the slum?
It's a mono-caste slum, so diversity is somewhat limited. Only 15-20% of the population is literate. Two main professions exist: key-cutting and [something to do with clothing]. There is quite a bit of day-labor activity. The tribe has maintained a strong musical hertiage. They generate some income by playing accordion music in public places.
How big is the slum/school?
Slum: between 1200 and 1500 residents
School: 180-300 enrolled students (depending on number of classes)
Before we mentioned the idea of a community center, what were some areas in which you envisioned our involvement?
Jyotsna spoke with me about establishing a library. This could be a great project. We are currently organizing a chidren's conference that includes children from Pune, Northern India, and Zimbabwe. The idea is to use arts as communication and foster an awareness of continutity among communities. You might help with this, though there might be less room for ownership. Another idea is an adult education center located within the slum itself that includes literate adults in Pune. The project would have to reach beyond basic literacy, and it would need intensive research. It might also face issues of caste-conflict, but has the potential to help overcome bias. Many younger community members are interested in English language education. I feel ambigiously about this -- we don't want to anglicize the community.
Post conversation, Final Thoughts:
The best way for us to get involved and provide a necessary and unique service might be to establish teenage youth or adult education "outreach" program that either only serves the slum or reaches beyond the slum to include the city of Pune (this depends on whether the relationship between city and slum is volatile -- wouldn't want to produce conflict just when the school is opening).