tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86182074560636052022024-02-19T08:00:57.591-08:00Tribal Mensa Nurturing ProgramThe Program is designed by Mensa India Pune Chapter to identified gifted tribals and nurture them for societal benefits.Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-43859468316379149922008-12-09T23:41:00.001-08:002008-12-09T23:45:46.604-08:00Prof. Randall Visit June 2008<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn_fz8zzIvmJZDeVxLVHIBJxJEtGRffwIKWr2uUuQLhZmAqTjmD4IIZQgQDI7UfDzChyphenhyphenxSeDtK3C_FNB1bv-Nbfq0gjD-sFeGjveNIog2vs5xD-9-n7lL-qHRM4t6bPrD97sYa9l_KRk/s1600-h/July+-+Nov+08+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278064416963265810" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn_fz8zzIvmJZDeVxLVHIBJxJEtGRffwIKWr2uUuQLhZmAqTjmD4IIZQgQDI7UfDzChyphenhyphenxSeDtK3C_FNB1bv-Nbfq0gjD-sFeGjveNIog2vs5xD-9-n7lL-qHRM4t6bPrD97sYa9l_KRk/s200/July+-+Nov+08+020.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Prof. Randall from DePaul University, Chicago USA visited Sevadham Trust Tribal Residential School, Malegaon. Prof. Randall was interested in linkage of conservation and restoration of the sacred groves and Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program. </div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-58711322345845954292008-12-09T23:36:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:40:42.985-08:00Kamshet 3rd Dec 2008, Tribal Teacher Training Program<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bby5Vhd70wogDXEQ2xFn4ULH6fGhtQ4lFOQukCz_lKhJEAgWe7oBAk3ULOMMMD8y3Z2qfIBGoVItjzeHrN-YMnGePfgf8FFxJaDaCRBdILqAqyOJJY1lhr2K5O1m69OdYQNlcH_iCB8/s1600-h/July+-+Nov+08+280.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278062804396953906" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bby5Vhd70wogDXEQ2xFn4ULH6fGhtQ4lFOQukCz_lKhJEAgWe7oBAk3ULOMMMD8y3Z2qfIBGoVItjzeHrN-YMnGePfgf8FFxJaDaCRBdILqAqyOJJY1lhr2K5O1m69OdYQNlcH_iCB8/s200/July+-+Nov+08+280.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-47364023348420832932008-12-09T23:33:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:36:36.912-08:00Tribal Teacher Training ProgramOne part of Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program was to conduct Tribal Teacher Training Program. In the month of November and December 2008, training program was conducted for Tribal residentail school teachers of Vadeshwar, Malegaon and Kamshet. 22 primary teachers participated the training program.Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-35005478893703264532008-05-18T17:14:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:28.596-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcBXviWKMDuE2PGppQzIiom50VAxG2YkNCw-QedkJaDkR4lxQzVvH6SDou7tDLogFu1835jLVb3jqAdksbL4yT0I9zZZfXDjrfe01IIEON6ukn10x0atTA86q3rUWUz7KB0gCz0rcBs8/s1600-h/DSC01739.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201875938549570466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcBXviWKMDuE2PGppQzIiom50VAxG2YkNCw-QedkJaDkR4lxQzVvH6SDou7tDLogFu1835jLVb3jqAdksbL4yT0I9zZZfXDjrfe01IIEON6ukn10x0atTA86q3rUWUz7KB0gCz0rcBs8/s200/DSC01739.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-28706806038445501552008-05-18T17:10:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:28.844-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_t8OTigWe_YniaoY7lXfRY0DEBcdar1Q_0M3o10ixtDrMFMAFhR2TrubGrnc7_ydjCdEDxMbg8hnIALK3z0inX_yRuTEJUxWWdSLKfiBFnrBRhnIEHtKKqwqGDAXwQxOn0VCVngQwjG8/s1600-h/DSC01728.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201875028016503698" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_t8OTigWe_YniaoY7lXfRY0DEBcdar1Q_0M3o10ixtDrMFMAFhR2TrubGrnc7_ydjCdEDxMbg8hnIALK3z0inX_yRuTEJUxWWdSLKfiBFnrBRhnIEHtKKqwqGDAXwQxOn0VCVngQwjG8/s200/DSC01728.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Painting the Walls</div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-44253494929028232712008-04-25T09:47:00.000-07:002008-04-25T09:54:07.707-07:00Durga WorkshopMonthly Report: February- March 2008<br />Durga Workshop (22nd Feb to 25th Feb 2008)<br /><br />Goddess Durga is a form of Prakriti or Nature. She is the Divine Mother. The February Tribal Mensa Nurturing workshop took inspiration from the forms of Durga i.e. nature and centered around exploring nature, generating curiosity to understand it and creating an atmosphere to nurture it.<br /><br />On February 22nd when Sachindada came to take us to the Nishta Kendra, we were all holding bags of seeds. They were of various indigenous trees Pongamia pinnata (Karanj) , Terminalia spp. (Hirada, Beheda etc), Acacia spp (Babhool), etc. which we had collected from Sacred Groves near our villages. Some of us had brought them from nearby forest lands and river banks. We took over a month to make our collections – dried and sorted. We could name most of the trees from which we had made the collection. We found that it was a lot of fun to be in the forest. We watched birds and insects. We tried to find some fruits and berries to eat too.<br /><br />I found that to watch and enjoy Nature, I need to open my eyes and my mind. The more curious I was, the more I saw, the more I understood. After my exams, which is in March, I think I will spend more time exploring the Sacred Grove near my home.<br /><br />The journey from my school to the Kendra was tiring this time. It was partly due to the heat and partly because I missed few of my friends. They had gone for their village festivals and were not going to attend the workshop. But as the Kendra came closer, the excitement grew. What was to be done with all these seeds? What activities will be there this time?<br /><br />The excitement suddenly transformed to tremendous curiosity as I saw two very new people in the Nishta Kendra, who welcomed us in. Narayandada then introduced us to them. They were Richard Scott from England (Landlife trust, Liverpool) and Madhav (Mathieu, Krishna Devotee from France) from Udupi. Both of them were going to help us set up a plant nursery from the seeds that we had brought. Now everything fell into place.<br /><br />As afternoon drew on, we took time to settle down. We tried to interact with Richard and Madhav. We had so much to talk with our friends this time. We talked about our collection, about our village festivals. Some of us had also been to small excursions with their classmates. We also spent some time playing carom board.<br /><br />In the evening, Richard and Madhav gave us boxes of paints and brushes. How thrilled we were! We had wished to paint the walls of Nishta Kendra and had told Narayandada in the Pongal workshop about it, and our wish was coming true. We all went wild.. in a creative way. Sashitai, Anjalitai, Varshatai also joined us as we painted flowers, mountains, and rivers. I drew a painting of Lord Ganesh. Some made signs of 'Welcome' and some drew symbols like ‘Trishul’, 'Swastika' etc. Now ,we felt we were in our own Maherghar. A place which spoke to us, inspired us, and a place where we have left our permanent visible mark on.<br /><br />While we were engrossed in our activity, Narayandada brought in a truck full of soil. It was unloaded in the garden. I knew immediately that tomorrow was our day of gardening. I wondered what all we could do. We needed a good place to sow the seeds and they will need to be watered. I started planning in my head remembering what all I do in the farm back home.<br />Evening came, and we had to stop our painting as the lights went out. But today we were enlightened very differently in our minds. Madhav played devotional songs on his flute. It was a very different kind of music than what I get to hear at school or in my village. I enjoyed it a lot. It made me very calm and it showed on my face.<br /><br />We were woken up by Madhav's flute and after drinking madhpaani we were all ears to listen to Narayandada. He asked us to return the books we had taken from the library last time. Most of us had read the books more than one time! I am looking forward to reading a lot more.<br /><br />Then Narayandada spoke to us about our activity for the day – Plant nursery. We were to remove stones and gravel from the soil he had got yesterday. Small pots were to be filled with soil and manure, and seeds were to be sorted out. Richard and Madhav were going to help us do all that.<br />We divided ourselves in groups by afternoon we had filled over 150 pots, and sorted out about 50 types of seeds. Shiekhatai, an MSc student from the Pune University also helped us in doing so.<br />Some of the boys from Bagicha gat made rangoli designs from the seeds. It was a picture of a man who was stopped by a girl from cutting a tree. We had a lot of fun. We got to talk with<br /><br />Richard and even with friends. We found that teamwork makes a difficult task easier to achieve.<br />We were tired after the activities and we got some free time. In the afternoon, me and my friends from the Annapurna Gat found some old clothes in the cupboard. We used them to decorate our room. We hung sarees on the wall like curtains. Some made designs out of dupattas and stuck them on the walls. I knew I would have a nice sleep in this cozy, friendly room.<br /><br />Shri. Vishwasrao Kher and Mrs. Sonavi Desai from the Kher Foundation had come to the Nishta Kendra during this time. Narayandada showed them all the work that we had done, our paintings, our boards, our pots, seeds and even our activity files. They seemed to be happy about all that we were doing. The Kher Foundation, we were told, will be looking after the maintenance cost of our Maherghar. I am thankful to them for their help. Anjalitai family too came from Pune to watch our work in the evening. Its nice to be appreciated by people and getting to know them too.<br /><br />In the night, we saw a movie about two tigers, born in the zoo and then taken to the wild. I was so tired; I could hardly keep my eyes open. But, not everyone is tired like me. Some of my friends stay up till late night to read the story books given to us. Some of them read even in torch lights stealthily when Narayandada puts the lights out.<br /><br />When I went to sleep, I thought of how I will sow the seeds the next day. I thought if the seeds know that they were handpicked from the Sacred Grove to come here and grow , like I was. I wondered...<br /><br />In the morning, Narayan spoke to us about 'Swadeshi'. He spoke about taking pride in being Indian, in following its traditions. He spoke about how culture changes from country to country, and why we are special in our own way. He spoke to us what is a modern outlook and what is a western outlook. He showed us that people from different cultures can work in harmony, and still maintain their own perspective. We saw that when we saw him talking to Richard and Madhav.<br /><br />When I came out in the garden I found the seeds soaking in warm water, ready to be planted. Shiekhatai, Richard, Anujatai and few a few of us, sowed the seeds of Cassia fistula, Pongamia pinnata , Azadirechta indica, Tamarindus indica etc. As I planted them, I wished that each one would grow into a big tree. I took care that they were sowed properly, that its roots may grow strong. I watered them and hoped that one day I could take them back into the wild – in their Sacred Grove, just like last nights movie.<br /><br />Afternoon time was for the workshop activity. We played an old game, called 'Antakshari' , but the twist was that we could sing only those songs which had questions. Annapurna Gat was sure to win... we knew all the songs by heart. Then Narayandada told us why we played this game. It was to raise questions. The key to curiosity, the key to all the answers in the world. Questions,<br /><br />Jidnyasa! We sat down in our Kaksha and raised 150 questions! 'why, when , where, how, from where, till where.....' It was so much fun. What if I start asking so many questions to Abba? I am sure he will be baffled trying to answer them. Oh! But thats what this exercise was all about. I no longer need to ask questions to anyone. I can generate more questions and more and more.. to find my own answers!<br /><br />After the gruelling session of exercising the brain, Dr. Tanuja Oak and her team arrived for stretching our body. It was time for Yoga. Like last time, we stretched and flexed, twisted and turned. I found that now it is much easier than the first time we did Yoga. All the practicing at school is helping I guess.<br /><br />In the evening, we had a fun session with Narayandada. We played Antakshari again, this time of Bhajans and patriotic songs. Madhav also played his flute for us. We listened to it with all our heart and soul, as today was the last day of the workshop.