Dhan Karunai School

So I started a post on the school, but am only now going to finish it! Here’s the youtube link again to the video created by the famous Danny and Fish who came to stay in November-December.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8bf4_mImV0

So the school is just over the road from the Illam main building- it is separate but intertwined, with teachers coming over to make their tea in the Illams’ kitchen, and a head teacher, Glory, has been working with Dhan for a long time.

So Mr Ragavan! A very charming funny man who will apologise for his weak English, but he is  probably the clearest communicator here as well as second best with English next to Khader Sir (not meaning to put them in rankings or anything!)  It seems to me that he did not enjoy school; in fact he said he dropped out early.

 Ragavan speaking in the outdoor classrooms :)

 Prayer in the morning before school, Khader here for republic day.

 

Teachers.... Glory not in this sadly, I think she took the photo

Some musings………

The education here is very memorization focused, and children hesitate to express ideas. There is a lot packed into the curriculum over the year in each of the 7 subjects everyone has to take by the 10^th standard (botany, zoology, chemistry, physics, math’s, English, Tamil) so it seems to me that nothing is learnt very in-depth, some of the older girls are tackling things like……

1) Change this sentence to use the passive tense

‘The boys broke the window when they were playing’

Answer= The window was broken when the boys were playing.

(Something I don’t remember doing at school, so thank you internet!)

But they still cannot use simple correct past present and simple tense in writing or conversation. I think because they have to memorise something quickly for a test then suddenly move onto the next thing and forget the last. Or they don’t even understand what they are memorising. I think maybe it is different for the other subjects, but for English this seems to be the case to me.

Back to the primary school……….

So Ragavans’ dream was to start a school which…..

1)      provided good education,

2)      emphasized creativity and most importantly, was

3)      affordable to poor rural families.

So he did! In 2008 he started the kindy and primary school with Children aged from 3-7, with 33 children in the building; now it houses 189. And it is still growing! Next year more children will be coming in, and thanks to Danny and Fishs’ video, they have fundraised the required amount to build the new school (the old building being far too small).

So he is very interested in learning constructive and fun educational methods used in countries like NZ, (if you have any knowledge or ideas or class plans you want to pass on please let me know!). The teachers themselves learnt and trained in the old ways but are very interested in more progressive methods. From what I’ve seen they are very good teachers! And they are there for the love of the school and its ideas, as the salary here is relatively low. Of course the school still has to follow government curriculum as well, which doesn’t often fit with his ideas.

So, providing education at an affordable cost. The free government schools have a bad reputation, even though the teachers unions demand a high salary. So many people turn to private education. There are many more private schools here than government! A private school may cost 7000-10,000 rupees per year. The Dhan Karunai school is only 2,700/year. For the last four years the school has been funded by the Karunai Illam trust and Dhan. But over this time it has been difficult to balance the books because it was never sure how much funding they could plan for the next year. The 2011 school year has been the first where the school has reached their fourth goal, of being financially self sustaining. I think it’s an amazing feat for four years!

They have achieved this with an interesting system, whereby the fees of children from poor families are sponsored by wealthy families (wealthy children have been admitted for the last 3 years). This means that 15% of the children are from very poor families who would otherwise not been able to afford good education. Also, Ragavan said that these poor families are encouraged to take on paying more of the fees themselves over the years, from what I understand a way of stimulating the whole families economic well-being.

Long term vision: once this school and educational modal has proven itself to be sustainable and with high educational achievement, Ragavan hopes that the model will be taken on and implemented elsewhere by the government. Great!

Karunai Illam

 Karunai-illam.org

So I first became acquainted with Karunai Illam (Compassion House) through the Sufi style ‘turning’ group at the Wellington Study Group, where I met Michael and Gillian who are trustees in Karunai Illam Trust. They answered my question about a flier on the wall and this eventually turned into reading Jean Watson’s book about how the Illam began.

It was a great read! Beginning in the mid 80’s with a search for a different environment in which to stimulate creative writing, through meeting people who had a dream to start a home and make a difference to children who would otherwise have very little access to higher education.

Suddenly a totally different path in life!

The joys of accomplishments and the stress and anxiety of raising funds, the difficulties of dealing with Indian bureaucracy and wiring money to a different country before the internet, the growth with every year more children joining, the prolonged back and forth and indecision when finding the right plan to build new buildings. There have been huge emotional and financial investments by Jean and many other New Zealanders.

