Dhemai
Opening a toy library in the village of Dhemai
The two local girls who look after the library
During 2005 – 2006,SASCWA and two local organisations in Assam (SPADE and Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development) worked together in developing and implementing an early childhood development project at the grass roots level located in a village called Dhemai, situated in the North-eastern state of Assam, India. In this first initiative SASCWA fundraised and collected good quality second-hand toys in South Australia in order to refurbish a community centre and set up a toy library in the village of Dhemai in Assam, Northern India. In this venture we were supported by Malaysian Airlines, DHL Courier Services, STA Travel, Unley Toy Library and the Burnside Primary School and The Lions Club of Edwardstown. The Toy library in Dhemai was opened on the 15th July 2006 (picture shown at left). Initially the library was maintained by volunteer workers supported with a small stipend which we provided. Since the toy library was the first of its kind in North-east India, it was looked upon as a model and attracted interest from the media and government and non government organisations providing services to children. Toys were also distributed to and orphanage and a drop-in centre for street children in Guwahati. SASCWA is extremely thankful to Prof. Anuradha Dutta and team for their invaluable support with our project in Dhemai. Also we would like to thank Dr. Kalyan Das from Omeo Kr. Das Institute of Social Change and Development for his encouragement at the initial stage of the project. It was also very encouraging to receive some support from the Government of Assam, especially through Mr. Deba Kumar Bora, former Press Advisor to Honorable Chief Minster of Assam.
We would like to thank all those who have supported SASCWA. Without the unbelievable support from South Australians, who have given Assam a special place in their hearts, none of this would have been possible.
We would like to thank all those who have supported SASCWA. Without the unbelievable support from South Australians, who have given Assam a special place in their hearts, none of this would have been possible.
Dhemai
Dhemai's beauty
Dhemai is a small village about 40 km southeast of Guwahati, the Capital City of the State of Assam in India. There are altogether 58 households with population of about 350 persons in the village. The tribal community suffered from extreme poverty with no proper drinking water facilities, no electricity and inadequate educational facilities. There was and continues to be very high infant and child mortality rate due to the prevalence of malaria and other preventable diseases. The people of the village belong to the Karbi tribe. There are approximately 33 children below the age 6 years. The village has a primary school with about 50 students currently enrolled.The village in 2005 had a brick unfinished community centre which was used to house weaving looms in one section, the other section was empty. Most of the villagers work in agriculture particularly the production of rice. The village at the time had no electricity and poor access to health services. There was one mobile phone in the village. Things have improved markedly for the village in recent years with the provision of electricity and the arrival of television.
Below is a picture of some of the women from the village heating water for tea in the community centre before SASCWA refurbished it. This room was in an unfinished condition and part of the money raised through fundraising in Adelaide was used to refurbish. The picture below shows the first stage of the centre. The entire refurbishment of the room was done by the local people with local materials. Flooring in the room was made concrete and displays, posters and mounted mobiles made the room user-friendly. The introduction of colour (purple, green and blue) overcame the previous sterile and worn down appearance of the room.
Later we were able to provide a peddle-operated sewing machine and sewing lessons for the village women who weave but had no way of making the cloth into clothes. The village also requested a bellows operated keyboard instrument, a harmonium, which we provided for village celebrations.
Below is a picture of some of the women from the village heating water for tea in the community centre before SASCWA refurbished it. This room was in an unfinished condition and part of the money raised through fundraising in Adelaide was used to refurbish. The picture below shows the first stage of the centre. The entire refurbishment of the room was done by the local people with local materials. Flooring in the room was made concrete and displays, posters and mounted mobiles made the room user-friendly. The introduction of colour (purple, green and blue) overcame the previous sterile and worn down appearance of the room.
Later we were able to provide a peddle-operated sewing machine and sewing lessons for the village women who weave but had no way of making the cloth into clothes. The village also requested a bellows operated keyboard instrument, a harmonium, which we provided for village celebrations.
 The community centre |
 The community centre before refurbishment |
Opening day at the refurbished community centre in the village of Dhemai
 The joy |
 The play |
 Most had not seen a baby doll before and they found them fascinating |
 Inside the library after refurbishment |
 The inaugural song |
 Cutting the ribon- The School Principal |
 Rupali training the young women |
The concept of 'play' as an important early learning tool is not understood in rural Assam. In the photo on the left our project officer, Rupali Saikia, provides training to local young women volunteers about the value of play; how to use toys and learning materials, day to day running of the centre, how to catalogue and maintain a register of resources and a register of the number of children attending.
We also wished to keep track of parent participation and favorite toys so that we could evaluate the impact and value of the toy library in the future.The women volunteers are provided with a small stipend for their work in maintaining and running the library. |
