By Shweta Katti | Krantikari
I’m sure you are alllll wondering where Kranti has disappeared to, right? Well, you don’t need to wonder anymore because we are back ;). We do apologize for our silence this past year, we were dealing with some registration issues with GlobalGiving, but we are happy that it has been resolved. We missed you guys just as much as you missed us! :)
We have a lot to update you on since our last post was about Robin’s nomination for Global Teacher Prize. Unfortunately, we’re sad to inform you that Kranti School didn’t win, but the person who won, Hanan Al Hroub, is an incredible teaching from Palestine. Please take a couple minutes to check out her work if you have the time - it’s very related to Kranti’s belief in education for happiness, but she is working in a much more difficult environment obviously. But the best part was that allllll of us Krantikaris got to go to Dubai! It was the best trip of our lives! :)
But the whole GTP exposure has inspired us to scale up Kranti School to reach many more marginalized youth because so many kids struggle in mainstream schools and end up dropping out. We are going to call it the “Happiness School”, so watch out for the coolest school in the world coming very soon! :D I have a feeling people studying in “India’s best schools” are soon going to be very envious of our school. ;)
Anyway, I’m sure you’re wondering about all of us, right?? What we Krantikaris are up to, the new things we’ve been doing, etc.? So here are some quick and short summaries...
Farah (22), just started her first semester at University of the West, a Buddhist university just outside L.A. She is already in love with the college, her classes and the extreme change in the weather :P. She says, “When I was in Mumbai, I never had to check weather but now the first thing I do when I open my eyes is to check the weather because one day it’s windy, the other day it’s raining or very sunny.” Her favorite class is “Comparing Eastern & Western Psychology.”
Sum (14), Rani (16), and Shraddha (17) are also in Los Angeles until mid-March, attending a program called Global Girl Project which provides resources to marginalized girls to build a social project to implement in their communities.
Amrin (15), who is deaf and mute, is being homeschooled in ASL (American Sign Language) in Aspen and has advanced rapidly that we struggle catching up to her and are far behind in our sign language! Her reading/writing has grown by leaps and bounds and she’s always sending funny messages and photos on whatsapp….and all of her snow photos! :)
Nilofar (23) is in at a state-department sponsored program in Washington DC for the year where she has the chance to study in a community college, do various internships, and study/live with people from 32 countries! She’s a little disappointed that her program is coming to an end in May, but also excited for all the things she’ll be doing in March and April. :)
Sandhya (20), Danish (19), and Ashwini (19) are working on their applications for university and are hoping to start university this Fall…..stay tuned for where they get admitted! :)
Mahek, 13, has been studying at Wynberg Allen School in Mussoorie (a small town in the mountains) and she goes back to her school in the first week of March. It’ll be hard for her and for us since she has been home on a three month break, but Wynberg is one of the best schools in the country and we are so glad for her studying there.
I, Shweta, just finished a semester-long program in Boulder, CO, that was for people starting social enterprises. I am now working full time on designing a community/resource center for sex workers’ and other marginalized communities. It’s hard, fun, and a big learning experience! :)
By now, you’re probably bored. So I will leave you here…..and promise to keep updating every month since we are back on GlobalGiving now!
Thank you so much for the role you play in making our lives possible, meaningful and beautiful! May you (and everyone around you) be well and happy. :) Lots of love and hugs to all of you, wherever you are!
P.S. BTW we also performed Lal Batti Express at Lakme Fashion Week :D. Google it ;)
By Trina | Co-founder
By Danish | Krantikari
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