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Paul Hendricks is Global Greengrants Fund’s Donor Advised Funds Manager. He traveled to Tilwari, India, in November 2012 to visit projects funded through the organization’s partnership with Aveda. Paul last wrote about local solutions to tackle environmental justice in “Offense Wins Games, Defense Wins Championships.” |
With a glimmer of satisfaction in his eye, the village elder stood stoically on the large concrete box that protects Tilwari, India’s water supply. This structure is part of a system of pipes, cisterns, and taps that delivers clean water to the community’s 800 members. No longer do villagers have to walk three hours a day to gather water from the nearby mountains—they now use those valuable hours and energy to care for their children, go to school, maintain their households, and make products they can sell in the market.
There was more than just happiness in the village elder’s eye. There was pride. Pride that his community built the water system itself.
Evidence of Change
In the forested foothills of northern India, local Tilwari nonprofit Himalayan Jan Kalyan Evam Baal Vikas Samiti (HIMJAKAS) has used support from Global Greengrants Fund and Aveda to implement a number of clean-water and community-building projects:
- Securing water rights in the nearby forest.
- Building the community’s water-distribution system.
- Constructing a number of public toilets in the village.
- Educating local women on how to weave clothes and other products they can sell in the local market.
- Teaching children and community members on how to protect their environment.
With Global Greengrants Fund’s and our corporate partner Aveda’s support, the village will soon build a community center where people from surrounding villages can come to learn about community development, environmental protection, and sustainable farming.
Local Solutions, Homegrown Pride
Global Greengrants Fund and Aveda provided the material support, but what sets Tilwari apart is the unwavering involvement and commitment of a community taking ownership over its own health and that of the environment.
As I walked through Tilwari’s streets, Santosh Passi, HIMJAKAS’ Director, pointed out the different community members who helped carry pipes up the hills, mix mortar to build the toilets, teach children about environmental protection, and file claims with the government so they could access the natural spring and bring water to the village.
Yet, Santosh’s explanations weren’t needed—the look of pride on the people’s faces made it clear that they were the ones who created change in their community. Pride that they helped bring clean water to their kids, and helped others make an honest wage. Pride that their surrounding forests were being protected. And pride that they could now be the ones to help other communities do the same.
During Aveda Earth Month (March 22–April 22), Aveda donates 100 percent of sales of its limited-edition Light the WayTM candles to support Global Greengrants Fund and improve access to clean water in communities around the world. This is just one example of the successes you can be a part of when you buy a Light the WayTM candle. Watch this short video to learn more about our partnership with Aveda. Click here for more information about how to purchase a candle. Or donate directly to Global Greengrants Fund.
