Taking Bapu's belief that India resides in its village to heart, a former student of Vidyapith has set up a hostel in one of the remotest villages of Narmada district in Gujarat.
The hostel, exclusively for tribal children whose parents migrate to cities in search of work, has not only helped them continue their education but has also let children have a say in its day-to-day functioning.
Alpesh Barot, 33, who after his postgraduation in social work from Vidyapith worked in Mumbai and then with UNICEF said, as of now the hostel has 53 students.
"With the tribal kids the efforts needed are more because it is not just about providing them a place to stay while their parents migrate for work," said Barot. He said it begins with teaching them how to brush, how to bathe and how to maintain personal hygiene," said Barot. In fact often Barot and his team has to go from house-to-house convincing parents not to interrupt the student's education when they migrate.
Incidentally, it was Barot's love for villages that helped him decide to set up his hostel in the village. The children study in the nearby government schools and the villagers also chip in to help them. "Sometimes the children bring vegetables from their house, sometimes the villagers give us food and help us in collecting firewood," said Barot. Thought he initially put in his own savings to set up the hostel, he now finds support by way of funding from businessmen in cities of Gujarat.
Therefore, the hostel functions with the participation of students. "So, it is not that we decide what the children will get to eat. It is through participation. The children get to decide things and what we have found is that children understand more than we give them credit for," said Barot.
He said when left to decide on their own, the children often choose not to have 'fancy' menu if they feel it will overshoot the budget. Barot and his volunteers also work with the villagers on health issues since many of them still continue to believe in witch doctors to heal themselves.
DOING DIFFERENTLY
- Place is run by Alpesh Barot, 33, who after his postgraduation in social work from Vidyapith worked in Mumbai and then with UNICEF
- He said that children in his residential school decide what to eat
- He also said that kids often choose to not have fancy food
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