GTKY, Inspiring reads and Karapincha (#21)

This week, has been a lot of fun and I will tell you why - very simple, GTKY.  GTKY = Get To Know You. 

That’s exactly what our Educator team has been busy doing apart from interviewing, workshops and onboarding students. They have been spending time getting to know their students. 


We’ve divided the students enrolled so far into classes now and the whole Educator team is working very hard to ensure they have a good understanding of not only their future class but each and every Avinya Academy student! Every student matters!


“Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world." - Malala Yousafzai


From Educators to our brilliant Technology team - They have been very busy this week. I look up at our whiteboard as I write this and I see a heap of diagrams and then a whole lot of acronyms. Some are now familiar to me MDM (Mobile Device Management) and BFF (Backend for Frontend). There are also new ones I need to learn 🙂 Baby steps I tell myself.

Also, a very warm welcome to Yujith who joined us last week as a Software Engineer. We are very excited to have you on board!


On the Communications side, Lakshman continues to spread the word down in Bandaragama and share our story. He was also interviewed on TV for his new book. You can check it out here: 

https://youtu.be/BiMNrDF2lt4


The Operations side of the hive has been busy too. Nihara’s been swirling in lots of procurement this week and the Technology team has been busy setting up devices and supporting our team of Educators in set up and testing. We have another few weeks to fully test out devices and see how we can adapt them to work best for our unique context. 


It’s a great vibe of learning and fun in the office these days!


“Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin


There’s more…



Finally, I shall leave you with some thoughts inspired by early morning nostalgia and karapincha :)


Last year this time, Avinya you were only a dream. I didn’t know your name, I didn’t know your shape, I didn’t know your purpose (well not fully).


A year, 12 months and 365 days later, I know your name, I definitely know your shape and I am wrapped in your purpose.

We all are at Team Avinya!


Why go down this particular road of nostalgia? Well, I was mulling over the theme of this week’s blog and three things weighed on me: Power of Possibilities, Passion, Purpose and Pruning.


The fab Ps :)


  • Possibilities


Did 2022 go by and you wondered where the year went?


  • It did go by very fast but then I did a personal reflection and inventory of the full year. It showcased that it flew by in a whirl of much possibility. With possibility came challenges but what’s life if not for those right?
  • If you haven’t done your own inventory, I’d suggest trying it out. It’s a great reflection exercise. Especially at the start of a brand new year. I think you will find you will be amazed at all the possibilities of 2022 and beyond. 
  • If your inventory isn’t what you’d hoped, maybe it is time to change perspective? I have been there, where I’ve been stuck in a rut and limited by imaginary walls. 
  • The world really is your oyster. Own it!


  • Passion and Purpose


I like to put these two together as often as I can. 


  • When you wake up in the morning, what are your first thoughts? 
  • One thing I learnt the hard way is that your passion and purpose needs to encompass all facets of your life or else you will burn yourself out on one end.
  • Prioritizing the whole you is important and not just the side that is the loudest. It’s like kids in a class, remember the quiet underdog has a lot to offer. I know this well. I was one of them and sometimes still am :) So, am very partial to underdogs ;)


  • Pruning


Ok, here’s where my karapincha story comes in. 


  • My karapincha tree looked like it had definitely had better days and my mum in law visited us the other day and showed me its plight. Her suggestion was for her to have a go pruning it. I nod emphatically and happily as unfortunately green fingers isn’t something I have a lot of (I dabble and if the plant is particularly persuasive it sees the light eventually :).
  • A week later, my karapincha tree is flourishing. So, what’s my point here? Karapincha and fried cashew is a great snack! I digress. 
  • My real point is that sometimes to have possibilities, passion and purpose a little uncomfortable pruning is needed to emerge stronger and better.
  • It’s good to take some time to reflect on pruning needed in your life. Every time I see my karapincha tree I’m reminded of just that :) 


“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new” - Socrates


That’s it from me this week 🙂


  • Anju



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#51 Triumphant Milestones and Unstoppable Momentum

Image
Hello dear readers, Graduation day had finally arrived, and it was nothing short of a massive success in all our eyes! As each student proudly received their certificates, the homeroom teachers shared heartfelt one-liners that echoed the unique journey each student had taken at Avinya. In true Avinya fashion, we faced a few hiccups here and there (we perhaps should not have put our Executive Directress in a saree on this important day) but all in all it was a beautiful day that showcased the culmination of hard work and dedication from the first batch of the Empower program. Our educator Ilma, has some thoughts to share about this day as well! "I can do things you cannot. You can do things I cannot. Together we can do great things." - Mother Teresa That’s a wrap! When I was asked to take the lead in organising the graduation ceremony I accepted without batting an eyelash; not because I was confident in myself, but because I was confident in my team. We work together like clog
Read more

Vocational Magic in the Works #45

Image
Greetings dear readers, I’ve taken the floor yet again, collaborating with a couple of educators to document another eventful week at Avinya! The week commenced with a burst of excitement as intriguing developments unfolded in all three vocational areas. Vidushi and Dee have some wonderful thoughts to share with us about them! A highlight this week was the Jetwing training which spanned three days. During the three days the students explored what is unique about being in the hospitality industry paying special attention to the importance of quality service. They also worked in teams to explore difficult situations that could occur in their day to day workplace through role plays and had a lively discussion on the importance of feedback and how to take direction. The most important aspect was enlightening the students on the variety of options and departments that lie in the hospitality industry and how important it is to choose what suits your personality the best. A BIG thank you to R
Read more

Series 2 Blog #1 - Roses, budding coders and bonding time

Image
Hi everyone, Our 53rd weekly blog post couldn't have come at a more fitting time. As we put the final touches on preparing our second batch to get a taste of “empowerment”, it's as if the universe aligned to remind us of the journey we've embarked on.  " The direction you choose to face determines whether you’re standing at the end or the beginning of a road. " - Richelle E. Goodrich In the midst of the hustle and bustle, a close friend reached out to me last week after reading our #52 blog to tell me just how amazed she is about how far we've come. It was then that I realized I hadn't taken a moment to stop and smell the roses and appreciate where we are now.  We've been so focused on pushing forward, always striving for the next milestone.  So, as I reflect on where we are now, there are many things that come to mind but two things stand out  It wasn’t easy  It won’t be easy  “ We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead
Read more