Environmental programs   As a rural NGO, READ has always been very interested in the environment. In addition to having respect for nature, it is important to educate people so they are aware that their health and livelihood depends on respecting and properly interacting with the environment.
	Street theater programs on environmental awareness

1). Environmental Awareness Campaigns:

The Ministry of Environment & Forestry of the Indian government has been sponsoring some non-governmental organizations in rural areas to conduct campaigns aimed at preserving and restoring the environment. READ was selected as one of the groups. So far, the following programs have been conducted:

• On May 4, 5 and 7, 1998, READ conducted two campaigns on “Conservation and plantation for Environmental protection” in Andimadam and Keelneduvai. In each village, approximately 50 women, farmers and youth participated in the program.

• READ conducted three campaigns in the villages of Keelneduvai, Thirukalapur and Vilandai on March 27, 28 and 29, 1999 on the topic “Keep our water resources clean”.

• A campaign was conducted during March 2001 on the topic “Keep our environment clean”. The program consisted of seminars to women, a students rally and public meetings. Approximately 650 women, students and general public participated.

• In 2002, environmental awareness programs were was held in three villages (Senthurai, Cholankudikadu, Thirukalapu) on different dates. All these campaigns were organized for women in Self-Help Groups, local students in Higher Secondary schools, and young potential farmers.

• In 2003, an environmental awareness campaign was organized in Elaiyur, Ayanthathanur and Andimadam villages on the topic “Water conservation”. Following this, a rain water harvesting pit was established in the Training Center of READ at Andimadam for demonstration.

• In 2005, the topic was “Solid waste management”. Under this project, we conducted a seminar on the subject to Self-Help Groups. As action program, we constructed two vermin-compost pits as demonstration pits for participants and other Self-Help Group members to learn how to recycle organic waste into enriched manure.

• In 2006, READ organized a campaign for two days in Rangiyam and Vadugarpalayam villages. The theme of this year was “Waste Management". Many people participated in the campaign and in the follow-up demonstration of a rain water saving system.

• In 2009, conducted awareness programs in Kulumur village in Sendurai Block, on the topic “Adaptation to climate change”. READ printed pamphlets and an information poster. Through a rally and cultural program, information was shared among the participants regarding many environmental topics with importance on:
  • planting trees
  • using jute and cloth bags instead of plastic and polythene
  • protecting drinking water
  Approximately 300 saplings were distributed to the Self-Help Group members. This programme was successful one and the Self-Help Group Members agreed to take this information to their relatives and friends.

2). Solar cooking:

Solar cooking provides many advantages:

• It is better for the environment, as it reduces C02 production, and reduces the need of people to cut firewood.
• It helps villagers to save money that otherwise they have to spend on buying firewood or fuel.
• Agricultural workers can do the cooking while they are working on the field, so they don't have to go home to prepare their lunch.

Dr. Ramin Yazdani, an environmental engineer from Davis, California, and board member of Sahaya International, visited READ in January 2009 and gave a one-day workshop to the READ staff on how to make a solar cooker from simple materials. The staff expressed great interest to use these solar cookers.