Hundratals bra Tuff-projekt i Indien

I över 40 år har Tyresö Ulands- och Fredsförening (TUFF) finansierat många hundra projekt i Indien. I början av 70-talet startade vi ett samarbete med den indiska skolan Sarvoday Ashram i delstaten Gujerat, nordvästra Indien.

Det första resultatet var TUFF Library and Reading Hall med ca 6000 böcker. Eleverna kunde äntligen få tillgång till böcker men mycket av undervisningen skedde ännu utomhus på grund av bristen på skolbyggnader. 1975 kunde två skolhus med inalles tio klassrum invigas. De fick namnen Kumla Wing och Nyboda Wing efter Kumla och Nyboda skolor i Tyresö, vilka genom sina dagsverken bidragit till största delen av finansieringen.

Tack vare Tuffs intensiva informationsarbete blev också många andra svenska skolor inspirerade att bli "systerskolor" till indiska skolor. På 70-talet uppfördes också en gymnasieskola, som fick namnet Stenhammar Higher Secondary School, eftersom finansieringen via Tuff till största delen möjliggjordes genom att Stenhammarskolan i Flen gjorde ett dagsverke. Ett elevhem döptes till Kvicken House efter Kvickentorpsskolan i Farsta.

Andra av Tuffs projekt i Indien finansierades genom att skolor i Täby, Strängnäs, Örnsköldsvik, Aneby, Lerum med flera platser gjorde dagsverken. Det har i Indien resulterat i många indiska skolbyggnader, elevhem, skollaboratorier, skolmatsalar, skoltoaletter, brunnar samt bland annat konstbevattning, metangasverk och till och med i en medicinfabrik.

I slutet av 80-talet och i många år på 90-talet finansierade Tuff ett 50-tal stora skoltält med minst lika många unga lärarinnor för flera tusen barn till säsongarbetande  sockerrörshuggare, som bodde långt hemifrån i de mest eländiga läger.

 De senaste åren har denna systerskoleverksamhet stötts av tre Tyresöskolor (Kumla, Strand och Tyresö skolor) samt Alléskolan i Lerum.

Tuff-biståndet är ovanligt schysst. Alla i Tuff och Radio Tuff arbetar oavlönat, så varenda insamlad eller inarbetad krona skickas oavkortat till projekten. Det är vattentäta skott mellan Tuffs plusgiro och insamlingskonto, pg 79 36 36 -2 Nyligen har solidariska människor satt in ca 75 000 kr på detta konto till ett skolbygge bland Kongos fattiga byar.

I januari i år kunde våra indiska partners samla hundratals människor för att fira att projekten bland Dharampurs små fattiga byar, bebodda av "tribals", alltså den länge försummade indiska stambefolkningen, nu framgångsrikt hade pågått i 25 år. På uppmaning av den stora indiska tidningen Indian Express har vår främsta indiska partner, Bhikhu Vyas, skrivit följande:

DHARAMPUR: A MODEL RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Dharampur Project is now a long journey of 25 years, in a hilly-forest region. This area remained untouched by main - stream development. Hence Vedchhi Pradesh Seva Samiti [VPSS] jumped into action, with education as an entry - point. VPSS launched other need-based socio - economic programs also, one after another. The project gradually turned out to be a phased growth, on holistic lines. It now touches around 100 scattered villages, covering 100000 poor tribal population, of this isolated block.

 

The project now runs 6 primary schools, 2 high schools and 1 hostel for girls, for higher secondary - serving 1000 students. Compared to the miserable situation when we first put our feet in the region, this year 50 students have taken up Engineering, Nursing, Rural Reconstruction, Farmecy, Computer and other Sciences, in higher faculties. If we add the number of last 3 years, it touches100 students This is sort of a miracle. For this to happen, main credit goes to  schools of Sweden. The students there donate a day's labor [till today] for Dharampur Project. This unique movement is coordinated by one pacifist Swedish NGO - Tuff. They are in the roots, as they were our only supporters, during the first decade. 

Of course, in last decade and half, support from Indian donors also followed. The Swedish school support, did made a positive impression on them That is why the project could flourish, without any government grant.

VPSS is giving special emphasis on Girls’ education.  A hostel for 11th -12th has been started for them. Totally 28 girls from this hostel joined Science Stream, a few Commerce and the rest, general stream. Even one girl is doing Masters' in social studies & one boy is doing Masters' in engineering.

As many villages were facing acute drinking water problem, it required urgent attention. As per VPSS policy, the beneficiaries were asked to dig wells. The project provided material. Result: So far, 230  wells are ready. Here also in the beginning, more than 100 wells were constructed, with Tuff support.

About 50 % of the population used to migrate towards cities, from February onwards. So after education VPSS took up programs to generate sustainable economic growth at local level, with focus on employment.

   

Since the start of the twin soil & water conservation program some 2 decades ago; VPSS has constructed 525 small mud - stone check dams - a big support to increase food production, in a large area. The soil - conservation has reached to more than 80 villages, creating new or upgraded agricultural fields - regaining 2000 hectares of land. New & improved crops are now taken there. In all these programs, around 50 % community contribution in form of labor is a must. Rest of the wages are paid by the project, in form of food - grains, on 'Food for Work' principle.

The other programs executed are as follows:

• Winter crop [second] and better seeds have been introduced in about 50 villages. It is fast spreading, increasing production & employment. 
• 220 oil - engines are given to groups at half the price, for small irrigation, resulting in big expansion of vegetable & fruit crops
• 118000 mango plants given [50 % price] with exclusive support of Tuff
• 4700 male buffaloes have been given to support agricultural operation at 25 % cost. The rest of the expense is born by cattle sheds. The animals are brought from 500/600 km. VPSS is the coordinator.
• 300 youngsters are given technical & professional training, followed by 50 % support for implements, for those who start small jobs
• 350 couples took advantage of Mass Wedding
• 27 rain water harvesting tanks have been constructed, to partially solve drinking water problem. On trial basis, 25 PVC tanks have just been given to the families, where water could not be found. [50% aid].
• 60 fuel - saving stoves have just been given as a trial [50 % aid]

Eye and health check - up camps are organized, intermittently.