Kaveris next Big Step

Kaveri’s mum Chandrika has decided to change her school.

We understand that she’s missed Kaveri as the school was residential (what they call hostel here) and she would only see her maybe once a month

But it worked. Kaveri settled in and made great friends amongst the one hundred students.

We’ve seen real progress: my hasn’t she grown?

.. Physically, socially and mentally.

She’s a star ..

We can feel the confidence and assertiveness, developing strong relationships, being theatrical …

But it’s her mum’s choice and it’s a big step.

Kaliyuvamane, her current school, is an open school following its own structure and curricular with students passing their tenth standard (around age 15 or 16) exam to rejoin the mainstream school system. It’s been a success and made a big difference for Kaveri, for many reasons and especially the consistency and continuity. Being a residential school has actually helped.

Kaveri with other students and Trishalla one of our supportive
network

Hence the big step to be changing school and rejoining a private school —one that follows the state curricular— at age eleven.

This one is a day school so Kaveri will be moving back home. That’s the bit that I worry about, without making too fine a point about it.

Guests from Mysore Bed and Breakfast with students at the school.

So it’s going to be very different for Kaveri and we’re gearing ourselves up to guide and support.

Let’s See …

… as MAnjula, would say.

Thanks to the rest of the team from India and from around the world including:

Ilaria, Sarvesh, Sowbaghya, Mo, Trishalla, Lucy, Maria, Eregowda…

Kaveri with Radhika her auntie/sister who’s been a great support.

and many of the guests of Mysore Bed and Breakfast for your help directly with Kaveri and for your financial support.

On a personal level, My relationship with Kaveri has helped me manage my grief in losing MAnjula. It provides purpose and a refocus but as all my friends know it’s been quite difficult managing the family dynamics.

Manjula’s Mysore through its funding, and support from its directors Sarvesh and Stephen and its wider support network, sponsors and will continue to support Kaveri as long as we can.

Kaveri

It’s May and we’ve just celebrated Kaveri’ birthday.

She’s now 11 and she is a star

The past month’s activities included: seaside holiday, skating, swimming coaching and summer camp.

KaverI is now at her mother’s and we hit the uncertainty of whether Chandrika, her mother, will change her school. Kaliyuvamane the alternative residential school she’s attended for two years has helped her grow socially, intellectually and physically.

We can make either options work but the residential school has had the continuity that her home will not provide.

I worry that it maybe beyond Chandrika’s ability if Kaveri is shifted to the day school but we’ll do our best.

Meanwhile

I’m relaxing in Manjula’s Memorial Garden and toying with the idea of revisiting our memoir.

Can I revamp and rewrite? Do

I have the energy and the ability?