For many years now we have been incubating the possibility of a Post School Program for our youth
who want to explore their interests much beyond the schooling years.
The main wish for such a program – KIZUNA, has been :
A year-long curriculum co-created by the student, and a mentor from the student’s chosen field – an
alternative path to explore one’s passion through a combination of apprenticeships, academic study,
and dialogue.
Intention
– Empower an adult (youth) learner
– Self – driven learning (with guides/mentors)
– Create agency – to take responsibility to learn
– Learning from a Context in the real world
– Learning specific skills through Apprenticeships
– Driven by the youth’s patience and interest – with support
– Learning as a consequence of doing
– Prepare a Portfolio of work
– Culminate in a Final project
– Spend time in Documentation
– Guides/Mentors support the youth learner with resources, technology and meaningful feedback
Saanj, one of our youths, chose to embark on this learning journey, and was keen on exploring
Sustainable Fashion. She was mentored by Harpreet Singh, a friend of Shibumi.
As we navigated this exciting learning journey together, the possibilities and experiences we
witnessed were nothing short of a miracle. Support, suggestions and conversations within the
community, made it possible for her to never feel alone. As intended and hoped for, she spent an
academic year, deep-diving, and working rigorously with various aspects related to Sustainable
Fashion, and Design. She organised a few ‘Show-and-Tell’ Exhibitions during this period to showcase
her learning for the community, where KIZUNA truly felt as an extension of Shibumi. When further
education is led by a deep interest and anchored by passionate mentors, it feels like the entire world
opens up as a university.
Saanj is happy to invite you all to get a glimpse into her year-long learning journey here.
