Sristi Village: Inclusive & Sustainable Living for Disabled People
Sristi village is a laudable initiative where socially conscious people are building an inclusive, self-sustaining, and eco-friendly village for people with intellectual disabilities, especially.
I went to the UnLtd. Tamil Nadu event held recently, hosted in conjunction with Auroville in Chennai festival, where Karthikeyan, the Managing Trustee of Sristi Foundation spoke with a lot of passion about his social project – Sristi Village, near Pondicherry, South India.
Karthikeyan told us that he spent 15 years in an orphanage where he grew up alongside many intellectually disabled kids. While normal kids were able to go to school, college, work, and eventually integrate into the mainstream society, intellectually disabled kids didn’t get such opportunities. Besides, even if they learned some skills, employers were reluctant to hire them.
Sristi Village seeks to provide a dignified life for disadvantaged people.
- In 2014, they acquired 8.39 acres of cultivable land (thanks to donations) in Kunamangalam village, 30 KM from Pondy, where inmates undertake organic/traditional farming.
- They have setup Sristi Special School, a school for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities where 10 kids from nearby villages have enrolled. It seems Karthikeyan has also setup a similar school in the orphanage he grew up.
- They have setup a Sristi Vocational Training Center where inmates learn and make doormats, paper products, candles, incense sticks, greeting cards, etc.
- They have built an eco-friendly hut using bamboo and mud within the farm where community members are currently living.
- They have constructed an open well, and three farm ponds for rain water harvesting. A donor from US has donated a Solar Water pump which fetches water throughout the year without power lines/grid connection.
- Among their future plans, they want to setup a Sristi Farm Academy to provide agri/farm-based training to disabled people, want to start a diary farm, exploring mushroom cultivation, etc. as it is possible for disabled persons to get involved in these revenue generating activities.
How We Can Help:
While they are trying to become self-sustainable by selling their products, etc. that may take some time. In the meanwhile, people can donate money (bank account details) or visit the community to volunteer by teaching skills like craft making, gardening, etc. People can also make videos & information brochures about their project. An eco-tourism initiative may begin shortly. More…
At the least, all of us can spread the word through word-of-mouth and social media, if you think this initiative is worth spreading.
Here’s their website: Sristi Village.
Destination Infinity
Disclaimer: I have not visited Sristi Village yet. All info here is based on the presentation on that day and what is mentioned on their website.
Great initiative by Mr.Karthikeyan.
Its good to see people giving back to the society through service.
🙂
Yes. I feel we should also give back to the society in whatever small ways we can.
Destination Infinity
Absolutely great contribution/initiative towards society and I love his idea of creating a village for disabled to help them explore their ability and experience life they deserve. Karthikeyan is truly inspiring and I think only who work closely could understand the needs of disability, but he has grown along with them to understand like no other.
Thanks for sharing and let us knowing about his tribute to intellectually disable. Wish i could also do something towards their act.
For a start, you can share the link of their website or this blog post in your Facebook wall, to spread awareness about the good work they are doing. Maybe you can also write a blog post about them – they have a lot of material available on their website.
Destination Infinity
A laudable work that needs encouragement and support in many ways.
I am glad you are highlighting such admirable initiatives through your blog.
I am also glad to write about such admirable initiatives 🙂
Destination Infinity
Nice initiative.
Glad you like it 🙂
Destination Infinity
Awe-inspiring!!
Isn’t it? 🙂
Destination Infinity
Good to read… I wanted to find out how to go inside Matri mandir, but couldn’t figure out so far
I’ll connect you with someone I know in Auroville, let’s see if they can guide you on this…
Destination Infinity
Great initiative. I’m looking to find an organisation that is doing genuine work where I can donate. Will definitely find more about this.
Donating to an organization is actually quite a difficult task. Because we don’t know how our funds will be utilized, unless we actively monitor what is happening. Hope you’ll find that organization that’s doing genuine work, it maybe this one also! Thanks for considering 🙂
Destination Infinity