Support Solar-Powered Education at NIRMAN

Story

Imagine you are a student in the 6th class. You’ve thoroughly prepared a presentation of cloud forms, including a theatrical workshop demonstration when you’ll ask your classmates to hold objects representing the clouds and meeting weather fronts. You need the fan that's on. The electricity goes out, and no one can pay attention to your work! What is a well-prepared student to do?Classroom interruptions, as well as the skyrocketing cost of the municipal electricity, demand that we install solar panels to keep our school functioning at the level of excellence we believe in. If the idea is to change people's lives by changing the skill and consciousness of children, then we must be able to count on the most elementary resource of all--electricity.Current Municipal Electricity Set-up shown belowPlease consider a donation toward our solar panels if our perspective resonates with you. Our project will cost around $10,000, but its value will be immeasurable. Two hundred students will enjoy regular electric supply of lights and fans, and the additional resources of projectors and computers. They are children of farmers, artisans, domestic workers and labourers. Their education will enable them to become whatever they dream of, and hopefully break out of the cycle of poverty in which their families are mired.The Kind of Solar Set-up we hope to have installed by October 1st!Costs: 10 KW plant--$7, 350Net Metering--$200Battery--$850Installation etc.--$1,500NIRMAN is a Varanasi-based Indian non-profit that works for education, environment, research, and the arts. Since its inception twenty-eight years ago, NIRMAN conducts research, works on appropriate management strategies, builds arts and environment programs, and enriches the lives of children, youth and their families.We believe that education is essential to innovation and to moving toward sustainability. Our Centre for Postcolonial Education runs parents’ workshops, teachers’ training, and regular events and programmes for children and their families in Varanasi. Vidyashram-The Southpoint School provides a pre-K to 10th grade education to 300 students, 90% of whom are on scholarship, both in the city and in the nearby village of Betawar.More information at www.nirman.info   We employ progressive pedagogical methods, and for 28 years have been known as one of the best schools in the area. This daring approach to education and community building allowed us to grow considerably and to serve more completely our community. Other projects include inviting professional artisans, musicians, story tellers and artists of all kinds to work directly with students during class time.Mime Artists working with students at our riverside campusOur students will be overjoyed to continue their studies in slightly more comfortable conditions  that will allow them to reach reach further for excellence. A change to solar energy can help them propel their families into more secure lives. The gratitude for your gift will ripple through myriad communities and be cemented in our own hearts and minds.