Great news from our volunteer teacher

You may recall that even though our Classes at the Lake programme has ceased, a few of our volunteer teachers continue to help underprivileged children. One of them is Mr. C.S. N. Iyer (read about him here). Two of his earliest students were siblings Pooja and Praveen. Praveen who didn't know a word in English when he began his classes under Mr. Iyer five years ago has scored 91% in the SSLC exam. He has a B in only one subject. Pooja has secured 75% in PUC. Both of them want to study Computer Science. 

Mr. Iyer is trying the children with their college admission and  needs to raise Rs. One lakh twenty thousand (Rs. 1,20,000). It will be great if you can help him and the children. Mr. Iyer's email id is: csniyer77@aol.com.

Regards

Usha 

The best laid plans ...

Just when we don't want a shower, it rains and how! Last week we'd requested BBMP to remove the Salvinia Molesta, growing in front of the slum side. It was prevented from spreading everywhere by the alligator weed, another invasive weed which, thankfully, spreads less profusely than the dreaded Salvinia. The contractor was supposed to begin work soon after Diwali. Yesterday at around 3 p.m., while we were inspecting the Salvinia infested area, it began to rain sending us scampering for cover to the Gazebo. We were joined by a few others and our volunteer teacher, Mr. Ramakrishna Rao shifted the class to the security cabin. His two students are preparing for the 12th board exam and cannot be disturbed on any account. 

The rain continued and our 12 foot long level marker which was a good foot or more above the water, submerged. Within an hour, the Salvinia side too went under water. Now there's just a thin strip of alligator weed acting as a barrier! Our plan to remove the Salvinia manually was well and truly scotched. Perhaps we should revise our plan and get the Salvinia weevil from Trichur! Not for nothing did poet Robert Burns say that the best laid schemes of mice and men/often go awry. 

The photos show how the water level increased after yesterday's shower, post the last major shower on 6th October.

Usha

6th Oct 2014

25th Oct 2014

6th Oct 2014

25th Oct 2014

6th Oct 2014

26th Oct 2014 (Pic: Geetha Srikrishnan)