Design for Change 2010Design for Change 2010

My School Satya Surabhi My School Satya Surabhi is a school for is a school for economically disadvantaged rural children of economically disadvantaged rural children of Attuvampatti and surrounding villages in the Attuvampatti and surrounding villages in the Palani Hills, Tamil Nadu, Western Ghats Palani Hills, Tamil Nadu, Western Ghats

Design for Change CompetitionDesign for Change Competition—Project —Project Topic: Cleaning, Sanitisation, and Topic: Cleaning, Sanitisation, and Beautification of Vilpatti Village Main Square Beautification of Vilpatti Village Main Square Bus Stand and adjoining cluster, Kota Theru.Bus Stand and adjoining cluster, Kota Theru.

My School Satya Surabhi in Vilpatti VillageMy School Satya Surabhi in Vilpatti Village

Vilpatti Village at First SightVilpatti Village at First Sight

Phase A, ‘Before’Phase A, ‘Before’

September 13-21, 2010September 13-21, 2010

The beautiful setting of ancient Vilpatti Village. Nestled in the Palani

Hills is the seat of the largest panchāyat in India. Archeologists have dated Vilpatti at 1000 BCE. Local myth says that Vilpatti (the

village of the Bow) was visited by Rama on his way to Lanka.

Principal Padmini Mani discussing Design for Change Project with students of My School Satya Surabhi.

Today’s visitor approaching the gate of ancient Vilpatti is bound to be disturbed Today’s visitor approaching the gate of ancient Vilpatti is bound to be disturbed at its lack of civic amenities. at its lack of civic amenities.

Vilpatti today: where agriculture and housing exist side by side with the Vilpatti today: where agriculture and housing exist side by side with the mounting problem of garbage and lack of public sanitation.mounting problem of garbage and lack of public sanitation.

Before: - Vilpatti Village Main Square and Bus StandBefore: - Vilpatti Village Main Square and Bus Stand

The Village Sweepers collect trash from The Village Sweepers collect trash from where it is deposited on the open square.where it is deposited on the open square.

‘‘My School’ begins its survey of the My School’ begins its survey of the trash situation. Very few toilets are in trash situation. Very few toilets are in use within Vilpatti.use within Vilpatti.

‘‘My School’ students at the Panchayat My School’ students at the Panchayat President’s Office near the Temple -- President’s Office near the Temple -- found in the trash, our Tricolour!found in the trash, our Tricolour!

‘‘My School’ Principal visiting Kota My School’ Principal visiting Kota Theru with the StudentsTheru with the Students

The garbage clogging a drainage canal, The garbage clogging a drainage canal, typical of drains in Kota Therutypical of drains in Kota Theru

Surveying the problems of Kota Theru, Vilpatti Surveying the problems of Kota Theru, Vilpatti

Surveying the problems of Kota Theru, VilpattiSurveying the problems of Kota Theru, Vilpatti

Beginning work with the Bus Stand WallBeginning work with the Bus Stand Wall

Beautification of Vilpatti Project end of Phase A, Phase B, Beautification of Vilpatti Project end of Phase A, Phase B, just beginningjust beginning

Vilpatti Village: Vilpatti Village: Cleaning, Cleaning, Sanitisation, andSanitisation, and

BeautificationBeautification

Phase B, ‘During’Phase B, ‘During’

September 21-24, 2010September 21-24, 2010

‘‘My School’ Troops heading in My School’ Troops heading in for Phase B engagement.for Phase B engagement.

‘‘My School’ Teachers My School’ Teachers and upper grade and upper grade

students with packed students with packed lunches ready for lunches ready for

action.action.

Getting PreparedGetting Prepared

‘‘My School’ Principal in Main Square … emphasizing urgency of Sanitation for My School’ Principal in Main Square … emphasizing urgency of Sanitation for Vilpatti Vilpatti

First Day on Phase B, ‘My School’ Vilpatti BeautificationFirst Day on Phase B, ‘My School’ Vilpatti Beautification

‘‘My School’ Students and Principal On the Job SiteMy School’ Students and Principal On the Job Site

Kota Theru, VilpattiKota Theru, Vilpatti

The Drain at the end of Kota TheruThe Drain at the end of Kota Theru

At the end of Kota TheruAt the end of Kota Theru

‘‘My School’ Students On the Job My School’ Students On the Job around the Temple and Vilpatti around the Temple and Vilpatti Panchayat OfficePanchayat Office

Sanitizing the drains is normally only for VIP visits, so we are told.Sanitizing the drains is normally only for VIP visits, so we are told.

‘‘My School’ receives praise from a local resident.My School’ receives praise from a local resident.

‘‘My School’ Upper Grades teaching Hygiene in VilpattiMy School’ Upper Grades teaching Hygiene in Vilpatti

Intestinal pathogens are common Intestinal pathogens are common in Vilpatti Village. Pills and in Vilpatti Village. Pills and

medicines are no substitute for medicines are no substitute for prevention.prevention.

Taking Health and Hygiene Taking Health and Hygiene seriously: Public Awareness seriously: Public Awareness

Classes during Phase B. Classes during Phase B.

