We are comfortably back in Agoda, the home of the CCS Global Education Program in India. Our familiar hosts have welcomed us into their homes and kitchens. The kids of the village have greeted us with calls of “Namaste! Hello! Tata!” The dogs, cows, sheep, mules, horses and water buffalos have greeted us from their tethers on front porches or from the path. The beautiful views have changed with the slow movement of the sun. Agoda has embraced us again.

Yesterday, our first full day here, we broke up into three groups to explore different topics that are relevant to this place and its people. It was the first time our Leaders of the Day really helped small groups of us investigate, applying the things we’ve learned up until now to improve our questions, give context to the answers we hear, etc.

Will led a group that was interested in learning more about the religion and how people practice it. They visited the local temple, learned about how people worship in their homes, asked about the connection between the environment of the valley and their beliefs, and much more. Reverend Farrington helped give additional context. Suman was their translator and guide. They came back with a much deeper appreciation for Hinduism here and lots more questions to answer.

Scotty led a group that was focused on relationships in the village – the way we could observe people interacting with each other – and how that might help us deepen our understanding of each other within our group. Her group visited several houses in the village, sat in different areas to observe people interacting and working together, and shared insights on what we had seen so far in different parts of the country. They ended up learning and seeing a lot but also sharing personal reflections on family, friendships, and the meaning of life.

Ryan led a group that was focused on education in this community. What do the schools look like? How are kids learning skills and values through everyday life? His group went with Mr. Pausic to visit two local schools and then to different houses where they could see signs of people sharing knowledge and values through interactions. They considered how a community can function as a teaching space. They learned about the unseen knowledge, strength, and skills that are essential to daily life here.

All of this is just the beginning of our immersion here. But it’s also a continuation of hundreds of visits to this unique village. Much more to share soon!