Friday, May 29, 2009

Imagine school in 100 degree weather...








Juan Elizondo


Day 3: Schools



Today we visited two schools. There were a number of small children and village people who were excited to have us. Once we started taking photos they began playing with us and were very curious of our purpose.

The first school we visited had 327 students which 150 are young girls. They learn reading, writing, the english alphabet, math and other subjects in standard education. The administrators hope that one day they will have all of the young girls in the villages enrolled.

The funding the government pays for the students to attend school is 225 rupees per student which is about 5 dollars each. I really was surprised how cheap it was, but as well as how many still don't have an education. The school has a shortage of teachers and textbooks.

The second school we visited I was surprised that they were reading about Abraham Lincoln. I wonder what they would think if they were told that the US education really doesn't have a lesson plain about Indian leaders. I can't really remember studying any.
The foundation has helped advance the physical appearance of the school such as fresh paint, restrooms, and they have added to the structure of the school so that the students may have a better learning environment such as a water tank.
When comparing and contrasting the education of the US urban poor
(well at least from my personal experience) with the rural poor in India I thought of it to be funny that there is laws in the US that make children attend school and many rather not attend. However, in India their education is something their parents value the most. Two countries with poverty, but both have different values.
The other day in the village a man asked if the states had programs that will send poor people from our country to visits their village because only rich people seem to visit. I think thats a wise decision

Here is a short video compilation of some footage from the journey to Ghagas. It was shot in HD, so I hope you get to enjoy it in that format. It is just a short video compilation...no structure...my apologies.






Thursday, May 28, 2009

If you could only feel the heat...

.....you would wear clothes like this.....












































































































Photos: Megan Peyton











The Journey to Ghagas

The Journey to Ghagas would end with an oppourtunity to see the Sehgal Foundation implementing training on village governance with delegates from several surrounding villages.
Village Women paying attention to a discussion on various different topics concerning rural villages' governance.


One of many vendors found along the rough path.


It is unbelieveable how close these people walk near upcoming, reckless traffic.



This dog did not open up a trash bag. It is a part of the landscape.















Wednesday, May 27, 2009

We have it made....

Here are some pictures taken near where we stay:


Lady assisting in the production of a form of concrete
A woman walking near some sheet metal (sadly it is their residence)
People Bathing in a vacant area early in the morning.
Photos: Juan Elizondo

IRRAD is a ballin place....






So I am in Gurgaon, Haryana. I am at the IRRAD (Institute Of Rural Research And Development) headquarters which is an eco-friendly building to the max. It has the most gorgeous architecture inside and out and is a self-sustainable facility that symbolizes the self-sustainable initiatives of the Sehgal Foundation (The non-profit I am documenting while in India). I am blown away by the building, but also blown away by looking out the window 50 yards outside the facility and seeing people living out of sheet-metal shacks, bathing in scarce water, going to the bathroom in a hole in the ground, and just wishing they could do something but the 112 degree weather makes it difficult. It pays a little from being from Texas because the heat isn't too bad because it isn't humid like the dirty south.

My time in the villages starts very soon. All of my research was worth my time this semester, but I believe it will all be thrown out of the window soon when I encounter first-hand experiences. I will have videos and pictures to come. If you have skype please let me know so when I am bored and desperate I will have something to do.