136 children from five of Martin’s after-school centers, on five separate days, went on a 250km train ride (a novel experience for them!) to a place called Keeladi during their winter break. Keeladi is an active archeological site with excavated objects dating back 2,500 years. Museum exhibits displayed objects excavated from the site, and children enjoyed a video which depicted various stages in the development of the Tamil Nadu culture.
On the way home, they stopped at Sivaganga to visit the palace of Velu Nachiar, an 18th century queen and freedom fighter. After the British East India Company attacked and captured Sivaganga in 1772, killing her husband and forcing her to flee, Velu Nachair formed an all-woman army and, 8 years later, successfully recaptured Sivanganga from the British.
A surprising hero and a celebration of culture. This trip bolstered the children’s pride in their culture and re-shaped their view of themselves. That’s empowerment!
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