My friends in the UK would laugh at this and declare ‘it’s about time too’.
I’m from the north you know and traditionally we are considered to have the wrong accent, miss letters out of our words and generally not be ‘up to scratch.’
Times have moved on now. We even have regional accents on the BBC .
But there might be some truth in that humour (as usual)
I’ve been helping Kaveri with her English while at the same time discovering it for myself.
🤭
I’m learning about grammar, the names and function of key words.
I led an unusual cycle tour today on Srirangapatnam.
Four teenagers, ok one isn’t yet but no one would know. Were invited to join me for a cycle tour ostensibly to better understand how to be a guide.
My objective which alines with my latest thinking on how we might better prepare young people to be more rounded and better active citizens as they mature.
I’d hoped that the day’s adventure would help improve their confidence, communication and assertiveness.
Big ask but a tiny step.
Coincidentally Kaveri asked me why a horse had blinkers. I lost no opportunity to use the analogy in how it’s important for them to get a wider view.
I delivered the standard tour with more emphasis on how they should manage it, rather than the content.
SB the ever present aid and family member was her usual great support.
After the tour we visited the recently opened car museum
The museum included a similar Mercedes to one I owned in the 90s, my wonderful inactive Ambassador and a candlestick telephone like one at home.
…
I’ve invited them to continue with this journey, if they wish, so that within a year ( much less!) they should be able to lead a tour.
Maybe more meals might do the trick
Who knows where it might lead —- greater personal competencies at least.
If it happens— I’m open to them leading tours and maybe taking over and expanding. I have absolutely no expectations.
They’re all very different characters but of course, all have potential.
I refer to how kaveri (age 11) who in a little over three years has matured mentally, physically and socially. It is, of course, a very significant stage in life.
Kaveri (age 11) today with her mum Chandrika at a wedding of a member of the extended family in the village
As you can see she now almost as tall as her mum (age 29?).
I’m proud of her and the little help I’ve been able to be.
Early days, just a little girl, shortly before her eighth birthday.
On reflection, she’s always been quite ‘together’ for her age.
Off to school with her auntie (aka sister)
She’s just about to start her third school since I’ve known her. I’ve promised that Manjula’s Mysore will continue to support her education up to university and maybe beyond.
I bought the moon, water (aka as Earth) and sun a few years ago from Etsy. Since then I’ve been looking for the full family group, to make my imagined set. It’s small but to get them all together and with such detail, particularly on their faces, is great
They’re for use as props for an adapted story.
I’ll adapt another tale with this Ashoka Column. An unplanned purchase.
The storyteller in me is happy, as is the shopper and the gatherer of clutter.
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:
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.
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.
Stomach Churning HandWeaving LighthouseRight Next To the beach Chera RocksFortress En route
I’m away with Kaveri for a few days with Naveen and his mum Sowbaghya.
Manjula’s Mysore supports their education and now we’re on holiday together.
At Chera Rocks FabNewActivity Splashy Chera RocksShabaz, our wonderful friend always on hand to make it a great success. Time to go home Who does the washing? Where have you been?
A new summer school holiday activity — Button Masala.
Incredible creativity and innovative design from cloth, button and rubber band!
A great addition to the swimming, summer camp, reading, storytelling, crafts, skating, seaside, badminton, cycling, TV and phone that’s become a staple of Kaveri’s school holiday
A really cool event presented by the creator of Button Masala —Amuj Sharma and supported by Sri Vidya MR of the Anubhuti Trust.
Radhika was 17 this week so with Kaveri back for a skating race we made Sunday into an extra celebration.
Happy Birthday
Radhika B Radical
Skating and school was tiringRadical’s fiancée did the honours and it now lives in what’s fast becoming Kaveri and Radhika’s room at the BnB In my role as one of Kaveri’s extra mums I’m finding the best moisturiser.
Well if ‘last’ years birthday is anything to go by I’ve fully localised.
31st December can seem a weird day for a birthday. Or maybe not.
Endings and beginnings
There’s always multiple celebrations
It was wonderful.
A steady stream of lovely friends making it a day to remember.
Plus my girls were here (kaveri and Radhika) having missed Christmas together, we shifted Christmas to the morning and began my birthday at noon 12.35 sharp 🤭
and Rinkal and Sheetal are seriously becoming an integral part of the team. Welcome to you.
and I became Pinocchio, it was my alternative to being fed cake… repeatedly.
Next morning
Radhika borrows one of Kaveri’s Christmas presents They are ‘sisters’, you’ll understand. Lucie prepares to go to the vets.
Me and MYCycle 