The Anganwadi Project

 Jane Rothschild | Project Leader | Architects Without Frontiers

Jane Rothschild graduated from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design in 1984. In 1992, she co-founded Dickson Rothschild, a multi-disciplinary firm of architects, urban designers, landscape architects and planners in Sydney.  Prior to her involvement with AWF, Jane worked with Habitat for Humanity in Australia, Banda Aceh and in Vietnam. Jane became a Director of Architects Without Frontiers in early 2007 and is director for corporate relations. Director Jane Rothschild is the Project Leader of the AWF/Bholu Anganwadi Project with Jodie Fried of Bholu.

Jodie Fried | Project Partner | Bholu   |  www.bholu.com

Jodie Fried founded Bholu in 2005. The philosophy behind Bholu is to create unique homewares products while benefiting the Gujarati community of women artisans employed by Bholu. By using their traditional skills, the women artisans gain an income, and also independence and opportunity. Part proceeds from Bholu sales go back to the women and their communities, and help fund education facilities and other programs for underprivileged children. In 2008, Bholu won the NSW Telstra Business Awards for Social Responsibility for demonstrated leadership by a business to education, environment, people and the community. The Anganwadi Project was initiated by Jodie Fried, through the work of Bholu and after an nine-year association with Manav Sadhna.

Neeta Jadav |  Angawadi Project Co-ordinator | Manav Sadhna  |  www.manavsadhna.org

Neeta Jadav is the Anganwadi Program Co-ordinator from Manav Sadhna along with local dedicated volunteers Chandrabhai and Ajarbhai. Neeta has been working in this community for many years starting with once being an Anganwadi teacher herself.

Manav Sadhna is an Indian NGO based at Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad. It is a registered trust in India and a 501(c) 3 non-profit in the USA. The organisation is comprised of a young group of dedicated individuals working to uplift the lives of poor and needy children. Inspired by the Gandhian principles of truth, non-violence, uplifting the poor and oppressed, Manav Sadhna promotes health and sanitation, and education for the poor. Viren Joshi , Jayesh Patel and Anar Patel are the founders of Manav Sadhna and provide constant guidance and inspiration to the project.

Jesus Porras Montesino  | Sept - Oct 2009  | (Team 1)

Jesús is an architect who graduated from the University of Granada, Spain. His enthusiasm for traveling and discovering another cultures moved him around Europe and Australia to study and work in different places including Málaga, Milán, Amsterdam and now Melbourne.

He is a hard worker and his main skills are creativity and passion on everything he does. His interests lie in sustainable, flexible and affordable architecture for everyone.

Jesús will be working in a team with Rafael Urquiza on sustainable building practices and inventive ways of using the Reuse, Recycle and Reduce philosophy within the community. Jesus enthusiastic attitude and international experience in sustainable design will be very valuable to the project.

 Rafael Urquiza  |  Sept - Oct 2009 | (Team 1)

Rafael graduated in 2005 from the University of Granada, Spain, and completed his final thesis in Italy at the Università degli Studi Roma Tre.

Since then, his professional life has been running between academia and practice. He completed a two-year Doctorate program at the University of Málaga and a Post-graduate Masters at the University of Melbourne. Currently, he is a PhD candidate with his dissertation called “New Sustainable Digital Geometries”. Simultaneously, he has worked and studied in Spain, Italy, USA, UK including Gumuchdjian Architects in London, and now Australia. In early 2008 Rafael co-founded [G+U]^architects, an international design practice (Melbourne-Málaga-Chile).Currently they are working in several projects overseas including the design of a bioclimatic-sustainable house in New Hope Ph in the US.

Rafa will be working in a team with Jesus Porras Montesino and will be faced with the challenges of designing, building and working in India slums during the monsoon season.

"I really enjoyed this experience as an architect, but specially as a human being... it has been wonderful. Fom my point of view, "Seva" is the clearest way to happiness. Thank you very much for your support and for giving us this opportunity to serve."

Sam Russell | Oct 2009 - Jan 2010 | (Team 2 - Project Leader)

B. Arch (Adel), B. Des Stud (Adel)

Sam graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2006. He has worked for Architectural firms Troppo and Woods Bagot in Adelaide and for construction firm ISIS in Melbourne. Sam has lived in Brasil and travelled extensively throughtout Asia and Eastern Europe.

