Category: kaliyuvamane

Kaveris next Big Step

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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

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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?

Kaveri’s school innovates.

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Kaliyuvamane

A statement from the founder Ananth Kumar

We are very happy that children are enthusiastically flocking around Mr. Rajesh Madhavan, Theatre Director, a product of ‘Ninasam’ – Theatre Institute, who is staying on the campus.

Our sincere gratitude to ‘Nirdiganta’ for opting ‘Kaliyuva Mane’ for their 6 months’ programme, ‘Shala Rangavikasa’ (ಶಾಲಾ ರಂಗವಿಕಾಸ). Hope this will enhance the emotional stability, imagination and expression of children.

Please watch the video:

This is the school Kaveri attends.

It’s providing innovative ways to help the children become more confident and develop competencies to help tackle life’s challenges whilst fulfilling their potential.

It’s a great example of how Kaliyuvamane School has a different approach which goes beyond traditional schooling.

Supported by our guests.

Summer Camp 2024 two

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Our fun activities since returning to Mysore include:

Skating

Kaveri has progressed to new skates and uniform, again with the Elite Roller Skating Academy

…

Swimming

classes again at our local pool.

and a local dance centre has organised their very own summer camp.

With a day out

You know who you are.

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Friends, Romans, Countrymen .

Welcome

No it’s not another posting about Shakespeare or Caesar —- it’s about a different inspiration —-

Manjula

As we approach the anniversary of Manjula’s partial departure five years ago (she is of course very much with us) I want to remember her beautiful wonderfulness and recall the good we’ve done together, in her name.

And so it’s also about you: ‘Manjula’s Kind’ friends who have given cash or help-in-kind or moral support to help me through the grief gravy and to take action.

Amongst these are (please follow the links for more information):

– granite benches and garden in our nearby park in Siddarthanagar in partnership with the MCC

-creativity days for 40 visually impaired young women, 

– five events/workshops at Kaliyuvamane, (a ‘free/alternative school) for 100 children, there’s many mentions on our sites, here’s two … 1 and 2

One of our creativity days, this one facilitated by Antoinette.

– sponsoring a young girl who now attends Kaliyuvamane. The famous Kaveri who’s peppered throughout our sites and dominates my life.

– donating cycles

And many more actions 

Thank you so much

Stephen

With Manjula

Sharing (three things) because it seems important

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about Shakespeare …

….

More on Shakespeare

…. As it’s astonishing how his work as affected our use of the English language.

On Quoting Shakespeare

If you cannot understand my argument, and declare “It’s Greek to me”, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger; if your wish is farther to the thought; if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool’s paradise -why, be that as it may, the more fool you , for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare; if you think it is early days and clear out bag and baggage, if you think it is high time and that that is the long and short of it, if you believe that the game is up and that truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, if you lie low till the crack of doom because you suspect foul play, if you have your teeth set on edge (at one fell swoop) without rhyme or reason, then – to give the devil his due – if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I was dead as a door-nail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, a stony-hearted villain, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then – by Jove! O Lord! Tut tut! For goodness’ sake! What the dickens! But me no buts! – it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare.

Bernard Levin

….

I was so impressed by this teacher in the USA who used Shakespeare to help teach young children whose first language wasn’t even English.

and here’s another one for free as it resonates with how we often behave, putting things off, rather than taking action.

A year later..

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It’s been that long since Kaveri joined Kaliyuvamane

From the very beginning —-Sarvesh (Multi-lingual, typical talented Indian) and I (mono-lingual.. you know the stuff!!) explained to her mum Chandrika the pros and cons of the school:

— it’s small, free to parents, with a good track record from not following the education sausage factory model

— It’s residential, and you’ll only see Kaveri at home a couple of times a month although you can visit as often as you wish.

— as it’s outside the system she can’t easily (if at all) rejoin a mainstream education (it’s an alternative/free school) until age 16

Chandrika and Mani had visited this and one other school I’d suggested and been invited to suggest others.

We did emphasise it was her decision.

She chose Kaliyuvamane.

Personally I liked the school its approach to education and life in general. I think it’s been a great success. The fact that it’s residential, also helps.

BUT over the past few months Kaveri’s mother has changed her mind. She, in any case has difficulty sticking to one thing. She decided to take Kaveri out of the school.

She misses her and wants her to help around the house. Neighbours, employers and others, we don’t really know who, criticise her for ‘giving-up’ her daughter.

It’s been a stressful period to put it mildly.

You’d be forgiven for thinking she’d gone stark raving mad. Everything about Kaveri and her life as improved dramatically. She now the average size for her age, progressed in all her education, had a great confidence, a real star at the school. Ticks in all directions.

So we invited Chandrika, her mum and sister over to my house to decide.

Discussions with grandmother, Radhika and Chandrika.
Trishala and Eregowda very much part of Manjula’s Mysore team. they initiated this meeting and together with our man in Australia brought us to a happy resolution.
From right, Radhika (auntie) , Chandrika (mum) and moi.

Chandrika has agreed to keep Kaveri at Kaliyuvamane. Thanks to everyone in the team, and at Kaliyuvamane. Not forgetting the significant help from Sarvesh, in Australia.

Announcement.

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Help Required.

Kaveri will spend much of the Summer school holiday in April and May with me at Mysore Bed and Breakfast

She’s a great kid and nearly ten.

It’s fun.

Last year Ilaria helped me provide activities and be ‘chaperone’. More here.

We had all sorts of activities … skating, swimming, crafts, cycling and a bit of seaside. We’ll do similar this year but need help.

Can you (needs to be a woman) come and stay preferably for a minimum of three weeks. Accommodation provided and meals. Last year Ilaria came as a workaway volunteer. We tailor it to try fit in everyone’s needs and preferences.

Write if you wish to find out more.

Tours@mycycle.co

We’re not afraid to dress up.