The Anganwadi Project

Only the children from wealthy and middle class families can afford to go to a formal pre school in India. Over 18% of children do not get any formal education at all and children from these poor families are often lack the proper nutrition. More than 43% of children in India are malnourished.  Proper care, hygiene and discipline are also lacking in these children.  It is proven that a child given a chance to attend a preschool will more likely to start formal primary education.

Manav Sadhna currently operates 75 preschools – nutrition centre in Ahmedabad. They serve over 3500 children and 700 mothers every day. The subsidy they receive from government for each center is R/s 1900 a month. The cost of operating a quality (nutritious food and proper supplies) center, however, is R/s 3000.

Our brief is to create a simple, unassuming and safe space for the children to learn in. The children sit on the floor so there is no need for tables and chairs. The learning aids are on the wall and generally no pens or paper is used.

It is important to assess the following:

1. Space - adequate for approximately 45 children between the ages of 2 and 6

2. Air flow & Ventilation - Cross flow of air and ventilation for heat.

3. Water Connection, Bathroom, Toilet & Wash area for personal hygiene and hygiene education

4. Electricity Connection and Natural Light - lots of windows for natural light and cross ventilation

5. Insulation - Considered roof design & materials for insulation, also to withstand heavy monsoonal rains.

6. External Area - Verandah or Canopy for learning outside during the summer, site/community permitting.

7. Internal design- Learning material/ tools to be painted on the walls. In consultation with the teachers.

8. Floor material to be cool and easily cleaned. Floor needs to be raised for potential flooding during monsoon.

9. Water Collection from monsoonal rains to be considered, site/community permitting..

10. Garden/ Planting for education of permaculture but also for use of shade, site/community permitting.

An important part of this process is consulting the community as to their needs.  Each site will be in a different location, community and will be used for different needs. All ideas, designs and builds are to be approved by Manav Sadhna and the community before commencing.

Finally, the design and build of the anganwadi needs to be done using the Manav Sadhna three R philosophy, RECYCLE, REUSE and REDUCE and must incorporate fun and educational uses for the children. Using local resources, skills, materials and labour is essential to keeping this a sustainable community project. Less is more.

The only boundry is one's imagination!