I went to a very elitist, snobbish, expensive education in India, and it almost killed me. I was all set to be a diplomat, teacher, doctor - all laid out. Bunker Roy diplomatdoctoreducation Change image and share on social
You come for the money, you don't come to Barefoot College. You come for the work and the challenge, you'll come to the Barefoot College. That is where we want you to try crazy ideas. Whatever idea you have, come and try it. It doesn't matter if you fail. Battered, bruised, you start again. Bunker Roy barefootbatterbruise share on social
Jeff Sachs has the Millennium Villages. He spends $2.5 million in one village. It's an absolutely ridiculous model, because I've said that if you gave me $2.5 million, I can train 100 grandmothers, solar electrify 100 villages - 10,000 houses - and save you 100,000 litres of kerosene. Bunker Roy 000absolutelyelectrify share on social
In India, I'm always 'Aruna Roy's husband.' Bunker Roy arunahusbandindia Change image and share on social
The Barefoot College is supposed to be a sparking off process. People are adopting it and owning it, which is really the story behind the college. Bunker Roy adoptbarefootcollege Change image and share on social
School is something that you learn - reading and writing. Education is what you learn from the family, from the environment, from the community. Bunker Roy communityeducationenvironment Change image and share on social
In 1965, I went to what was called the worst Bihar famine in India, and I saw starvation, death, people dying of hunger, for the first time. It changed my life. I came back home, told my mother, 'I'd like to live and work in a village.' Mother went into a coma. Bunker Roy backbadbihar share on social
We have shown that solar-electrified villages can be technically and financially self-sufficient. Bunker Roy electrifyfinanciallyshow Change image and share on social
Wherever I've been, and I've been to over 20, maybe 25, countries in Africa, I've noticed how their backbone is broken. They don't have any confidence in themselves. They always think a white man will solve their problems from outside for them. Bunker Roy africabackbonebreak share on social
Who is a professional? A professional is someone who has a combination of competence, confidence and belief. A water diviner is a professional. A traditional midwife is a professional. A traditional bone setter is a professional. These are professionals all over the world. You find them in any inaccessible village around the world. Bunker Roy beliefbonecombination share on social