Fellowship: Anu and Krishna
Fellowship: Anu and Krishna
Project Brief: This is a fellowship supporting S. Anuradha and T. Krishna who have set up a Learning Resource Center in Sittilingi, Tamil Nadu
Project Type: Fellowships (description)
Primary Focus: children of dalits/tribals (description)
Supporting Chapter Contact: Princeton
Project Type: Fellowships (description)
Primary Focus: children of dalits/tribals (description)
Secondary Focus: creating resources
Area: RuralSupporting Chapter Contact:
Status: completed - sustainable
Project Steward: Ravi Gangavarapu
Project Partner(s): Anu Krishna
Other Contacts: Sridhar Desikan
Project Address: , c/o Tribal Health Initiative,Sittilingi,Theerthamalai P.O.,
Tamil Nadu 636906
Tel: 011-91-4346-299197
Stewarding Chapter: Princeton
Project Steward: Ravi Gangavarapu
Project Partner(s): Anu Krishna
Other Contacts: Sridhar Desikan
Project Address: , c/o Tribal Health Initiative,Sittilingi,Theerthamalai P.O.,
Tamil Nadu 636906
Tel: 011-91-4346-299197
Stewarding Chapter: Princeton
| Jan 2020 | Princeton | USD 3949 |
| Aug 2018 | Princeton | USD 7279 |
| Sep 2017 | Princeton | USD 6663 |
| Jul 2016 | Princeton | USD 5752 |
| May 2015 | Princeton | USD 5697 |
| Aug 2014 | Princeton | USD 5540 |
| Jun 2013 | Princeton | USD 5495 |
| Jun 2012 | Princeton | USD 5425 |
| Mar 2011 | Princeton | USD 6050 |
| Apr 2010 | Princeton | USD 5555 |
| Mar 2009 | Princeton | USD 4900 |
| Apr 2008 | Princeton | USD 5750 |
| Mar 2007 | Princeton | USD 4400 |
| Mar 2006 | Princeton | USD 4200 |
| Jun 2005 | Princeton | USD 4300 |
| Dec 2004 | Princeton | USD 4100 |
Total = $85055
Anu and Krishna are Asha Fellows identified for their interest in doing social work. Their work ranges from promoting and practising an environmentally sustainable lifestyle, to working in a children's learning center where children are offered alternate, fun learning activities after school or given individual tutoring if needed. Asha supports their work by providing a fellowship.
Anu and Krishna are two architects who, disillusioned with the formal education system, moved to the village community of Gandhigram in Tamil Nadu in 1988. There they learned and taught about alternative, environmentally sustainable building technologies using material that is locally available. In 1993, they shifted to Gudalur, a tribal area in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, where they worked with the NGO ACCORD to equip adivasi youth with various skills needed for managing their own community.
Meanwhile, they grew interested in children's education, especially in areas where the quality of education is low and the right education can help a person gain self-confidence. From 2001 to 2003 Anu taught at an alternative school run by ACCORD. Their experiences suggested to them that:
- Children from disadvantaged sections in rural areas need an education that would help them gain self-respect and live with dignity. For this they need to acquire skills relevant to the community and the local economy.
- Chilren have a natural curiosity and capacity to learn, that needs to be nurtured by giving them space and the right environment.
- Children need the company of sympathetic adults who can encourage them to acquire skills and knowledge.
Anu and Krishna are two architects who, disillusioned with the formal education system, moved to the village community of Gandhigram in Tamil Nadu in 1988. There they learned and taught about alternative, environmentally sustainable building technologies using material that is locally available. In 1993, they shifted to Gudalur, a tribal area in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, where they worked with the NGO ACCORD to equip adivasi youth with various skills needed for managing their own community.
Meanwhile, they grew interested in children's education, especially in areas where the quality of education is low and the right education can help a person gain self-confidence. From 2001 to 2003 Anu taught at an alternative school run by ACCORD. Their experiences suggested to them that:
- Children from disadvantaged sections in rural areas need an education that would help them gain self-respect and live with dignity. For this they need to acquire skills relevant to the community and the local economy.
- Chilren have a natural curiosity and capacity to learn, that needs to be nurtured by giving them space and the right environment.
- Children need the company of sympathetic adults who can encourage them to acquire skills and knowledge.
In June 2003, Anu and Krishna moved to Sittilingi, a remote adivasi village in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. Here, as a means of addressing the above points, they have set up a Learning Resource Center. The goal of this center is to provide a place where:
- Children are in the presence of adults who can motivate them and provide support for learning
- Children can access basic learning resources that are not available to them in their homes or schools
- Children attend supplementary classes or prepare for exams away from crammed and noisy homes
- Children interact with visiting professionals from various walks of life to get exposure
- Young adults are trained to create similar spaces for children in their own villages
- As children grow into young adults, they can have access to vocational training courses and network with other such centers.
