Day 10: Just Change

This was a day to witness the power of social leadership. From a school to a community trading centre to a remote village, we travelled by jeep, boat and on foot to see a truly impressive network of people and projects.

Our first stop was a school where most of the pupils were adivasi – the original peoples of India, moving to the high forests as new migrants arrived, then losing their land and becoming mainly bonded workers living on the edge. ACCORD has worked with them over many years, helping them reclaim land through both formal means and land grabs, and seeding the creation of several social institutions which are then led by adivasi social entrepreneurs. The school was a joy: two open buildings full of enthusiastic children and teachers. They sang to us. We sang to them. They danced for us. We heard their joys and hopes. This is a school of several tribes, languages and cultures working together in understanding.

Next, on to the Just Change centre in Kerala province – a long bumpy ride through awesome mountains and jungle. Just Change is a model to go beyond Fairtrade, by connecting producers and consumers in communities directly with each other. Tea grown in the Nilgiri Hills is traded with soap and oils from Kerala. Producers trade with communities they choose. Floor prices mean that the damage caused by fluctuations in market prices can be mitigated.

We visited the shop and heard from some of the self help groups and community support organisations who had founded it. Women’s groups seemed to be the core strength of the network – a finding repeated in several visits. Leaders told us about the stages of development: land for the landless, mobilisation of women, creation of community institutions for education and health, then a bank to provide savings and loans, and now Just Change.

Four community organisations came together to found Just Change, representing 40,000 families. Villages can order collectively from the main shop, or set up a village community shop. The starting point is a village consumer organisation. The network sources whatever they can locally, then from other Just Change members, then other community groups and finally the market. But 80% is still from the market, so there is a way to go.

Next on to a village which is part of the network – a journey to a community isolated by a river without a bridge. The village community told us that over 90% of the 1000 families participated in the village organisation. They described the start of the bank, collecting 10 rupee savings each week from each family, building up impressive savings and then negotiating with a bank to match the cash to give loan facilities for income generation, domestic purposes and education.

Asked about the benefits, the villages said top of the list was community strength. Now they can take on anything!

Finally to Stan Thekaekara’s own house – a beautiful stone building high on a mountain. Stan is an inspirational leader and a warm host, yet still keen to enter into earnest discussion with all of us. These are clichés, but for Stan they have meaning: he speaks truth to power, and bears witness to decency.

So what did we learn?That there is a force that can shift immovable objects: inspirational people combined with mass community leadership which wins the confidence of the whole community. Just like the roots and branches of the tree of life on Stan’s wall, as it grows it can break down any barrier.
That social entrepreneurship is more than a simple trade, more than money and goods. It is the creation of human wealth. And that if enough people believe in a currency of human wealth, it grows and thrives.

But we also saw the challenges: the Just Change model is still small and embryonic, with major hurdles to cross in scaling up. The village organisations worry about damaging drinking by some of the men.

Stan described an organic development process – a journey which encountered impediments, solving them along the way, serendipity in finding the technical experts who could help, and trusting in community leadership to provide drive and resilience to build a better future. The villagers told us firmly: there is no going back.

Day 7: Visit to CART (Centre for Appropriate Rural Technologies), National Institute for Engineering in Mysore.

Steve: Much as I appreciate being able to use various forms of high tech and IT kit, there is something especially appealing to me about very simple technology that meets real human needs and requirements in an elegant, ingenious and effective way So it was an absolute delight for me to meet Profesor Ravi Kumar who heads CART. He came over to me as a highly intelligent, well-informed, committed and modest man with a great sense of humour – a powerful combination! The toilet which turned poo into compost and the biomass stove which converted grass clippings and wood to charcoal while providing heat for cooking deserve special mention for their holistic approach to design. In addition to the low-cost eco-friendly technology which he talked about, two other points from his presentation stand out in my mind. Namely, that his designs were made available to anyone who wanted to copy them, and also that he refused corporate sponsorship so as to retain full control over his work and to not compromise the integrity of the organization by associating with any brands. Professor Kumar is providing practical and affordable solutions in a way which I found uplifting because it is “intelligent” in the best sense of the word – applying creative thinking to human needs and also recognising our intrinsic connection with the planet we inhabit with its beautiful mysteries. From what we learned at today’s meeting, in my book Ravi Kumar and his team are “the business” when it comes to the real meaning of sustainability (the social business of course!) – I’m looking forward to working with him in some way.

