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.
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.
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.
After a busy Saturday providing drink, snacks and art at a Padma farm event as member of a team of students from Kaliyuvamane.
Waking to breakfast with our guests from Switzerland
Even earlier, in the morning, Sarvesh had facilitated a meeting between me and Chandrika, Kaveri’s mum to try get her -back on track- to keep Kaveri at the school.
Fingers crossed we’re getting there.
The absolute helpful stars being Radhika,
who Kaveri calls her sister (actually Auntie and a wonderful friend to us all), and Sarvesh
Next grandmother travels by bus across city and takes her shopping.
And finally Anni becomes hair stylist.
It feels like I’ve seen Kaveri for about five minutes this weekend (as she falls asleep again in my lap when we go back to school in the auto) but I’m happy that she’s had a great time.
She joins the pantheon of stars in my life.
There’s most definitely withdrawal
But it’s pleasurable
The evidence is …. In my Hanging out with Kaveri and her ‘sister’ Radikha.
I’d collected Kaveri from school to go to a Mysore Storytellers event but rain put a stop to that.
The wonderful people that provided the ice cream for this year’s event on Manjula’s Birthday in August, promoting creativity at Kaveri’s school
Then back to school
I only get 24 hours but it’s wonderful.
Each year MAnjula would carefully prepare puja for Ganesh and his mother Gowri
Ganesh in 2015 the version on the left was taken to be immersed in the river Kaveri later that week.
…
This year I was invited to Kaveri’s school to join the celebrations.
Afterwards we did our own thing at home
Next we’ll work out which day we can immerse him in the river.
…
Kaveri becoming a sharp English teenager.
… Whatever…
She’s always with us
… her, as she’s back at school
A nine year old and a sixty six year old being together for over two months is a wonderful mix of experiences and emotions.
At times it’s been a challenge but wouldn’t change it…
On the way to school she asked if I’d visit this Sunday; within minutes — after being greeted by friends — it had changed to ‘a’ Sunday.
I will visit this Sunday and exchange pictures.
Here’s mine.
Thank you Kaveri for being you and invading my life.
We continue to celebrate and recognise beautiful Manjula with …..
Next…..
Is Manjula’s fourth death anniversary and …
We’re already … Meeting and preparing with crafts and more books for Kaveri’s second Summer Holiday.
And Manjula’s library is getting used…
Fresh from todays Mycycle tour
To art
Manjula wished to be reincarnated as a tree as it protected and supported people. I was keen to develop projects that reflected Manjula’s open heart, and kindness. Manjula’s Mysore, our new company, aims to reflect that approach and so Manjula continues to give
The reason why Kaveri has featured so much in the postings is that Manjula’s Mysore (MM) is considering her for an educational scholarship.
We wish to identify a young girl with the potential and to provide opportunities that weren’t available to Manjula.
Meetings held by Kanchana and Sowbaghya with her family, the holiday in Kannur, given by Manjula’s Mysore, and the school holiday activities organised by Stephen has provided ample opportunity to get to know Kaveri.
There are many similarities between Kaveri and Manjula’s early childhood. I’ll not detail them out of respect for Kaveri and her family’s privacy.
We’ve now met all Kaveri’s family and the MM director’s with Stephen’s support consider her eligible for an education scholarship.
We’re now looking into what that will mean in practice with a view to finding an English medium school for Kaveri for the next academic year in 2023.
Footnote
Kanchana is a social worker here in Mysore, Stephen qualified as a social worker in the U.K. in the early 80s. He’s since worked managing grant and developing community projects and partnerships for trusts, government and multi-national corporations.
Stephen is Manjula’s husband.
The Directors of Manjula’s Mysore are Tanuja and Satish friends of Manjula who were instrumental in supporting and remembering her after she died.
Sowbhaghya and Sarvesh have helped as part of our wider team.
On an action filled day.
Went rounding with Stephen uncle, for a drive around the base of Chamundi Hill, playing in the park (for one of them anyway) , a stop for pani puri
before the grand finale (which wasn’t) ginormous Ice creams.
The ice creams were too much for the girls and they couldn’t finish. Each cost almost a daily wage.
Wrong impression.
At her grandmother’s place Kaveri showed me her school work.
She has exams over the next two days and her English is improving.
I really enjoyed my time with Kaveri and Rhadika
Me and MYCycle 