DreamPath Workshops in Uttara Kannada District: Anashi
It had poured all night long and it was a cloudy grey morning when I woke up. It was the last day of our Haliyal July-2025 program. Veena Hegde and I were teamed together to deliver DreamPath’s CareerTree program at Government High School Anashi , 80 kms away from Haliyal. We were quite excited about the long drive. After enjoying piping hot uppittu and tea for breakfast we set off in a car accompanied by Krupa and Vaishali who had to be dropped off at Kumbharvada school enroute.
It was a mesmerizing drive along the winding roads amidst lush green forest. We passed Dandeli and got a glimpse of the West Coast Paper Mill from outside. Krupa reminisced about DreamPath’s Nov 2024 visit to the area. Unlike Haliyal, which was scrupulously clean, Dandeli appeared somewhat unkempt and littered. It was a lonely drive thereon through the thick forest with hardly any cars to keep us company. The view on either side was magical. We were all silent by unspoken consent, admiring the beauty of the monsoon-soaked forest. I noticed quite a few homestays and lodges have mushroomed along the route.
It was drizzling when we reached Kumbharvada. School kids were walking along the forest roads huddled under raincoats and umbrellas. It brought home to us what a task it was to get to school in the rains! Krupa and Vaishali got off at the Kumbharwada school.
For Veena and me it was another 30 kms drive through dense greenery. We chuckled as a passing signpost read “50 kms to Karwar”… we were approaching the sea! The road was damaged due to rains and our car chugged along. There were many viewpoints with stray waterfalls. It was almost 9.30am when we arrived at Anashi. The quaint village was in the middle of the forest and fields.
The Government High School at Anashi had a breathtaking view. It was surrounded by ample greenery and the view was a feast for our city bred eyes. The school staff were welcoming, and we were soon taken to the classroom where students awaited us. Even on a pouring day, the class of 10th was in full attendance. They were 46 in all and came from mostly labour and tribal background. The classroom was neatly maintained, with a lot of Kannada sayings painted on the walls. There was a quick inaugural session where the Principal introduced DreampPath Foundation and its agenda. Students participated well in the group activities and were aware of many careers. Boys showed more interest in joining the army and ITI jobs, while the girls showed interest in nursing careers. We had to keep urging them to speak up as they were very reserved. They were such a polite and quiet class that we absolutely had no problem in finishing our workshop on time. They weren’t even distracted by the pouring rain outside. Wonder and innocence were writ large on their faces.
The school is being funded by the Kaiga Project as part of CSR. It even has a Mini Science Center. There is a huge playground and the classrooms are idyllic. We noticed that the teachers were very supportive and encouraging. It was heartening to see two of the teachers who sat through the workshop were past students and now employed there on a temporary basis. The ambience of the school and behavior of the children made a good impression on us.
Around 2 pm we started back from Anashi to Kumbharvada to pick up the other team. This is where we visited the Swayam ENAC center.
It is headed by a young dynamic lady Forest Officer Ms Gayatri. She showed us around the center. This center is part of the Forest Department’s CSR activity and is set up to support tribal livelihoods as well as child education.
SWAYAM online sessions and other activities happen in a lovely wooden hall. The children attend online study sessions conducted by MAHE (Manipal Academy of Higher Education). The center plays a huge role in highlighting the conservation efforts and educational aspects of Kali Tiger Project for children. Music and dance teachers come there as well to impart classical and art education to tribal kids.
There is also an apiary and honey packaging project.
There is a thriving coir mat making unit meant to engage the tribal women. Coir is brought in from Tiptur area and made into coir yarns using simple solar powered turners and then colour dyed and woven into mats of various designs. These are then marketed across the state.
There is a Waste Management Unit wherein plastic waste usually discarded by tourists and resorts in the forest is collected and segregated.
Swayam is truly doing yeoman service to the forest dwellers. We were all so impressed by the staff and their involvement.
On our journey back to Haliyal, all four of us had only good things to say about Anashi and Kumbharvada. We came back inspired and grateful with a lot of good memories to cherish in this Haliyal trip.
~ Sunita, DreamPath Volunteer