<br /><br />Narayandada then told us about the next workshop. He said he will try to organize it in May, after our exams and holidays. He even promised to take us for an ecotour to the coast! I am so excited already. What all things we will see?!<br /><br />Then we scurried back to our respective Kaksha, as we had to prepare for the 'Manoranjan' activities of the last day. The boys from Paani gat had put up a drama for everyone. Some sang devotional songs, some sang gavlans, patriotic songs etc. And then, it was time to sleep. Before sleeping, I once again prayed, for my seeds to grow well.<br /><br />When I woke up, I was told that Richard had already left for England, Madhav would be leaving for Varanasi soon. It was time for Narayandada and the Mensa team toreturn back to Pune and me to my school. This time when I left the Maherghar, I left a part of me still living there. I am sure that my song will echo there till I return.<br /><br />In our journey back home, I realized that we had truly lived the spirit of Goddess Durga during the workshop. I had been Prakruti, as I had walked in the forest. I had been a Mother as I sowed the seeds, and I will be the Protector, as I help them grow and blossom into trees. And I wonder if this Goddess Durga will reside in my village, in my Sacred Grove...........Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-14811736150538245182008-01-24T21:05:00.000-08:002008-01-24T21:07:03.832-08:00Sita Pongal Workshop Report Jan 2008<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: 150%;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Sita- Wildflower in Tribal Niche<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: 150%;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Monthly Report: January 2008<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: 150%;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Pongal Workshop (10<sup>th</sup> Jan – 15<sup>th</sup> Jan 2008)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Shouting “Pongalo Pongal ! I came to Nishta Kendra on the 10<sup>th</sup> January. I was very excited as it was a lovely break away from school, right after appearing for exams. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Pongal they say is the South Indian festival of prosperity. True to the name of the workshop, we all tried to show how prosperous we have grown in our thoughts and action. We were taking initiative, we motivated each other and our brains were always bursting with ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">This time, I traveled to the Raj guru Nagar bus stand with my teachers starting early in the morning. I made sure I had packed the seeds, stones, leaves and soil samples I had collected. Sachin dada picked us up from there and took us to the Nishta Kendra. During the bus journey I met my friends. We had a lot to catch up on since Karthik Damodar. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">As the I saw my Maher Ghar through the window of the bus, my eagerness to start with the workshop grew. Narayan dada, Sashi Tai were already there to welcome us along with a few of my friends who had arrived earlier than me.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">It was afternoon, and we all arranged ourselves in the Ananta Kaksh (that’s where the meetings take place). We found our stationary, caps, bedding and bags. We got really big bags! I loved the design on mine. Our group leaders took over and made sure that we were all set for the next four days.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Evening time was free, and I spent it by looking around my Maher Ghar. I found that the library had a lot more books than last time. It had autobiographies, craft books, story books, comic books, and books on science too. I wondered if I would get to read them. I also found a whole new set of games. These games were much different than the ones I knew. A game I particularly liked was Brain vita. I know that some of the boys stayed up late to make a model from the game called Mechnix... I am waiting for my turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Some of my friends started doing their group tasks. The Swachhata Gat (Cleanliness Group) had made sure that the Maher Ghar was clean. They put all the buckets and towels in place. The Manoranjan Gat (Entertainment Group) had started to make a list of the library books, taking care of the games etc. At this time Narayan dada called us for a meeting. He gave us special colored bands to wear on our hands. I am in Annapurna Gat and got a yellow colored band. Bagicha (Garden Group) Gat got a green, Paani (Water Group) got a blue, and Swachhata Gat got a white, while Manoranjan got a red band. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">These Bands, which he gave us, are special because they make us feel like we are part of a team. Now, we are not just Tribal Mensans. We are Tribal Mensans from Annapurna Gat!!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Then he told us to take a group-wise meeting (gata-shaha baithak) to discuss how we could excel at our daily tasks. He appreciated us for doing them with perseverance, but now he wanted us to learn innovation. When we sat in our meeting, we put up a lot of ideas. Varsha Tai, Muktatai, Ketki Tai helped us too. But every time, our discussion would be a chaos. All of us would start talking, some wouldn’t talk at all. There was no order. After observing this, Narayan dada talked to us about how a meeting should take place. He taught us how to increase participation, motivate everyone in the group and how to maintain decorum. He spoke about how a group leader should take over a meeting, how he should direct it, and yet let all the wild ideas come up. He also told us about how leaders talk, stand, encourage and participate.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">When I slept I wondered if there was a leader inside me... What work will I do as a leader of my group? I must come up with new ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">We woke up as usual to the sounds of Suprabhatam. I always miss this sound in my school. Then we went to the Dhyan Kaksh to do our morning 'chintan' or meditation. Narayan dada read out two lines from a book by Dr. Appa Pendse. The lines talked about having a dream and doing all it takes to achieve it, to turn it into a vision. He asked us what we wanted to be when we grow up. Most of us wanted to be teachers, engineers, doctors, and soldiers. He then told us that we must work hard to achieve it, make it our goal. We must try to understand what skills are required for our chosen dream, and find a way to develop them. He also narrated to us stories of valour and the spark of intelligence. He talked about his friends Vijay Chandrachud and Aba Hasabnis. I am waiting to meet them, especially Aba Hasabnis.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Before long, it was time for the workshop. Swapna Tai, Shruti Tai, Anjali Tai, Sujal Tai and Sameena Tai have arrived. We were introduced to a new game called “EK” or one. We had to enlist our groups 'one' favorite river, tree, animal, God, food, country, feeling etc. The challenge was that when we select one, we had to consider each ones thought. Different people have different likings, hence our challenge was to integrate each ones ideas. In the Swachhata Gat, everyone except one decided that Maharashtra was there favorite state. Only one of them said Jammu and Kashmir. He defended his case, and then they decided that their group’s favorite state would be Jammu and Kashmir. In Paani Gat, there was a dispute to find out a favorite tree. Each one had a different choice; no majority voting could be done. So, they intelligently listed it as 'fruiting trees' are our favorite, and they had an 'Eki'(oneness). I think every leader should be able to find this Oneness among the people. That reminded me of the discussion last night, and we made an innovative Menu card in Hindi before lunch. We also re-organized the seating arrangement to better suit us for serving everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">In the afternoon session, we were told to write 500 observations of the leaf, like we had observed a potato in Karthik Damodar. I came up with 100 but 500 seemed to be difficult. Narayan dada later explained us how we have to come up with basic parameters, and then work on their permutation combinations. Now 500 seems easy. Based on the observations, we made poems, stories and jokes. We are learning to observe and build ideas on our observations. Then came the most loved part of the day! We went out for the 'Daal'. Gaurav dada, Rahul dada and two more friends had come to the Maher Ghar to teach us new outdoor games. They taught us 'Chauras Cricket' (baseball) and 'Dasha Hastantare' (ten passes). I was a little nervous to play 'Chauras Cricket' as I couldn’t hit the ball initially. But I decided to concentrate more. I looked more attentively at it and then! I had it up in the air! .... I managed to make two runs! But the boys were much better at batting. They had difficulty in fielding though. In the game of ten passes, it took us a lot of strategy and team spirit. It was great fun. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">When we came back the lights were out, so we had to sit together in the yellow candle light.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Dada told us short Japanese about a father and son separated during an earthquake. The story talked about faith in each other and perseverance. It made me very emotional. Then we song our group songs, an abhanga by Tukaram and the Prabhodhan Geet. We discussed our favorite lines .Keshar, Sarala; Chandana even added a few lines in them! Just as we finished singing, we felt our energy was at a peak, and the lights came back. I laughed at the thought that maybe it was our minds making the light today!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">In the morning, Mukta Tai read out the story of Vivekananda’s childhood. Gaurav dada explained to us about how Vivekananda was a man with a mission. Then he took us out for the morning Dal. Ketki tai helped him out. We did a fun but creative game, where we had to come up with innovative uses of a mug. During breakfast Narayan dada told us that today would be a day of exercising. Morning to exercise the body, and afternoon to exercise the brain!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Dr. Tanuja Oak and Swati Joshi had come to visit us. They taught us some basic Yoga. Dr. Tanuja first told u about the importance of exercising, and how best to do it. The she asked us to do Suryanamaskar. We bended, stretched, flexed and breathed. Aoow! I need to practice everyday to get better at it. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">In the afternoon there was a fun activity, or so we thought! It was called 'Maha Manav'. We had to describe how our ideal 'super person' would be like, what qualities he would have etc. First we enlisted all the great leaders and great people we know. (Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Kalam, Sachin Tendulkar, and Kiran Bedi, etc.)Then we found what qualities made them so – visionary, spirited, empathetic, etc. Then we combined the qualities we thought best and important to give shape to our 'Maha Manav'.<span style=""> </span>My Maha Manav was a fabulous cook along with being a warrior! Could I be her one day?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">In the night we met Dr. Pratibha Kulkarni. She talked to us about how and why to take care of our health. I had a lot of questions in my mind, which she clarified in very simple language. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">After that we viewed the movie 'Spirit'. It was about the adventures of a horse. We had to identify all the feelings shown in the movie. It was very difficult to concentrate after a long tiring day. We all ran to our beds. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Sleeping that night I wondered about what all we did during the day. A lot of people had come to visit. Amruta Tai had come here even when her leg was broken! And all the other tais were always around us to help. Why are they so interested in us? Narayan dada always says that we are a topic of research, and we are unique in the world. What is this 'intelligence' that makes me this special? What do I do with it? I was fast asleep.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">On the third day morning, Pratibha Tai read out a poem called 'Aag Gadi ani Jameen' or 'The train and the Earth'. The way she recited the poem was so vivid. We could almost see the arrogant train zooming over the mountains inflicting pain on the Earth below. Then Amruta Tai explained us the rhyme, rhythm and feeling of the poem. We were learning how to personify things, how symbolism can be used to express complex ideas simply. It was truly enriching. