08.20.10 *FOUND

Part of what Made By Survivors does is fund IGPs. Income Generation Programs. And it does what it says -- it generates income for villages, programs, people! IGPs are a success story because if done well, they are self-sustaining meaning they pay for themselves. They create revenue for those participating and revenue gets you things like wells, land and in this case schools. Because the Dalit people are the lowest on the supposedly extinct caste system (all of India admits this falsity), they are considered "untouchable". They tend land they will never own, they sell cow dung in the markets, they sell sex ("untouchable"?), they collect and sell garbage, they burn the dead. They do the dirty work. Most of this is a result of ancient ideologies, lack of education, abuse of power and simply this: they know not their rights. If they cannot read or write, how can they know? People are easier to abuse if you keep them in the dark. 


Made by Survivors is partnering with indigenous organizations to fund the building and staffing of make-shift schools in these rural Dalit villages. Governments do not build schools in these remote areas because there is no representation, therefore, no pressure. However, with NGOs coming in to let them know of their rights as specified by law, these villages are becoming aware that education is in fact their right, and the right of their children. While the government drags their heels in funding and building government sanctioned schools, NGOs are building makeshift classrooms with clay and bamboo and hiring teachers and social workers to organize the whole feat. And inside these walls are the world's most earnest students. The structures are simple, the students sit on the ground, there is usually a chalk-board and the teacher's colorful attempt at making the space feel bright and hopeful. What I found is that the students are what make it bright and hopeful.