Barefoot College remains distinct in that the same principles that guided it from inception remains in place despite rapid expansion to places like Africa and Latin America. The Barefoot College is one of the few places in India where Gandhi’s spirit of service and thoughts on sustainability, are still alive and respected. The College has adopted the Gandhian ideas into its lifestyle and work ethics, holding it true and relevant universally even in the 21st Century.
“We are working to build a sustainable world where the transfer of life changing technology, access to information and the ability for communities in the developing world to share among themselves, innovation designed and deployed with them at the center, is the only acceptable solution to fighting poverty.” Fallone said. These principles form what is called The Barefoot Approach.
Bunker Roy, Fallone and others associated with the programme refuse to compromise this approach regardless of location or expansion. “You eat on the floor, sleep on the floor, work on the floor,” Roy said. “No one can get more than $150 a month. If you come for the money, you don’t come to Barefoot College.” This guiding philosophy explains the organisation’s name. All over the world, the rural poor walk barefoot. Likewise, a college is a universal symbol for education and development. The Barefoot Approach also stresses respect for five “non-negotiable” values: equality, collective decision making, decentralisation, self-reliance and austerity.
SPADE achieved a milestone by sending 18 women participants from SHG members of Manbazar – I and Barabzar Block of Purulia district in order to achieve the necessary skills of solar technology, the most necessary renewable energy resource. They stayed there for three months at Tilonia, Rajasthan, and learnt the art of solar technology and assembling of equipments like solar home lighting, solar heaters, solar cookers etc. Today, the women members are poised to use their skill for betterment of the community.
