It has been exactly 3 weeks since I left the states and have been in India. As I'm sure it has been the case for everyone else, to say it has been quite the experience would be an understatement. First and foremost, I will begin by saying that I really love what I've seen thus far. And I state that with the notion of including both the positive and negative aspects that make up my current experience. The poverty, wealth, colors, trash, beauty and food are always in your presence here, constantly reminding you of the numerous facets to life. The culture is honest, and it is that attribute which makes me appreciate it. Currently, I am stationed in Hyderabad which is quite the urban jungle full of horns, music and people yelling to sell their "CHAII" (the yelling has been my rooster in waking me up every morning). Only part of my week is spent in the city however. I haven't had very reliable internet when staying at different project offices which has thus allotted me much time to read (I've only been reading their books so my mind is full of water management reports, third world pesticides and the language of plants). So far, I've been helping edit reports and grants which contrary to what I believed before, can be very exhausting. These last several days I visited several villages to record their update on their permaculture farms of mango and amla trees.The villagers were so friendly and astonished me with their ways of creativity. The children made these toy cars that successfully roll along the ground using the caps from bottles, sticks and the bottles themselves. The temperatures have been grueling hitting 116 degrees some days and without A/C your daily bath is SUCH a highlight! Squat toilets are a new thing, but I'm not too bothered by it because if they can do it everyday I don't see why I can't too haha! : p
Not only is it mango season, but marriage season as well. The streets have been full of horns and celebrations for the many marriages going on. Also, I eat so healthy here and am almost force-fed mangoes due to my host family having a permaculture farm that has a current surplus of them. It's great! Yesterday, out in a different project site called Adilibad, I saw a variety of animals crossing the road- several that induced some squealing from myself. Monkeys with babies the size of mangoes (is this my comparison standard now?), boars, dogs, chickens and humans constantly had us putting on the brakes.
The NGO (Aranya Agricultural Alternatives) is so inspiring with all that it achieves and genuinely helps out with. One project the NGO is in collabortaion with, the Water Sector Improvement Project is being sponsored by the World Bank to improve irrigation systems that will in turn increase agricultural yields. Aranya will be working with the social and environmental component of this project ensuring that lands are not being encroached on and that the living conditions are in good shape. I will be helping document this as well as other reports which I am very excited about. The days I spend in the farms are wonderful too and it's so amazing to see Permaculture in practice first hand. It really is the most sustainable way to go concerning agriculture. Well, I better going, will write again soon!!
Not only is it mango season, but marriage season as well. The streets have been full of horns and celebrations for the many marriages going on. Also, I eat so healthy here and am almost force-fed mangoes due to my host family having a permaculture farm that has a current surplus of them. It's great! Yesterday, out in a different project site called Adilibad, I saw a variety of animals crossing the road- several that induced some squealing from myself. Monkeys with babies the size of mangoes (is this my comparison standard now?), boars, dogs, chickens and humans constantly had us putting on the brakes.
The NGO (Aranya Agricultural Alternatives) is so inspiring with all that it achieves and genuinely helps out with. One project the NGO is in collabortaion with, the Water Sector Improvement Project is being sponsored by the World Bank to improve irrigation systems that will in turn increase agricultural yields. Aranya will be working with the social and environmental component of this project ensuring that lands are not being encroached on and that the living conditions are in good shape. I will be helping document this as well as other reports which I am very excited about. The days I spend in the farms are wonderful too and it's so amazing to see Permaculture in practice first hand. It really is the most sustainable way to go concerning agriculture. Well, I better going, will write again soon!!
Yes, this is so rad! I took a permaculture design class over the past semester and I totally agree with you about its effectiveness--it's so cool you are getting to see and help with the implementation of these projects first hand. Also, I want to eat copious amounts of mango (I also had to google amla--are they tasty?!). I heard India was experiencing a heat wave--116 just sounds totally insane. This Water Sector project also sounds really interesting. Is the World Bank having the local NGOs administer the various parts of the program? How hands on (or off) are they? I'm also curious what role(s) women have within the permaculture agricultural scene with whom you are working? Is there access to opportunities for them? Thanks for the reflections and I am interested to read how the work progresses!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I haven't gotten to try amla yet, but I'm so curious to! About the Water Sector project- the World Bank it seems is funding primarily the engineers who are experts with the irrigation systems and water management practices. Thus, as far as I can tell, AAA is one of the only NGOs currently in collaboration with it!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I am SO thrilled to tell you that women and youth are the primary targets when it comes to working with the permaculture projects. AAA has actually found that when it comes to seeking out villagers who would be the most passionate about environmental sustainability, that it is the women who take the greatest measures within the village in ensuring that permaculture principles are met! :) Will update one of these next days in the blog!