The Anganwadi Project

By Volunteers: Sam Russell & Jesus Montesino

We are now starting to work on Bholu 9, and I thought at the outset it would be good to to share with you our thoughts and Manav Sadhna’s on the scope for Bholu 9, and get your feedback so we can all be on the same page, from the get go.

Attached is a context and site plan as well as photos of the site.

Manav Sahdhna has informed us that there is the potential for Bholu 9 to also function as a community centre, given the site context and the needs of the surrounding community.

The site is situated in Gandivas slum, an area which currently has 11 anganwadis, but no facility to hold larger community events.

We have sat down with Neetaben and Shirishbhai to gain a greater understanding of what the community needs for this space would be. The main need is for a community space to house mainly activities for women and girls, in a safe and secure environment, where they feel comfortable to discuss personal issues;

Uses of such a facility may include;

-vaccination camps

-cancer education for women (cervical and breast cancer)

-nutrition week events

Currently these events are held in rented spaces and often adequate venues cannot be found.

The site, which is adjacent to a nice shady plaza, a small shrine and ample open space appears to be a hub of activity, and think it could definitely accommodate the uses described above. Furthermore it could make a really positive contribution to this ‘civic’ space.

We foresee that the Bholu, would function as an Anganwadi during the day and be available for other community uses in the evening, and possible early morning?

Seeing as so much effort goes into the creation of these bholus, it would be nice to maximise it’s use throughout the day.According to Neetaben, for such a building to be useful it would need an indoor space that can accommodate 30 - 40 adults, we calculate this to be approximate indoor space of 35 square meters. It would also be great to have a larger outdoor area to accommodate larger gatherings of 40 or 50 people. (possibly simple infrastructure to hang tarps from)Obviously this would involve greater costs than previous Bholus, and it would be nice to get your feedback on whether this is something we should explore.

We also believe that a building in such a populated section of the slum could be a good example of water saving strategies and serve as a good tool for education on water collection and reuse.

One consideration that we need to keep in mind is that the lease agreement on this site is for 15 years. While there is obviously uncertainly surrounding the long term use of the building, Shirishbhai is confident that such a building in such a populous slum would receive ample use over the next 15 years to make construction worthwhile.

The main reason for this discussion to clarify brief and budget before getting to deep into concept design. If there is an issue with funding then we have a few ideas. There is at least one interested sponsor for such a project and we are willing to explore further options pending on your thoughts.

By Volunteers: Jesus Montesino & Rafa Urquiza

By Volunteers: Jesus Montesino & Rafa Urquiza

You are about the see the work ofArchitects Jesus Porras and Rafael Urquiza who form Team 1 of Season 2of the Bholu/AWF Anganwadi Project. The following inspiration andinredible ideas and designs have made great steps forward in ourproject. After completeing a Post Occupancy Assessment of all theprevious Anganwadi?s we build last season, these architects have comeup with an incredible prototype for all anganwadi?s to follow.

Be inspired and watch the progress!

By Volunteer: Rafa Urquiza

I am back in Melbourne after this wonderful experience in India. I hope you are happy with the assessment work of Bholu 1-7 and the design of Bholu 8. We designed Bholu 8 using basic bioclimatic strategies and a cultural approach to the slum elements to make sure that the energetic performance of the building is better than Bholu 1-7. We had some logistic problems in Ahmedabad to develope further the bioclimatic analysis of Bholu 8 with Ecotech. Now that I am back in Melbourne, I would try to do the simulation with Ecotech at the University of Melbourne.

We had also the last meeting with Devangbhai (the new builder) before we left. He is happy to give us a budget for Bholu 8 before the end of this month. He agreed to start with the repairs of Bholu 1 -7 in the first week of November after Diwali, and with the construction of Bholu 8 in the second week.

By Volunteers: Jesus Montesino & Rafa Urquiza

The drawing and details for the fixing in the 7 Bholus are ready. We have a new builder and he will start as soon as he can. We hope this week.

We have been researching materials in second hand market for windows, doors, closet... we think is quite important to choose the right second hand material.(in many of the bholus we found the same problem: second hand material in the wrong place).If we decided to choose wood we have to be sure that wood is an appropriated for exterior. Otherwise we think the best option is go for steel.

By Anganwadi Project Admin

Since the presentation of thevery thorough Post-Occupancy Assesement from volunteers Jesus Montesino & Rafa Urquiza we have had feedback from Manav Sadhna that they woudl like to present this to the builders/ contractors and engineers to teach them about the impact of the previous designs.

We think this is a great idea as it will show them what materials are successful and how they can use this information to improve their work as a sustainble ongoing building techniques.

We will update you when we hear how the presentation went and what the response was going forward.

By Volunteers: Jesus Montesino & Rafa Urquiza

The Post-Occupancy Assessment of every Bholu is now finished. We believe that most of the problems can be easily solved, with some exceptions that will require a bit more of time and money.