- Children are in the presence of adults who can motivate them and provide support for learning
- Children can access basic learning resources that are not available to them in their homes or schools
- Children attend supplementary classes or prepare for exams away from crammed and noisy homes
- Children interact with visiting professionals from various walks of life to get exposure
- Young adults are trained to create similar spaces for children in their own villages
- As children grow into young adults, they can have access to vocational training courses and network with other such centers.
The fellowship was supported under the organization Thulir. Thulir positions itself as "A sanctuary where children and adults learn and explore in an atmosphere of freedom, equality, Inclusion, co- operation, dignity and joy. A place where childhood will bloom naturally in goodness to responsible and caring citizenship.” It was initially established as a centre for alternative education for school drop-outs and after-school program for regular school going children in Sittlingi, a tribal village located in Dharmapuri district. With increased awareness on formal education, the need of the community moved towards a formal school set-up. Thulir started the formal School in 2016 and moved to the present campus in 2019.
Sep 2019 Anu Krishna Fellowship Approval Minutes of Meeting
Sep 2019 Proposal Anu Krishna Fellowship 2019-2020
Aug 2019 Site Visit Report Balaji
Jun 2018 2018 Proposal
Jul 2017 2017 Approval Minutes
Jul 2017 Proposal 2017
Jul 2016 2016 approval meeting minutes
Jul 2016 2016 Proposal
Apr 2016 2016 Site Visit
May 2015 Approval Minutes for 2015 Proposal
May 2015 Proposal for 2015
Aug 2014 2014 Approval Meeting Minutes
Aug 2014 2014 Financial Proposal
Aug 2014 2014 Site Visit Report
Aug 2014 2013-14 Annual Report
May 2013 Progress report and proposal 2013
May 2013 Approval Minutes 2013
May 2012 Approval Minutes 2012
May 2012 Annual report and proposal 2012
Feb 2011 Approval Minutes 2011
Feb 2011 Annual report and proposal 2011
Dec 2010 Annual report and proposal 2011
Mar 2010 Annual report and proposal 2010
Mar 2010 Approval Minutes 2010
Mar 2009 Minutes of conf. call for renewal
Mar 2009 Financal Proposal 2009
Aug 2008 Site Visit Report
Apr 2008 Anu and Krishna - Thulir 2007-2008 Report April 2008
Apr 2008 Anu and Krishna Fellowships - Chapter Discussions
Feb 2008 Anu and Krishna - Update February 2008
Aug 2007 Site Visit Report, 2007
Mar 2007 Funding Decision - Asha Princeton Meeting Minutes_032407
Mar 2007 Thulir Update March 2007
Feb 2007 Thulir Visit by Sanjeev and Anita - Feb 2007
Oct 2006 Minutes of Know Your Fellows Call October 8, 2006
Jan 2006 Thulir Blog
Sep 2019 Proposal Anu Krishna Fellowship 2019-2020
Aug 2019 Site Visit Report Balaji
Jun 2018 2018 Proposal
Jul 2017 2017 Approval Minutes
Jul 2017 Proposal 2017
Jul 2016 2016 approval meeting minutes
Jul 2016 2016 Proposal
Apr 2016 2016 Site Visit
May 2015 Approval Minutes for 2015 Proposal
May 2015 Proposal for 2015
Aug 2014 2014 Approval Meeting Minutes
Aug 2014 2014 Financial Proposal
Aug 2014 2014 Site Visit Report
Aug 2014 2013-14 Annual Report
May 2013 Progress report and proposal 2013
May 2013 Approval Minutes 2013
May 2012 Approval Minutes 2012
May 2012 Annual report and proposal 2012
Feb 2011 Approval Minutes 2011
Feb 2011 Annual report and proposal 2011
Dec 2010 Annual report and proposal 2011
Mar 2010 Annual report and proposal 2010
Mar 2010 Approval Minutes 2010
Mar 2009 Minutes of conf. call for renewal
Mar 2009 Financal Proposal 2009
Aug 2008 Site Visit Report
Apr 2008 Anu and Krishna - Thulir 2007-2008 Report April 2008
Apr 2008 Anu and Krishna Fellowships - Chapter Discussions
Feb 2008 Anu and Krishna - Update February 2008
Aug 2007 Site Visit Report, 2007
Mar 2007 Funding Decision - Asha Princeton Meeting Minutes_032407
Mar 2007 Thulir Update March 2007
Feb 2007 Thulir Visit by Sanjeev and Anita - Feb 2007
Oct 2006 Minutes of Know Your Fellows Call October 8, 2006
Jan 2006 Thulir Blog