Projects

AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT AND ANANTAPUR, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

The Anganwadi Project

“Since its inauguration, the space has become much more than the modest Anganwadi. It has become a voice for the community. A place to learn, and a place to listen, and a place to be heard. A place of they can proudly call their own.” – Evan Drage, TAP Volunteer Architect

PROJECT: The Anganwadi Project
PROJECT TYPE: Long running volunteering, architecture and development program
LOCATION: AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT AND ANANTAPUR, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA
PARTNER: The Anganwadi Project (Programme Lead)
FUNDER: Self funded
CLIENT: INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS COMMUNITIES IN AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT STATE AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN ANANTAPUR REGION, ANDHRA PRADESH STATE)
Volunteer Australian architects and design professionals collaborate with local communities and partner organisations to design and build anganwadis (pre-schools) in India.

Since 2007, The Anganwadi Project (TAP) has offered experienced Australian design professionals an opportunity to live and work in India for 4-6 months. During this time, volunteers design and build anganwadis in informal settlements in Ahmedabad, Gujarat or the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, India.

TAP volunteers work in close collaboration with the local communities and employ local builders and craftspeople throughout the process using mostly recycled materials to create simple, beautiful spaces for children to learn. Through the development of long-term and meaningful relationships the maintenance of existing schools and development of future opportunities is ensured.

In 2018, the program expanded to include a new partnership with a long-established NGO in Andhra Pradesh, the Rural Development Trust. There are now projects where teams of volunteers can design and build anganwadis in rural villages in the Anantapur District.

Year: 2007 – present

Status: Ongoing

Other Program Partners:

Manav Sadhna: Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad

Fundacion Vicente Ferrer-Rural Development Trust:  Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

“Without AWF’s involvement, The Anganwadi Project would not have been able to continue the work we do designing and building anganwadis in the disadvantaged communities in India.”— Jane Rothschild, Co-Founder of The Anganwadi Project