This week we have had visitors from Bangalore. Christoph, originally from Germany, and his Indian colleague Boicha visited to get to know the Shikha eco-learning-village site because we are planning to collaborate on establishing a flexible self-learning space for our local community. The Bangalore team at “Project DEFY” (Design Education For Yourself) specialise in setting up such spaces, which they call “Nooks”.

We enjoyed a few intensive days of exploring options and getting to know each other. This was also a welcome opportunity (for Ulrike) to speak her native language with a fellow German. In our self-learning space, people would come and use a range of tools and equipment to develop new interests and pursue individual projects. The aim is to move away from rote learning and teaching to the test, and instead experience the power of self-directed learning journeys.

Christoph and Boicha shared their views about Shikha with us at the end of their visit.