In December 2018, FSL-India’s 100^th Monkey program started its journey in Vandse Government Primary School. The 100^th Monkey program uses Experiential Education and Play based learning as a platform for youth to develop skills, knowledge, behaviours, attitudes that will encourage them become Social Leaders and Active Citizens.

Since December 2018, our Field officer Manjesh and two of our long term volunteers Linda and Carlota have been visiting Vandse school on a weekly basis to implement the 100^th Monkey sessions. Many challenges have been faced during this time, such as mingling between boys and girls, difficulties in self-expression, understanding the purpose behind the activities.

Each session followed a similar pattern. We always start with a couple of energizers (games or songs), followed by a reflection activity on different topics (introspection, group bounding, problem-solving, trust, awareness on the world we live in) and use different approaches (creativity, team discussions, individual reflections, body expression). Each activity has its own debriefing sessions, where the students are allowed to reflect and express their feelings and opinions about the activity. The session always ends with a final conclusion and with the 100^th Monkey ritual.

To make it happen, the facilitators worked previously in order to create a proper planning of the session, making sure we had the necessary material and taking the timings into account. After that, the session would take place always on Fridays at 3 pm. The three facilitators had a relevant role and they were all involved when explaining the different activities, making use of both English and Kannada. After the session, the facilitators always sit together and write down the feedback of the session, highlighting the things that went well and the ones that didn’t, explaining the learnings and what could have been done differently.

Week after week the students have been experiencing many positive changes and small improvements. The degree of trust between them increased, as well as their ability and willingness to talk in front of others. Their individual confidence grew and the relationship between classmates became nicer and healthier.

Our volunteers Linda and Carlota are very happy to have had this opportunity. They were able create a nice bond with the students at Vandse school. They also had the chance to discover and be a part of the Vandse School staff, which was very welcoming and kind.  More importantly, they were able to learn from the 100^th Monkey methodology and could facilitate sessions in such an interesting intercultural context.