At 16 years old, Babar Ali must be the youngest headmaster in the world. He’s a teenager who is in charge of teaching hundreds of students in his family’s backyard, where he runs classes for poor children from his village.
The story of this young man from Murshidabad in West Bengal is a remarkable tale of the desire to learn amid the direst poverty.
http://www.youtube.com/p/54F9B6832E06706A&hl=en&fs=1
“The Foundation for Freedom serves the poverty stricken people around the world by supporting schools in Asia, the Americas and Africa. In this show Community Balance’s host, Suzanne Barnett interviews Dr. Sakti Das and Niall Battson about the Foundation and it’s work establishing schools in India, Latin America and Africa.”
– August 7, 2009 – Community Balance @ KMTV
HOW – “… kinetic energy generated from 25 children on the roundabout is used pump 1400 litres (370 gallons) of water per hour at an average 16 rpm, effective up to a depth of 100m.”
WHY – “.. water collection is overwhelmingly undertaken by women and children, the time saved through the installation of a locally operational water supply will allow girls to attend school and women to concentrate on more productive activities.”
More information: Wikipedia – PBS Frontline