For the last four years the Dhan foundation has been running the Illam, now the Karunai Dhan Illam. From what I’ve heard it seems like this has been a relief for the trustees and Jean.

Like all things involving humans, it seems there have been interpersonal difficulties- differences in beliefs of how the Illam should be run both in culture and financially. Unfortunately this resulted in the co-founder Subiah diddling everybody by putting the new land Jean sold her house to buy under his wife’s name instead of the trusts, then selling it to a local politician. This drama has been a pain in the heart for everyone here and is still being fought over years later, now with the youth and proximity of the Dhan foundation rather than by Jean and the trustee’s. I would have thought this would be clear cut theft/fraud and easily dealt with, but it seems it is quite difficult to deal with the power of politicians here. Moves me to feel a relative affection for our politicians, who only diddle the odd personal flight or stomach stapling operation (as far as we know anyway!).

So for the last four years it has been a tight ship, under the care of Khader sir, the regional coordinator for Dhan, Nagarathanim Madam in the girls hostel, and Deva sir who looks after the boys. All three are so solid in their ethical beliefs about putting the children first, doing what’s best for the local communities and greater society as well as their spiritual beliefs all intertwined.

Specs:

In Nillakottai, a small town which is the big smoke for many smaller villages in its surrounds (about 80 I think). North east of Madurai, 1.5 hours away from there by bus.

The main Illam building: Houses the girls and the Life centre (adult education centre). One small complex of buildings 3mins walk from the main drag. (my attempt at a map on paint below)

The Garden: This is a lovely 8 acre area of grass, flower and fruit trees that Jean has planted over the last 20ish years, a well and two buildings where Deva and the boys live. It is about 10-15 minutes walk through some countryside and a small village to the main building. The boys come to the main building for breakfast and after school for study, prayer and dinner. The 4-5 acres next to this land is the land in dispute the Illam used to cultivate food here to feed children and raise money.

Children, 11 boys and 24 girls (one of whom I have not met as she is at her parents) between 7^th and 12^th standard (ages 12-17).

Culture- Affection, Study, Prayer

I feel that the culture here at the Illam is very good. The relationship that Nagarathanim has with the girls, Deva with the boys and Khader sir with all the children is really healthy, and the relationship the children have with each other makes me go “awwwwww you are sooooo lovely and adorable and funny and sweet!” on the inside (sometimes on the outside too) when I seen them play fight and joke, correct each others behavior and generally be affectionate.

Korbinaran, Muniaple and…….. cuddling up on the bus for a snooze after a trip to the nearby city Dindigul. Super cute.

They competed in a Dhan essay writing and drawing competition, (Dhilip came second place for his drawing)  participated in a walkathon with hundreds of school kids (10 min walk!) to raise awareness on the huge waste problem here in India, then came with me up to Malaikottai, an amazing old Hindu temple/fort on a Huge rock (not a hill, a rock).

Of course there are some differences in thinking when it comes to how the place should be run.

N is of the thinking it is best and safest to keep boys and girls separate until they are in their 20’s, more mature. I tend to agree that this is probably a good idea here in India, where the relationship between males and females are more fraught (the no-mans land in between dotted with mines and darkly moonlit corners) the gossip mill (totally a mill) could be quite dangerous, the government could shut down the Illam, apparently, if it’s reputation was damaged by inter-genderal fraternisation. (sorori-fraternisation? Hmmmmm) .

So there is no intermingling and getting to know you between the girls and boys, not even at the washing up sink, where if a group of girls are washing their dish the boys will wait around the corner (and vica-verca).

From what I’ve seen in the Dhan offices in Madurai and the Life centre here, the relationship between sexes is very relaxed and fun. Workmates refer to each other as brother and sister (Older brother=Anan, Older sister= Aka, younger sister=Tengae, Younger brother=Tembi). I think that Khader and Deva would like to see more mixing between the girls and boys as a precursor to this more modern Dhan work culture, I think also it would be nice for them to study in their age groups together maybe. But for the moment the safe option prevails.

