Last week, the Sanitation First India gathered together in Madurai for a two day staff review meeting cum retreat with loads of laughter, learning and sharing! For the first time, our board members also jumped into the act and what a difference it made! Together, we all reflected, explored, and learnt a new thing or two, while strengthening the bonding and spending quality time together!
The event began on Sunday with a visit to the iconic Keezhadi Museum, shopping around the Meenakshi Amman temple and a sumptuous dinner at Amma Mess. Day 1 saw an icebreaker reflecting upon our Water Smart Communities - where we are and a way forward, followed by sessions by the board members on creating effective case studies, innovations in dry land farming and handling disclosure during adolescent counselling. The staff also underwent an annual refresher on Prevention of Sexual Harassment and abuse, with the Heads of Finance and M & E departments sharing updates and expectations too.
The evening saw loads of fun and games and some learning too - through a Madurai quiz! Day 2 - was spent in the field. We saw the work in progress at the Maruthupandiar Government Higher Secondary School, Narikudi (toilet blocks being constructed with the support of EA foundation) and inaugurated new toilet blocks and handwash stations at the Govt Higher Secondary School, Mandalamanickam in Kamuthi block of Ramnad. Our next stop was to witness the waterbody rejuvenation at Chinna Aanaiyur before proceeding to our office in Kamuthi for a sumptuous Elai Saapadu. Post lunch, the team moved to our Regenerative Agriculture project site at Ponthampuli where we make biochar from the invasive Prosopis Juliflora weed using drum, pit and Kontiki methods. The team enthusiastically learned about the various Pyrolysis methods and tried their hand at biochar making. They also visited our test plots where the nursery is currently being nurtured.
Singing and dancing saw us through the long journey back to Madurai where the team boarded the train back to Chennai with loads of memories and learning!