Construction of Leaf Shed with the support of
Adivasi Tee Projekt,
Germany
The
relationship between ACCORD/Adivasi Munnetra Sangam in Gudalur and Adivasi
Tee Projekt in Germany
is quite unique. Madhuvana Estate in Devala is an example of this solidarity.
Through visits of adivasis to Germany
and ATP members to Gudalur, we have been able to build a sense of community and
family, though we live thousands of miles apart. The latest such visit took
place last month when a group of 7 people from ATP visited Gudalur between 19th
December 2006 and 8th January 2007.
As a symbol
of continuing support, ATP had raised a donation of €500 from its members to be
used in the Madhuvana Estate. After considering various options, it was finally
decided to use this donation towards
Purchase
of tea picking tools for the estate workers
and
Construction
of a Leaf Shed in the estate
On 29th
December 2006, a small function was organised in the Estate where the ATP
members handed over Leaf cutting shears and new leaf collection bags for the
workers in the estate.
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Winfried gives a leaf cutting shear and
tea collection bag to a worker of the estate
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Jenny is giving the Shear and Bag to an old woman in the
estate
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Workers in the estate with the new
Tea Collection nylon bags!
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During the
flush season, the workers will be able to increase their productivity using
these shears.
Leaf Shed
The second
project was more ambitious. We had a temporary leaf shed for the fields beyond
the bungalow down in the estate. But, wild elephants had knocked down those
sheds twice. So, it was decided to build a proper leaf shed with the financial
assistance of ATP. The seven members from Germany, not only contributed the
donations from ATP, but also volunteered to work to put up the shed.
On 30th
December 2006, the iron trusses were brought from Pandalur in the estate jeep.
The ATP team helped unload the iron angles and put up the structure.
Laura, Petra,
Jenny and Verena carried the iron angles for the shed
Roof of
the New Leaf Shed is taking shape
For about
two hours in hot sun, the team helped the workers in the estate to put up the
leaf shed. Markus, the tallest was quite ‘handy’ in the construction work !
Winfried, Rolf and Markus working
hard to put up the iron truss on top
The team
had to leave by lunch time to visit the tea factory. The roof was put up by the
estate workers in the following days. Now, the new leaf shed has been fully
constructed.
The ATP
Leaf Shed.
The beautiful leaf
shed is done !
A German-Adivasi
collaboration !!
Thank you,
everyone in ATP for this wonderful gift to AMS and the adivasis.
Manoharan
