by kfi | May 5, 2023 | Projects - current |
The Smokeless Stove project is funded by KFI’s “Fund a Need” basket of funds. In the 2022-23 academic year, the NHS has undertaken the continuation of the Smokeless Stove Project. The smokeless stove initiative aims to offer a cost-effective and wholesome substitute for the conventional wood burning stoves used in households in the rural villages near Kodaikanal. The conventional stoves used in these settlements do not have an exit channel for the smoke to pass out of, as a result, smoke fills the space, making it an unsafe environment to live in.
The Smokeless Stove Project has made significant progress. Each week a group of four students has gone to one home to install the smokeless stove. As of the latest update, a total of 22 smokeless stoves have been successfully installed in households within the local villages in and around Kodaikanal. Each and every member of the NHS which includes 34 students has been involved in the installation of at least 1 smokeless stove.
In 2022-23 we have installed a smokeless stove in 22 households. A few of these households resided in the villages of Shenbaganur, St. Mary’s road, Vilpatti and Naidupuram. The installation of these 22 smokeless stoves in 22 houses has directly benefited the individuals and families. It has improved the quality of life for individuals and families by providing them with access to cleaner and safer cooking environments, and potentially enabling socio-economic development.
The NHS has effectively utilized the majority of the received funds during the installation of the smokeless stoves. It is important to note that the travel expenses for the stove installations have been covered by the funds raised by the NHS through various fundraising activities, such as the NHS Talent Show, Field Day Booths, and the Golden KIS.
by kfi | Mar 30, 2023 | Announcements, North America Alumni Events |
by kfi | Oct 5, 2022 | North America Alumni Events |
The class of ’72 had a very well attended and successful reunion in Rockaway Beach, Oregon. Read about it here.
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by kfi | Aug 23, 2022 | Archives |
Recipient Name: Rajshree Ghimiray. Grade 11 and 12, 2021 to 2023. The Dr. Kunjlata Kothary Master Scholarship is awarded to a young woman entering KIS in Grade 11 with demonstrated academic excellence; an ambition to pursue studies and a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, or Math (a woman with STEAM!); and a commitment to serve her community.
Rajshree Ghimiray was chosen as the recipient of the KKM Scholarship for the Academic Year 2021-23. An Indian student, Rajshree hails from Darjeeling and demonstrated a strong academic background with passion for physics and engineering. Rajshree’s dorm parent describes her as a polite and affectionate student. She is usually well organized and consistent in her work. Her teacher observes that Rajshree has a keen interest in astrophysics. For her internal assignment, she thoroughly tallied her experiment-related measurements using a variety of different scientific tools.
A note of Appreciation from Rajshree: As I near the end of my high school experience here at Kodaikanal International School, I am grateful for the amazing opportunity that this STEM scholarship has provided me over the past two years. Taking physics, chemistry, and mathematics as my higher level subjects has been a challenging but fulfilling journey, and I could not have done it without the support of this scholarship.
Looking to the future, I am excited about the possibility of continuing my studies in the Netherlands. The University of Twente is a top choice for me, with its excellent programs in science and technology, and I am hopeful that my conditional offer will become an acceptance. Studying abroad in a new and unfamiliar environment would be a major step for me, but I am eager to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with it.
In addition to considering the University of Twente, I have also received conditional offers from five universities through UCAS, including the University of Birmingham, Queen Mary University London, University of Aberdeen, Newcastle University, and the University of Glasgow. While these offers are conditional, I am committed to maintaining my academic performance and meeting the requirements to secure my spot at one of these prestigious institutions.
Despite the challenges of my 12th-grade classes, I have also been actively involved in the Science National Honor Society (SNHS) at my school. As a member, I have had the opportunity to connect with like-minded students who share my passion for science and technology. I am particularly proud of my involvement in organizing a science quiz competition this semester, which aimed to promote scientific curiosity and knowledge among students in grades 9-12. Despite the effort and time required to organize the event, it was a success, with positive feedback from both students and faculty.
All in all, my STEM scholarship has been a transformative experience that has opened doors to countless opportunities. Additionally, my involvement in SNHS has allowed me to develop my leadership skills and connect with like-minded individuals who share my passion for science and technology. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way and am excited about what the future holds.
by kfi | Jul 1, 2022 | Archives |
Russel de Valois 2021-23 – Scholarship
Recipient Name : Aanya Chadha | Grade : 11 | Awarded for 2 years
At KIS, we truly believe that learning happens in many forms. When your roommate is from a different culture or nationality and your friend is from a different background, we learn through our differences and this is fundamental to shaping a child’s worldview and perspectives. As of today, our student body comprises students from 23 different countries. About 25% of our students reside in international locations and represent 12 faiths. Of as much importance to us is social economic diversity in our community. Through our staff benefits policies, financial aid program and scholarship offerings, an approximate 150+ students are able to access a KIS education at a highly subsidized cost. The Russel de Valois Scholarship is a phenomenal program that helps KIS attract meritorious students into our IBDP program offering them a full scholarship through their two years of study at KIS.
