The Next Generation of Trustees?
September 2010

L-R: James Stacey, Monty Lyman and Joshua Bernstein

Background

Earlier this year in August Monty Lyman – one of KET Chairman Rob Lyman’s sons – and two of his pals from school visited Kohima to see for themselves the social and educational systems in place in the town where so many men gave up their lives in 1944 in defence of freedom. Monty is no stranger to this kind of travel as he has previously accompanied his dad on many such trips to battle areas as Rob conducts research for his books.

Such a trip has inevitably left a lasting impression on these young men as they visited schools and support homes for children in ‘deprived areas’.  This term has a whole new meaning in the context of Nagaland. Impressions which they will take forward as they make their own way in the world.
 
The Story

Three friends from Eton College, Monty Lyman, Joshua Bernstein and James Stacey, visited Nagaland in August for two weeks, seeing the work of the KET at first hand and helping out with some of its activities.

Monty Lyman with some smiling children

Monty: Earlier in the year, when looking for something positive to do in the summer, we decided to go to Nagaland to support the work of the KET. In part the aim was to see whether the gap year idea had any merit and even though we were there for two weeks, we could test the reliability of visas, restricted area permits and the logistics of getting to North East India generally. We discovered that nothing could be achieved without the full and enthusiastic support of the trustees of the KES in India.

We were also dependent on the help and support of Smo Das in securing visas and RAPs.  Smo's experience in travelling to the subcontinent is unmatched and we would have struggled to have done anything without him. We were also determined that this should not be a holiday for us, but a means of learning more about, and contributing to, the KET. We are grateful for the full support of the KES trustees, especially Grace, Atuo and Pfelie and the full time KES worker, Bendang, to making the trip possible.

As we stepped out of the plane into the shock of the Indian sun at Dimapur, we realised that adjusting to the climate would take a while.  In the town we spent a few days helping out at the Prodigal's Home, a centre supporting street children, with Grace Savino, one of the KET trustees.  Meeting the KET scholars was a particular highlight as it was interesting to see the various children whom the KET are supporting.  We hope to follow their progress over the coming years.

Joshua Bernstein with more children

Joshua: Following the week in Dimapur, we spent a week in Kohima which included a day and night in the beautiful village of Khonoma. Our first stop was the cemetery and memorial at Kohima, situated in lush surroundings despite its central position in the centre of a busy market town.  Immaculately maintained and preserved, it was a time capsule from a distantly remembered war. Khonoma showcased a fascinating tribal past; traditional gatherings of elders around fires and antiquated stone forts still very much in evidence, along with bushes of wild marijuana!

James: For four days of our second week we taught at the MHHS School attempting to convey how the British read poetry. Robin, the headmaster, claimed that we read "with a different rhyme and rhythm” and "say words differently to Indians". This proved to be true, especially with reference to the word 'thing', which was usually pronounced by the children as 'ting'. Nevertheless the quality of the reading improved significantly, a testament to the intelligence and aptitude of the students. For this quality, their fantastic behaviour and the apparent ease with which they learned poetry in their second language we cannot overstate our admiration. This was a very memorable experience from a truly splendid trip.

We left Nagaland exhausted, but with wonderful memories and many new friends.  The KET is now firmly in our hearts.

Monty, Joshua and James September 2010