Complex structure

Sustainability is like a strong, complex structure, everyone needs to come together. The actions we take are the bricks, and the community that participate are the glue that holds it together by glue. And that’s what keeps it strong, the actions and the participation of the community – without the glue it would fall over, so both the bricks and the glue are needed. You also have to make sure the bricks are appropriate to the community, the community will only participate if it is appropriate.

We could also link it to the CSR, where we use our strategies to encourage the funders to provide the raw resources that our organisation makes into bricks with their strategies and processes.

What about sustainability of different programmes, for example, comparing Media Champions and the Infocentres. Media Champions are so young they don’t have any decision making power, no money power, they are under the control of parents. Without the backup support of the organisation they can’t mobilise themselves. They are not even allowed to leave the home themselves. The model is sustained only after a few years when they see that these girls who participated have done well, then they have confidence in that model. But when it comes to the women’s group, they are strong, and they can independently run it and manage it successfully.

Created in Mysuru, India, 2023

This object is part of the Metaphors for Un/Making CSC Collection.