by Sabriye Tenberken The English term “survivor” is used too often and too lightly. These days, everyone who has surmounted a minuscule difficulty like overcoming a cold or passing an exam is a “survivor”. While we effortlessly incorporate these terms into our daily communication, it is easy to lose the deserved respect, both for the […]
By Chacko Jacob As we pulled into Akhina’s house, we were met with a yard full of exotic plants and creepers that covered every inch of available space. Her mother’s love of house plants, which Akhina wrote about in her personal profile, was now before my eyes. Akhina’s love of flora differs from that of
by Sabriye Tenberken A few years ago, I overheard a conversation between my brother and my mother. My mother had bought pens, brushes, and colours, stretched a canvas and was about to start painting. But there was the fear of starting, the fear of defacing the immaculate white canvas. My brother is an artist and
“I hope so…” By Chacko Jacob, It was a quiet Sunday morning at the kanthari campus on September 5th,2021 when Joseph Christophe Kone awoke to news of trouble back home in Guinea. The country’s armed forces had captured the president after gunfire in the capital. A special forces commander then announced the dissolution of the
“Accessibility for the disabled can only be considered in times of peace. To survive during disasters, we have to be prepared beforehand to live under all thinkable circumstances.” – Nematullah Ahangosh. By Sabriye Tenberken I still remember the day our blind students returned somewhat confused from a city tour with the Lhasa Disability Bureau. The
What is worth fighting for Read More »
by Sabriye Tenberken Many kanthari graduates who have managed to overcome the first hurdles, feel just like we did back in our early years in Tibet. Even when we have clarity in our direction and successfully overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, sooner or later we all fall into a hole that is difficult to get out
Amid a network of like minded people Read More »
by Sabriye Tenberken “Everything is difficult, and every day there are new challenges. But luckily there are two of us. When one gives up, the other has still enough energy to push us forward again.” Their accounts remind me of our own start-up phase, almost 25 years ago. Back then, Paul and I had the
by Abhilash John – founder of Khoj India has the highest number of youths in the world. But Indian culture is known to be conservative. That means that it is, in general, clinging to traditional values and that it is averse to change. The socio-cultural upbringing, combined with the education system, plays a huge role
The Great Indian Treasure Hunt Read More »
Puneet Singhal talks about growing up with a stammer in a poor part of New Delhi, and how it and his mentor inspired him to start an initiative aimed at empowering people with speech differences. My life journey has been a rollercoaster so far. I was born in New Delhi, in one of Asia’s largest
a humble start to my life Read More »
Scaring a Dead Man By Nematullah Ahangosh The women were pacing in peace, Big smiles on their faces, Their distant laughter faded, Heading to unknown paths. I asked, Oh sisters, pray for me, Yet they didn’t hear. The men came marching, Big bodies carrying their heads, Long hands hanging from shoulders, Big steps speeding up,
scaring a dead man Read More »