— 07/06/2015 —
The next in the morning, after a hearty breakfast kindly made by the Campus Chef, we continued our fascination with the Barefoot College’s many aspects with another tour.
Following Nandlal Ji, we made our way to a building of the New Campus I had yet to see.
There, in the immense hall, built strongly under its’ history of tall tales, stood Jokeem Chaacha; feeble yet strong, 500 years young, and charged with wisdom. Jokeem Chaacha resolves disputes, solves medical mysteries, and sheds his wisdom with fun narrations. Jokeem Chaacha is a puppet.
Puppetry is the way of communication in the Barefoot College. Many people are still illiterate but using puppetry to explain life lessons in fun ways can prove to be very useful.
Next, we went to Barefoot College Medical Center, and there, yet again, I witnessed something truly special. The Medical Center has only 1 trained Doctor and about 5-10 illiterate Barefoot College doctors, and functions as well as many Hospital I have ever visited. Along with the general medical center, there is a Dentist’s office, run solely by Barefoot College mothers.
On our way back, I visited the Tilonia Craft Shop and stopped by the buildings where the actual items on sale were being made. In the shop, I saw toys, crafts, and clothing of many kinds. Ingenious toys made from things seem like scrap to us but are the world to them.
A small toy horse, made from worn old slippers found on the ground. A small toy house, made from torn old newspaper found in the dust-bins (trash can). A small dust-bin, made from small rolls of old newspaper and cloth. A small piece of clothing, spun from the hands of an old weaving loom.
These items are only to name a few and goes to show the true genius in the minds of rural and illiterate. This ‘genius’ was what was identified by Bunker Ji and is what has become the roots of the development of the Barefoot College.
By this time, it was around midday and it was time for us to leave. Thank you for Reading!