Sonali Deraniyagala
Still Waters is astonishing. A magical space for children that is all about reading and writing. I was dazzled by the energy here when I visited on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Thirty-five or so spirited, curious, children (some as young as seven) listened with unusual focus when I read to them. They asked questions – open, serious, confident. They responded readily with writings of their own. Stories, poems, and even a play – were crafted with huge enthusiasm and care. This was thrilling to see – learning in the truest sense.
What is so special about Still Waters is not just that these children are learning to read, but that such young minds are absorbing difficult classic texts. And they are undaunted. I chatted to eight and ten year olds who were full of opinions about this term’s readings – De Profundis and Don Quixote. Amazing! Still Waters is a haven for imagination and hope.