May was a month of fresh starts, curious hands, and plenty of learning under the open sky. Jeevanshala reopened after the summer break with children arriving full of energy for the new semester. The centre got a fresh coat of paint, yet its bamboo spaces and grounded spirit stayed just as they were. Children began Math lessons by building their own weighing scales from discarded bottles and sticks, and started typing practice with plenty of curiosity.
When the heatwave hit, Hindi classes moved under the shade of trees. Maths lessons explored volume through water measurement, and the newly painted black walls turned into surfaces for practising shapes and drawings. Students from TISS visited and spent time with the children, who shared stories about their villages, their culture, and the practical ways they learn. PE Team Leader Priya introduced Frisbee after attending a workshop in Assam.
Making, testing, and observing. Artist Educator Grant Fellow Goldy joined us through the Artist India collaboration, working with children through art, touch, and observation. In science, children tested protein in different foods, learnt about types of roots, and explored natural and synthetic fibres before trying the basics of weaving. Hindi classes explored vowels.
For the Saturday workshops, senior students learnt sewing, while younger children wrote and shared stories in a reading circle. In another session, students observed Jeevanshala closely and described their favourite and least favourite spaces in detail.
From homemade scales to woven threads, May showed what happens when children learn by doing, observing, and creating. We can’t wait to see what June brings.
