In the Name of the Adivasi
India: in 1990, Samata was recognized as non-governmental organization in India and up to today, its main concern is the support of the Adivasi ("tribal people"), in the state of Andhra Pradesh (South India). In addition to legal assistance the education program is of particular importance to their work. The building and the promotion of schools within the various villages and the existence of a model school, which is a possible option for voluntary services, ensure that the Adivasi are able to receive a basic education.
The word Adivasi can be translated as the first people or first settlers, a term used by the indigenous population of India itself. Their members are organized in small communities, within which smaller groups of people belong to certain tribes. Over the last few centuries, various external factors have caused that the Adivasi have increasingly been displaced from their native areas. Excluded from the Indian caste system, the Adivasi are communities at the grassroots level, and accordingly they are vulnerable to intrigues of those who claim their territories in order to satisfy economic interests.
Samata NGO developed out of the impulse to give a voice to the Adivasi and to defend their rights. After a long struggle a success of historic value was achieved by the organization in 1997, when the Supreme Court of India finally decreed that the so-called "fifth scheduled areas", the land, on which the Adivasi were living, may not be sold or imparted. Despite repeated legal violations, the decision is of enormous importance and has become commonly known as the Samata Judgement.
A Waldorf inspired Model School
The education program is one of to the supporting pillars of Samata’s work. A model school in Sagar Nagar inspires the promotion of Waldorf inspired tribal nature schools in many villages. Here, ideas of Waldorf education have been included, in order to hand over life tools to the children and strengthen their cultural identity. Thus they have the opportunity to learn about the knowledge treasures of their tradition and culture in a school environment.
Young girls, who recently and successfully completed school themselves, are being trained as teachers for the different tribal schools in the villages. With the help of advanced training they are introduced to teaching and supported by volunteers spending their Year of social service in India. With united forces, again and again impressive projects are being realized. Such projects have been for example the installing of new tables for school grades, or a solar oven so that everyone can cook by using the power of the sun, but also thinking about ideas for new lesson blocks about local and national landscapes and the national flora.
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Contact
D. No. 14-37-9, 1st Floor
Krishna Nagar
Maharanipeta
Visakhapatnam – 530 002 A.P.
India
Tel.: +91 891 2737 662
balamitranews@gmail.com