Four years ago, Lucie is scrounging. Nowadays her access to street food is severely restricted as she’s getting on and sometimes had digestive issues. But this is the beginning of another story.
It was to be another two years before I met another light in my life.
School holiday is a great opportunity to spend wonderful adventures together.
In our first week, this year we’ve visited Kodagu, Kannur and Wayanad. A great mix of countryside, sea and sand.
Kodagu in the western ghats is a couple of hours west of Mysore.
I’ve been many time to Kannur, further west in Kerala, and taken quite a few friends. Radhika Kaveri’s sister (auntie) couldn’t join us as her mother had an accident and needed support. Lucie a French workawayer helped out at the school and stepped into the breach. A great help.
Finally Shabaz our wonderful friend from Kannur dropped is Wayanad for a final night before returning to Mysore.
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):
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.
It was my day at school but Kaveri had tooth ache. So it became a trip to the dentist.
One tooth removed, followed by a visit to see grandmother and ‘sister’ Radhika and a special treat of ice cream.
The family work as ‘watchman’ on construction sites. It’s how I first met kaveri as they looked after a site opposite mysore bed and breakfast for years. The nine year old becomes a teenager.
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.
