Jeevanshalas are the lifeline of education in the Narmada valley, in the remote, hilly areas of Satpuda and Vindhya ranges of Maharashtra and M.P., for Adivasi children, run by Adivasi teachers and villagers through the Narmada Nav Nirman Abhiyan. Stopping the dam that will displace hundreds and thousands of tribal and peasant communities and getting just rehabilitation for them has been the immed
iate and more visible goal of the struggle. But, the struggle from its very outset has been rooted in a vision for a society based on equity, self-reliance and simple living. Thus, Sangharsh aur Navnirman (Struggle and Reconstruction) have been two essential components of the Andolan from the very beginning. And these Jeevan shalas are part of the reconstruction efforts of the andolan. Jeevan Shalas are run not for replacing the non-functioning government schools, but to provide education that is relevant and meaningful for tribal children. The challenge for the Jeevan Shalas has been to provide education that is rooted in tribal culture and knowledge base, while exploring the horizon of the new and the unknown. Providing education that builds upon the sense of worth and dignity regarding tribal life is central to the notion of Jeevan Shalas. Jeevan Shalas have aspired to provide education that will equip tribal children to relate to their culture, not rejecting it, but preserving as well as creatively transforming it. Presently, Jeevan Shalas are in a major financial crisis, including the shortage of food and other basic necessities.Furthermore, these Jeevan Shalas do not get support from the Government. Its continuity is dependent on the community donations and external support. This page is an effort to raise fund by increasing the visibility of the struggle that the adivasi children are undergoing for basic education in 9 residential jeevanshalas in Mahrashtra and Madhya pradesh.
