My report

When I first arrived in Kozhimala, I was overwhelmed by its natural beauty; life seemed bountiful. But in fact, like in many parts of India, people here are very poor and often face inhumane living conditions. I think it is the poorest place I have been to. Many people here still live without electricity, proper sanitation and running water. Unemployment rates are high and many families struggle to survive.

Sashi's family is one of them. They live in a house, that belongs to his brother, who past away recently, leaving behind a widow and three children. Eight people live in another unfinished house just 30m2 with no furniture, not even beds. They sleep on vinyl mats or empty rice bags. Water is carried to the house by head load from a distant well. The house does not have a toilet and there is no electricity. A house building project for the mannan families, funded by some local govt. scheme was never finished and the village ended with more than a few incomplete, shabbily built, un-inhabitable houses. After years of exposure to the wet climate it was a mere pile of rubble. New funds never arrived.

Yearoutindia decided to help. Navin, India Coordinator of Yearoutindia, assigned a team of local and international professionals and volunteers to build a new two-bedroom house for Sashi's family and his mother. The project also included the construction of two latrines with leach pit and a 120-meter access road. I filled the role of the Project Coordinator, responsible for budget and human resource management, building design and site supervision.

From the very beginning, I had the full support of YOI, who did all the ground work, like council approval, required permissions and coordination with local authorities and the king. Four local masons, one carpenter and up to ten unskilled labourers were hired on a day to day basis to work onsite. Three miners from Kozhimala broke 13m3 of granite for the foundation from a nearby mine. Many of Sashi's friends and family volunteered in an amazing effort to push the project forward. The dedication and commitment of everyone involved in this project was overwhelming. To build a house on top of a mountain, with no electricity and running water really needed the team work of highly motivated individuals. I still remember the masons, working after dark in the dim light of the kerosene lamp, trying to finish their work. Without the funds and hands-on help of Devin, a volunteer from the USA and my dear friend Lena from Berlin, the project would not have been successful. I also want to thank my parents, who spontaneously contributed additional funds.

Looking back, I feel satisfied like never before. On one hand I learned so much about project management in remote areas but on the other hand, and more importantly, I helped to improve the quality of life for a very poor and disadvantaged family.

I found it remarkable, how volunteer work can provide better job satisfaction than a well-paid job. It all depends on whom you are actually helping, the purpose of your work.

Thomas Friebel (Germany).
Volunteer Project Coordinator