Saturday, March 25, 2006

Berampur, Orissa

I have been here for two days...knowing i will be committed to the project for several months, hopefully generating a thesis.

...It is difficult to form a pinhole around Gram Vikas (www.gramvikas.org), the group I will be involved with, forgetting everything else. ...Often so-called projects become too isolated and turn into ego traps, instead of genuine help.

Thankfully the group is so intimately involved with the communities it helps, that it doesn't see development as projects...rather more as a process.

The second micro hydro will be installed in the next two weeks. Very anxious to meet the tribal communities. It is amazing what my Australian predecessor (whom i'll shadow for a few weeks) has been able to do with the energy program, specifically with micro hydro development.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Arunachal shots: Women in Action















Although the solar systems were for a remote monastry, we were initally hosted by a nunnery.
The Colorado College students exposed the little nuns to ultimate frisbee and soccer. ...Little teaching was needed...Only smiles.
















Though the students main task was first to learn the why's and how's of solar design/ installation and second to teach the monks.