Delivery of the pirogue-boats to the village of Shivanapuram
21 pirogue-boats have been allotted to this little village half way between Pondicherry and Cudallore.
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In this village, besides the Panchayat, the temple played an important part with regard to the project. This is why, quite naturally, the boats have been stored in front of the altar dedicated to Shiva. I hope it won’t ruffle the secular convictions of the principal of St Porchère’s college… |
| The fishermen who did not take part in the training session are curious and impatient as they gather around the first pirogue-boats built by their colleagues. |  |
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And as always the children are laughing. |
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Indeed, this month the French National Education Service deserves to be honoured, so a big thank you to the Collège Pierre Brossolette for having given us the means to undertake this work. |
| The pirogue-boats are very soon launched and the trials begin. Rather surprised by the light weight, the fishermen quickly understand that they have to get used to this new tool. Above all, they are astonished to see that three people only weigh down the boat very little. |  |
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Maguey is holding a debriefing on the trials and explains the technique of the waterproofing tests. |
Hervé Coutand went on with the work on the sea-going boat, trying to design for it a rigging that should be simple, reliable and cheap. He came to devise a spritsail, made from tarpaulin and bamboo, which will enable the fishermen to save diesel oil. This is extremely important, for fuel cost, two euros, is equivalent to an average daily income.
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Delivery of the pirogue-boats to the village of "Nutchikadu bis"
That village posed a problem for us.Situated close to one of the very first that we helped, we had assessed their needs several months ago. Unfortunately, the fishing community, being in a minority, was not supported by the Panchayat. Now, with this very fragile social fabric, it is absolutely necessary to get the traditional authorities’ agreement. They came with great eagerness, many times, to the building yard, and we felt almost as helpless as they were, not to be able to assist them. All the patience of Balla and Maguey was necessary to obtain at last a collaboration for the five pirogue-boats. You will see further down that this small group did not disappoint us.
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Nana and the pre-cut-out kits are unloaded on to the beach. |
| Will there be a regatta with Lions club Cannes Riviéra ? |  |
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Yes, of course ! But we’ll keep the outcome to ourselves… and don’t cheat with the help of a magnifying glass ! |
I would like first of all to thank our team on the ground : our three Tamil researchers and our three French volunteers for the outstanding work they do. Upstream, admittedly, village after village, to assess the real needs. Downstream also, by handling the follow-up, the deliveries, the restocking, quality control. Besides, being conscious of our professional duties, they have the distinction of trying to bring together the operations in which we have to participate on the same days and in the same geographic areas.
Without them, we could do nothing.
First stop at the village of Lenine Nagar.
| The discussion about the charter takes place under the catechu trees |  |
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Of course, in the presence of the fishermen concerned and their families. Four pirogue-boats, as well as the fishing tackle for this village. |
On our way, we cannot help calling in at the village of “Nutchikadubis” to see what progress they habe made since the delivery of their kits.
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We are delighted to note that the boats have made good progress in the last two days, since they have already practically assembled everything. |
| We shall have very soon – as soon as next week – to equip with nets those six almost completed boats. |  |
| As we arrive when school is out, we are greeted, as often happens, by the inquisitive and smiling children . |  |
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The meeting is held with the fishermen and the Panchayat chief, close to the latter’s house. Eighteen pirogue boats are decided upon. |
Fourth and last stop at the village of Peryar Nagar
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This time the committee is waiting for us in the coconut plantation. |
| The women participate actively, 17 boats are scheduled. |  |
And always those children’s smiles ...
Latest news : on Sunday Pierre went to negotiate a charter in a big village, 20 Km away to the south of Madras. This time, it is a matter of 64 boats ! It only remains for the carpenters to set their saws …
Opening of the training centre at Pondicherry
In India, it is sometimes complicated to find a place meeting a set of technical and geographical requirements. It was only after hunting around for 5 months that we found one at last. We must also say that we could use our building yard, which was quite convenient for the supervision of the training, at least at the beginning.
This centre, like that of Cudallore, and that of Karikal, which will open early in July, will take charge of the fishermen’s training, so that they can build their own boats at the village.
Our ambition for the future is to turn them gradually into vocational training centres.
In the mid term, traditional fishing will be forced to disappear. India, a developing country, is grievously lshort of qualified manpower. Thus, a well-targeted training would ensure employment and enable the children from the villages to escape the inevitability of a fisherman’s son becoming necessarily a fisherman.
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The board freshly painted by Balla, in whom we have discovered talents as a sign-painter. |
| I cannot help introducing to you the field team: from left to right, Saadi, a volunteer who has been with us for a few weeks; Sarthi, the head of the centre. Hidden behind, Vimal, Saadi’s pal. The ineffable Maguey, a volunteer from the outset, and ever ready to help. Our friend Tiago, whom I name but who was not there. Martine who takes charge of most of the paperwork and the accounts, myself (Lionel), Bruno and Jean- François, two of our volunteers. Balla the tender-hearted social worker, Kogul, our Manager, who has never spared his time, And at last Pierre, the third volunteer-Musketeer They leave us tomorrow, a big thank you for their work. |  |
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We have 100 square yards or so, besides a small office for the head of the centre. Moreover it is fairly near the central bus station and 200 yards away from our building yard, which will enable us to be in permanent contact. |
We were expecting on Monday a team coming from a village to the south of Pondy. Unfortunately, a religious festival detained them. Therefore, the fishermen from Nandhan Nagar being free, they have come for training and consequently inaugurated the Pondy training centre.Those from Lenin Nagar being at the Cudallore centre.
Therefore, the delivery of their first boats will take place ten days after the negotiation of the charter.
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The two villages being only a few kilometres distant from each other the delivery was made by the same lorry. |
| Unloading the boats , |  |
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under the attentive gaze of very good children. |
The faces and names of the children you sponsor at Kuppamkullam.
Our worthy volunteers have taken photos of the Kuppamkullam children, who thanks to you could start the school year.
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[FACES OF KUPPAMKULLAM CHILDREN] ( warning : it is necessary to authorise JavaScript)
They are all from ten to twelve. It is a borderline age : they can read, write and count. Skills that most of the time their parents could not acquire. Therefore, quite naturally, the girls leave school to help their mothers with the housework and the boys to help their fathers on the boat.
On their behalf thank you for having postponed that date.
| Landmarks | |
| Fishing Boats at Pondy | |