As many as 66 anganwadis in and around Ahmedabad are now being reviewed and redesigned by an architect and coordinating supervisor duo from Australia. Leeanne Marshall (32) and Harrison Gardner (19) have come from Melbourne and Sydney as volunteers for the project.

Several other anganwadis will also be constructed under the project, which has been undertaken by the Melbourne-based ‘Architect Without Frontiers’ and the Sydney-based firm, Bholu.

Leeanne, who has specialised in slum development, and is a practicing architect in Australia, said: “We have already started work and constructed an entirely new anganwadi. Three others have been redesigned.”

He added: “A common problem with most of the existing anganwadis has been inadequate light and poor ventilation, while many do not even have toilets. We are designing a low-cost alternative that takes care of the aforementioned requirements, with the help of local labourers, who know how to whorl with local raw materials.”

Harry, who has been coordinating the project, said: “The construction and redesigning expenses have been coordinated by a local NGO, Manav Sadhna, which has been working for the anganwadis. The work will continue till March next year and the total expenses will be borne by the two Australian companies.”