10 Oct - Never thought I'd be teaching drama!

Some days are uplifting. Today we found ourselves virtually running (we, unlike the Indians, are yet to perfect the flip-flop sprint) down the muddy high street of Pedong, mouths agape. Why? To the east the weather had finally cleared, and there, at last, the snow capped giants in view. I was euphoric: uncontrollably smiley. I cannot explain it, but it really was awesome to finally see the Himalyas in their full glory. A real sense of just what a magical region we are in.

Before that though, another interesting day at KCS. I watched Sarah deliver lesson perfection to class 8; so good that they took their own understanding further than she could ever have hoped. Did make me wonder whether I simply have to accept that I still have a lot to learn to lose the tendency to lecture. This, and my abject failure to encourage Miss Doma to want to really teach would have been enough fuel for an introspective day, but making the crass error of scolding Miss Indu almost in front of the class she was teaching (for beating a child!), means I am having to dig for a little more space for reflection than usual.

But in many ways, today has provided some of the highlights so far here in Pedong.

Designing lessons still provides a challenge: make it fun, get the kids doing stuff, invent novel activities and keep them engaged. Thus far I've managed. But imagine my joy, as, while Anmol and I planned a lesson for class 3, and I fretted that we simply didn't have an activity for them to do, Anmol delivered a blinder; the perfect 'doing' for the children. Aimed at their level, and so inventive. If it was the done thing here, I would have hugged him.

But the children made my day. Afternoons have become practice time for singing, dancing and acting in preparation for various forthcoming cultural events. This eats into lessons and no doubt in the UK would be done after timetabled school; here I suspect that for a lot of the children, this is the best education of the day.

Sarah and I are organising a production of a Danish folk tale called 'The Wager', a nice fable all about honesty. I say organising because in fact the children are, unknowingly at present, doing all the producing, acting, stage design and support themselves. If we get it right then in the credits (sic) we will simply appear as 'language advisors'.

Today was day 2 of the project. A read through, or so we thought, and an introduction to the other aspects required to make it drama. To our amazement, the cast did so much more than read. Expression, emotion, and energy totally unprompted by us saw these individuals, normally so typically Indian and reserved, throw themselves into the task. The main actors played at the front, while Satish and his cronies mused stage set ideas at the back , and the classroom was brought to life as villages, castles and princesses' bedrooms. It was a privilege to watch: wonderful and bewitching.

Outside, the sopranos of children's enchanting voices singing while Anmol accompanied them on guitar and Bikas lead. An atmosphere of celebration, innocence and spirit - simply beautiful. And at that point, the mountains hadn't even come out to play yet.

Pictures:

Anmol and Bikas lead the singing. I think it's the Beatles!

Sarah and class 8 do the periodic table.

Finally- a snowy peak at over 6000m. More pics to follow with a bit of luck of Kanchenjunga at over 800m!

Acting (and directing by us!) pics to follow!