Sam's experience with green construction techniques and marginalised communities coupled with his interest in aid work and travel has guided him to the Bholu Anganwadi Project.

Lily Lim  |  Nov 2009 - Jan 2010  (Team 2)

M Arch (RMIT) Melbourne.

Lily completed her architecture studies in June of 2009. She is interested in the contribution of architecture to sustainable community development.

During her time as a student at RMIT, she was involved in an Architects Without Frontiers project for housing for youth at risk in Hoi An, Vietnam. She also had the opportunity to travel to Mexico with a group of students carrying out research into the informal activities that shape the city of Guadalajara.

Lily Lulu will be a great asset to the project and  will be working in a team with fellow architect Jesse Newstadt.

Jesse Newstadt  |  Nov 2009 - Jan 2010  (Team 2)

B Arch (RMIT)  MA Arch (RMIT).

Jesse graduated from RMIT University in 2008. During his studies he took part in an RMIT lead Design/Research project in Guadalajara, Mexico. The investigations focused around the opportunistic use of space in the realm of housing, informal commercial ventures, and the public domain.  His invovement with a local NGO, who build houses in peripheral housing settlements, was an eye opener into the way we might offer our skills to improve others’ harsh living conditions.

Since returning Jesse has worked at FMD architects, while also pursuing his interest in set design, with a keen interest to continue his involvement with issues facing the developing world. Jesse will be working in a team with Lily Lim.

 Jillian Hopkins  |  Jan 2010 - April 2010  (Team 3 )

B Architecture (Hons 1) UNSW.

 Jillian is an architect, artist and jeweller, with a passion for public spaces, education and working with recycled materials. She has recently returned from four months teaching drawing and art at a children’s library in the Guatemalan coastal town of Livingston, where she also discovered marionette making, mural art and the creative energy of children. Before this life changing adventure, she worked for 3 years at the City of Sydney Council, managing the design of a diverse range of public projects, including public plazas, libraries, town halls, youth centres and amenities. She also sells her eclectic hand made garbage jewellery and 100% recycled children’s toys in her own business, Jilded.
 
In her work Jillian is an innovative designer, diplomatic communicator and calm and resourceful project manager. In life she is a pilgrim, a lover of people and languages, and a keen adventurer. She lives by her own advice, to walk when she can, say yes to everything and always make time for chai. She will be volunteering in the Anganwadi project in Gujarat, India from January 2010.

Paul Tilse  |  Paul Tilse Architects | Jan 2008

B.Arch (Melb) B.Prop/Con (Melb). 

Paul graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1998. He then worked with several Architectural firms in Australia including Metier 3 & Synman Justin Bialek Architects in Melbourne and Jackson/Swayne Architects in Canberra. His passion for travel & experiencing other cultures lead Paul to work in India with Abhikram Architects in Ahmedabad, Gujarat where he worked on numerous projects including several heritage restoration projects dealing with traditional Indian construction & design methods. He has also worked in London with Hamilton & Associates Architects. After returning from London in 2003, Paul established his own practice in Canberra and has completed a range of residential & commercial projects in Canberra as well as Sydney, Melbourne & North Queensland.

As a member of Architects without Frontiers,Paul was delighted to return to Ahmedabad in 2008 to work with Jodie Fried & Manav Sadhna on the second Anganwadi project.

 "Thank you for everything, it was really fun working with you both and amazing and inspiring experience meeting and working with the all slum children & Manav Sadhna community."

Leeanne Marshall  |  Nov 2008- March 2009 (Project Leader Team 1) http://rebuildingfutures.wordpress.com/

Leanne is an architect with a Masters of Architecture from Melbourne University and Bachelor of Built Environmental Architectural Studies from QUT. She is originally from Queensland but has worked extensively overseas including London, Ireland, Canada and Melbourne. Her interests are in sustainable building and planning, development architecture and informal settlements. In 2007 Leeanne did an intensive training in informal settlements in Indonesia. Leeanne has embraced the role of AWF India Team Leader with great confidence and gusto and her proficient experience in AutoCAD has been proven to be a great asset to the project.  Leeanne designed Bholu 3, Bholu 4 and Bholu 5 Schools and co-ordinated the construction of these builds.

