Scholars
List of Scholars:
Bronwen Arthur
Institution and degree:
University of Queensland, Master of International Studies, Peace and Conflict Resolution
Length of time with SRDF: 1 month
Activities undertaken:
- Interviews with a range of village leaders regarding conflict and conflict resolution practices in the village
- English and computer instruction at local high school
- Informal English after-school activities
Reflections and learnings:
Engaging in some in-depth interviews with village leaders regarding conflicts and conflict resolution provided a practical dimension to my studies on this topic at university. It was very useful to see how topics discussed in class played out in real life in the village. I am currently working on an independent study related to the research I did in the village, and discussing my village findings in relation to conflict resolution literature. Spending time in the village I also learned a great deal about the different challenges people face when considering education, ways to increase income, and develop the village. By talking with people I got to understand some new perspectives on development issues we had discussed in my classes at university.
Future career direction:
Working with organisations dedicated to environmental, human rights, and local governance issues in Asia.
Tips for future scholars:
Coming prepared with a specific research project you would like to undertake will help you to maximize your learning time in the village. Also, spending time getting to know people in the village is very rewarding. Time spent visiting people and playing with children was definitely a highlight of the visit.
Brant Arthur
Institution and degree:
University of Queensland - St. Lucia, Master of Development Practice, 2008
Length of time with SRDF: 1 month - January 2008
Activities undertaken:
- Website Development
- Research on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Chilver and rural India
- English and computer instruction at local high school
- Informal English after-school activities
Reflections and learnings:
I learned quite a lot during my stay in Chilver. Having a chance to experience the intricacies of rural village life helped me to understand some of the issues related to development that simply cannot be taught in a textbook, but instead need to be experienced.
Future career direction:
Working with local NGOs to use the web better and network with the larger development world.
Tips for future scholars:
Some knowledge of Telugu will go a long way - at least allowing you to be polite and put you in good favour with many of the adults and children. Most students have a smattering of English, some better than others, but adults will be much harder to communicate with on a one-to-one basis if English is your only language. It also seems that many people in Chilver know more Hindi than English, so that could also be a useful language.
Other Information
Location
Scholars will spend the majority of their time living and working in Chilver village. This village is located approximately three hours from Hyderabad and can be reached by public bus. For more information on the village, please see the Village Profile.
It is also possible for scholars to spend some days in Hyderabad for research at the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) and other institutions, sightseeing, or other needs.
Accommodation
During your stay in Chilver, you will be housed in the SRDF headquarters in the village. This facility is built in the traditional style more than 70 ago. However extesive repairs are made in 2007-08. It has fully equiped kitchen, and 2-3 bed room and western and india toilets and batroom. In addtion there is a big hall used as community learning center. It is equipped with electricity, running water, and an internet connection via the phone line (please be mindful that this is a rural area and so the internet will be slow and the connection may be erratic). There are two bedrooms for scholars, cooking facilities, a shower and Western and Indian-style toilets. Up to four scholars can be housed here at any one time. Some basic supplies can be obtained in the village, while other cooking and household needs can generally be met in the nearby towns of Jogipet and Alladurg. Bedding, mosquito nets, pots, pans, and dishes are all provided. Visiting scholars may wish to bring some foods from home. Items such as muesli, chocolate, dried fruits and nuts, non-Indian spices and seasonings are all available in Hyderabad; but they are more expensive and the selection is more limited. These items are not available near Chilver. Scholars should also bring any medication they use regularly. However many medicines are cheap and available in Jogipet or in Hyderabad.
Accommodation for scholars in Hyderabad will be available at National Institute of Rural development(NIRD) hostels in Rajendranagar at a discounted scholar rate of Rs. 250.00 /per day including food. NIRD has many other trainees from Inida and overseas countries and scholars can interact with Faculty and other scholars. If schoalr prefer to be in the city many budget hotels are available ( see Lonely Plannet for details). Dr. And Mrs. Chamala live in a three bed room apartment and scholars can meet them.
Scholars are welcome to visit Chilver with SRDF to work on SRDF projects and/or a particular research project related to their academic discipline. Research projects and visit length can be arranged individually based on personal research interests and SRDF needs. Some Chilver residents speak English, but scholars should not expect to be able to carry out a research project solely in English. The local language is Telugu, and interpretation needs should be worked out in advance with Dr. Chamala. Telugu language resources can also be recommended upon request.
While in the village, scholars can also host English language sessions or other activities in the evenings at the community center. These sessions may be attended by students of all ages. Scholars can also get involved in English teaching and computer training at the local high school. They can also be involved with ongoing SRDF projects outside of their research interests as well.
As Dr. Chamala divides his time between Hyderabad and visits to Chilver, scholars can expect to be on their own in the village during some of their stay.
Nadia Zeaiter
Master of Development Practice; University of Queensland.
Time spent in the village of Chilver: Six months.
Email: Contact SRDF.
