The Real Barefoot College

The Barefoot College empowers rural marginalised communities worldwide by providing them with access to sustainable solutions in the areas of water, solar, education, health, livelihoods and environment.

Our vision is of a world in which every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the opportunity to lead a dignified life.

Our mission is to uplift the exploited and impoverished rural poor from the Global South over the poverty line with dignity and self-respect by placing the wisdom, knowledge and skills found in the villages at the centre of their development.

The organisation follows a Gandhian philosophy that technology should be demystified, and its control decentralised and put into the hands of the rural poor; that there is a difference between literacy and education; that marginalised women should be given equal opportunities to learn; and that we should attempt to conserve our local knowledge.

Our Non-Negotiable Values

Equality

Every member of the team is equally important and respected. An individual’s education, gender, caste or class does not make her or him any less or more valuable.

Collective decision making

The structure of the organisation is largely flat, encouraging a free flow of information and giving voice to the concerns of all the groups, making everyone accountable to each other.

Decentralisation

Decentralisation of planning and implementation at the grassroot levels, enabling and empowering individuals to articulate their needs.

Self-reliance

The College was born out of the belief that when people develop self-confidence and join together to solve problems, they learn that they can depend on themselves.

Austerity

Austerity in thoughts and actions, as well as a lack of barriers and levels that prevent direct interaction, has resulted in a sense of ownership towards the College.