SEED Partners, supporters and friends -

My new computer - a state-of-the-art lemon, born with fatal flaws - 
experienced a final crash (may it now suffer in hell), ending months 
of agony... for me, not the computer.  A couple of days ago a 
computer whiz passing thru Madurai managed to patch up my old 
machine, at least temporarily; I only hope it survives long enough 
for me to let you know some very exciting developments at SEED.

In their annual exams, SEED students exceeded even our high 
expectations.  They registered a "PASS" RATE OF 98% (compared to a 
65% rate state-wide).  Results for the upper classes of SEED students 
were -

*12th (2 students): 1 "distinction," 1 "first class."  Krishnaveni 
(whose father is deceased and mother is blind) will be entering Lady 
Doak College for women, studying B.Sc. in Zoology/Biotechnology; 
Maruthanayakam will go to the American College for men, studying in 
the same fields - so the two will be able to work together and share 
their strengths.
*11th (14 students): all "pass" (no final exam grades are given in 
11th)
*10th (11 students): 7 "distinction," 2 "first class," 2 "pass."

Here, 10th grade is the end of "high school." The scores received in 
these exams determine in which courses (and which schools) the 
students can pursue their next 2 years of "pre-college" studies.  In 
these exams, SEED students averaged higher marks than almost all 
schools in Madurai.  For all of Madurai, Noorul Shahidha was in the 
top 5%, and Anish Fathima in the top 1%!  The 10th students have 
chosen to continue their studies in:  sciences & math (7), economics 
& accounting (2), computer science (1), and health sciences & arts 
(1).

Doubtless these results themselves are extraordinary; even more so 
because all SEED kids come from among the socio-economically most 
disadvantaged communities in the area.  The support, academic and 
personal, that they receive from a group of dedicated volunteer 
tutors makes such a tremendous difference!  But exam results are only 
one component - though an essential one - in the educational process 
that SEED promotes.  (Our volunteer in-charge, Karthi, recently 
advocated that we change our name to "SEED Holistic Education 
Centres" to emphasize this.)  Extracurricular activities will always 
be a key aspect of SEED.  A few of these during the school holidays, 
for example, were:

*30 senior students attended a 2-week "leadership" seminar with daily 
discussion groups and guest speakers from Madurai's academic, 
political and social service communities.

*25 of the most promising science students (6th to 12th grades) met 
for 11 hours a day in a 12-day "science camp."  College volunteers 
led theory and hands-on lab sessions covering topics from basic 
atomic structure to genetic engineering.  At the students' 
initiative, the camp was extended by an extra hour each day so that 2 
students could be "scientist-of-the-day" and report on their 
individual research into the lives of various world renowned 
scientists.

*22 students (mostly girls from 6th-8th grades) participated in a 
5-day drama workshop, with a professional director and a senior SEED 
student as advisors.  They lived together on a campus near Madurai, 
and produced a wonderful play.  Having made their own sets and 
costumes, they then put on the play for more than 600 parents and 
friends during our 3rd anniversary celebration of the opening of the 
first SEED Centre.

*60+ students spent a week outdoors learning various genres of 
folk/village performing arts - dance and music.  Their week concluded 
with performances before a sizeable crowd at the Gandhi Museum.

Needless to say, we're extremely proud of all these kids.  And more 
importantly, they're proud of themselves!  (It hasn't hurt their 
pride, either, to have their pictures, and stories of SEED 
activities, reported 12 times in Tamil newspapers, 5 times in an 
English one, and a couple of times on local TV in the past few 
months.)  Though only a tiny drop in an ocean of social denigration, 
if they can develop self esteem and a lively sense of self-worth, 
it's bound to be at least locally contagious!

All but the college students are now back into the daily rigors of 
their school routines, and the 3+ hours of evening classes at SEED 
Centres.  We have a total contingent of more than 200 who are 
regularly attending classes at the 4 Centres this year.  It's not all 
drudgery, though; the weekends are still full of fun, mind-expanding 
activities.  Lots of work, lots of play... and lots of learning!  And 
the kids never forget that it is the support from all of you that 
makes this possible.  THANK YOU!!

On a personal note:  I appreciate your patience during these last few 
months of communciation breakdown... computer dependency can be 
dangerous to your (mental) health!  For as long as this old computer 
holds together, I'll do my best to get out individual messages to 
SEED Partners about your students' progress (along with the letters 
they've written to you), and to respond to those of you who have 
asked for info about becoming a SEED Partner and/or contributing to 
SEED in other ways.  The new computer should be overhauled or 
replaced during my July visit to the US.  After my return (late 
July), cyber-communication channels will hopefully remain open so 
that regular SEED updates can resume.  For now, with sincere 
appreciation from us all - Ted