Bunker Roy: Learning from a barefoot movement

Summary

The speaker recounts his journey from an elite Indian education to establishing the Barefoot College, a school for the poor. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and utilizing the skills of the poor, such as illiterate women becoming solar engineers. The college operates on Gandhian principles, with no written contracts and a maximum salary cap. It's a place for trying innovative ideas without fear of failure. The speaker shares stories of women from Afghanistan to Africa who've been empowered through solar energy training, highlighting the transformative impact of grassroots solutions.

Takeaways

• 🏫 The founder's educational background was from an elitist and expensive institution in India, which led to a transformative experience in a village during the Bihar famine in 1965.
• 🌾 After witnessing poverty and hunger, the founder decided to dedicate his life to working in villages, which was a stark contrast to his expected path as a diplomat, teacher, or doctor.
• 🏆 Despite being a national sports champion and having a promising future, the founder chose to live and work in a village, aiming to 'dig wells' for five years, symbolizing a commitment to grassroots work.
• 👩‍🏫 The Barefoot College was established to empower the poor by valuing their knowledge and skills, which are often overlooked by mainstream society.
• 🚫 The college uniquely disqualifies those with formal degrees, emphasizing practical skills and the dignity of labor over academic qualifications.
• 🌞 The Barefoot College operates on principles inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, with a focus on simplicity, self-sufficiency, and community service.
• 🏗️ The college's buildings were constructed by uneducated 'Barefoot architects,' showcasing that expertise can be developed outside traditional educational systems.
• 🔋 The college is fully solar-electrified, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy and the ability of individuals with non-traditional training to掌握 complex technologies.
• 🌱 The college's approach to water conservation and food preparation, such as solar cooking, highlights sustainability and resourcefulness.
• 👵 The training of grandmothers in solar engineering challenges gender norms and shows that age and education level are not barriers to learning and contributing to community development.
• 🌐 The global impact of the Barefoot College's methods, as seen in Afghanistan and Africa, emphasizes the power of local solutions and the importance of listening to and empowering marginalized voices.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial educational and career path before visiting the village?

The speaker attended an elitist and expensive education in India and was set to become a diplomat, teacher, or doctor. He was also the Indian national squash champion for three years.

How did the experience in the Bihar famine in 1965 impact the speaker's life?

Witnessing starvation, death, and people dying of hunger during the Bihar famine in 1965 changed the speaker's life, leading him to decide to live and work in a village.

What was the speaker's mother's reaction when he expressed his desire to work in a village?

The speaker's mother went into a coma, shocked by his decision to work in a village instead of pursuing the prestigious jobs laid out for him.

What is the Barefoot College, and what is its unique approach to education?

The Barefoot College is an institution for the poor, where traditional skills and knowledge are valued. It does not admit individuals with formal degrees and qualifications, focusing instead on practical skills and community service.

How does the Barefoot College redefine the concept of a professional?

The Barefoot College redefines a professional as someone who has competence, confidence, and belief, not necessarily formal education. It values traditional roles such as water diviners, midwives, and bone setters as professionals.

What was the significance of the Barefoot College's architecture winning the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2002?

The award was significant because it recognized the work of 12 illiterate Barefoot architects who built the college, challenging conventional notions of expertise and professionalism.

Why did the speaker's team choose to train grandmothers in solar engineering instead of men?

Men were considered restless, ambitious, and more likely to leave the village in search of better opportunities, whereas grandmothers were seen as more committed to their communities and effective communicators.

How does the speaker describe the Barefoot College's approach to problem-solving and innovation?

The speaker describes the Barefoot College's approach as one that encourages trying out crazy ideas without fear of failure, where the teacher is also a learner and vice versa, and where practical application is valued over theoretical knowledge.

What is the role of puppetry in the Barefoot College's community engagement?

Puppetry is used as a communication tool, particularly in areas with high illiteracy rates. Puppets are used to educate, resolve disputes, and raise funds within the community.

How does the Barefoot College empower children and promote democracy through its night schools?

The night schools teach practical subjects like democracy, citizenship, and land measurement, and also hold elections every five years where children participate in a democratic process and elect a prime minister among themselves.