“Namaskaram” “Nandi”
To take an estimate, I might most likely say that I’ve stated these two phrases 600 occasions over the previous week (“namaskaram” which means good day and “nandi” which means thanks). I haven’t fairly learnt the phrase for “sorry” and “good” but so I’ve thanked somebody for stepping on their foot and stated good day to somebody who requested how I used to be doing. However hopefully the sentiment was nonetheless conveyed.
I’ve at all times been a eager traveller however battle to choose up languages. After spending 4 steady summers in Italy with my buddies, I managed a number of phrases however would in any other case stay mute throughout discussions with their household. I ponder if I got here throughout as cool and mysterious or thick and aloof… Most likely the latter.
Fortunately everybody I’ve met in Kerala has been understanding thus far and I’ve been considerably capable of talk by a collection of gestures, head nods and hums. Pictured beneath is my perpetual expression of confusion as I try and navigate the intricacies of Malayalam.
To backtrack for a second, I ought to introduce my LiA and why my vernacular has been lowered to a handful of phrases and phrases.
Six months in the past, I made the choice to enroll to the CraftHER program in Kerala. CraftHER goals to amplify the voices of feminine artisans whereas championing moral style and conventional craft. On a extra day-to-day foundation it entails working with organisations working in these areas to study from them and supply to assist with sure areas of their enterprise.
After I was first despatched an e mail in regards to the central LiA initiatives, I used to be sat in a restaurant for purely Keralan delicacies in Leeds. I additionally at all times cherished style in order that facet got here as an excellent shock. I could not fairly imagine it once I learn the outline of the mission. The CraftHER program instantly had my coronary heart (and abdomen).
Earlier than coming, I did not fairly know what to anticipate. The place could be staying? What would we be doing? Who else was going?
As we started our induction we came upon extra about this system and what we’d be doing. It began to piece collectively. We have been to be taken on a totally transformational journey, working and studying from a various vary of individuals and organisations whereas creating our management expertise and attributes. And this could begin with a yoga session within the morning.
As somebody who struggles to get up for a 9am lecture, 7am yoga was a painful begin. Stretching muscle tissues that had by no means been used earlier than and channelling my respiration by every nostril (with my deviated septum) proved to be a battle however one week later I stunned myself with beginning my non-yoga days with a solar salutation. I can’t say that I’ve fairly gotten used to the early begin however I’m feeling extra in contact with my internal yogi (namaste).
Yoga very first thing within the morning proved an important preperation for our first mission with Save the Loom.
Save The Loom goals to protect conventional weaving practices. It was initially based in response to the 2018 floods in Kerala which devastated a lot of the state and disproportionately affected the group of handlooms in Chendamangalam. Save the Loom initially began as an initiative to help weavers impacted by floods however its founder, Ramesh (pictured above), recognised that many weavers didn’t return to this career. This underscores a wider decline within the workforce of weavers. Save the Loom seeks to proceed this custom.
Throughout our time at Save the Loom, we learnt in regards to the wealthy historical past and context of Kerala’s craft sector. Our journey included excursions of a number of weaving workshops, offering an eye-opening expertise which contextualised the problems and challenges confronted by this trade. This expertise not solely deepened our understanding but additionally impressed me to change into a extra aware shopper.
On the finish of our mission, we have been tasked with producing a doc for suggestions to enhance Save the Loom’s advertising and outreach. As our first mission, we have been all reasonably apprehensive about what we’d have the ability to produce however managed to rally our efforts collectively to supply a complete social media plan with instance photos and proposals for future content material.
The most important problem to the primary week was settling into a totally totally different setting whereas working on the identical. It served as an important problem for me in each my private {and professional} journey. Now I am certain the subsequent time I begin a brand new job, it will not really feel hardly as troublesome to settle in!