"The last four months involved with the AWF/Bholu Anganwadi project has been one of the most transformative periods of my life. I have learnt so much in this short time which has only inspired me to keep doing this work and attempting to spend my life in service of those in need. For now, my time in Ahmedabad is ending, but I feel happy that I have made a small contribution to so many new beginnings for the children in the slum communities and hope that I have been able to bring some of the life here into all of your lives."

Harrison Gardner  |  Nov 2008- currently in India until Nov 2009 ( Team 1)

Harrison spent 2007 based in Kisumu, Kenya working as an assistant construction supervisor on many projects including schools, a medical clinic, admin offices and homes. His love for traveling and helping underprivileged communities combined with his experience and skills in construction made him ideal to co-ordinate the repairs and renovations of the existing anganwadis. Harrison is the Co-ordinator of Repair Works of the Anganwadis. ( Pictured with Head Construction Builder "Bakabhai" )

"Volunteers need to be flexible, need to be considerate of culture and tradition, need to be aware of the social implications of their work and their actions in these communities and most of all need to be sensitive to the opinions of the communities as when the volunteers leave, as the communities must live with and uphold the projects."

Adele Winteridge  |  Jan 2009 - Feb 2009 (Project Leader - Team 2)

Adele is currently the Interior Design Programme Co-coordinator/Lecturer at the The Whitehouse School of Design in Sydney. She also is studying a Masters of Sustainable Development at UNSW and has a BA Interior Architecture from Curtin University. She is an interior designer, set designer and film maker with a passion for travel. Adele has a great sense of leadership, organization and a passion for making things happen. Adele will be making a film of the whole process from beginning to end of her time volunteering on the AWF Anganwadi Project. Adele is also the NSW AWF Coordinator. Adele designed and co-ordinated the build of Bholu 7 School.

"It was an amazing experience, that I would not trade for the world. I think everyone MUST do it! Every person has the ability to make a difference and has the opportunity to bring something new to the project with personality, interaction and communication. Thank you for allowing me to partake."

 Renae Tapley  |   Jan 2009 - Feb 2009 ( Team 2)

Renae is an Interior Architect with a BA Interior Architecture (Hons) from Curtin University, WA. Renae has worked with several architecture films as an interior architect and is ready for the challenge of using her skills in India. She has traveled extensively through Asia and Europe and has a passion for giving back to communities. Her interests lie in sustainable architecture and the reuse, recycle mythology. She has worked along side Adele and Fahmi on other projects so will be a valued member of the team and is skilled in Autocad. Renae designed and developed the concept for Bholu 7 School.

 "I LOVED the experience and would absolutely go back. It definitely deeply affected me as a person and I took on new lessons in life, a lot more than I ever thought I would or could in 2 weeks. it is enriching on so many levels, yet so hard to describe and put into words."

Fahmi Ahmad-Yussof  |  Jan 2009 -Feb 2009 (Team 2)

Born in Brunei, Fahmi is an architect now based in Perth after growing up in Manila and New York, He holds a Dip Building Design & Drafting, Bach. Environmental Design, Bach. Architecture.  Fahmi has traveled extensively and is passionate and inspired about offering his skills to underprivileged communities and is particularly interested in Emergency Housing. Fahmi’s skills and experience as an architect will be invaluable to this project. Fahmi designed and developed the concept for Bholu 7 School.

"It was an absolute pleasure to be part of this whole experience. To see things come together not only for us but more importantly the community was a very special moment."

Simon Hearn  | Sunlab Architectural Services | www.sunlab.com.au | Feb - Mar 2009 (Team 3)

Simon Hearn is the Director/Founder of Sunlab Architectual Services and is a chartered Architect in NSW. He has worked for 12 years as an architect in NSW and Victoria on a variety of prestigious projects. As well as this professional experience, he has considerable practical experience, including first-hand involvement in owner-builder and alternative technology projects, previous labouring experience on various building sites, and tertiary qualifications in steel and metal fabrication. Simon designed  Bholu 6 School and worked on the early development and design stages of a community centre at Ram Rahim Tekro.

 "I had a really amazing time and I would like to congratulate AWF and Bholu for making this project a reality. "