Thulir in Sittilingi

Sittilingi is a valley in Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu.Everywhere you turn, you see  green-blue mountains and the valley is a vast bamboo grove. There are peacocks in the fields and trees and many birds, especially the small ones that make the most noise. It is lovely to be outdoors in the morning and late evening. Daytime is sweltering hot. The night sky is spectacular. I had the privilege of seeing the blood moon ( Total Lunar Eclipse) there and it was breathtaking.

I hear from my friend that it was cut off from the outside world for a long time. It is a small hamlet with Malayalee / Malayvasi ( adivasi), Lambadi  and Dalit families.Twenty six years ago, two doctors -Regi and Lalitha started the Tribal Health Initiative in a small hut in Sittilingi and now it has turned into a full - fledged hospital. Its team  includes trained nurses who come from the local community and a world wide community of volunteers and well -wishers. The THI has also led initiatives such as the Sittilingi Organic Farmers Association (SOFA) and Porgai - An initiative to revive and market traditional Lambadi embroidery.

Soon after Regi and Lalitha had arrived, about ten years later, their friends Anuradha and Krishna, the architects who helped build the new hospital and had been in constant touch with the work happening at Sittilingi decided to move too. They identified that educational intervention was much needed in Sittilingi, for children to have a space for learning. That was when Thulir was born. In the guise of an after school learning center.

I might not have been present when the new hospital was inaugurated but I am happy to say that I was certainly there when the new building of the Thulir Palli ( School) was inaugurated. It is good to be a part of history :-) Even though one has contributed in no way to it!

The New School building

 Thulir is an alternate school. Currently, it has children coming from seven villages. There is a great synergy between the teachers and parents. The parents are willing to go the extra mile and participate in the School's affairs. It was good to see them as one community united by the same concerns about children's education.

The Old Campus

A closer look at the paintings on the outer wall by children 

While the old building was a rammed earth construction with  traditional thatch roofs, the new building is similar, but with metal roofs, and structured to be well-lit with good ventilation. I love both the old and new school. The New school has a wonderful backyard -  the best view of the mountains around Sittilingi. I truly wish I had this kind of a campus when I was in school! What I especially loved was the thoughtfulness behind the design of the school. There are innumerable cubbyholes and corners out of which kids can sneak around and run wild. There are steel grill doors and windows with geometric shapes and a built in abacus that really make for a wonderful design. There are blackboards that serve two purposes - as a blackboard and as the door to a cupboard. There are tiny parts of the room wall converted to a blackboard of a child's height so that they can scribble and draw. I would say the team of architects have made great use of space. There is a little room in the attic of the main building, which I would have proclaimed as my room if it were a house. But alas, the kids laid first claim to it!

My favourite room - the attic - kabza!

The building of the New School was a real community affair. Alumni of the school worked on it as masons and builders. Architect interns from different parts of India have been involved. I think there is a sense of ownership that comes in this process that is invaluable.

A child who couldn't wait to read! Many of them said they missed being in class - They had  many days off for
Pongal celebrations and the inauguration

The Moon or what you can see of it!  I couldn't get a good picture.

The library and kitchen are yet to be constructed. If you would like to contribute/ volunteer, please do get in touch with them! Check out their website here