“To catalyze socio-economic change through education for the underprivileged children in India”

Our Mission

Key Concepts

• Catalyst• Socio-economic change• Sustainability• Replicable• Scientific way of thinking• Education• Knowledge• Resource center• Information dissemination • Self triggered

Asha supports socio-economic change

Education for Social Change

• Education is • much more than reading & writing• understanding of society & surroundings• understanding and respecting nature• knowledge to improve lives for self and others• for creating more choices• about becoming humble

• Education SHOULD lead us to• system which gives equal opportunity to all

Current Normal Schools

• Imparts only reading & writing skills

• Assumes above skills may lead to better society

• Too much dependent on teachers quality

• Many a time does not promote creativity and independent thinking

• Indian system in school discourages questioning

• Mostly teachers and children find the content not relevant to surroundings

Change in School System

• Many ideas and thoughts in market• Local curriculum• Introduction of local art & culture• Changing curriculum to create employment etc.

• Make school Information Dissemination Center• Introduce solutions and problems of society in schools• Develop scientific way of questioning in schools• One part of curriculum should be self evolved around problems of society – aiming for answers

How to achieve it?

• Introduce Technology and Culture in School

• Schools should be point to disseminate latest information

• Latest information can be working technology or day today information on weather, prices etc

• Schools should be culture center of the society/village

Objectives

• The work in the presentation is done by Asha Munich for a residential school in Barabanki, near Lucknow (UP)

• Objective was to• reduce Running costs of the school• achieve some kind sustainability• make it science and culture museum for the block• technology installed should reach individuals life• make it information dissemination center• Achieve multipurpose objective of education and social change

Architecture

• should be inspiring

• should take into pedagogical aspects into account

• sensitive to the local conditions

• BaLa (Building as Learning Aid) one of concepts for school designs

• energy efficiency should be a parameter in design

BaLa - Example

Energy Efficiency (passive structure)

Roof Top Garden

• passive design technique

• fast spreading in west

• can save up to 70% in summers

• we should implement it in schools to reduce energy needs

• on commercial basis available in India

• costs in Lucknow around Rs. 50 per sq foot

Solar Technologies

• many technologies in market

• some commercially successful

• initial costs high

• goes well with Indian conditions

Solar Water Heater

• commercially successful• can be used in winter for hot water bath• should be used for hot water cooking to reduce fuel costs • 100litres per day system costs Rs 18,000 • no subsidy from government as picked by common people • helps in reducing peak load

Solar Cookers

Parabolic cookerSchaeffler cookerGood for schools with mid day meal schemeNormal size good for 60 peopleCost Rs. 65,000 in IndiaGovt. support Rs 25,000Successfully implemented

Solar Water Pump

• commercially successfulfor agriculture

• no impact of weather

• in schools should be used for water pumping

• and when idle can be used for other purpose

Solar Photo Voltaic Systems

• battery bottleneck (running costs high)

• target systems without battery

• Fans on photo voltaic goes very well with schools

• for day lightning solar collectors

• Asha should play role to demand electricity for 6:00PM to 10PM for schools running in evenings

Gasifiers for Residential Schools

• thermal gasifier successful in silk and cardamom industry

• environment friendly

• high calorific output

• developed for mid – day scheme for schools

• successfully running in Hydrabad

• useful only if wood is easily available

Kitchen Garden

• poor health in rural India

• vegetable consumption very low (UP)

• can be grown by any one at home

• seasonal vegetable grown can meet 90%of nutritional needs

• goes well with mid - day meal scheme

Waste Management

• bio waste can be decomposed into organic manure

• organic manure can be used in Kitchen Garden

• plastic waste can be sold in open market

• if properly disseminated by kids at home can take care of pollution and rag pickers

• develop sense of cleanliness among kids

Waste Water Management

• two low cost sustainable technologies in India

• root treatment

• oxidation process

• area required is both quite large

• good for areas without drainage system

• TERI has the expertise

Storage Technologies

• should be in schools with mid day meal programs

• schools should buy the wheat/ rice from locals

• to avoid chain of middle men villagers should sell to schools

• technologies in India exist which do not need electricity

• decentralized system (can replace PDS system)

• helps in achieving food security for people

Information Technology

• install computers in schools

• internet connect should be must

• electricity can come from solar photovoltaic system

• UP has some successful computer center on solar energy

Creative Ideas

folding chair & school bag

Scientific Toys

• school campus should have toys to promote creativity

• toys should promote questioning attitude

• fun and learning can go together

• local games should be included in the sports class

• toys should also promote team spirit

Local Culture

• local games/sports

• short stories

• mythological stories

• local history

• importance of geography

• songs & dances

• history of vegetation pattern etc.

Ideas are Universal

• Students take these ideas where ever they venture

• Ideas applicable to all buildings – educational or commercial

• Sustainable approach should be part of daily living

• Asha should focus on bringing partial sustainability to all projects

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