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Just as we reached our artistic high, we were introduced to Science teacher, Milind Naik. He seemed to be a normal person, until he did all his magic tricks!! He could make a volcano erupt; sounds from broken pipes, letters appear on a white paper! But his biggest magic was, that he triggered our scientific minds. My little friend Sharad tried solving all the puzzles in front of us. Kiran too helped him out. Dr. Naik helped us understand that science can be fun when you start asking Whys? How’s? And Why knots? All answers lie in questions!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">By this time Sameena Tai asked us to do something very different. She asked us to do some gardening work. I didn’t know then, but it was an exam! I wish I had such fun exams in school! Sameena Tai was seeing how we worked in a team. She is doing a research about leadership amongst us and how it can be enriched. Slowly I am starting to understand what the theme of this workshop is. This time it was all about exposing us to varied areas where we can explore our leadership and team spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">In the evening, we played a few more team games. This time, I made it a point to be more organized in our group. As a result, we won in a relay race. It needs both individual and team efforts... we are learning fast isn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">But Bagicha gat won three games! I am sure they have better strategies than us. I must learn from them. By now, we all have identified something special in each one of us.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Running and jumping on the black farm soil made me tired, and I could barely keep my eyes open to watch the courageous boy in Home Alone!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">It was 14<sup>th</sup> January, and so we all ate 'Pongal'. It was a new preparation. I have never tasted it before. There are so many new things Deshpande kaku cooks for us with help of Dixit kaku! The night before she had made tomato soup. We drank it before dinner. When I go home, I will tell my mother and abba all about it. I want to give it my little brother on a cold evening! He will be very happy I came here!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">During breakfast, Amruta Tai talked about what this workshop were all about, what we will learn from them? She also talked about the five Kosha. All the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are slowly fitting in. It will be sometime before I can truly understand though. For now, I know I have to give my best in the workshop, teach my friends all that I learn and most important of all.. to be more AWARE of my surroundings. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Today we spent the day completing our work, packing and cleaning our Maher Ghar. Sashi Tai gave us some fun tests too. I am eagerly awaiting the results. These tests are very interesting!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">By evening we were all set to leave and it was time for our Entertainment programs. We heard many Gawlans, Bhajans etc from the Akash from (Terungan). They are very good at it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">It is always sad to say the goodbyes. Narayan dada made it easier by reading out the 15<sup>th</sup> Chapter of The Gita before we left. It made our minds calmer. Due to the serene sounds, everything that we did for the past four days got firmly imprinted. It will keep ringing for days.</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-34682784120529359942007-12-30T11:25:00.000-08:002007-12-30T11:32:25.759-08:00Sita- Wildflower in Tribal Niche<br />Monthly Report-November 2007<br /><br />Dear Narayan dada,<br /><br />Our first acquaintance was through your letter and so I am writing one in reply. In your first letter you wrote to me about my selection as a Mensan as well as about the Maher Ghar (Mother’s home) that you have been developing for us. You also informed me about the first workshop known as “Kartik Damodar” starting from 24th November to 29th November 2007.It has turned out to be the new beginning in the life of this wildflower from the Tribal Niche.<br />On the evening of 24th November, I finally arrived at the Maher Ghar. Huddled in the bus for around three hours with students from other schools, we arrived at the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Centre which is the Nishta Kendra, Kamshet tired and cold. You immediately made us sit down comfortably and spoke to us in a friendly manner. As we were all a bit cold, sitting out in the open, you first handed a dark green color monkey cap to all of us. There we sat, under the shed, all similar, all one, wearing a green monkey cap! You made it clear in the first instance that you were not our teacher, that we could call you by your first name cause we are all equal in terms of being Mensans and intelligent. You spoke to me like I was your younger sister and I was sure you would take care of me.<br />You put us into groups with other children from our school so as to make us feel comfortable. As we were trying to settle into the new places with so many unknown faces around us, you made sure we had comfortable place and things to sleep with. In the morning I was awoken by the sound of ‘Suprabhatam’. As the day unrolled before me I realized that this place had a different system. We were informed about a time table and were not forced to do anything but just reminded of our responsibilities.<br />How was this different from the school time table? Well, at Maher Ghar I was made aware of the tasks I needed to do everyday but I had the choice to decide when I would do it in the entire day. There was no bell as the one rang in our school but just shlokas to wake you up and mentors to guide us throughout the day.<br />As our mentors took us for a tour around the house I realized there was a specific arrangement in this Maher Ghar. Everyone had been assigned rooms and each space was identified by a name, by a God’s name with its use specified (Annexure I). I was staying in a room with all girls and it was called Govind Kaksha.<br />You gave us so many new things which I was free to use but also act responsibly as it belonged to my group and finally my Maher Ghar. The stationary box prepared with the material brought from Abhinav Pustak Mandir and the coloured sheets of paper prepared by Step-in copiers were one of the most new and liked part of the things. Apart from the stationary material, you had taken care of all the items of daily use required by us. Like you had written in the letter, each of the groups had their own toiletries like soap for bathing and washing, talcum powder, as well as a comb and hair-oil. Who would have thought that attention would have been paid to these needs as well? Each group was also given buckets and mugs, mosquito-coil, torch.<br />When you saw that on the first day as there was no school bell nor clocks, some of my brothers woke up 3.30 in the morning, you brought small clocks for us. These clocks showed the time, as well as you taught us how to set an alarm on it for the next morning. Blankets and carry mats to sleep on, plates, bowls and glass for each family member. There were also sweaters given to some of us who hadn’t brought any and they were given to us by Yusuf dada (Yusuf Jariwala).<br />The Maher Ghar was our own and thus we played our own part in looking after it. The five groups which were made by you were given five different responsibilities. Each group was assigned a color by which it would be easily recognized (Annexure II).<br />We were given the yellow color which was for the ‘Food Arrangement Group’. As we were a group of 10 girls we would be responsible for getting the food, serving it, disposing off left over food and putting everything for wash, cleaning before and after food in the Vishwa Kaksha. Slowly I know we will be given more responsibilities like helping in cooking the food as well as giving information to students about the benefits of what they eat.<br />You also appointed a leader and an assistant leader for all the five groups. I was not the leader this time. But you said that leaders would change every time and hence all of us would get he chance to lead. Thus each family member had a responsibility to fulfill. Similarly my brothers from the White group were in-charge of cleaning the activity rooms, keeping the toilets and bathrooms clean, keeping the centre surrounding area clean, keep shoes and chappals properly. Once these tasks are perfected, other tasks like organizing prayers and puja, taking care of electricity, attendance register and helping in cleaning vessels after meals would be added for them.<br />The boys from the Blue group had to arrange for Madh Pani (Honey in warm water) in the morning, serving water during meals, purifying water for drinking, arrange drinking water near activity rooms, water arrangements for washing hands and feet.<br />The boys from the Green group were in-charge of the garden. Their responsibilities consisted of tending to the garden, preparing a nursery and plantation, keeping the outside area of the clean. The Red group had some interesting tasks to do like arranging a notice board, seating arrangement, movie watching, library, board games and other game equipment, welcome and entertainment for guests.<br />There was so much to do suddenly. Then we were told to do prioritize the tasks and slowly add a task at a time to the group responsibilities. We all made a chart listing our own tasks and put it up in our activity rooms. This helped us remember who was appointed what task and whom we could help in their activity. Thus, this activity helped me in understanding the tasks, its details, how to organize, how to allocate the work between group members and fit it in given time.<br />Food was served to us with a lot of attention and care. You insisted we ate enough and were always given what we asked for. While eating, stories were being read for us. Our meals included vegetables, pulses, whole grains, rice, biscuits and milk and sweet like rice kheer or jaggery and ghee or sheera (sweet made of Semolina).<br />We also played many games with you. We competed with groups while playing relay races, then we played the voice modulation games and dog and the bone games.<br />This time you had done something very new for me. There was a small screen and a computer which played movies! And you showed so many different kinds of them. There were movies of animals and forests, and there was also a movie with people who didn’t talk but only made actions. I have never seen a man with such a small moustache (Charlie Chaplain) be so clumsy or create such chaos. The sound of our laughter together, you and all the children still rings in my ears. You also showed my Marathi movies like Sant Dyaneshwar and Shyamchi aai. I thoroughly enjoyed all the films I saw during my stay. One boy after the movie Syamchi aai cried. And you sat there with him at 11 o’clock at night.<br />You spoke to us every morning and I can still remember some of the important things you spoke to us about. You told us the importance of washing our hands and feet and keeping clean to avoid the entrance of Kali (disease or illness) in us. You told us the importance of sitting in an upright position, and corrected our postures. That would help the Brahma nadi to become upright thus allowing smooth flow of energy.<br />In the morning when we all got together soon after the Maun (silence) period, we all would chant ‘Hare ram hare ram’ and ‘Hare krishna hare krishna’ together. we all could feel the rise in energy in all of us as well as in the room.<br />You spoke about sharing amongst us and feel brotherly towards everyone, as we are all the same in intelligence. I did make some friends and I still have to get to know so many other members of this new family. Sometimes we would sit in our rooms and work on projects given by you and your team like doing a collage or writing a poem or a poster competition for the name of the group. Each activity we did, had its own importance, like you arranged for a competition for reciting shlokas. This not only encouraged us to memorize the shlokas but to learn how to say it together as a group with correct pronunciation. Then you also gave us a song which you had written for us. We also put a tune for it, five groups five different tunes.