Aanya Chadha was chosen as the recipient of the Russel de Valois Scholarship for the Academic Years 2021-23. Aanya was chosen from a pool of Indian students, aspiring to study at KIS however requiring substantial financial assistance. Aanya was chosen for her meritorious accomplishments apart from showing a deep interest in Football and Music. It is no surprise that Aanya continues to perform exceeding well at KIS. (AY 2022-23: 4.00; AY 2021-22 : 3.96)
Aanya has represented KIS in our U-19 Football teams in the annual Ooty Sports Tournament and also in our very own Kodi Football League, where KIS was placed runners up for the AY 22-23. Aanya’s dorm parent describers her as a charming young woman! She is very hard working and dedicated towards whatever she undertakes– be it academics or sports. Her teachers find her to be an intelligent, sincere, and hardworking student who has an inquiring mind and a positive attitude.
NOTE OF APPRECIATION FROM AANYA CHADHA
Dear Scholarship Committee,
As my time at KIS is coming to a close, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the scholarship opportunity that has been provided to me. The financial assistance that I have received through this scholarship has been instrumental in allowing me to pursue my academic goals at KIS.
My experience at KIS has been truly transformative, and I am grateful for the opportunities that the scholarship program has provided me. These last few weeks have been especially pensive, it’s hard to believe that I have been here at KIS for almost two years now and will be leaving in less than a month. I have been able to take advantage of various academic and extracurricular activities that have helped me grow both personally and academically. Coming from a nuclear family myself, suddenly living with twenty seven other girls in a dorm was truly an invigorating experience, and I will cherish the tomfoolery we have created. From playing cricket with a piece of wood as a bat in the courtyard of our open dorm to continuing the legend of the ‘Kennedy Ghost’- this has been nothing short of a dream. From being able to sit on the hammock and just look up at the stars at three am to being denied the wish to cry alone, living in this dorm and developing and working on different kinds of relationships has transformed me as a person and has altered some of my beliefs. Just a few days ago us seniors had a rough day, it seemed as though nobody got any studying done that day and we needed a break. Eight of us crammed up in a single room and played UNO cards. We spiced it up with some really childish bets but I didn’t lose so I didn’t have to do the chicken dance. We got scolded multiple times by our dorm relief as technically it was study hour. After a bit we played cards and returned back to our respective rooms. I have gained a family here and I could not be more grateful for the sense of belonging I feel. The scholarship program has not only provided me with the financial support that I needed but also with a supportive community that has encouraged me to strive for excellence in all aspects of my life.
Thanks to this scholarship, I have been able to explore my academic interests and pursue my passion for learning. I successfully completed an Extended Essay in Higher Level Biology this year that boosted my love for this subject and learning in general. Spending three months solely conducting my experiment, while waiting for my fungi and bacteria to grow in the incubator and tediously repeating trials, I spent a lot of time at the lab and created fulfilling relationships with the lab assistant and the ‘aakas’ that help maintain the lab. Ms Jasmine (the biology and chemistry lab assistant) just happened to walk in when a set of 80 petri dishes showed no results. Miss saw my face, and gave me a hug, told me to take a break and come back the next day. I hope she knows how much that one interaction meant to me. The opportunities to engage with faculty members, participate in research projects, and attend conferences have been invaluable in helping me develop my intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills. Having recently received the subject awards for Biology, Chemistry, French, TOK, CAS and a ‘K’ for football, I have been flooded by so much love and encouragement that I am quite frankly overwhelmed. The eleventh-grade higher level Biology students have an in class formative tomorrow and two of the kids came up to me for help today since I received the Biology award. KIS has introduced me to a kind of pseudo mutualistic relationship with peers concerning academics, it’s a rather wholesome way to approach learning. We don’t let the fact that boys and girls reside in dorms on separate campuses stop us, being on a discord server or google meet with friends on East Hill (senior boys’ campus) or getting permission to go to Upper Boyer (senior girl dorm) at ten at night isn’t uncommon. Slipping and tripping (and pretending it never happened) on your way to Upper Boyer is also not uncommon. These academic pursuits in the IB diploma program have helped my future too, I have committed to University of California San Diego for Bioengineering: Bioinformatics (so excited!) which I believe would not be possible without my time here at KIS.
As I reflect on my time at KIS through the scholarship program, I feel immensely grateful for the experiences that I have gained here. The scholarship has provided me with a platform to pursue my dreams and make a positive impact in the world.
Once again, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to the Scholarship Committee for their generosity and support. I am truly honored to have been a recipient of this scholarship, and I will always remember the impact that it has had on my life.
With the kindest of regards,
Aanya Chadha
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