Isabel: One of the things I have been really struck by in visiting what we now call “social enterprises” in India is the commitment to a vision as well as an outcome. In many cases that vision is inspired by Gandhi and his insistence on “What we need is not mass production but production by the masses”. Professor Ravi Kumar mentioned Rachel Carson (Silent Spring) and Schumaker (Small is Beautiful) amongst the writers who he had been inspired by. His determination not to sell out to capitalism, with all the ills that it brings, but to plow an alternative and humane furrow was integral to the cheap and effective solutions to social problems that he and his students design. To me, this is what distinguishes social enterprise in India from social enterprise in the UK: the bigger vision of a return to a small-scale, land-based economy that India had until only a hundred or so years ago but that the West lost in the 19th century with industrialization. Low-cost solutions to rainwater harvesting, shelter and energy production pioneered by CART definitely have practical applications in the West. I have yet to meet the visionaries who can take India directly into a future of clean technology, leaping over the high-carbon emission phase of coal and oil-fuelled industrialization, but I am hoping that I will!

Day 6: Visit to RHLP

Sue, Sue, Kelly and Lois: First impressions of Mysore was that it was more serene than Bangalore, cleaner, less chaotic and with little evidence of the gut churning poverty that we’d seen so far on the journey. When we visited the Rural Health and Literacy Project (RHLP), the reasons for the less obvious slum presence became clear. There are more than 80 slums in Mysore compared to nearly 800 in Bangalore. We learned that to qualify as a slum there must be 24 dwellings or more – so the small encampments of two or three blue tents we saw didn’t count. The RHLP has made impressive improvements to the lives of slum dwellers and street children. Of particular note were the 70 – 80% reduction in infant mortality and early marriage, and the peer education programme between slum dwellers.

Following the visit to RHLP we visited the Slum Federation. Our drivers had some problems today! Because of a misunderstanding one group were taken to sandalwood and silk shop instead of the slum we were supposed to visit! Once the mistake was realised, we set off, but unfortunately it turned out to be the wrong slum! Although we were not expected, the residents showed us around and answered questions. They lived one family per house in concrete buildings which were completed about 4 years ago. There is a fresh water supply, although main drains were still to be connected, and mains electricity. In a field next to the buildings there were about 20 tents covered in palm leaves. The residents explained that the men with more than one wife lived there because the current houses weren’t spacious enough to accommodate each of them.

We then met with male and female representatives of the Slum Federation including Hindus, Muslims, young and old. They spoke to us about the huge improvements they had made by becoming organised and lobbying for change, setting up groups to focus on specific issues like health, education, and financial security. They all said that conditions were previously lacking, but now basic conditions are acceptable. Children now go to school. The Women’s Federation are focused on the fight for enhanced access to higher education for slum dwellers. We heard from ‘Dwani’ (wise woman), a representative of the Women’s Federation. They are taking a leading role in enhancing women’s status and rights, differences and disputes in the community. RHLP appeared to be the catalyst for change but communities were really doing it for themselves.

In the evening we visited the RHLP home for street boys, with the street girls specially invited. We were warmly welcomed, and heard about their dreams and ambitions for the future, including wanting to be a teacher, social worker, footballer, cricketer, cook and policeman. They presented a variety of spectacular cultural dances for us, plus magic, acrobatics and impressions, and asked thought provoking questions. A diplomatic answer was needed to the question about the US, Saddam Hussein and oil! We were provided with snacks and drinks and had an opportunity to talk and play with the children afterwards. The children, as always, seem to gravitate towards Trevor, who is now known as the great arm wrestler, after defeating 5 of the boys in one go!!

The days visits inspired and encouraged, as well as making us feel uncomfortable at times, questioning the benefits we bring, knowing there is so much more to do.

Day 5: Journey from Bangalore to Mysore

Trevor Lynn:

Quote of the week: Everyone onto the pavement, oh sorry there is no pavement.

Color, camels, elephants, inspirational people, controversial speakers, crows crowing, pollution sirens,strange birdsong,fruity massages, amazing architecture, cultural and spiritual experiences, planes, trains tut tuts, dogs barking, networking jungle spray, one Bollywood star one powercut and so far so good no Dehli belly.