<br />I met so many new people; there were other intelligent young people who like us had been your students, like, Harshal dada, Chaitanya dada, Linata tai, Shruti tai and Anuja tai. Then there were also Sameena tai, Sashi tai and Varsha tai who had come to our schools during the Mensa test.<br />All that you have done to bring us here! Writing letters to each one of us to writing letters to our principals and teachers. And then taking consent from Kapse sahib (Project Officer, Ghodegaon) and school authorities to extend their support and cooperation for the project. Sameena tai and Sachin dada had personally visited each school to talk to the principals and schools about the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program.<br />As so many schools were not familiar with Nishta Kendra you made travel arrangements for all the children to be picked up from our schools and dropped back after the program. And as you have taught us, to give blessings instead of just saying thank you, I would like to do the same for so many people. To Sevadham trust, Chang Bhale (Wishing you good) to provide us the bus and jeep to help us get to the centre and then back to school. Chang Bhale to Kiran dada for helping with the travel plan. All the people who helped you in gathering the material for the workshop like Sukumar Beri, Sachin dada, Varsha tai, Amit dada, Chang Bhale for all of them. Chang Bhale to Dixit kaku for preparing such Sattvik (pious) food for all of us and Dixit kaka for taking care of things at the centre.<br />Chang Bhale for all those people who came from Pune to be with us, to teach us, to play with us. There was Deshpande kaku who looked after all our meals, Anjali tai, Devesena tai, Swapna tai and Neha tai who taught us new things. The four dada’s from Jnana Prabodhini who played games with us, told us stories and taught us new songs. They spoke to us about their school and lessons of respect and love and devotion for parents, our country and guests that they had learnt from their masters and in their lives.<br />Sashi tai who took care of us as well as worked on making a profile of each child by doing psychological tests and collecting information.<br />There were guests who cam to visit he center, Dr. Gore and Dr. Vadhokar from Sevadham Trust. As well as Col. Joshi, the Chief Mentor for Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program.<br />Chang Bhale to Dr. Vadhokar and Sevadham Hospital for providing medical treatment to one of my brothers. He had fever and dada immediately rushed him to the hospital with Amit dada. Then while Narayan dada went to get the teacher from Shaskiya Madhyamik Ashram Shala, Gohe Sachin dada stayed with him. Narayan dada also told me how Surve sir (Teacher) immediately came to the hospital and took care of the boy who was ill. He was present to leave the children to the centre as well as to take hem back to school. Such teachers who extend their support and co-operation to the program are essential and form an important link between the Tribal Mensa Project and the school authorities.<br />At the end of the four days, you even asked us what we liked or didn’t like at our Maher Ghar or what else would we like to have. I agree that we may have taken time to open up and start talking to you but you took the time to talk to each one of us. We all ate together, watched movies together, played together and had fun together. Remember how we were laughing and enjoying on the last day. We were all sitting in the Anant Kaksha and all the groups were performing plays or one of my friends who sang a song, another who cracked a joke and there were others who told stories. And this togetherness is what we need to build more amongst us. With our groups and group leaders we are to excel at the tasks we do, we need to be creative in what we do and we need to take responsibility for what we do.<br />Narayan dada you not only taught us new things at our Maher Ghar but you also told us what we are to take back from here to our schools. All the material you gave us was properly packed and returned to you on the understanding that it will be kept for us till we visit our Maher Ghar again. What we can take back to our schools is the things we have learnt here, like reciting prayers in the school, spreading awareness about maintaining personal hygiene, and sharing in school all that happened in the four days at the Maher Ghar. You have also told us to get you information about the Deorai (sacred groves) near our school. I will definitely do that. As you have given us so many gifts at the Maher Ghar, I will get you the gift in the form of the information about the Deorai around my school. I will observe closely everything in the Deorai using all my five senses as I have learnt from you.<br />And when you come next to visit me in my school, I will show all I have done. And then I shall return again to my Maher Ghar where once I learnt so much to and to learn so much more.<br />Your sister,<br />Sita.<br /><br />This is how I felt and what happened during the first part of the Nurturing Program. How did such a Nurturing Program come into being?<br />Once long back I had mentioned that Devasena tai and Anjali tai have been working on a concept for the Nurturing Program. Then Narayan dada, having read the Bhagwatam, Geeta and studying it, designed the Nurturing Program based on the five Koshas. These five Koshas which are:<br />1. Annamaya Kosha- related to healthy food and exercise<br />2. Pranamaya Kosha- related to the five Karmendriyas and five Jnanendriyas<br />3. Manomaya Kosha- related to feelings, and emotions<br />4. Vidyanamaya Kosha- related to intelligence<br />5. Anandmaya Kosha- related to spirituality and serving the society<br />The Nurturing Program is thus based on these five Koshas and we, the Tribal Gifted children will be taken from one level to another level. For such type of nurturing to express, to manifest the nurtured qualities a platform is essential. The platforms in this model are psychological, ecological and social.<br />The psychological platform will talk about inside composition of the Gifted Tribal students. The ecological platform will deal with relationship between us and the landscape. The social platform will emphasize our role in the community. Each platform at each Kosha is drafted with defined aim, objectives and method. The method includes psychological assessment, ecological action and social awareness. In this way the Nurturing program has been conceptualized by dada.<br />As has been explained in the nurturing program concept, the five Koshas are manifested not only through activities but also in the atmosphere of the centre, the time-table set for the children, the resources made available for the children and through the living and eating arrangements as well.<br />One can review the program in terms of the activities done through out the day or how each Kosha has been successfully introduced and implemented throughout the five days of the program.<br />1. Annamaya Kosha<br />Food: In the morning children were given Honey and warm water (Madh Pani) to drink. This helps to clear the digestive system and is a more healthy substitute for tea in the morning.<br />Food prepared at the centre was healthy, nutritious and Sattvik (pious). Food was prepared without using onion and garlic. The atmosphere during eating was created with care given to washing hands before eating, being served with love and care, children eating as much as they want. While we ate, a volunteer read out aloud a story or spoke about the different forms of Ganapati in different kinds of fruits and vegetables. This helped in creating an atmosphere which was calm, quiet as well as informative and interesting while eating. Narayan dada during food asked us to chant God’s name and recite shlokas (prayer). He also explained the meaning of the shlokas to us. As I understand eating and preparing food is a spiritual activity. It is performing ‘Yajna’. In the 15th Chapter of Sri Mad Bhagwat Gita, Lord Krishna said to Arjuna, that he resides in every body, be it animal or plants, in the form of fire (by the name of Viashwa). Eating pious food is like giving an offering to him. Thus, sweet, ghee (butter) and six different rasa’s (juices/tastes) are very much essential in our daily meals. He also explained how many Lord Vishnu’s forms are in the different food items. Thus, in this way he started explaining every action in terms of its principles (like eating food) which we performed daily.<br /><br />Exercise: Every morning from 7.30 to 8.30 am we exercised. We were taught Surya Namaskar by Anand dada. Posters with each posture in Surya Namaskar were put up around the centre for us to see and learn. The first three postures were performed correctly by all of us.<br />There were also outdoor games which we played to help us utilize all our physical energy. On the second day we played some games with Narayan dada. We had lots of fun; we made two groups and then had competitions among the two groups in the games. Games were based on team work, mental ability, observation skills, communication skills and concentration. After every game, Narayan dada explained the importance of the game and what skills were nurtured through it.<br />Volunteers from the Yuvak Vibhag (Youth club) at Jnana Prabodhini took a two hour playing session for us. They taught us slogans and told us to compete with each other. The boys played tug of war whereas we played langdi (skipping on one leg, trying to catch others).<br /><br />2. Pranamaya Kosha<br />Cleanliness: We were told the importance of washing hands and feet after visiting the toilet as well as before eating. We were also told about Kali (disease or illness) and the only way to prevent it was by maintaining personal hygiene. We already had one group appointed for keeping the centre clean as well as the Blue group making arrangements for soap and towel at specific places for washing.<br />For inner cleanliness we played a game taught by dada, it involved control of breath. This would help us to breathe more deeply and increase the intake of oxygen in our body.<br /><br />3. Manomaya Kosha<br />Sharing: We were divided into five groups and each group was given material and daily use items to be shared. This helped us learn group cooperation, sharing with one another and understanding each others needs. Incidents where there were conflicts among us were pointed at and criticized. We were encouraged to do not only our own individual tasks but also help others in their tasks and work as a group together.<br /><br />Entertainment: We saw a lot of comedy films. We enjoyed the films with the whole group. There were also sessions where we were encouraged to come up and perform songs, plays, jokes in front of the whole group. This helped us gain confidence and the whole group was able to enjoy together.<br /><br />4. Vidyanamaya Kosha<br />Creativity: We were encouraged to write poetry. In our stationary boxes we were given varied pens, colors and other stationary to experiment with. Another activity involved making collage out of photographs given to each group. A poster competition with the theme of “Name your group based on a religious place” was also held. Lastly we were also asked to choose an animal to which we had a similarity in nature or personality with. This helped us make associations with different animals.<br /><br />Observation skill: Observation was introduced to the us through 3 activities. The first activity was to make observations of an object given to each group. The mentor for each group helped us make observations using all five senses and demonstrated the same. My group was the Yellow group and the object given to us was a potato. As we were trying to make observations, Sameena tai helped us by once asking us to close our eyes and just feel the potato in our hands, smell it. Then Narayan dada also came and he made a short poem instantly asking questions to the potato, talking to it. That made us all smile and helped us think more about what we could write about the potato. The second activity involved taking all the five groups out for a walk where we would make observations using our five senses. Then each group was asked to assemble all their information together and represent it using a drawing, a map, a story, a poem etc.<br />The last activity for Observation involved looking at a picture and writing down all that one can observe. We were also asked to think of what must be the past, present and future of the picture as well as what were our feelings or thoughts on the picture. Each group then presented their observations to the whole group.<br /><br />5. Anandmaya Kosha<br />Serving others: We were encouraged to serve others as well as work for the centre, our Maher Ghar. As mentioned above each group was given a task involving working for the centre as a whole and doing things for the other children, like serving food, water, maintaining cleanliness of the centre etc.