Sustainability in Kerala--Part II

Our group has learned a lot more about sustainable issues in Kerala since my last post.  First we met with a Church of South India (CSI) young adult group for an evening discussion at the Retreat Center.  The young adult group was very well educated-- most were earning Master's and PhD's. We learned that ecological issues are very much on the minds of the CSI young adults, but that they look to the U.S.A and expect leadership from Barack Obama and our government on ecological issues since our country carries the burden of being a top polluter in the world.  I spoke about some of the green initiatives at Plymouth Church and how we believe that the power of individuals and small groups to “go green” does in fact make a difference in our communities.


Our group visited the Asha Bhavan Centre near Kottayam.  Asha Bhavan means “house of hope”; it is center for women with mental and physical disorders and disabilities.  It is a beautiful facility where the women can make jewelry, textiles, jam, etc. to sell.  I purchased a necklace and bracelet that were made by the women, and those funds go back to support the center.  The woman who runs Asha Bhavan has an autistic child herself, and the goals at the center hit home: “help those first who have the least”--those who need protection and support in the community.  Since it is a new facility, they are working on ways of becoming self-sustaining.  For example, the women will wash clothes and linens from local hotels to earn money.  However, what was impressive to us was their rain catchment system that provides water to the center, as well as their sustainable compost area below ground.  All food waste is deposited in large pits covered with rectangular slabs of concrete.  The methane gas that is produced from the composting is used to heat the stoves for cooking—none of us in the group have heard about this practice happening in the states!  We also learned from the husband of the woman who operates Asha Bhavan that rain catchment and solar panels are becoming required for all new construction in Kerala, which was very exciting to hear!

On our last night in Kottayam, we visited with the CSI Bishop, Thomas Samuel, at the Bishop’s house near the CSI retreat center.  We asked him to share his thoughts about ecological issues in Kerala.  He told us that ecological and sustainability issues are a top priority-- one of the 3 main mission pillars of the CSI.  They encourage recycling and sustainable farming practices, and each year CSI gives awards, some for being the most green at schools and in the community, as well as a sustainable farmer’s award.  I think Plymouth’s own Green Team can take some of these award ideas and apply them to our own community in Lawrence.  The Bishop was very clear that ecological mission in Kerala was crucial since the people living in such a fragile ecosystem are most vulnerable when it comes to climate change; I think we were all encouraged by the Bishop’s words.

--Laura Murphy