“That was one of my favorite school trips!” and “We learned so much!” were the resounding remarks from our Grade 9 students after their two-day monsoon trip to Wada. This trip was a perfect mix of exciting challenges, new discoveries, and meaningful connections.

The adventure began bright and early on Thursday, August 21, 2025. After a lively bus ride filled with singing and laughter, our 54 students and seven teacher chaperones arrived at a local Zilla Parishad school. For nearly two hours, they stepped into the role of teachers, leading lessons in English, math, drama, and sports for students in Grades 1 to 4. Despite initial shyness and language barriers, our students quickly adapted, finding new ways to communicate and connect. This experience was a powerful lesson in gratitude, giving our students a new appreciation for their own opportunities and a deep respect for the resilience and eagerness of the young learners they met.

The group then traveled to the spectacular Anchaviyo resort, where the real team-building began. Guided by the principles of “Live like a tiger, Lead like a wolf, and Collaborate like a pack,” students participated in a series of engaging activities. These challenges forced them to work with new peers, strengthening their communication and collaboration skills. The fun continued with a “Mad-Ads” competition, where students had just 20 minutes to create and perform a three-minute advertisement for a quirky product, complete with catchy slogans and jingles. The results were astounding!

The next morning, students geared up for a scenic monsoon trek to the base of Kohoj Fort. Navigating slippery paths and streams, they pushed their endurance and were rewarded with a refreshing splash in a waterfall. After freshening up, it was time for an energetic “Master Quiz” that had houses vying for points. The pace then shifted to a quiet, creative session where students learned the art of Warli painting, creating beautiful figures from just three simple shapes: triangles, squares, and circles. The trip concluded with a highly anticipated inter-house talent show, where students showcased incredible creativity and confidence as they explored the theme of “Anti-thesis,” with Falcon House ultimately taking home the win.

This monsoon trip was a powerful reminder that learning happens everywhere—in classrooms, on muddy treks, and in moments of shared laughter. Our students returned with a lifetime of memories and a deeper understanding of themselves and their community.

Tribes for Good: Community Project

Through our partnership with Tribes For Good, Grade 11 student Vipanshi Agarwal designed and led a series of workshops for women with skills in beauty and makeup — combining financial literacy, confidence-building, and awareness of cruelty-free practices. What she found was that the skills were already there. What was missing was someone connecting those skills to the idea of income. This is her reflection on what it means to create impact, and what she learned when she stopped trying to teach and started listening.

Zine, Cosmetics of Capitalism – A passion project

Cosmetics of Capitalism began with two things that had always run parallel in Vipanshi’s life: a deep commitment to animal welfare and a growing curiosity about the economic systems that allow cruelty to persist. In this zine, Vipanshi Agarwal investigates the ethical and economic costs of animal testing in the cosmetics industry — an issue she argues is as much a business question as a moral one.