Shanti Ananda Nature Concept School

Newsletter 3/2012

Desert and area with sufficient water in the model

Our activities on the Nature Day in March focused on water a critical topic not only in the South Indian summer with temperatures of more than 40 degrees. The Anantapur district in the state Andhra Pradesh is one of the driest areas in India. The amount of rain approximately 520 mm yearly on 31 rainy days - is the lowest in Andhra Pradesh and the second last in India. Irregular and insufficient rain falls, deforestation in the last 50 years and hard soil lead to seeping of the surface water, erosion and desertification. The amount of rain became less within the last years; the ground water level sank to a depth of more than 400 feet Many bore wells and wells cannot be used anymore because of this reason. The Mudigubba Mandal is a critical drought area because of the specific local conditions (very hard soil and missing channels). The inhabitants receive water from the public pipes only every third or fourth day; tankers sell water. The water needs are covered mainly by ground water causing fluoride problems because of missing filters (dental problems and skeleton deformations). But in the desert area Rajasthan some hundred years ago perfect rainwater harvesting systems were present as to be seen in the video of Anupam Mishra:
http://www.ted.com/talks/anupam_mishra_the_ancient_ingenuity_of_water_harvesting.html

Model with rainwater harvesting facility Model

The children had been busy with the topic water in many different ways: colourful pictures and fascinating models were presented on this occasion; and experiments with water were practised. The children of the 6th and 7th class played a drama about the conscious approach to water. Raja Sekhar had created a special water song sung by all the participants with enthusiasm.

Well in the childs picture

The children of the 4th up to 7th classes practising the presentation in the guest inspired area. house inspired the adults to harvest rain water on the new area. Rain water derives

directly from the sky without fluorides; conscious handling of resources can be learnt as well as practical skills by creating cisterns...

Experiment with water filtering

Headmaster Raja Sekhar and students singing the water song

Today! Nature Nature Nature Nature Day Today!

Water Save Save Dont waste Water Water

Nature Nature Nature Nature Day Today!

Earth gives water water Dont pollute water water

Nature Nature Nature Nature Day Today!

How to save water water ? How to learn Brother Sister ?

Nature Nature Nature Nature Day Today!

Filter water drink drink Rain water save save

Nature Nature Nature Nature Day Today!

Water colour white white It saves life life

Nature Nature Nature Nature Day Today!

Drama about conscious approach to water

As we do not possess the fresh air and the glistening water how can you buy it from us? Glistening water moving in streams and rivers is not only water but the blood of our ancestors. When we sell the land you should know that it is holy and teach your children that it is holy and that each runaway reflection in the clear water of the lakes is telling a story of incidents and traditions of my peoples life. The

murmuring water is the voice of my fathers father. The rivers are our brothers they quench our thirst. The rivers carry our canoes and nourish our children You have to teach your children that the ground under their feet is the ash of their grandfathers. (We are a part of the Earth! Speech of the Red Indian Tribal Chief
Seattle to the President of the United States of America in 1855)

boats... The students of the 7th class create paper boats...

... and let them swim in the school basin

In May we will practise the traditional natural system of rainwater harvesting (contour bonding) on our new school area measuring more than 9 acres. An expert will guide volunteers how to build walls of stones and terraces every day 15

members (parents volunteers) will be active. These contours should prevent the rainwater from flowing into the Mudigubba water tank (which is nearly empty right now). Later we want to arrange drip irrigation and sprinklers for the watering of trees and plants because these systems are the most reasonable ones for saving water.

Water basin on the new area with swimming option

The basin built for the water storage on the new area and as well as swimming pool for the children was designed for the needs of the children with round stairs inside. Normally water storage containers are built on top of pillars; they are much more expensive than our basin and cannot be used for swimming. We want to enable the children like this to experience the water element in their daily lives; furthermore we want to save the donors money with this construction.

The drilling of the bore well is completed; water is present in a depth of nearly 400 feet. feet. The water amount is approximately inch; and we hope that the continuous watering of the area is possible with the out coming water. It is most important for . carefully consciously ly. us to handle the element water very carefully and consciously. Furthermore we should should harvest the rainwater as a most important natural resource.

Bore well drilling

internationally DAY, April 22nd is celebrated internationally as WORLD EARTH DAY a day on which events are held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the earth's natural environment and all that she offers us. Earth Day is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22nd as International Mother Earth Day. Please watch this amazing video, with great music, depicting our beautiful planet: http://www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html (Text sent by Romula (www.karunasociety.org)

Last not least a very touching link about the barefoot colleges in India:
http://www.ted.com/talks/bunker_roy.html

No persons with diploma and examinations are allowed

to teach here; people with practical skills only act as teachers with incredible success! With very cordial greetings, Helga Shanti Frndt

View to the entrance gate

Donation Accounts

Foreigners should give their donation to this FCRA account.

Prabath Rural Development Society Syndicate Bank, Puttaparthy Branch Account No.: 31322200012524 Concerning: Shanti Ananda Nature Concept School

Indian persons can give their donation to the

Shanti Ananda Education Society Geetha Nagar, Mudigubba 515511 Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank Account No. 7880