The other thing I love about the culture here, as well as India in general, is the central place spirituality takes in life. Prayers! Morning twice, before eating, a big one in the evening. I really love the prayers! I would describe them as rhythmic undulating chants, the girls usually start them with the boys joining in at what I’m pretty sure is a minor third below.  Of course not all people can sing so it can get a bit atonal at times, but some nights it is magic. Aaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmm shakti, shakti, shakthi (sounds like ‘shanti’ to me)

Below is the daily routine (a good example of the tight shippiness Nagarathanim has implemented!)

430AM – wake up, wash (YIKES!  I did this the first day, then never since hahah)

500AM – yoga (a modified simple sitting routine)

-          Hair do’s (big deal), general get ready

-          Study

700AM – Prayers (afterwards a chorus of “good morning madam! Good morning sister!)

-          Study

745AM – Breakfast (girls in their room, Madam, Deva, I and the boys in the dining room)

830AM – Prayers outside all together

840AM – Go to school

5 to 530 pm – Back home from school

545PM – Snack and tea time, a different snack for each day of the week J

6 to 730PM – Study (boys in life centre, girls all over the place in hall and around dining room, or upstairs next to my room catching the last light)

730-45PM – Prayers all together in the big hall

 800PM – Dinner time

After, boys go home, more study I’m guessing. Girls will study for another hour or so, then younger ones in bed by 10. A couple of very diligent studiers go past 1030 but most o time all in bed by then. Sometimes I rark up the younger ones before bed with a rousing game of candle sticks or duck duck goose, N doesn’t seem to mind (Simon says is the more educational option). They tell me they’re ready for bed when they’re ready! I don’t ever remember doing that as a child, but then I wasn’t getting up at 430 and expected to study for couple of hours after a late dinner.
Top Picture: Younger girls with shared reading in the big front hallway with the help if their dependable Aka Divya.
Bottom Picture: Older girls reading a passage from a spiritual book and shred discussion afterwards

On Fridays there are special prayers in the morning after breakfast with the girls and N, and at night with everybody. There is one prayer that was composed by Vasimile (Dhan director) and the Dhan foundations prayer man. (Can’t remember the official title) I heard him lead the prayers at the Dindigul walkathon, it was captivating. The Illam is non-delineational, respecting all three main religions here (Hindu, Islam and Christian). A few children are Chirstian, the rest Hindu. In the dining Hall there are pictures of Jesus, Veniaha (ganesh), Mariamal (I’m prettyu sure another name for Siva’s wife Parvati) and Muslim patterned tiles.  Their prayers are also non-deliniational (is that a word? I thought it was but spell check is telling me no!), chanting more about ethical concepts rather than devotional to a specific deity.

THE FUTURE- Sounds like they will have more children next year! Talking to D and N, the ideal future it seems is that when the land is returned (hopefully!) they will start to raise funds to build two dormitories on the land, and the current main building will house the Life centre.

hello!

Internet is down at teh Illam due to government workers digging through phone lines. So I've been out of touch, but will have plenty to say soon!
love to you all

Becoming a Woman - manjal neer-attu vizha (turmeric bathing ceremony)

So when a girl comes of a certain age she gets celebrated! Family and friends give gifts and money, and mother, aunties and Gran perform a ceremony with lots of laughing and carrying on.

A lot of this is about stocking up your dowry for when you get married mind you. (despite Dowry's being illegal now).

The ceremony I don't really understand, I asked a couple of people but they didn't really know either!

So thank you internet. It is a ritual only still celebrated in southern India, mostly Tamil Nadu. I didn't see this part of course, but for three days the girl is secluded and faces many restrictions. 

Then the celebration, your family comes bearing gifts. Platters with bananas and coconuts (with a sandalwood paste and red ocher dust dot same as the forehead bindi) on three sides, Sari's, jewelery and brass pots and buckets.

She is dressed up beautifully, reminds me of bridal dress actually. Huge beautiful thick rope garlands of flowers.

During the ceremony her female family stand around her and recite some verses- there's the part where biscuits are placed and need to be balanced on both shoulder, hands, head and feet, then are taken off and put on again (and repeat one more time) then they are flicked off and broken.    

Why?! 

Then you hold a leaf, water is put on the leaf and you delicately fling it to the north, more water, east, more water south, more water , west.

Why!?

Internet, you're not helping.

So I'm super lucky and have been taken along to two ceremonies now! 