Purpose:
After having just graduated and being at the very start of my career I came to Chilver to gain development experience. I want to gain experience in the application of the theory learnt in my master’s program and to assess its effectiveness in practice. This is also important to understand the reasons for success and failure. I also want to be a field officer and not a bureaucrat in the development area. I want to live with and get to know the people that even in my facilitating role as a development practitioner my decisions may affect. I want to interact with people on a personal level, I want to experience what it is like to be a local, see how they live every day that is to learn about their daily activities, to learn about the issues and problems that they face as well as their hopes and their dreams, and to hopefully build a connection and a mutual trust which will allow us to implement community development projects together. I also wanted to immerse myself in a new culture and learn a new language and India with its diverse culture is perfectly suited to allowing me to do both.
Activities:
- Clean Up (event) evaluation
- Community baseline survey
- Toilet installation follow up
- To research how skills training translates to entrepreneurship.
- Carry out research to understand the reasons for why young men and women discontinue their studies and how to create change around this issue.
- To research if four people who have received loans from SRDF have benefited.
- Documentary on “My reflections in development”.
Reflections and learnings:
- The village and its people
The people in the village are some of the most hospitable and friendly people I have ever met. The kids say hello whenever you pass by. They also swamp you and want to shake your hand. They make you feel so welcome. The kids take you to their homes to meet their families. Their families invite you in and they just want to feed you alot! I have been so full on a consistent basis that I felt like I was going to burst. This is inspite of the fact that people in the village are poor. I did not expect people in the village who are poor would be so willing to share what little they have. Their generosity has been overwhelming and their willingness to accept me before even knowing me is quite humbling.
- Religious harmony amongst the villagers
Over the period since I have been here there has been a festival for both the Muslim and the Hindu people. The Hindu festival was a kite flying festival called Pongal while the Muslim festival Muharram involved dancing and singing in honour of God. Both were great to be apart of whether it was flying kites for Pongal or watching the dancing and twirling or throwing rice as religious icons were passing as in the case of Muharram. But the most wonderful and surprising aspect of these two events was that people of the other religion came out to celebrate each other’s festival. This is a sharp contrast though to the fighting between the different religions in other parts of India and around the world. But there is no tension between the religions here.
- Personal growth
Seeing the poverty in India I have learnt to be grateful for what I have. Purely by chance I was born into a country which could afford to provide opportunities to its people.
Also not having traditional support structures around and having to deal with matters on my own has taught me a lot about myself and I have been able to grow in this Indian journey.
Finally I have learnt about a new culture, spices and I am learning to cook Indian dishes.
Future Directions:
I have many goals in my life one includes gaining a position as a livelihood and gender officer with an NGO that concentrates on capacity building in these areas. This experience in India is meant to refine my skills so that the development programs I am involved in are successful.
I would also like to eventually start my own NGO. As a result volunteering in a small NGO allows me to gain experience in general operational issues that I would not have been exposed to in a large NGO.
Tips for future scholars:
- Learn and understand the caste system that operates under modern India.
- Dress conservatively or adopt the local dress.
- Try to learn some Telugu or Hindi before coming.
- Know exactly what it is you want to do and achieve.
- Come armed with songs to sing and or dances to perform- the kids demand it!
Name: Mithra Bakhtiari
Institution: University of Queensland (Australia), Master of Development Practice
Length of Time with SRDF: December 2007-February 2008
Purpose of Visit: To gain an insight into rural development; better understand the workings of a small NGO; obtain an understanding of small community dynamics and politics; promote international peace and understanding through cultural exchange.
Activities Undertaken: Clean-up day event; clean-up day evaluation; teaching English and computer skills; toilet evaluation.
Reflections and Learnings: I came to see how development actually plays out in the ‘real world’, away from what is taught in the classroom and discussed in the literature. Particularly, I was interested in the barriers to participation in the community. Social/political structures all affect how people engage with development initiatives and what they believe their role in change to be. There are many hoops and bureaucratic red-tape that must be overcome at every step of the way and a lot of patience, time and perseverance is required. Development occurs at its own pace, sometimes there is quick and sudden progress, other times there is a lull. Most important is to foster self-reliance and confidence in the community to avoid them coming to expect and depend upon ‘hand-outs’. As development practitioners, it is crucial to see the problems the way the community sees them, talk to people and create a collaborative partnership.
Future Direction: Hopefully a job with a local or international NGO in rural and community development. Further details unknown!
Tips for Future scholars:
· Do some research into the local situation before arrival (socio-economic and political context), as well as its place in the wider history of India
· Read past SDRF reports/documents and ask Dr. Chamala for further clarification if required
· Dress and behave appropriately and learn some Telugu
· Be prepared to answer the question of your caste, whether you’re married and parents’ names very frequently!
· Don’t be shy, approach and engage with people at every opportunity
· Learn to adjust to ‘Indian time’, things happen at their own pace
· Encourage the students to be studious and pursue further education
· Leave your expectations at home and be prepared for frustrations!
· Don’t become too attached to the people in Chilver, it will make leaving more difficult …