<br /><br />Short talks: We were always spoken to with respect. We were also asked to respect all the guests and mentors who came to the centre. While the guests or resource persons left us we were taught to say Chang Bhale (Wishing you Good) as a gesture of gratitude. There was also recitation of prayers and we were told the importance of praying to God.<br /><br />Story-telling: We were told short stories or personal experiences through which one could bring out values like respect, devotion and love for parents, the feeling of love with which guests are taken care of in our culture.<br /><br />In this way the four days unrolled with the five koshas intermingled through each activity, action, thought or thing present at the Maher Ghar.<br />After the 4 days were over, I am sure the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program team members had to complete other work as well. I know that Sashi tai made an inventory of the material purchased for the workshop. In this accountability would be maintained and they will get a clear picture as to the requirements for the next program.<br />Then of course there was a meeting at Thane, Mumbai with Disha Foundation Trust. There amongst all the Non Governmental Organization, the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program was presented to all and so many people got to know about us. Now having completed the report for this first workshop, focus is being given to preparing an expenditure statement for the workshop.<br />Having done all of this I, Sita hope to have my dreams come true. To have a Maher Ghar where I have the freedom of choice is a dream in itself. I know I will need to work harder. Not only do I have to do my regular school work but now there is added responsibility to do the work for my Maher Ghar. So let me get back to work and I will write to you soon.<br />Sita (Wildflower in Tribal Niche, Looking for Disha, To experience Santosh in My Life)<br />(Monthly Report, November 2007)<br />Written by: Ms. Sameena Manasawala<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Annexure I<br />ROOM ARRANGEMENTS<br /><br />Ground floor Name Assigned for<br />Room 1 Keshav Kaksh Women teachers and resource person<br />Room 2 Madhav Kaksh Women teachers and resource person<br />Room 3 Govind Kaksh Tribal Mensans Girls (10 Girls)<br />Room 4 Dhyan Kaksh Prayer, library, movie, activity room<br />Room 5 Anirudh Kaksh Grocery storage<br />Room 6 Osari For shoes, brooms, rangoli<br />Room 7 Padvi Kitchen<br />Room 8 Anant Kaksh Dixit family<br />Room 9 Vishwa Kaksh (Shed) Food, activity, exercise, games<br />Room 10 Nishta Kaksh Exhibition, meetings, activity<br /><br />Toilets were assigned as one downstairs for Tribal Mensans-Boys, one inside the Tribal Mensan Girls room for their use. One toilet outside for Women resource persons and Dixit family.<br /><br />First floor Name Assigned for<br />Room 1 Shri Krishna Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)<br />Room 2 Shri Ram Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)<br />Room 3 Vaman Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)<br />Room 4 Parshuram Kaksh Tribal Mensa- Boys (10 boys)<br />Room 5 Shri Dhar Kaksh Teachers/Volunteers- Men<br />Room 6 Damodar Kaksh Activity room, storage room-stationary<br />Room 7 Anant Kaksh Activity room, Entertainment<br /><br />Toilets on the first floor were assigned for the teacher and resource persons only.<br />The Vedvyas Kaksh on the outside was for Narayan dada, guests and government officials.<br /><br /><br />Annexure II<br />Group division/Assigned tasks/ Mentors<br /><br />School Group color Task Mentor<br />Malegaon, Aasane and Kohinde White Cleanliness in-charge Shruti, Anuja<br />Vadeshwar and Terungan Blue Water in-charge Sameena, Swapna<br />Gohe Green Garden in-charge Harshal, Anjali Joshi<br />Phulawade and Tokawade Red Entertainment in-charge Chaitanya, Sashi Sarvade<br />Girls only Yellow Food in-charge Linata, SameenaTribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-81045189263784304872007-10-16T09:09:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:29.384-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7_BM1AXvoSA-ZSrYzTmPjt4rVXCsLtAAb8LQav6yISDH8T_5f3OUFiDUrL7PZ2wPuCEaHV8DeHEeEzGrCprjIjrmMy6y6m5ow8QDK2m85CkhTRuhwlKMWuaiXvE-kC_rfOBiovzx5yc/s1600-h/DSC00426.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7_BM1AXvoSA-ZSrYzTmPjt4rVXCsLtAAb8LQav6yISDH8T_5f3OUFiDUrL7PZ2wPuCEaHV8DeHEeEzGrCprjIjrmMy6y6m5ow8QDK2m85CkhTRuhwlKMWuaiXvE-kC_rfOBiovzx5yc/s200/DSC00426.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121970499222352210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGp94TMs6jnmLW6DMrPA2a-teVape9S0AO0f1fIwBuuJEb_9oYJ-XbY5Ck7T1sdjNRk3sOwGeHE-5RT2qzRXSGyVelPW8NfnMso40J_hjI7j509-ke3QiXI5qKUpTK_DQOBWXdzXRtZg/s1600-h/DSC00423.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGp94TMs6jnmLW6DMrPA2a-teVape9S0AO0f1fIwBuuJEb_9oYJ-XbY5Ck7T1sdjNRk3sOwGeHE-5RT2qzRXSGyVelPW8NfnMso40J_hjI7j509-ke3QiXI5qKUpTK_DQOBWXdzXRtZg/s200/DSC00423.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121970241524314434" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPudjJjzHu68CXLl2_AUaFYp_8XT7S0UtRFdXOgpHM-jo_HZRqEchT5hW5GUBF8ZK2UUbQh7KgEKug19PbeVZJrEHhtMBuWCF0jNuv-DTG6g15xRrrzHRkDa-7B6wdD6sQXZXZsh85SE/s1600-h/DSC00416.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPudjJjzHu68CXLl2_AUaFYp_8XT7S0UtRFdXOgpHM-jo_HZRqEchT5hW5GUBF8ZK2UUbQh7KgEKug19PbeVZJrEHhtMBuWCF0jNuv-DTG6g15xRrrzHRkDa-7B6wdD6sQXZXZsh85SE/s200/DSC00416.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121970061135687986" /></a>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-16679636802647844282007-10-11T03:48:00.000-07:002007-10-11T04:05:53.493-07:00Sita- Report for August-September 2007<strong>Sita- Wildflower in Tribal Niche<br />Monthly Report- August and September 2007</strong> <br /><br />Flowers are in full bloom everywhere, they are yellow and orange, white and pink and the leaves on the trees look greener and the grass sways in the breeze. The monsoon has quenched the thirst of The Mother Earth, the trees, the dried river bed, and mine. I got wet in the rain and sat along the flowing, gurgling stream, near my school for long hours. We played in the rains, the boys bathe in the stream, we saw the cattle graze happily on the green grass that covered the ground around the school. It is the time of the year that makes me very happy, because it is this month of September when Ganapati bappa (Lord Ganesh) has stepped into our homes, our lives, and our prayers. <br />After adequate monsoons, Ganapati bappa, the Sukhkarta (Happiness and prosperity giver) and the Vighnaharta (The remover of obstacles) arrived, as the second phase of the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program started. <br />The month of August saw the completion of the first phase of Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program. In this Identification phase 2200 students were screened from 12 Tribal Residential schools in four talukas of Pune district. Jnana Prabodhini Institute of Psychology worked at the scoring and interpretation of the test scores. <br />Out of the 2200, 64 students were identified as Mensan that is, having high IQ (98 percentile and above). Out of the 64 Gifted children, 50 will be chosen for the second phase of the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program which is, the Nurturing phase. 50 children from 8 Tribal Residential Schools, in Maval, Khed and Ambegaon talukas of Pune will participate in the nurturing program. As the project has its own administrative, financial and other limitations of resources it will be unable to include all the 64 Gifted children.<br />Varsha tai who has joined the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program team from the month of September, is organizing the complete database of the Identification phase. A report has been sent to Kapse sir, Ghodegaon and the funding agencies that have supported the team throughout the first phase. The reports have also been sent to the eight schools, requesting the principals to cooperate and help in bringing the children together for the Nurturing program. <br />Each of the 64 children will receive a certificate which states that he/she has qualified for Mensa. Kedar dada, is very good with graphics and has been working at designing unique and creative certificates for those who have been identified as Gifted. He has also designed the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program logo as can be seen on this page. <br />Ganapati bapa has brought good news this year, for me. I, Sita have been selected for this Nurturing Program. I am grateful to Lord Ganesha for this opportunity. Shri Ganesh has made sure that a new door has opened for me. Now I will make sure that I enrich myself with all that I see, hear, touch and feel once I enter the door. There will be many others like me there, from different schools and villages. They will be my friends, my new family. <br />The first phase thus, involved identifying the schools for screening, organizing and training Test Administrators for the Mensa test and finally conducting the Mensa test in the 12 Tribal Residential Schools. The Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program proposal included screening of only 1000 children. With support from the funding agencies as well as the team from Jnana Prabodhini Institute of Psychology and Sachin dada and Sashi tai a number like 2200 was achieved. The database has been prepared and the certificates for all the children who qualified for Mensa will be distributed in October which will conclude the first phase of Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program. <br />Now they have come this far, what is further down the road???? is the question in front of the team. The purpose of screening Tribal children for Mensa was to nurture the Tribal Gifted children to become leaders of their own village and community. When one says nurturing, the questions that come to my mind are, How? Where? When? <br />The answer to the first question, ‘how’ can be answered by Anjali maushi (Mrs. Joshi), Devasena tai and Sameena tai who are working on the concept for the nurturing module. The nurturing program has been conceptualized keeping in mind the main vision of developing Tribal Gifted Leaders from among the identified Tribal Gifted children. The main tracks which have emerged from the brainstorming sessions are exploration in the physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual areas for the Gifted children. After going through this basic process of exploring one’s own and others abilities, strengths and areas of improvement in all these areas, the Gifted children will explore leadership and vision building for themselves as well as their family, school, village and society. <br />Dr. Usha Khire, chief mentor and founder of Jnana Prabodhini Institute of Psychology has been providing constant support and guidance in the process of preparing the module. Having worked in the field of Giftedness for more than 30 years, she has been kind enough to share with the team members her experience of running programs with children and youth. A very young member of the group, Amruta Limaye who is a Mensan herself, currently studying in Mumbai is working on the human development aspect of the nurturing program. Suggestions from all mentors and people working in related fields will be assimilated and synchronized to develop, a, one of its kind Nurturing module for the Tribal Gifted children. <br />So many questions arise in my mind about the program. Why are they doing this program? People coming from the city, will they understand me and other children from the villages? What do they have to give me and what can I learn from them? I don’t know how they have developed the program for us. I wonder with so many children and so many different interests of each of us, how the program will nurture our potential. Or is it going to be like a school day, where we will have a math period and then science and then history? Or will they give us lectures or make us write all day long?<br />I am looking forward to an unfolding of all these questions when we meet them starting from November, 2007. <br />The second question ‘where’ can be answered by putting forth the idea of Nishta Kendra at Mauli nagar in Kamshet which will be used as the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Centre. Narayan dada has conceptualized the centre as:<br />Nishta wherein-<br />N stands for Nature, I stands for Intellect, S stands for Synergy, H stands for Habitat, T stands for Tribal and A stands for Ambassador.