1. Design for Change 2010Design for Change 2010
My School Satya SurabhiMy School Satya Surabhi is a school foris a school for
economically disadvantaged rural children ofeconomically disadvantaged rural children of
Attuvampatti and surrounding villages in theAttuvampatti and surrounding villages in the
Palani Hills, Tamil Nadu, Western GhatsPalani Hills, Tamil Nadu, Western Ghats
Design for Change CompetitionDesign for Change Competition—Project—Project
Topic: Cleaning, Sanitisation, andTopic: Cleaning, Sanitisation, and
Beautification of Vilpatti Village Main SquareBeautification 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
2. Vilpatti Village at First SightVilpatti Village at First Sight
Phase A, ‘Before’Phase A, ‘Before’
September 13-21, 2010September 13-21, 2010
3. 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.
4. Today’s visitor approaching the gate of ancient Vilpatti is bound to be disturbedToday’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.
5. Vilpatti today: where agriculture and housing exist side by side with theVilpatti 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.
6. Before: - Vilpatti Village Main Square and Bus StandBefore: - Vilpatti Village Main Square and Bus Stand
7. The Village Sweepers collect trash fromThe 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 theMy School’ begins its survey of the
trash situation. Very few toilets are intrash situation. Very few toilets are in
use within Vilpatti.use within Vilpatti.
8. ‘‘My School’ students at the PanchayatMy 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!
9. ‘‘My School’ Principal visiting KotaMy School’ Principal visiting Kota
Theru with the StudentsTheru with the Students
10. The garbage clogging a drainage canal,The garbage clogging a drainage canal,
typical of drains in Kota Therutypical of drains in Kota Theru
11. Surveying the problems of Kota Theru, VilpattiSurveying the problems of Kota Theru, Vilpatti
12. Surveying the problems of Kota Theru, VilpattiSurveying the problems of Kota Theru, Vilpatti
13. Beginning work with the Bus Stand WallBeginning work with the Bus Stand Wall
14. Beautification of Vilpatti Project end of Phase A, Phase B,Beautification of Vilpatti Project end of Phase A, Phase B,
just beginningjust beginning
15. Vilpatti Village:Vilpatti Village: Cleaning,Cleaning,
Sanitisation, andSanitisation, and
BeautificationBeautification
Phase B, ‘During’Phase B, ‘During’
September 21-24, 2010September 21-24, 2010
16. ‘‘My School’ Troops heading inMy School’ Troops heading in
for Phase B engagement.for Phase B engagement.
‘‘My School’ TeachersMy School’ Teachers
and upper gradeand upper grade
students with packedstudents with packed
lunches ready forlunches ready for
action.action.
18. ‘‘My School’ Principal in Main Square … emphasizing urgency of Sanitation forMy School’ Principal in Main Square … emphasizing urgency of Sanitation for
VilpattiVilpatti
19. First Day on Phase B, ‘My School’ Vilpatti BeautificationFirst Day on Phase B, ‘My School’ Vilpatti Beautification
20.
21.
22. ‘‘My School’ Students and Principal On the Job SiteMy School’ Students and Principal On the Job Site
26. The Drain at the end of Kota TheruThe Drain at the end of Kota Theru
27. At the end of Kota TheruAt the end of Kota Theru
28. ‘‘My School’ Students On the JobMy School’ Students On the Job
around the Temple and Vilpattiaround the Temple and Vilpatti
Panchayat OfficePanchayat Office
29.
30.
31. 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.
32. ‘‘My School’ receives praise from a local resident.My School’ receives praise from a local resident.
33.
34.
35. ‘‘My School’ Upper Grades teaching Hygiene in VilpattiMy School’ Upper Grades teaching Hygiene in Vilpatti
36. Intestinal pathogens are commonIntestinal pathogens are common
in Vilpatti Village. Pills andin Vilpatti Village. Pills and
medicines are no substitute formedicines are no substitute for
prevention.prevention.
Taking Health and HygieneTaking Health and Hygiene
seriously: Public Awarenessseriously: Public Awareness
Classes during Phase B.Classes during Phase B.
41. With the help of the Village Workers ‘My School’ set up signs in theWith 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.
42. ““Be Clean! Keep the drains clean! Keep the village clean!”Be Clean! Keep the drains clean! Keep the village clean!”
43. Cleaning the walls of Vilpatti’sCleaning the walls of Vilpatti’s
ancient Shrine.ancient Shrine.
44. Prepping the Vilpatti Village Main Square (Bus stand) WallPrepping the Vilpatti Village Main Square (Bus stand) Wall
45. Let the Mural Begin!Let the Mural Begin!
Local residents proudlyLocal residents proudly
lend a hand.lend a hand.
47. The ‘devil is in the details’.The ‘devil is in the details’.
48.
49.
50. Vilpatti Village, Cleaning,Vilpatti Village, Cleaning,
Sanitisation andSanitisation and
BeautificationBeautification
Phase C, ‘After’Phase C, ‘After’
September 25, 2010September 25, 2010
51. 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
52. The Main Square Bus Stand: reminders of Nature all aroundThe Main Square Bus Stand: reminders of Nature all around
and within.and within.
55. Admirers and helpers amongst the local residents.Admirers and helpers amongst the local residents.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60. 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 13thth
..
61. Mr Suruli can now take pride in his work.Mr Suruli can now take pride in his work.
62. ‘‘My School’ installed bins in and around Vilpatti Bus Stand much to theMy 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
63.
64. A Clean Temple and PanchayatA Clean Temple and Panchayat
Office GroundOffice Ground
65. Vilpatti Village, Cleaning,Vilpatti Village, Cleaning,
Sanitisation andSanitisation and
BeautificationBeautification
Final day: Performance by theFinal day: Performance by the
Students of ‘My School’Students of ‘My School’
September 25, 2010September 25, 2010
66. Final Day -- A New BeginningFinal Day -- A New Beginning
The Performance by the ‘My School’ Students took place inThe Performance by the ‘My School’ Students took place in
the newly cleaned Main Square next to the Bus Stand andthe newly cleaned Main Square next to the Bus Stand and
included Street Theatre extolling the virtues of cleanliness inincluded Street Theatre extolling the virtues of cleanliness in
Body and Mind, the dangers to health and family of tobaccoBody and Mind, the dangers to health and family of tobacco
and alcohol, Yoga demonstrations, and the interdependence ofand alcohol, Yoga demonstrations, and the interdependence of
the Community when it comes to Public Health andthe 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.
67. The Performance in a Clean Square. The ‘My School’ new Cloverleaf signage in TamilThe 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”
70. The Doctor advisingThe Doctor advising
the residents of thethe residents of the
Village.Village.
Troubled family membersTroubled family members
listening to advicelistening to advice
concerning alcohol abuse.concerning alcohol abuse.
76. Vilpatti 1000 BCE, and clean once more!Vilpatti 1000 BCE, and clean once more!
77. Force of Habit … On the Way Home!Force of Habit … On the Way Home!
78. ConclusionConclusion
Much remains to be done.Much remains to be done.
The enthusiastic response from the local residents ofThe enthusiastic response from the local residents of
Vilpatti Village has encouraged us beyond ourVilpatti Village has encouraged us beyond our
expectations.expectations.
My School Satya Surabhi has pledged to cooperate inMy School Satya Surabhi has pledged to cooperate in
the improvement of living conditions of people inthe improvement of living conditions of people in
Vilpatti Village and we hope that our work becomes aVilpatti Village and we hope that our work becomes a
model for change.model for change.