Nagarathinam took me along to her distant relations celebration, will add photo's later. Below are some photo's of a huge celebration of Dheva's cousin.

It started off with a procession of silk sari clad family, behind a band and bomb like crackers that made me squeel and wince every time. These guys had English drums and trumpet, as well as ye olde English red coat army diggs, but were playing Tamil music. ...was great.....

 

We walked through town, traffic had to stop for us! I was surprised it did, but I guess a procession must be important enough :)

On arrival at the large full reception hall, Mina was in her Green Sari, and there were greetings and all the gifts were placed in an area in front of her.

Then she changed into a gifted sari from her uncle and the biscuit/leaf ceremony commenced.

After this another sari change!

Now everyone came up and gave her gifts of money (unless they had done that and filled in the register at the door (Dheva's job for the whole day....). She would touch their feet, then when she stood up the family member would press sacred white powder of her forehead- the official photographer and video camera man got really good shots of everybody doing this.

Gifts of gold jewelery were also put on her, the photographer making sure to get good shots of the goodies, Mina and the gift giver. Thanks so much to Dheva for sharing this with me!

I'm In India!

Yes I know you know that.

but sometime's I finding myself getting a bit too comfortable with the fact. Then I remember , "Awesome I'm in India!" again and I have a little wonder trip.

I want to continue this higher frequency of wonder experiences back home. 

A surprise insight.............

So at the Illam in the front room there's also the 'Life Centre', which is a Dhan initiative running at cost courses in computers, tailoring and beauty therapy to help people start small business and generally up-skill.

The teachers are Kalachelvi and Mugeshwari (spelling!) for tailoring, Raji.... for beauty therapy and Deva and Kalachelvi for computers.

Last week I was invited to Raji's house for lunch, so after one class lesson at the primary school and a bit of general faffing about Mugeshwari and I hopped on the back of Raji's moped and zoomed off. I have to say I really enjoy the freedom of helmet-less squashed together scooter riding, with multiple assertive beeps being made while coming up to a typically haphazard Indian intersection. basically all these beeps translate to  "I'm coming through!", or "just letting you know I'm coming around the corner". I like it. It's like how you negotiate a busy street as a pedestrian, there's a general order but lots of crossing over- except on wheels.

So I gave my talk on back injury prevention, exercises and some simple massage and general back pain acupressure to a womens' outreach group, then had lunch. Unfortunately I didn't tell Raji that I was vegetarian! And assumed that she- being Hindu- was also a vege. Mugeshwari explained (she being a good translator) that the first time you are invited to a person's house as a guest you get a very special spread.; It was Fish, chicken and Mutton! oh man. I asked for vegetarian, and She served me some rice and Sambal instead which I really liked, but it's not special enough so Raji wan't very happy. I have to say I find these cultural mistakes which i (often) make quite excruciating! I felt even guiltier when i realised that me feeling guilty was making her feel even worse as a host. So anyway it was sorted out when I was invited back to a proper special vegetarian spread :)

It was a big surprise, and I feel very lucky to have been dropped into a middle of a family factory. Raji's family have for generations been working 'silver' (steel). Right next door to her house was a factory with about 45 workers that worked 8 hour shifts (so the factory went all day). Here are some pics! I loved seeing people actually making the stuff  BY HAND you just take for granted around the place. 

M in Red, R in Blue, R's Uncle making water Pots. Also an outside view of part of the factory. Which kind of merged from a house at the front to a factory at the backyard! She said that the worker families and hers had been working together for generations, I thought it was great! though I think OSH would have a field day.

Next we visited Ragi;s husband's work. He is a traditional Gold Smith (three Generations). There are about 8 men working in a house, all sitting facing eachother across the room. Cricket on in the background, get your blow torch out and go for it. EXTREMELY intricate work. 

Raji's husband in the checkered purple shirt, and his brother. 12 years of training and still learning off their father :). It was really nice to see they are doing so well, when in the paper the other week i was reading that the traditional goldsmiths were having a really hard time competing with machine made jewelry, being paid very low wages and also receiving less 'wastage' gold that they used to (people supply their own gold to the jeweler and they would get some wastage gold dust). THese families seem to work for them selves, ad supply about 3 shops in Madurai as well as ones in Chennai and Dindigul.

xo