<br />Therefore, Nishta is Nature and Intellect Synergy Habitat for Tribal Ambassador.<br />A Tribal Mensa Nurturing Centre development proposal has been conceptualized for the above centre. It includes the purpose of this centre as well as the infra-structural development required to develop the centre for the nurturing program. <br />This centre within the next five yeas will be developed as an eco-friendly, scientific, nurturing niche for the Tribal Gifted children. The centre in-charge will be Narayan dada, Principal Investigator of Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program with an assistant in-charge, Devasena tai. <br />The Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program will run for 18 months where the 50 Tribal Gifted children will come together at the Nishta Kendra once a month for 3 days. They will arrive on Friday evening and will be at the centre until Monday morning. <br />There have been so many visits to the Nishta Centre, Kamshet in the last two months. Each time the team visits the centre, they think of all the minute details and facilities which will be required during the program. And then, they go about organizing and planning for those facilities. For this Col. Joshi, has been very helpful. He has made visits personally to Kamshet, to check the progress of the work and to visualize the future needs of the program. The team really appreciates his efforts and guidance. <br />At the Nurturing Centre Dixit kaka and his family are working hard to put things in working order for us. I thank them too.<br />One interesting thing about the Nishta Kendra is about its name. Nishtha tai, a lady who is from a country called France and has been living in India for the last 40 years. She had donated the Kendra to Sevadham trust, Pune. They have committed the Nishta Kendra to Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program for a period of 5 years. Narayan dada and Sameena tai had gone to meet Nishtha tai last month. She is such an active person and full of ideas and enthusiasm. The team explained to Nishtha tai the concept that has been visualized for the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Centre. Nishtha tai was very happy that the Nishta Kendra will be used for nurturing the Tribal Gifted children and she has promised to be present at the opening ceremony of the Nishta: Tribal Mensa Nurturing Centre on 9th October, 2007. <br />It will not be long before I visit the centre myself. On 9th October, 2007 for the opening ceremony of the centre, the funding agencies, Kapse sir, mentors as well as other resource people connected with the program will be present. The school principals as well as some of the identified Gifted children will be present on that day. I am waiting eagerly to meet all the other children who have been selected, like me. <br />Prof. Laak who teaches in the University of Utrecht, which I have been told is far away in a country called The Netherlands has agreed to be present for the opening ceremony. It will be wonderful for the team to be supported by so many people.<br />Narayan dada seems to be slowly building an army of people. An army, that will take the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program all the way, an army who will build 50 Tribal Gifted Leaders in different villages of Pune. This Army is the foundation on which the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program will be built in the coming months. <br />One of these foundation blocks includes Urban Mensan children who are going to be present at the opening. They are all excited to know their counterparts from the Tribal areas and are reaching out to support the program. <br />So many people are coming together to help the team develop this centre. Cynthia Ramseur from U.S.A has sent National Geography and Discovery CD’s and DVD’s for us to be able to learn through different mediums. Thank you Cynthia tai (sister) for this wonderful gift! There are others who are looking into other details like collecting books, CD’s, stationery, games and other material to well-equip the Nurturing Centre. Thank you all! <br />Mr. Rajesh Date has been kind to help the team with infra-structural facilities of the Centre. I am grateful to him too. Abhinav Pustak Mandir is all set to send books for us to set up a unique library to quench our thirst for information and satisfy our souls with inspiration. <br />Then there is Kiran dada who has been an integral part not only in organizing the Identification phase but also taking care of many of the administrative logistics of the Nurturing phase as well as in the development of the Nurturing centre. I appreciate the interest shown and the contributions made by each of the individuals. <br />This month, Lord Ganesha also gave an opportunity to the team of Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program to visit ‘Samvad Shala’ for the hearing impaired and mentally retarded children at Lonavala. Mrs. Renuka Kotak was the crucial link in having the team and the school trustees of the Samvad Shala, meet each other. The school is just starting out and they have wonderful dreams of developing it further so as to accommodate more children from the surrounding areas. The teachers, there were full of enthusiasm and dedication could. It must be very difficult to be motivated to mentor these children. And Mr and Mrs. Damle, are two of the most inspired people working for this cause. <br />Through Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program, Mr. Shrinivas Desai and Mr. Rohit Desai donated clothes and toys for the children at the school. The team is thankful to them for being so generous. Through this army we have been able to reach out to hundreds of other people who have made inquires about the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program and are standing by to provide support and help.<br />Mrs. Renuka Kotak has also been helping the team to collaborate with people that may be beneficial for the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program. She is very touched by the idea and has been constantly extended support and appreciation to the team’s efforts. Through her it was <br />possible to meet Mr. Tiwari and Dr. Ranjitsigh Bhogal who are from Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute. They are involved with training teachers in yoga which will aid the mental development of children. <br />All these people and many more have been generous with their words of appreciation, support as well as their in-kind donation and other contributions. I and of course all the other children are thankful to them all. <br />I await meeting the other children who like me have been selected for the program. Maybe together one day we can do something to make you all be proud of your investment in our growth and nurturing. And with this desire I pray to Ganapati bappa who will aid us and bring us success and happiness in our journey. <br /> <br />Sita (Wildflower in Tribal Niche, Looking for Disha, to experience Santosh in My Life)<br />(Monthly Report, August- September 2007)<br />Written by: Ms. Sameena ManasawalaTribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-21278124760775701802007-09-04T23:00:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:29.583-08:00Testing in progress at Tribal Residential School<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKvWPAtjlcKah4BIO0gleYbfbHs0wE7J0xansR7_0bS5Jw91NptlWVRtZabzqkJJkj0Dq7LTsXcM1Uh_gGn1Qd4FKiKR27IGkSo5V-vPbs_7eLWucBSXzjz_6jznyLJNqm9Kehe2ufFM/s1600-h/Testing+in+progress+at+Terungan.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKvWPAtjlcKah4BIO0gleYbfbHs0wE7J0xansR7_0bS5Jw91NptlWVRtZabzqkJJkj0Dq7LTsXcM1Uh_gGn1Qd4FKiKR27IGkSo5V-vPbs_7eLWucBSXzjz_6jznyLJNqm9Kehe2ufFM/s200/Testing+in+progress+at+Terungan.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106597428695583138" /></a>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-55002304867507945612007-09-04T22:51:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:29.768-08:00Government Tribal Residential School at Tokawade<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnK7mWL_v5c16Olh6Q04l1qLRPneB2qIhyNgncytnzY8WFOHMub5cMBIV3ZkUiogBiddjxpbSnVk-PPHOIRseiWGJFUY2e0vm59mmV0OP_I0dREPfpSxqFH1NCgQgslNs8ElpcnK89eI/s1600-h/Tokawade.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnK7mWL_v5c16Olh6Q04l1qLRPneB2qIhyNgncytnzY8WFOHMub5cMBIV3ZkUiogBiddjxpbSnVk-PPHOIRseiWGJFUY2e0vm59mmV0OP_I0dREPfpSxqFH1NCgQgslNs8ElpcnK89eI/s200/Tokawade.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106594250419784066" /></a>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-11071997351267135492007-09-04T22:40:00.000-07:002007-09-04T22:44:39.810-07:00Sita- Report for July 2007Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program<br />Sita- Report for July 2007<br /><br /><br />The first phase of the Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program (TMNP), which is identifying Gifted Children from Tribal Residential Schools, begins in the month of July. The test administrators and coordinators of TMNP team have been very busy organizing visits to Tribal Residential Schools for the Mensa test.<br /><br />While talking to the funding agencies about the needs of the children and the Tribal Schools, Narayan (Principal Investigator) realized an important point. Teachers, who are such an integral part of the growth and development of children here, need to be included in the program as well. For the holistic and continued development of children it is important to have a program for the teachers who are going to be in close contact with children. Hence, the Tribal Teachers Training Program was conceptualized and designed by Manas Tatva for TMNP. <br />Manas Tatva is a charitable organization who has previously worked extensively with children, parents and teachers. This program will help in improving the quality of education by exposing the teachers to new skills and techniques helpful in classroom situations. <br /><br />The TMNP team welcomes a new mentor on board, Col. Joshi (or kaka as I will call him). Kaka is helping the TMNP team immensely by being the concrete that keeps things together. His foresight has helped the team to prepare for emergencies and his guiding hand is always there for support and encouragement. <br /><br />Along with guidance from kaka, Sachin dada and Sashi tai made preparations for the Identification phase of TMNP. Arrangements like travel, accommodation and test material were made by Sachin dada. Sashi tai was incharge of contacting the schools, getting lists of students appearing for the test as well as forming a team of trained Mensa test administrators from Jnana Prabodhini Institute of Psychology.<br /><br />For travel, Sevadham Trust, Pune was helpful and let the team use their vehicles for the Testing program and the Integrated Tribal Development Project was helpful in providing an idea about the number of children in each school in the age group age 10 to 15 years. <br /><br />The first phase of TMNP began on the auspicious day of Ekadashi on 10th July, 2007. As the Palakhi with the Warkari’s (pilgrims) entered the city of Pune, a team of psychologists rode out to the Tribal Residential Schools. The first school where Mensa test began was in Government Secondary Tribal Residential School, Vadeshwar in Maval taluka. From there then the team went to Malegaon and then to Khed taluka. <br /><br />A total number of 10 schools have been visited by the team and 1891 children have been screened in a period of 15 days. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />When the TMNP team came to my school, I recognized Sashi tai and Sachin dada instantly. During the morning assembly our Principal told us about Mensa and asked all of us to co-operate with the guests. I helped Sashi tai to organize all the children in one class. All children were given: <br />• A writing pad<br />• Pencil<br />• Eraser<br />• Shubham Karoti (book)<br />• Harit Sandesh (book)<br /><br />I was thrilled at the sight of a new red writing pad. The books had short stories and poems which I was eager to read. The test lasted for 2 hours and I attentively listened to tai and did as she explained. It was a new and interesting test we did. <br /><br />The Identification phase is still to be completed. Evaluation of the test is going on simultaneously at the Jnana Prabodhini Institute of Psychology. <br />I am eager t find out how I did on the test. Te reports will be out by September first week.