Feb 24 - 25 Krydem, Hokey Pokey

As our dinner from Klew settles, we have more at Kyrdem. People gather to see us, and we are captivated by the young secretary of the village, Silnangroi. He understands English, but has difficulty speaking his passion in it, so we watch as he spills forth in Khasi and Biron summarizes. Politics, Economics, Education, and Health are his topics. As the evening advances, people leave and new come in until we are in the middle of an unusual SHG – five men who are passionate about literacy, for themselves and for the village. Self Help Groups under Indian law may apply for funding with 10 members minimum, but Lindy and Biron encourage this group to form anyway with the help of the British Boland trust, for whom Lindy has been researching, to thrive, then apply to the state as an established group, pushing for modifications of the law.Arki Kshiar, Joyful, Jrin Nongrum (church spokesman),Biron, name unknown, Silnangroi, Lindy and Gail. By this time, the school head teacher has pledged to resume evening classes, and the SHG has pledged to take there learning to the villagers other evenings. We feel we have witnessed the beginning of a quiet revolution.
Next morning we walked back to the main village to have breakfast at a church-member's home. It was early and I took about 60 pictures as the sun rose through the ground fog. Next, the obligatory visit to the school. After the usual ceremony and visit, we sit before the gathered students and ask for questions. After the usual (Where do you come from, how old are you how many children.....), one wag in the back asks 'Will you dance for us?' Gail said, 'If you dance with us.' A double circle formed, and Gail, Lindy, and I (!), danced and sang (Gail's choice) the 'Hokey Pokey'. Not until we dropped out and David lead, did all but the littlest join in. Our moral was 'be careful what you ask for'.