The idea for future Bholu Schools is improving their durability and natural energetic performance. For Bholu 8 we are thinking of passive solar and ventilation systems to reduce heat gains. Using more durable materials will be also a way to avoid constant repairs.

We are now cooking up the Bholu 8 design and getting ready for all the fixing that have to be done in the 1-7 Anganwadi.

You can see an example of one of the reports we have done here. We ahve done this for all of the Bholu Schools.

By Volunteers: Jesus Montesino & Rafa Urquiza

The first few days we were introduced to the community and we had the first contact with the slums and it's people. We had a first overview on all of the sites of every Bholu School with the resident volunteer Harry.

This week (Monday and Tuesday) we visited all 7 Bholus with Nitaben ( Manav Sadhna Anganwadi Co-ordinator) in order to detect the main problems that every Anganwadi has. According to this analysis in situ we have been writing a report for each Bholu including the main problems, pictures and diagrams.

On Wednesday we visited the site for the new Bholu 8 after having a meeting with builder Bakabhai. We measure up the site and got the necessary information to start designing. The idea is to use the analysis of the previous Bholus to improve the final result and make them more durable and efficient.

Some of them have some minor problems to fix, and specifically Bholu 1 and 2 have a relevant problem with water supply and therefore with the use of the toilet.

Bholu 3 has a problem with the front yard drainage that needs to be addressed and some minor problems. Apart form that it is finished.

We are preparing a detailed document of every Bholu. Early next week will be ready.

Posted by: Angwadi Project Admin

We are so thrilled to have our first two volnteers Jesus and Rafa in the thick of the Bholu schools and rolling up their sleeves.

Their first job was to do a Post Occupancy Assessment on the previous Bholu Schools to make sure they are standing up to the test of the weather, seasons, monsoon, wear and tear and if the designs are working for them.

We look forward to their findings.

By Volunteer: Leeanne Marshall

Here are a few photos from Bholu 5 which was inaugurated last Saturday. Doesn?t it look great? exterior tree seat flower box? I hope the kids really enjoy their new ?garden? space. It is completely changed from the tiny, dark room that we encountered when we first came here. Now there is a higher ceiling, deepened floor plan, a lot more windows and ventilation - and of course loads of fun and colour!

By Volunteer: Simon Hearn

Bholu 6 sketches attached. Plan 2 is the option I was heading towards. The curved brickwork is not going down too well with the community as they think square water tanks are best,  so we will consult the community on this one and see how that pans out. Devjibhai, our contractor is ready to get going, so it should get constructed pretty quickly.

By Volunteer: Simon Hearn

A quick report on progress to date;

I've drafted  design for Bholu 6. Neetaben is happy to go ahead. The site is adjacent a communal open space, and slightly sunken. The
structure will be typical of all the other anganwadi (double brick room, pitched roof). Ther is scop for a small courtyard adjoining the communal one, so we'll try to make this a fun and nurturing area for the kids, based on a 'water is life' theme. (Water play; flow forms;
plants).

Ceiling insulaltion can be solved, I belive using an internal fabric ining, maintaining an air gap between the fabric and roofing materials, with venting for hot air extraction. The fabric would be in two layers; jute or similar, then a visible layer of anything, really. The sari offcuts is a good idea.  No side vents; I think it will work better if the cavity has only top and bottom vents so it works as a funnel.

Guttering will either be folded/ curved corrugated iron, or perhaps a conventional deep gutter.
Water storage would be most convnienietly handled by an above ground tank, constructed in situ if possible (below ground tanks have potential problems of water contamination and hazard to children)

The problem at the moment is with construction, since there is really only one contractor for all work. Bakabhai is still busy with other
jobs, and I'm not sure when he can start work. I'll meet with him later today. Already it seems possible that the building cannot be
significantly completed during my time here. If not, the suggestion I have made above are fairly simple and should be able to be overseen by
others.

Building progress is lurching along slowly, Devjibhai ( the contractor) claimed it would be a two week construction period, although after 1 week we are now ready to start wall building. 

To be continued.....

By Volunteer: Leeanne Marshall

By Volunteer: Leeanne Marshall

In amongst the excitement and fun of the Bholu 3 opening, the construction of Bholu 4 has been continuing at a rapid pace.

In the last few days it went from this:

to this:

to this:

Not only is the roof on, but the toilet and washroom structures are in place and the plastering is currently in progress. The actual bricks and mortar part of the process always goes so very fast that I can hardly keep up with the updates. The services, flooring and finishing touches should take the better part of another week, but after that we will have number two finished!

As Bholu 4 will function as a community centre as well as an anganwadi the surrounding neighbours themselves have been very interested in the way the renovation is coming together and the construction methods used. In recent conversations with them they seem really happy with the result, which is great news. It will be quite a deep and tall space in which to gather and the numerous grilles and windows will hopefully bring lots of light into the area as well as providing visual connection to the river and the courtyard beyond. It is a peaceful and beautiful site, so I hope that Bholu 4 will both fit into it’s surroundings and also offer something special for the future.