<br /><br />As the Identification phase was running, the team was simultaneously planning for the Nurturing Program. The Nishta Centre at Kamshet which has been proposed for the Nurturing Program needs to be prepared. Work at the centre has been discussed and a proposal has been prepared for updating the centre. <br /><br />All these people have been such an integral part of coming so far in the rains in search of us little ones. I would like to thank all the schools for letting the TMNP team to reach out to us, children. Also thanks to Sevadham Trust for generously giving their vehicles and for kaka to have come and be a part of the team.<br /><br />Sita (Wildflower in Tribal Niche, Looking for Disha, To experience Santosh in My Life)<br /><br />(Monthly Report, July 2007)<br />Written by: Ms. Sameena ManasawalaTribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-43052604473140306372007-07-31T03:11:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:29.922-08:00Student reading book Shubhamkaroti received after Mensa Test<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN70H67r_IcvtxTmX52B8OAkvCE6Ls8Y40L5Jk0nS3jkJ1YQ_ktwm7dN-wjp2xa81VergUoBy5E9nqOeaoFvyF_936Q-DoNJr3SIaw_F-puJNa9S3ybDEEDj4lAPNWxUuLlHbFZYtwlU/s1600-h/Student+reading+from+the+book+given-+Shubhamkaroti.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN70H67r_IcvtxTmX52B8OAkvCE6Ls8Y40L5Jk0nS3jkJ1YQ_ktwm7dN-wjp2xa81VergUoBy5E9nqOeaoFvyF_936Q-DoNJr3SIaw_F-puJNa9S3ybDEEDj4lAPNWxUuLlHbFZYtwlU/s200/Student+reading+from+the+book+given-+Shubhamkaroti.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106595096528341394" /></a>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-72517345945667250442007-06-20T20:03:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:30.165-08:005th June 2007 Earth Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EAyEPXTECvy4vZbF812NhkODatt_K6-NAgrOqXn_xOEps0NIBSzbK0yBx1TesbKbkvhXP-5BtCkOlDcgnwohSK6L7YzHUesz_okPhLoDY8t2EjY9LlevNNTvOPnyxeAI0sLcVgROqno/s1600-h/5th+June+2007+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078348645077092626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EAyEPXTECvy4vZbF812NhkODatt_K6-NAgrOqXn_xOEps0NIBSzbK0yBx1TesbKbkvhXP-5BtCkOlDcgnwohSK6L7YzHUesz_okPhLoDY8t2EjY9LlevNNTvOPnyxeAI0sLcVgROqno/s200/5th+June+2007+028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-65344989622380397462007-06-20T19:59:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:30.474-08:00Earth Day Program 5th June 2007<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7_LDj-JPDGT9vvPOXTrpMoW-f3LYFa5g3-k_FbHGqXxBkdhNfR9p-AG9qEtvbEWV84CImPhsFGFMdwl9jJdQbmOhSI-Vt4ONyQeSgj3mgs_9nX1IsrWzQd346LFk2oWkIgAhE2XmppQ/s1600-h/Mr.+Kapse+distributing+Environmental+Gifts+to+Tribal+school+Authority.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078347713069189378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7_LDj-JPDGT9vvPOXTrpMoW-f3LYFa5g3-k_FbHGqXxBkdhNfR9p-AG9qEtvbEWV84CImPhsFGFMdwl9jJdQbmOhSI-Vt4ONyQeSgj3mgs_9nX1IsrWzQd346LFk2oWkIgAhE2XmppQ/s320/Mr.+Kapse+distributing+Environmental+Gifts+to+Tribal+school+Authority.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-15596852743630516922007-06-20T19:56:00.000-07:002007-06-20T19:59:42.234-07:00Sita......Waiting for MonsoonMay- June 2007 Report<br /><br /><br />Do you remember Sashi tai, Sachin dada, Sameena tai and the white car that had come to my school? I met them yet again on a very special occasion. It was a day when one should celebrate Mother Nature’s birthday. The Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program (TMNP) team came to me on that day with Gifts and Blessings from Mother Nature.<br /><br />Before I begin to tell you about the occasion I would like to tell you about all the work that has been done by the TMNP team last month.<br /><br />The way I work in the school, the TMNP team works in Pune. They have established their office at B-2 Sulochan Park, Kothrud.<br /><br /> For the project to run smoothly and get support from the government the TMNP team met Project Head, Mr. Kapse of the Integrated Tribal Development Project (3rd May,07). Mr. Kapse extended his support to the project and has authorized the running of this project in the schools of the four talukas of Pune district. The team visited his office (14th May, 2007) at Ghodegaon where they were able to access information about the school. The staff at Ghodegaon was helpful and shared with the team the maps of the four talukas which will help them to find the route easily to my school.<br /><br />With all the above information and some of which was earlier collected from the schools, the School Profile Formats were thus completed and filed for database.<br /><br />The team has also been successful in creating a Blogspot of Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program. The blog (www.tribalmensa.blogspot.com) displays my story as well as all information regarding TMNP. With the use of the blogspot my story has reached people across the world. So many people have shown an interest in TMNP and have contacted the team for further information. A lot of people are curious about my story and want to interact with me. They want to talk to me, know more about me, be able to see me, hear me.<br /><br />The Niteingale Charitable Trust has extended their support for the project as well as other individuals (Mr. Shroff) who have sent material for the program (CD’s, books). The Abhinav Pustak Mandir, Pune has also given material like pencils, erasers and books in discounted prices for children like me.<br /><br />When I spoke to Narayan (Principal Investigator for TMNP) he told me that what has given him so much clarity about TMNP is the detailed Project Proposal conceptualized by his team. The proposal contains detailed steps with time lines as well as a list of requirements for the program, thus making its execution very clear.<br /><br />The upcoming phase of the project is Identification which involves identifying children who are Gifted. This involves playing games and puzzles that Sashi tai had told me about. For this she is preparing testing material and packing it. Also other friends of Sashi tai (Test Administrator) who will come to our school with her are getting trained. Like we prepare for our exams they are preparing for visits to our schools. For this Dr. Usha Khire (National Supervisory Psychologist) and Dr. Sujala Watve (Head, Jnana Prabodhini Institute of Psychology) have been utmost helpful.<br /><br />The TMNP team has simultaneously been preparing for the second phase of the project which is the Nurturing Program. For this several meetings with Dr. Gore (Sevadham trust) have been held and gathering of material and building infra structural facilities for the Nurturing program have set in motion. Visits to the Nishta Arogya Kendra at Kamshet (14th May/ 11th June, 07) which will be the centre for Nurturing program have been made and work like cleaning, fencing and roofing of the centre is in progress.<br /><br />Let me come back to the day when I once again met those people who had come to my school. The special occasion was on 5th June at Ghodegaon. I had come there with my Aba (father) for some work and was surprised and excited when I saw some familiar faces there.<br /><br />There was an unusual hustle bustle at the office. There was a huge banner with ‘TRIBAL MENSA NURTURING PROGRAM’ written in English in blue color as well as names of people who are supporting this project (Integrated Tribal Development Program and Sevadham trust) and those who are sponsoring the event and the project (Disha Foundation and Niteingale Charitable Trust).<br /><br />There were some unfamiliar people as well. I got to know about Anand dada who has recently joined the TMNP team. Narayan was saying that Anand dada has stood first in his class (M. A. Psychology) in the University. Everyone clapped for him and looked at him with admiration. This really inspired me. Even I would like to stand first and get the recognition from so many big people.<br /><br />Then I also met Amruta tai. She said she was doing her Ph.D. like Anand dada and Sameena tai. I didn’t understand what it is but I think it’s a very high degree especially for a girl, I suppose. She said she was working on Traditional Ecological Knowledge. She said it was concerned with the importance of traditional values and how they can be made a part of the educational syllabus and be taught to us in school. This is one of the most important gifts that has been passed onto us by our ancestors and through our culture and it is important that we not lose it, rather keep it alive and active and make it a part of our lives.<br /><br />Then they all gathered in the hall upstairs where principals from all the schools run by the government were present. Mr. Kapse spoke to the principals and informed them about TMNP. He mentioned in his speech that the TMNP team would not only work directly with children but also try and work with the teachers for their own growth. So I guess, my teacher would also be going to classes (Teacher Training Program) like me and everyone would learn different things and share it with each other, how wonderful!<br /><br />Everyone seemed interested and waiting to know more from Narayan. Narayan firstly presented a set of books and CD’s to Mr. Kapse and all the principals belonging to the four talukas where the project will be running. I am from one of those schools so my principal also got one set. It contained:<br />Prabodhan Geete containing 60 motivating songs for children<br />Chatra Prabodhan- 11 volumes<br />CD of Prabodhan Geete with 17 songs<br />Parichi Shala (Fairy’s School) containing 4 VCD’s of 36 songs to help children learn alphabets, 1 booklet and 1 slate.<br /><br />The principals were also given a Certificate for their ‘involvement and innovative outlook in the field of education’ as a token of appreciation from the TMNP team.<br /><br />Before beginning his talk Narayan said a shloka. Always begin to do anything with a prayer, my aaji (grandmother) tells me. It seems Narayan dada like me, listens to his aaji. And so I have also begun writing my story by the same shloka.<br /><br />He then spoke about the importance of 5th June, Vasundhara Diwas (Earth Day). Well, who or what is this Vasundhara, I wondered. It seemed to me like Vasundhara is a beautiful devi (Goddess) like Laxmi devi. Like we pray to Laxmiji who is the Goddess of wealth, Vasundhara is Mother Nature.<br />If I imagine Vasundhara she would be draped in brown and green with roots growing out of her feet and beautiful flowers on her body. With birds sitting on her shoulder and soil in her hand, she would be the devi to whom people offer their gratitude for the gifts of Nature. Her hair would be like the flowing water of Ganga, and people would be praying to her for the deep blue water of the river and the fertile soil for the crops. Like Laxmi-ma is adorned with jewels and has power to bring wealth and prosperity to us, Vasundhara would have the power to purify the air, to revive dead forest land, to bring back the endangered animals and birds to bring back the harmony with which we used to stay in nature. She has the gifts of the immense potential of our natural resources but if not taken care of she will have no gifts to give us but the degrading land, the depleting forests and the polluted waters.<br /><br />Anand dada said he would be working with something concerning the environment as well. He would be working on Naturalistic Intelligence which people as well as children especially like me who stay closer to nature than people in the cities, have a gift of understanding, adapting and recognizing features in the natural surroundings. He is going to emphasize on such kind of Intelligence and enhance it to prepare leaders of the future who know the importance and the ways in which to achieve the objective of natural resource management and conservation.<br /><br />In this way there have been new additions to the team of TMNP. There is going to be so much to learn from so many people and about so many things.<br /><br />I am thankful to God for giving me such satiating gifts in the dry summer. Certainly the dancing monsoon will bring with it the rhythm of Shiva, the chanting of Brahma and the love of Vasundhara (Mother Nature).<br /><br />I, Sita (cultivable land) am waiting for an opportunity to blossom once again in the wilderness.<br />Should I thank the school, the government, the funders, the TMNP team or the opportunity given to me by Almighty God through them?<br />It is this question that I carry over with me………….