The Project:
Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is an ancient historic town famous for its stone carvings and cave temples. It was a bustling sea port - ancient Indian traders who went to countries of south-east Asia sailed from the sea port of Mahablipuram. The structures here, mostly carved straight out of granite, are among the oldest existing examples of Dravidian (South Indian) architecture. Mahabalipuram was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984.
The main objective of the workcamp in Mahabalipuram would be to spark interest among the local community by involving children and international volunteers in activities that promote sensitivity and respect towards the World Heritage site. The workcamp in Mahabalipuram will focus on the protection of the cultural heritage and the sites of historical importance and on creating awareness among the locals, school children, tour-guides and tourists.
FSL India will organize activities for the school children within the boundaries of World Heritage Site:
A. Clean up activities around the monuments in Mahabalipuram, which is most visited by tourists. The objective is to spark interest among the local community by involving local and international volunteers in activities that promote sensitivity and respect towards the World Heritage site.
B. Preparation of Nursery: Planting saplings at the nursery. One child will be identified to look after each sapling. It would be a good activity to address this change and involve the local children to plant trees and teach them to look after them till they can survive.
C. Organizing Drawing competition for the school children and opening it up to local people by setting up an open gallery. Involve local Authorities, Tour Guides Association, teachers, and any other potential local partners. This would help build partnership for later work.
D. Awareness Walk/ Street Play with locals – The volunteers and locals will prepare a skit on heritage conservation and environment issues. The Street Play involves imparting of messages on Heritage conservation through acting and miming. The Awareness Walk will be a procession in the main area and we will spread messages on ecology, hygiene and conservation.
E. Initiate active participation of youth by encouraging school children to become “Young Guardians / Ambassadors” of the Heritage site. To achieve this, we will form a “Heritage Club” in the school.
Location:
Mahabalipuram is located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, 60 kilometers from Chennai, and 100 kilometers from Pondicherry. Mahabalipuram is accessible by bus from Chennai and Bangalore. There are domestic and international airports in Bangalore and Chennai. The exact meeting point will be mentioned in the info sheets.
Accommodation: In a rented Guest house or Hostel, with shared rooms.
Participation Fee:
Two Weeks: 14,000 Indian Rupees (approximately 175 Euros depending on the exchange rate)