Today the group was joined by the seriously jetlagged Clif prior. Our benefactor and financial guru. Its 6.50am in Bangalore and the group is preparing for a train journey leaving Bangalore (known as the garden city named after the year long show of sequential blossoming trees designed at the behest of the Maharajah) to Mysore to stay at the famous green hotel. But for me a special trip first to visit Unnati which helps educate underprivileged youths and preserve traditions in the city. I was invited earlier in the week by them as a possible partner to launch a Mow & grow India….The group have an incredible ability to train and employ 30 students every 3 months in English , tailoring, customer services and various other life skills.100% of students who reach the end of the 3 month course gain employment….its an impressive figure, and the students I met amazed me

One girl stood up and explained how good her teachers were and was incredibly grateful to be on the course, she then went on to tell me of her troubled life which caused her to cry. She recomposed herself, carried on and received and huge round of applause from everyone in the room.

On returning to the main group in the nick of time we experienced our first train station and a great train journey (3 hours to Mysore). Cliff grabbed a few ZZZZ’s as did much of the group whilst Steve charmed us all with his double Mandolin tape of Indian music he’d found and his own harmonica train tune…..At Mysore we travelled by jeep convoy, to the Green hotel where we were greeted with flower garlands, and a coconut!!!!!

That evening we were joined by Stan Thehaekara. His speech was to provoke a mixed response many heated going on into the night.

My lasting thought for today as I write this was how fantastic this group of social innovators are. I feel the benefit of 20 different opinions has magnified my learning 20 times..

So to she who never leaves her rucksack, seagull lady , liverpool kits duo, jetlag cliff, just do it, big camera,lady social filmmaker’castle accent gal, fruity boy, snake scared man, laptop lady (of whom this blog was created on, welshman, toy lady, and the compassionate and thinking couple, may \I must say you’re an amazing group….I thank you all for being the best companions one could ever wish to travel with…

Kind regards

Magic Uncle and his elastic bands……

Day 4: Visit to EnAble India from Ruth

Imagine a world without limits
where the mind is set free
where there are no barriers
where there is inclusion
where there is respect for what I can do
where there is belief in my ability
where I can stand proud and indeendent
let's work together and make it reality.

This poem on the wall of the staff room of EnAble India sets the tone for the whole organization.

Founded in 1999 by Shanti Rhahavan and Dipesh Sutariya to enable disabled people in India to find employment, the organisation now helps blind,hearing impaired and other disabled people all over the country to find meaningful employment and achieve economic independence.

Shanti was our host today and explained that the inspiration for starting the organisation resulted from her brother's diagnosis with retinitis pigmentosa and his eventually becoming blind. Although he was a bright young man, a graduate with great potential, he was turned down after first interview for 70 jobs. He eventually achieved a good position through his own efforts and now follows a career with big companies like Tata and IBM.

Shanti inspired him by helping him to see that becoming blind did not prevent him from doing a range of exciting and new activities- snorkelling,kayaking,rock climbing- things he had never done before. She has subsequently been the inspiration behind Enable India and today she truly inspired all of us!

In India today, there are estimated to be:

• 70 million people with a disability
• 12-20% of these are visibly impaired
• 80% of those are as a result of glaucoma
• only 2,200 disabled people gain employment each year

Shanti had a slogan. She said WDATGOPP is what they do which means We'll Do Anything To Get Our People Placed. They have already successfully placed 490 of their people into permanent employment over the past four years. The reason for this is largely Shanti's enormous commitment, enthusiasm, energy and personality. She explained the whole process of trying to change cultural attitudes and the incredibly innovative steps she takes to help the disabled people learn the skills they need and the employers to realise the benefits of taking disabled people into their workforce.

The issues she has to address:-
Society’s view of disabled people i.e, They are objects of pity and seen as ‘good for nothing’
Lack of awareness amongst companies of what talented disabled people can offer their companies.
The lack of jobs that disabled people can do (eg. because of access issues)
Disabled candidates have not been prepared for the workforce
Disabled candidates lack confidence
The lack of quality training for disabled people
Shanti said she had tackled these issues systematically. She considered how to create demand and looked at the supply/ demand mismatch. To create demand in companies she approached big corporates and worked collaboratively with them to indentify their needs which gave her the time to prepare potential candidates through training programmes she developed personally. She now regularly places graduated in High-Tech companies who in time are coming back to her to fill new positions as they arise.
For non- graduates Shanti has identified a number of other positions such as Brew master in a coffee shop or petrol pump attendant which are suitable roles for the hearing impaired. With the use of dry-wipe boards, communication with customers is achieved. This leads to a satisfied outcome when placing a deaf person in appropriate employment.

