Abstract
Supporting children’s education and development has long been a focus of institutions and non-profit organizations in developing countries. Mounting evidence from developmental psychology and neuroscience continues to point to a child’s environment, including resources and quality of caregiver interaction, as critical to healthy development in childhood and into adulthood. Since mothers most often serve as a child’s first teachers in shaping a child’s cognitive-emotional learning and values, empowering women also can support higher quality development for children. Amrita University’s AMMACHI Labs addresses children’s first teachers through empowering women with a multidisciplinary, computerized approach to vocational training and skill development, including life skills training, and personal and community development. This paper presents a case study of AMMACHI Labs’ WE: Sanitation Project with rural women in India, supporting sanitation, skills, and increased capacity through skills training in toilet building, hygiene education, and life skills training, leading to increased participation in the family, community and economy.
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Notes
- 1.
Caste is a form social stratification that is observed in India.
- 2.
Electro Micro-Organism (EM) technology is claimed to enhance sustainable practices in farming, composting, and reducing environmental pollution.
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Acknowledgments
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the entire AMMACHI Labs team for their unwavering support and contribution to the development Amrita cVET and the implementation of the WE: Sanitation Project. Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, world-renowned humanitarian and Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, for guiding us, inspiring us and prodding us ahead every step of the way.
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Bhavani, R.R., Sheshadri, S., Maciuika, L.A. (2017). Addressing the First Teachers: Education and Sustainable Development for Children, Families and Communities Through Vocational Education, Technology and Life Skills Training for Women. In: Battro, A., Léna, P., Sánchez Sorondo, M., von Braun, J. (eds) Children and Sustainable Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47130-3_25
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