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Bhopal #2

India, Trees and Transformation

On the road since September 8 has created new channels and currents as well as the growing capacity to move according to the speed of the flow. Leaving Bhopal yesterday after re-juvenation and reflection felt right. We had spent good time with our 'travelling wallah's - Oriana and Scott and had many discussions about our thoughts on India, Ekta Parishad, our own identities as travellers, contributors or associates. I do often hear Rajagopal's words ringing in my ear from the long ago beginnings in Kanjakumari - keep your focus and the right to land and livelihood for me is perhaps the essence. The right to a place under the sun...and why do I have this without suffering when this is not the truth of the majority? The big questions slip in and out of the stream, and I am eager for our project in Sheopur among the Saharia at an all girls' school. I hope it will become clear how I can use and develop some art lessons to connect to human rights and stories....we shall see.

Expanding: From Trees to Branching Out

Re-thinking and un-learning have been two topics that wove through discussions recently. Paul and I enjoyed a visit from Ravi and Priya on the island connected through shared Ekta Parishad involvement. Priya re-introduced me to the idea of writing and the blog. It occurred to me that my idea of blog- limited posts, quotes, images and very little of 'me' emerging might be expanded to a reflective space. I'm just going to write about what is happening in my life. Let's start with yesterday.

Instead of cleaning up the art room, I spent the morning planning Day 1 of workshops in Grenada for Project Overseas. I realized that I am combining 10 years of art gems and trying to to shoehorn them into 10 days of teacher workshops. This alone would fill my suitcase, and packing has been a problem. Two of the team want to bring an extra suitcase and I would love to as well, but this isn't possible...so simplify, simplify. That is the mantra.

I want to post a photo from yesterday's meeting and wrap up of a two year program called "Lights for Learning'. Two students were instrumental in the completion of the project.

See Dar

Rainbow Forest

...even William

And this our life bereft from public haunt,

finds tongues in trees,

books in the running brooks

sermons in stones,

and good in everything.

William Shakespeare

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Breaking Out All Over

58 trees and rolling along...