Technology Centre

CRUSADE has acquired one 127 cents of land at Pudupakkam in Sholavaram for experimenting on new technologies and to train women in different skills. Stabilised Mud Blocks production has been started and 8 local women were trained by their peers from Minjur in the production of the blocks. These 8 women are employed in the production of bricks which are used for building the skill training facility at the centre and for the community Health Centre at Karanodai. So for some 10,650 bricks have been produced. Smaller bricks with different moulds are also produced for use in steps and for construction toilets and partition walls.
The skill training facility has been constructed with the financial assistance of London based Homestead Charitable Trust and the possibility of setting up a Kalamkari block printing unit at the centre, besides giving training in Bathik and Tailoring is being explored.
Grameen Surya Bijlee Foundation, a Mumbai based Trust had supplied two street light systems for the centre. They have also supplied a home lighting system which needs to be promoted in houses not having electricity facility.
A few varieties of herbal plants are being grown and tree seedlings have been planted in borders.