Our Crowdfunding Groups
We're BACK!
Thank you everyone who donated to our project last semester! Our project goal is $22,000 and with your help we raised just over $19,000! This semester, we applied to grants and hosted a profit share to finish funding our project but we came up short of our goal, so we need your help again. We're humbly asking one more time for your support to provide this village with a Community Learning Resource Center. The money we are funding will go entirely towards project implementation (we've pledged to fundraise our own travel and living costs).
Who are we?
We haven't changed much since last time, we're just a little older and wiser. We're a group of students at UT looking to make use of our engineering skills to make a positive impact. Check out our individual bios near the top of the page to learn more about us.
What are we doing?
This summer, our team will travel to a South Indian village, Packianathapuram, in the state of Tamil Nadu. There, we will be working closely with a well-established non-profit organization, CASA, and the local people to construct a multi-purpose community center. Through the implementation of this project, we aim to support the community's desire for a central meeting space to collaborate on social, economic, and political issues.
CASA: http://casa-india.org/
How is your gift used?
Your support on HornRaiser goes directly toward the costs of construction. This amount will go towards materials for the project, construction tools, technical advising, and cultural advising. Additionally, all donations are tax deductible, as donations through this site go directly through The University of Texas at Austin.
Our message:
With the construction of this center, the village families will now have a designated place for community events and village leadership meetings. CASA also plans to lead trainings in relevant local policy, teach improved agricultural techniques, and empower local people --especially women--through employment opportunities. Many of these resources will be accessible through two computers with Internet access, housed securely in a second room in the building. CASA will provide a guidebook for computer use, as well as lessons in using the technology.
Our role in this effort is to help CASA connect this community meet their needs through this center, which will set an example for community development in the region. We've all felt how much this project has already validated our academic hopes and experiences -- now, our goal is to raise what's needed to make this community's aspirations a reality, and we're almost there!
Help us start something here that will CHANGE THE WORLD.
Check out some pictures below of the village that we've received since last time!
Here is where the community center will be built:
(We will be near the city marked Tirunelveli.)
If you would like to follow our blog, you can find it here:
This river flows through the Tirunelveli district, and the villagers from Packianathapuram rely heavily upon it for their agricultural needs. In recent years, drought has hit Tamil Nadu and local farmers have been hurt the most. _________________________________ Your contribution will help provide a center for community members to learn about new agricultural techniques, seek jobs, and remain informed about local policy.
The Kaveri River flows through the southern states of India: Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This river serves an extensive set of irrigation systems in the south and is the lifeblood of farmers in the region.
This river flows through central India, passing through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. It forms a natural boundary between North and South India. It is also known as the "lifeline of Madhya Pradesh". _________________________________ About 50% of India's workforce is agriculturally based, producing crops like rice, sugarcane, tea, and coffee.
This river originates in the Himalayas and flows through India, China, and Tibet. Over 100 million people inhabit its river delta and rely upon its annual flooding to bring in moisture and sediments for agricultural growth. _________________________________ Recent droughts in India have caused crop failure and caused farmers to seek livelihood elsewhere.
Originating in the lower regions of the Himalayas, the Yamuna River travels through several states, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Over 50 million people depend on its waters. _________________________________ Without access to education and information, farmers have a tough time finding new sources of income or even protecting their way of life.
The National River of India, the Ganges River is one of the largest rivers in the world and is considered sacred to Hindus and a huge symbol for India. The Ganges originates in the Himalayas and provides a perennial source of irrigation for a large area of India. _________________________________ Villagers in Packianathapuram lack a central meeting space to learn about and discuss local policy changes that directly affect their way of life. In the face of the recent droughts, these farmers and villagers have asked us to provide this Community Center to serve as a central space to educate their people, gather information, and discuss major issues in the village. Your contribution, large or small, will make a difference in the lives of each of these people.
