|
AID Saathi, Michael Mazgaonkar Visits Portland |
Deep impressions left by AID Saathi, Michael Mazgaonkar on volunteers in Portland.
Michael Mazgaonkar, an AID saathi, visited our chapter in Nov. 2005 and talked about his work with Mozda collective and Pariyavaran Suraksha Samiti (PSS). Michael, an engineer by training lives in Mozda, a tribal village in the Narmada district of Gujarat. Mozda collective has installed a windmill capable of lighting 15 homes, built earthen bunds for soil conservation and organized women’s cooperatives that process organic tur dal. PSS has analyzed an air sample to reveal 6 carcinogens in an industrial area. Armed with such data, they make the villagers aware of the effects of industrial pollution. I started to appreciate the use of appropriate technology when Michael showed us a flash light made with a low power light emitting diode and two batteries enclosed in a tubular bamboo casing.
Michael goes 15 miles away, once a week to access his email and keep in touch with others. His assimilation into the village community and simple living, have left a lasting impression on me. He said he had a good experience in working with AID and urged the volunteers to lead simpler lives. People like Michael put our everyday problems in perspective and inspire us to reach beyond ourselves.
Michael explains how the windmill works to a volunteer.
Contributed by Bindu Malini, Portland |