Health and Beauty go togetherHealth and Beauty go together

Let us keep our villages clean for the next generation!Let us keep our villages clean for the next generation!

Readying the Sign BoardsReadying the Sign Boards

With the help of the Village Workers ‘My School’ set up signs in the With the help of the Village Workers ‘My School’ set up signs in the Bus Stand. This one says, in Tamil, “Our Village: Let’s keep it clean.Bus Stand. This one says, in Tamil, “Our Village: Let’s keep it clean.

““Be Clean! Keep the drains clean! Keep the village clean!” Be Clean! Keep the drains clean! Keep the village clean!”

Cleaning the walls of Vilpatti’s Cleaning the walls of Vilpatti’s ancient Shrine.ancient Shrine.

Prepping the Vilpatti Village Main Square (Bus stand) WallPrepping the Vilpatti Village Main Square (Bus stand) Wall

Let the Mural Begin!Let the Mural Begin!

Local residents proudly Local residents proudly lend a hand.lend a hand.

Vilpatti community all Vilpatti community all fired up!fired up!

The ‘devil is in the details’.The ‘devil is in the details’.

Vilpatti Village, Cleaning, Vilpatti Village, Cleaning, Sanitisation and Sanitisation and BeautificationBeautification

Phase C, ‘After’Phase C, ‘After’

September 25, 2010September 25, 2010

New beginnings: Main Square Bus Stand near the ancient shrine. New beginnings: Main Square Bus Stand near the ancient shrine. Children’s efforts will never go in vainChildren’s efforts will never go in vain

The Main Square Bus Stand: reminders of Nature all around The Main Square Bus Stand: reminders of Nature all around and within.and within.

After beautification: The Main Square Bus StandAfter beautification: The Main Square Bus Stand

Admirers and helpers amongst the local residents. Admirers and helpers amongst the local residents.

Sept 25Sept 25thth --This wall was a pile of rubble and feces on Sept 13 --This wall was a pile of rubble and feces on Sept 13 thth. .

Mr Suruli can now take pride in his work. Mr Suruli can now take pride in his work.

‘‘My School’ installed bins in and around Vilpatti Bus Stand much to the My School’ installed bins in and around Vilpatti Bus Stand much to the satisfaction of those caring for the cleanliness of the Villagesatisfaction of those caring for the cleanliness of the Village

A Clean Temple and Panchayat A Clean Temple and Panchayat Office GroundOffice Ground

Vilpatti Village, Cleaning, Vilpatti Village, Cleaning, Sanitisation and Sanitisation and

BeautificationBeautification

Final day: Performance by the Final day: Performance by the Students of ‘My School’Students of ‘My School’

September 25, 2010September 25, 2010

Final Day -- A New BeginningFinal Day -- A New Beginning

The Performance by the ‘My School’ Students took place in The Performance by the ‘My School’ Students took place in the newly cleaned Main Square next to the Bus Stand and the newly cleaned Main Square next to the Bus Stand and included Street Theatre extolling the virtues of cleanliness in included Street Theatre extolling the virtues of cleanliness in Body and Mind, the dangers to health and family of tobacco Body and Mind, the dangers to health and family of tobacco and alcohol, Yoga demonstrations, and the interdependence of and alcohol, Yoga demonstrations, and the interdependence of the Community when it comes to Public Health and the Community when it comes to Public Health and Sanitation. It concluded with a Gujarati Stick Dance. Sanitation. It concluded with a Gujarati Stick Dance.

The Event was enjoyed by all.The Event was enjoyed by all.

The Performance in a Clean Square. The ‘My School’ new Cloverleaf signage in Tamil The Performance in a Clean Square. The ‘My School’ new Cloverleaf signage in Tamil reads, “Please do not Defecate Here”reads, “Please do not Defecate Here”

Street Play Commences: Hear Ye … Hear ye!Street Play Commences: Hear Ye … Hear ye!

The Doctor advising The Doctor advising the residents of the the residents of the

Village. Village.

Troubled family members Troubled family members listening to advice listening to advice

concerning alcohol abuse. concerning alcohol abuse.

Cast and SupportersCast and Supporters

Garbha dance: the local kids enthusiastically join in …Garbha dance: the local kids enthusiastically join in …

… … as does the ‘My School’ Principal!as does the ‘My School’ Principal!

Fond Farewells … for now!Fond Farewells … for now!

Come Back Soon!Come Back Soon!

Vilpatti 1000 BCE, and clean once more!Vilpatti 1000 BCE, and clean once more!

Force of Habit … On the Way Home!Force of Habit … On the Way Home!

ConclusionConclusion

Much remains to be done. Much remains to be done. The enthusiastic response from the local residents of The enthusiastic response from the local residents of

Vilpatti Village has encouraged us beyond our Vilpatti Village has encouraged us beyond our expectations. expectations.

My School Satya Surabhi has pledged to cooperate in My School Satya Surabhi has pledged to cooperate in the improvement of living conditions of people in the improvement of living conditions of people in Vilpatti Village and we hope that our work becomes a Vilpatti Village and we hope that our work becomes a model for change.model for change.