<br /><br />Sita (Wildflower in Tribal Niche, Looking for Disha, To experience Santosh in My Life)<br /><br />(Monthly Report, May 2007)<br />Written by: Ms. Sameena ManasawalaTribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-59529056745235188392007-05-15T13:31:00.000-07:002007-05-15T22:28:47.125-07:00Request<div align="justify">Date: 15th May 2007<br /><br />Hi,<br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Let me introduce myself. My name is Narayan R. Desai. For 8 years I have been working voluntarily for Mensa India as executive council member, Gifted Child Program. By Profession I am a restoration Ecologist and heading Society for Ecological Restoration-India chapter for 10 years.<br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Mensa India Pune Chapter is working in Tribal area of Pune district (Maharashtra State, India) for last five years. During that period, Mensa International recognized tests were conducted in Sevadham Tribal Residential School in year 2003. Surprisingly 4 girls scored 98 and 99 percentile score. That means there are qualified as Mensans. Mensa India Pune Chapter which is charitable organization based in Jnana Prabodhini is thinking of conducting Mensa tests for 2000 tribal students from Pune District (Khed, Rajgurnagar, Andra Maval and Junner). Identification of tribal Mensans will be pilot study which will in turn help in nurturing this intelligence in societal benefits.<br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The mission of the project entitled “Tribal Intelligence & Aptitude: Identification and Nurturing” is to identify talent among tribal children & youth with help of standard testing methods and nurture their talent for their own and community development.<br /><br />This is to request you that please provide support, guidance and advice to the project. I am looking for help in following areas; (Age Group: 10-15 years, tribals)<br /></div><div align="justify">1. Children story books and activity books<br />2. DVD, VCD’s on Nature & Science<br />3. Educational DVD’s, VCD’s<br />4. Back issues of National Geography<br />5. Intelligence Games & Puzzles<br /><br />Soliciting your cooperation,<br /><br />Yours truly,<br />Dr. Narayan R. Desai<br />Executive Council Member, Gifted Child Program,<br />Principle Investigator, Tribal Mensa Nurturing Program<br />Mensa India, Jnana Prabodhini Bhavan,<br />510 Sadashiv Peth, Pune 411030 India<br />Ph. No. 091-20-24477691, 24478095<br />Email: <a href="mailto:nrd1675@hotmail.com">nrd1675@hotmail.com</a>, <a href="mailto:nrd1675@gmail.com">nrd1675@gmail.com</a></div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-29024625351728721702007-05-15T12:17:00.000-07:002007-05-15T22:26:25.875-07:00“The Journey with ASMAE”<div align="justify"><strong>New Chemical Reaction is taking place</strong><br /><br />Introduction with ASMAE -: People always say that there is a network of good people existing in the space. It is a matter of opening your receivers and trying to catch those signals from that network. This network does not have boundaries and limitations, it is the fastest network than any existing network which began in 2000, and two modes of this network got directly connected by different servers. The servers were placed distinctly apart from each other, sometimes I wonder how this works! Anjali from Chennai, Devasena from Pune, Pauline from ASMAE France, Dr. Narayan from Mensa India, Dr. S. V. Gore Sevadham Trust made this journey happen.<br /></div><div align="justify">Here onwards the journey begins ---<br /><br />Concept formation- Three organizations, ASMAE France, Sevadham Trust, Pune and Mensa India, Pune have one commonality that is care, comparison and concern about human beings and holy Mother Nature.<br /></div><div align="justify">This common factor has played a role in conceptualizing, crystallizing and compiling the idea of workshop for the tribals. Brainstorming, creativeness and communication skills of representations of their organization formulated the workshop structure and functions.<br /></div><div align="justify">Innovative and creative ideas of ASMAE volunteers, expression ability of a MENSAN and enthusiasm of Sevadham Trust are the three main points of the triangle. The sides of this triangle are health, education and environment. Keeping this triangular concept, the unique consortium started its journey.<br /><br />The Consortium -: Responsibility sharing, respect towards each other and recognizing the abilities of each other forms one more triangle which holds three points, that is Mensa, ASMAE, and Sevadham Trust.<br /></div><div align="justify">The Chemistry -: For effective execution of the concept, the consortium comes up with a chemistry of work. In this chemistry there were two components, reacting with each other with a help of catalyst on a substrate that is TRIBALS and the end product was nurturing their capabilities. This chemical reaction is additive and ever lasting. This reaction started its journey in the year 2001.<br /><br />First step of the journey-: With triangular concept in mind, the consortium with the help of its chemistry started journey and took its just step not on moon, but in the world of tribal. I think this step carries same significance as the first step on moon. In both this worlds one has to have three C’s Concept, Consortium and Chemistry.<br /><br />In year 2002 a group of seven ASMAE volunteers more than so Mensans and 80 tribal along with their teachers tool part in this journey. The journey started to know each other, to share with each other and develop with each other. So there was no hierarchy. Singing French and local songs, sharing stories, exchanging ideas, puppet shows, enjoying Indian food, playing on ground, made this journey memorable. In this chemistry of consortium life time bonds were created, which are very difficult to express. I think experiencing and being a part of this bond one can explain to himself how it works. This bond will strengthen the network in some in future and trigger off some other consortium, some other concept and some other chemistry of some other journey.<br /><br />Second step of the journey -: If only once something is done we call it luck or coincidence. But if we repeat that then surely we can call it a journey. If the concept, consortium and chemistry are accepted then the journey can progress with other travelers. In the year 2003 different French volunteers, more than 25 Mensans of different age groups and new tribal group of 100 students took part in this journey. Repeating earlier year’s activities, religious procession and overnight stay of ASMAE volunteers in the school campus tightened the bond more strongly.<br /><br />The achievements -: It is said that when Lion starts its journey after covering a distance it turns back and looks behind to evaluate the mileage. When this consortium will turn back and evaluate not mileage but the achievements [mile and stone] surely it will see that it has covered much longer distance than expected.<br /></div><p align="justify">Concept of teacher training program and execution of the program for one year regularly is one of the outcome of this journey. Tribal teachers from different schools were nurtured and helped to explore their own capabilities. To make them more effective in their teaching this journey is with different concept. Different consortium, and different chemistry, but off shoot of the main journey.<br /><br />Concept of tribal intelligence, identification and nurturing of the tribal intelligence is the outcome of the main journey. First ever four tribal intelligence girls [Mensans] were identified from Sevadham Tribal School.<br /><br />I am thinking of a new journey, with a concept that identifying such Tribal intelligence, nurturing them and fostering them for their own community development. For this journey I am requesting ASMAE to be a fellow companion.<br /><br />Looking forward-:<br />In a journey one has to look forward and decide milestones and put full efforts to achieve those.<br />Tribal intelligence nurturing program<br />Teacher training program for other schools.<br /></p><p align="justify">ASMAE workshops, are three milestones that one should look for .The journey has just begun like an eagle let’s spread the wings in this beautiful horizon, let’s have the birds’ perspective, and let’s concentrate on the target and dive with help of gravity to achieve the target like a bird. But all these things for tribal, with tribal.</p>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-58021916287761930362007-05-15T12:11:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:30.650-08:00Sacred March<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJYh3121mos1Y4YAl_u5cWqBM3zvMK-sQM7cHVc6q7bBL2wJeXhUSu7-varlUnNa9CoOFZ6vn1tF6d2eRO3zEWztaVxl82j4aPp9kfxjbHRroJ_Mgc7PlPB3Upiy5i-AWm0nSMlQQ1JQ/s1600-h/Picture15.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064867608728138082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJYh3121mos1Y4YAl_u5cWqBM3zvMK-sQM7cHVc6q7bBL2wJeXhUSu7-varlUnNa9CoOFZ6vn1tF6d2eRO3zEWztaVxl82j4aPp9kfxjbHRroJ_Mgc7PlPB3Upiy5i-AWm0nSMlQQ1JQ/s320/Picture15.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We Started Restoring the Degraded Sacred Groves by Restoring Ancient Rituals & Festivals.</div><div> </div><div>The Students organized Tree March from one Sacred Grove to unother one, taking gift from deity (in form of tree) to unother deity...........Exchange of indigenous plant species from same landscape......</div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-47785596973920703952007-05-15T12:09:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:30.771-08:00Lets Draw Our Colourful Dreams on Paper<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYczv-nFupXOA0hfI2ppcwtlKt9RwDkyuybNcS-Y4TiK7CYlQ2-fMVtAfBnT1BfSJ7A6bzVLvOiOT4lnkDIE6dlrqZqk-sMjbuFUV0zXO-WtD39cEO9KTguA9GkY1OKqx8jQP5YfNKL6c/s1600-h/Picture13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064867063267291458" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYczv-nFupXOA0hfI2ppcwtlKt9RwDkyuybNcS-Y4TiK7CYlQ2-fMVtAfBnT1BfSJ7A6bzVLvOiOT4lnkDIE6dlrqZqk-sMjbuFUV0zXO-WtD39cEO9KTguA9GkY1OKqx8jQP5YfNKL6c/s320/Picture13.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-50055802281317849842007-05-15T12:07:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:30.893-08:00Tribal Students Nurturing Activity with ASMAE, France<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_JUiG8qiKx6CQlitobuSIycDxtd1pyveyG0GeMo-d0PVljz9wlK0qQssDzwHOYpbz6ckfciMvhkEUYCwQBoiDkCNB_WoqHYJnsLVpPlx1Swxtl-XXW1IUx6hE3j6RzfHL0OSrCnS4vY/s1600-h/Picture14.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064866303058080050" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_JUiG8qiKx6CQlitobuSIycDxtd1pyveyG0GeMo-d0PVljz9wlK0qQssDzwHOYpbz6ckfciMvhkEUYCwQBoiDkCNB_WoqHYJnsLVpPlx1Swxtl-XXW1IUx6hE3j6RzfHL0OSrCnS4vY/s320/Picture14.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-66302449569650923402007-05-15T12:06:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:31.058-08:00Collect Indigenous Plant Seeds<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OD1tyxvDb_CsbYsy-zv69AjWaFzAUv-QI_QRbi3oVd0Ip_YPrbw4fXXqzjg1hT6kfv9Y219J5xnMOFxpaL7eXsDn9x2VGK44qYVYdl84XTUpRWea3hLDr2tuiVk2Y8UlP-n1KZZzbEI/s1600-h/Picture11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064866019590238498" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OD1tyxvDb_CsbYsy-zv69AjWaFzAUv-QI_QRbi3oVd0Ip_YPrbw4fXXqzjg1hT6kfv9Y219J5xnMOFxpaL7eXsDn9x2VGK44qYVYdl84XTUpRWea3hLDr2tuiVk2Y8UlP-n1KZZzbEI/s320/Picture11.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-74244992299969435732007-05-15T12:03:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:31.210-08:00We are Growing in Numbers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCbEKvt0COT4R9xZUc5AXl9DdKQ2FcDg9N0njqBlG9SldziZ8EPRLJtdf_wO7eMlutLU-ZCggtM_v4Me9DFczUaEdEy7qKMW3oxUOIb0MTJWsscNtjKpW_xNgMvqhle0kBvf5Ii3tltI/s1600-h/Picture9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064865358165274898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCbEKvt0COT4R9xZUc5AXl9DdKQ2FcDg9N0njqBlG9SldziZ8EPRLJtdf_wO7eMlutLU-ZCggtM_v4Me9DFczUaEdEy7qKMW3oxUOIb0MTJWsscNtjKpW_xNgMvqhle0kBvf5Ii3tltI/s320/Picture9.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618207456063605202.post-16649363312487826962007-05-15T11:58:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:12:31.364-08:00Lets Pray for Knowledge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHdMmXmGHWnnEDWH-532t-KKtYIclGW3NTEMFnZuumUfP_yO-tFTuReXa_FkwjqB4IXhjCGnhIKwy0gBanIABdGmVgoYnTLw_yF68g2ocE4Kc8DpUh1rix5OkpVeRoqxU_KECXbLM1GQ/s1600-h/Picture4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064864885718872322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHdMmXmGHWnnEDWH-532t-KKtYIclGW3NTEMFnZuumUfP_yO-tFTuReXa_FkwjqB4IXhjCGnhIKwy0gBanIABdGmVgoYnTLw_yF68g2ocE4Kc8DpUh1rix5OkpVeRoqxU_KECXbLM1GQ/s320/Picture4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Tribal Mensa Nurturing Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06947313952162376070noreply@blogger.com0