Returning to New Delhi
Our 12-member cohort reassembled Sunday night over dinner and shared some of our experiences. Each group seems to have seen India with different eyes. Gerald and I received some good-natured kidding about the beauty of our assigned location and the trips we took into the countryside. In retrospect, we were lucky to have such a supportive host teacher in Rathnakaran and to become part of such a vibrant school environment. We also saw many students outside of JNV-Mahe in our visit to Wyanad and along the way became part of an international community. We started as strangers and became friends, proving the saying that strangers are friends whom we have yet to meet.
Today is Monday, 15 July 2019. The cohort assembles this morning for a meeting then leaves for Agra after lunch. We will stay the night and visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, around 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Several members will return to the U.S. on Thursday while others, like myself, will stay longer in India. Gerald will leave for the north to see a colleague. I’m still planning a trip to Jaisalmer, although I’m tempted to head north too. So much to do, such a big country, so little time.
Reflections
It seemed that students gave us something at every stop. They asked to take selfies. Nothing compared to having children thrust notebooks and papers in front of me and request an autograph. I hope they see that my hurried scrawl means Bill Clark, Winooski Vermont.
We also received gifts, ranging from a coconut shell vase to plants, paper flowers to artwork. We shared photos with hundreds of students and teachers. These are some of the memories.
We shared our thoughts on teaching with JNV faculty, bringing some of our teaching materials and explaining how we use them. Four-way thinking. Do Now’s. Map work. Desmos for math strategic thinking. Our emphasis on reading, writing, and public speaking. And some instruction in approved frisbee-throwing technique.
Throughout our time at JNV-Mahe, two individuals accompanied Rathnakaran and supported us: Assistant Principal and Hindi teacher Dr. K. Sajeevan and assistant Ramesh Babu. They patiently gave us names for the food we were eating and made sure that my tea was served in a glass and did not contain milk or sugar.
Abdul Hakeem taught us yoga, and played a mean game of table tennis.
I only touched lightly on our activities on Saturday, 13 July, which began with the morning assembly and my motorcycle ride around the courtyard. We left for a cultural tour to the beach, to see the fort, and to enjoy the waterways of Kerala during an eco-tour. We stayed in the Villa de 1945 in Mahe, a hotel possessing much colonial charm and a wonderful staff.
12:41 pm
I loved these pictures and the sweet smiling faces of the Indian kids.
5:42 pm
PJ: Thanks for the comment. This trip is all about the children–and they are all amazing! –Bill
1:52 pm
It looks like you eked out some time to fill in the picture – with words and photos both – of your trip, and with such characteristic sensitivity. Not really a comment, just an appreciation that I can follow along with your incredible journey.