Be (not do)

by | Apr 27, 2011 | India 2011 Peace Exchange

We’ve all heard the importance of being present; being in the moment, aware of your self and your surroundings, present and attentive to this now, this place, without thought of the past, nor need to predict the future.   But no matter how many times we here this...

Arrival in Leh

by | Apr 22, 2011 | India 2011 Peace Exchange

There were many ideas on the table for the last week of March.  We had invitations to Tami Nadu in the south where we were considering visiting schools in Chennai and Auroville.   Connections were warm, but confirmations were posing a challenge. I also knew it was...

To Jodhpur, with Detours.

by | Apr 22, 2011 | India 2011 Peace Exchange

On the following day, Thursday, Heather and I packed it up and boarded a car.  We grabbed Rama, our filmmaker pal and, to our surprise, her brother, who would take us to their father’s village, to lead a workshop at Rama’s childhood school, on our way to Jodhpur....

Country Side Hike In Joy

by | Apr 1, 2011 | India 2011 Peace Exchange

The driver said the road was impassable.  He said he could not drive any further.  So, on the second day of our two-a-day school visits, we found ourselves at a place where we were going to have to walk to get to our next workshop.  And so, with a bit of reluctance,...

Indian Educational Phenomenon Continued

by | Mar 29, 2011 | India 2011 Peace Exchange

Boys and Girls are often, and almost always, separated from each other.  In nearly every workshop, boys are positioned on one side of the room and girls on the other.  This has taken many forms and leaves me wanting to stand the kids up and mix the group, which I have...

Wednesday March 9th : Another Two School Day

by | Mar 27, 2011 | India 2011 Peace Exchange

I love doing this work.  I love meeting young people. I love seeing their beautiful hearts, wide curious eyes, and amazing spirits.  I love sharing this project with them and observing and listening to their wisdom, watching them explore their creativity, and share in...

Two Workshops ~ One Day

by | Mar 27, 2011 | India 2011 Peace Exchange

After completing the first school, we drove for another half hour, down into the valley across farmlands and deeper into the middle of nowhere to another school.    Arriving a bit early, as the students were still finishing their lunch, we had a moment to relax. With ...

Workshops in Udaipur Villages

by | Mar 26, 2011 | India 2011 Peace Exchange

After a sweet warm up and ‘let’s get comfortable’ workshop with 25 local kids in Udaipur, we arose at the crack of dawn, packed into a small four seater:  me, heather, Rama our film maker friend, and Shailendra, our Pratham lead, and headed out 50 km to a town called...

A week in Udaipur

by | Mar 26, 2011 | India 2011 Peace Exchange

After a week in Delhi getting re-oriented to life in India (I lived here for a year in 2001/02), organizing initial plans, printing postcards, and meeting folks from Pratham; our key partner in accessing Indian schools, we flew to Udaipur on a 6am flight Saturday...