... for they have their own thoughts - Multiworld India

162005 Goa, IndiaAt Timbaktu we seethe capacity of thecommon people tolive, the capacity tocelebrate life. Theseare the goals of oureducation in all theactivities that we aredoing with children– Subba Rajumelas and community events, and through media,books, games, internet, etc.The process is physical, mental, emotional, socialand spiritual.MONA PATRAOThe combination of working a small organic farm forabout three decades, facilitating the land as a hubfor learning along with initiating an experimentalgurukul/home school, has propelled and strengthenedmy conviction and interest in experientiallearning.Besides the above initiative, I continue to offerfarm life as an integral part of learning: runningresidential camps and workshops on ecology andsustainable living for schools; mapping and facilitatingexisting school curriculum to move to experientialand holistic learning; for example, the EVS(Environmental Science) course for Std. 10 (ICSEBoard). Internships for post school/college studentsare also offered.I collate video footage of the experimentalhome school/Gurukul and experiential learningprogramme with Bhose village School, for a documentaryon holistic learning is woven as and whentime permits.I try to practise yoga as a way of life. Recently Ihave started learning classical Hindustani (vocal)music.Most importantly I love spending time with andlearning from nature.T. M. NARASIMHAN – SUMAVANAM, MADANAPALLE,ANDHRA PRADESHI thought it is nice to stay in a village to be withchildren and live in a quiet peaceful environment.This primarily is the reason for starting Sumavanam.Usha was a teacher with David Horsburgh’s NeelBagh. Valli Seshan was conducting search meetingin those days. I happened to meet David Horsburghat one of these meetings. David was influenced byJ.K Krishnamurti. Sumavanam was started in 1982.The rational is quite simple.David Horsburgh used to give an example of twochildren: one tall and one short. Can one say thatbecause the child is tall he is intelligent and becausethe child is short he is not? He was trying to conveythat these are individual traits and comparison isfutile. Like trying to compare apples and oranges.Sumavanam has no competition and no exams.SUMAN, MANJU, RAMA AND CHAMPA: UTTARAKHANDSEVA NIDHI PARYAVARAN SHIKSHA SANSTHAN (USNPSS),ALMORAFor the past decade and a half, USNPSS has beenexperimenting with and documenting alternatives toexisting education and development. Our endeavouris to provide meaningful learning to children andhelp people to improve their life in villages.