— 07/05/2015 —
My first visit in 2015 marked a milestone. It marked a day where my vision gave light to a place in me I had yet to wander. It marked a day where I could finally comprehend the struggle; the conditions that children of my age have to suffer through to just achieve a basic education. And It marked the day that my heart was touched by the wide smiles of those underprivileged.
BAREFOOT: in the limelight
DAY 1:
We were greeted by Barefoot College’s own, Nandlal Ji, as we stepped out of the Jaipur airport and inhaled the blossom of Rajasthan. It was a two-hour ride from the Jaipur Airport to the Barefoot College.
We bumped and rolled through Rajasthan and into the Village of Tilonia where the ‘New’ Campus of the Barefoot College was located. 
We were given keys to our room in the guest house where we would be staying for two days. Since it was out first visit, we had planned to take a tour of both the ‘Old’ Campus and the ‘New’ Campus. We were pleased to be treated to a very inspirational tour through the Barefoot College by Ramniwas Ji, our guide and a community mobilizer, lyricist, accountant, and puppet maker.
We rode in a tractor as we made our way through both campuses
The start of the ‘Old’ Campus
In this building, takes place a beautiful event. Although many people do not speak the same tongue, they connect and communicate in ways that is breath-taking to see.
They laugh, work, and talk together as if they have been life-long friends when in reality they have only just met. They are the ‘Solar Mamas’. They are strong and brave. They are illiterate. They are solar engineers-in-training. They are grandmothers that light up their villages; literally.
On the way to our next stop, we witness the second most crucial aspect the Barefoot College stresses; sustainability. To create a self-sustaining environment you must find a way to harness Natures power and use it your advantage. Here, designed by illiterate engineers and village farmers, a masterful irrigation system was developed. They collect rainwater during the Monsoon (rainy season) and once this well overflows there is a manmade stream that directs the water to another one.
The irrigation system makes it possible to pump out the collected rainwater. The water is then boiled to rid of all bacteria and then used.
We also witness another wonderful innovation called a ‘Solar Cooker’, created by an illiterate villager residing in the Barefoot College. The Solar cooker uses the sun’s power to cook their food.
After a few long hours under the fiery sun, we decided to head back to the guest house for an afternoon tea break and some rest. For all the tea-lovers out there, the tea at Barefoot is absolutely wicked. I don’t know how they make it, but that concoction of milk, sugar, tea powder is just mouth-watering. Anyways, our plan for the afternoon was set and we were ready to check out the Night School.
The night school provided an opportunity for Children who have to farm, breed livestock, or do any household chores during the day. With the use of the solar-powered lamps, they gather around at night to study and learn to the fullest.
The teacher is teaching his students to count in both, Hindi and English.
At the Barefoot College, the teacher is the leaner and the learner is the teacher.
That Concluded our Day 1. My experiences in Day 2 will be continued in my next post. Thanks for Reading!