Shanti has many other ideas for future development but she said she doesn’t want to ‘boil the ocean’

This was a truly inspirational visit and we all came away filled with ideas admiration for what EnAble India has achieved

Day 3 (PM): Evening networking with social entrepreneurs - "It started with a fruity massage"

The evening’s activities began with a crowded minibus journey with people sat on each others laps and standing across each other. It was obvious from the complete lack of fuss that the group had clearly already bonded and felt comfortable in extremely close quarters. Discussions on the bus mainly revolved around mine and Alex’s new haircuts. During free time we had taken a trip to the hairdressers where we were both offered, but nobly declined a strangely expensive ‘fruity massage’. The haircuts were great though!

On arrival at the restaurant we saw Richard for the first time today, dragging himself from his sick bed. The general consensus from looking at him was that he should have just stayed in bed (just joking Richard - kind of).

Evening started with an interesting talk from a self made businessman, budding social entrepreneur and politician in the making, Mr Mishra. Between the ages of 20 and 40 he set out on two 10 year plans to become a rich businessman. He had set up 3 companies, and sold them all by the time he was 40 and had made his fortune. He is now on his next 10 year plan to engage in social enterprise and next in the pipeline is to be Prime Minister by the time he’s 60.

He described his priority to secure jobs for the growing numbers of rural youth unemployed due to agricultural decline. He ended his speech with a generous offer of support to UnLtd India, saying “if anyone in the room wants to start a project then approach me later or give me a call and I’ll find you the money, support and consultancy to make it happen”. What a great guy!

Next we had a talk from Bert Cherian. He took us to the ‘level next’ and taught us about mapping our path to power and success. He is using his business consultancy skills to advice social entrepreneurs to make a success of their ventures. He gave us a copy of his book and offered some words of wisdom. Naturally, his book is on sale in all good book stores.

Before dinner we heard from various other incredible social entrepreneurs: Vikram was from an organisation called ‘I think I have a solution’, which is a social consultancy company and he edits an e-magazine called Sutra. Then there was Ramesh from ‘Unity’ which offered a 3 month vocational training course for the urban unemployed. Finally Joy from ‘Makkala Jagriti’ gave an account of her community development programme for the youth which took an interesting child centric approach.

The networking began over diner – so watch this space! Very interesting to see sparks flying, and I can’t wait to see which sparks turn into fires over the next few months.

Day 3 (AM): Visit to Maya - "This is the business"

After an early breakfast we set off on another noisy journey through the bustling city of Bangalore to our first project visit for the day. En route I reflected on the sheer scale of the construction boom currently underway in one of India’s fastest growing cities. Looking out of the window I could see workmen with no shoes on, jumping from building to building across a network of rickety wooden scaffolding.

After a 30 minute bus ride, not really knowing where we were going or what to expect, we found ourselves outside an extremely slick looking showroom. This was the flag ship store for Maya, a social enterprise created “to offer products of exceptional quality to our customers by partnering with micro entrepreneurs and to create wealth for the rural and urban poor”. To be honest, it looked more like it would be better suited on Oxford Street than this back street of Bangalore.

Sandra and Solomon, the dynamic and inspirational directors of Maya, have realised in order to compete they need to produce high quality designer furniture, garments and children’s toys and sell them to a niche market in India and across the world.

I and the rest of the group was struck by the truly unique aspect of Sandra and Solomon’s business. They believe in educating the rural and urban poor to develop their own ‘self help groups’ at a grass roots level. These groups are made up of 12-15 individuals working to manufacture the goods Maya sell. They are semi autonomous from Maya but are offered health care insurance packages, regular orders, free business development training, support and stability bound by a memorandum of understanding.

We were then introduced to another of Solomon’s projects which by pure coincidence directly addressed my earlier concerns about the construction industry. 90% of employment in this sector is on an informal basis, with no job security, no insurance, no fixed income. Solomon created Labournet to tackle this issue head on. Labour Net is a members only, web based operation offering a link between the employer and employee in the construction industry. The benefits beyond a recruitment agency include supporting all members with a comprehensive health insurance for the hazardous life of a construction worker – and his family.

The final project we were shown was called ‘Early Childhood Care and Education Project’. Their vision was to instigate community owned early childhood centres in rural India.

Throughout the morning deals where being done - Trevor was discussing potential roll out of non-plastic bags for Sainsbury stores throughout East England. Ruth impressed everyone with her enthusiasm about sourcing fresh production lines in India for her business in the UK.

Quote of the Day: “This is it, this is what we should be aspiring to in the UK” Alex from UnLtd talking about Solomon and his various social enterprises. This Maya project was genuinely the business!

(Greetings to A & L much love) Dave x