Focus: Livelihoods, Handicrafts

Saathi information:

Peter has so far worked extensively in Orissa for the last 4 years training artisans in bamboo and other handicraft work. Prior to that, Peter was master trainer at Academy of Developmental Sciences (ADS) in Karjat Dt, Maharashtra

Project Summary:

The funding request will support Peter’s work for one year (late 2008 to 2009) to continue: a) his work in Ecoskool in Tamil Nadu (TN); b) provide low-cost environmentally friendly products for use by schools; c) continue work at AID-Srikakulam ; and d) set up a new training and dissemination center at the new land purchased by AID India bordering Andhra Pradesh in Vellore district.

Ecoskool, originally created to produce educational material that would be distributed by AID Chennai to pre-primary, primary and lower middle schools in Tamil Nadu, is located behind Eureka school and MPLC in Walodai village, Cheyur taluka, Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. It is now also a training center and Peter Bakos is providing livelihood training to community residents through the Ecoskool. Peter’s saathiship in the past was to support his work with AID Orissa to make advances in research/develop appropriate rural technologies; motivate college students to think about real life developmental problems and foster development around the JITM campus – motivate college students to interact and serve in the nearby villages.

Project/Saathiship Goals:

1. Increased livelihood opportunities of community residents through expansion of Ecoskool as a training and production center. (Outcome – Increased sustainability and capacity of Ecoskool center as evidenced by registering as a separate entity, expanding and constructing additional work space and diversifying manufactured products by reusing and recycling manufacturing waste produced by surrounding industries.)
2. Increased student achievement at pre-primary, primary and lower middle schools through the use of environmentally friendly, educational materials. (Outcome – Increased use of innovative, eco-friendly educational material by students through distribution of desks, puzzles, pamphlets (photo journals) and documentaries that contribute to learning.)
3. Use of sustainable, healthy and environmentally friendly products for routine daily activities. (Outcome – Increased use of low-cost, environmentally friendly products as evidenced by production, distribution and marketing of smart burning stoves using Bio-char as source of fuel and other low cost technologies for daily activities.)

Achievements (recent):

Some achievements of Peter’s work through Ecoskool at time of reviewing funding request for saathiship are:

1. Initially started with 5 trainees and now reached 40
2. Obtaining the raw material for free, they can sustain even selling the products well below market price
3. Distributed the furniture through out 7 states of the country in about 27 schools in poorer rural communities
4. Emphasis in recycling and re-using materials

Requested Budget:

$5000

Amount Approved:  (2011-12)

$2500 – from San Diego Chapter; $2500 – from Atlanta Chapter

Other Chapters Involved:

AID Atlanta  

Project Coordinators:

Khushbindar K and Suman K