Tea Exhibit

Sandhiya Saravanan, Durai, Ajay, Tamil

A Different Kind of Celebration

For STEM Land’s 10th birthday, we wanted to do something different. Instead of a typical party, we asked ourselves — how can we celebrate in a way that truly reflects our values and journey?

Looking back, STEM Land growth over the past decade has been remarkable — not just as an organization, but as a vibrant and evolving community. We have steadily expanded our circle, becoming more inclusive and intentional in the way we work and contribute.

Over the years, we have extended our support to schools such as Udavi, Isai Ambalam, Aikiyam, Arulvazhi, Tamarai, Govt schools, and others. For youth who have completed their degrees and seeked skills and direction we offered the Shifu (Masters) program. For undergraduate we offered the supported B.Voc courses along with AIAT.

At every step, we strive to do things differently — whether it’s beginning our mornings with mindfulness, working together with integrity, or taking responsibility for our learning and actions.

So, for this special celebration, we thought — why not create exhibits that express these values and the spirit of goodwill? Each person chose an area that resonated with them, something they felt inspired to explore or contribute through.

The Tea Exhibition

Among the many ideas, I thought of supporting the Tea Stall run by the NIOS children from Isai Ambalam School.

This wasn’t just about serving tea at a stall; it was about serving awareness. The children wanted to introduce herbal tea, prepared with mindfulness and care. The idea was born when someone asked, “Why do teachers get to have milk tea while it’s said not to be good for children?” That simple question led to a beautiful shift — a tea that everyone could enjoy, made from herbs that heal and refresh.

How the Tea Exhibit Was Arranged:

The tea stall was set up with thought and care, reflecting the mindfulness behind the initiative. On the table, we displayed posters of different herbs, each showing its picture, name, and health benefits. Beside every poster, the actual herb was placed — inviting people to see, touch, and feel it. This helped everyone connect more closely with what they were about to drink.

In one corner, freshly brewed herbal tea was served with warmth and a smile.

To make it more interactive, we also had a feedback board. On it, we shared comments collected from those who regularly drink this herbal tea — from school children and teachers to the working ammas. Next to it, there was also an open space for visitors to write their feedback on the spot, sharing how they felt after tasting the tea.

Preparing with Purpose

The children took complete ownership. They prepared posters using Canva, placing each herb’s picture, its botanical name, and health benefits.

They woke up early to prepare tea for the stall, and also served it to everyone during snack time. Watching them work together with responsibility, integrity, and teamwork was inspiring.

Something special began to happen — instead of waiting for instructions, the children started taking initiative on their own. The sense of agency grew naturally.

A Moment of Warmth and Pride

During the celebration, people came to the stall, tasted the tea, appreciated its flavor, and even asked about placing orders. It was heartwarming to see the children receive blessings and appreciation for their effort.

They felt proud — not just because they served good tea, but because they did something meaningful.

What made it even more special was that the income from the tea stall goes towards supporting the children’s future studies.

Reflections and Shifts

Through this initiative, we saw many subtle but powerful shifts.

• The children’s confidence grew.
• Their ownership and sense of purpose deepened.
• The celebration itself became more grounded, mindful, and value-based.

Instead of just marking a milestone, the day became a reflection of what STEM Land truly stands for — growth with awareness, learning with integrity, and action with love.

Other Reflections:

Tasting the herbal tea at the tea stall during STEMland’s 10th birthday was a refreshing experience. The tea, lovingly prepared and served by the children, reflected care and effort. It was heartwarming to see their involvement and confidence. I’m grateful to Sandiya Saravanan for guiding and supporting them. The stall added a beautiful, calming touch to the event.

I acknowledge the NIOS children and Sandhiya S for helping everyone stay active and bringing people together to share a cup of their herbal tea during Stemland’s 10th birthday celebration. This included learning about naturally growing plants from our own homes. I noticed the quality of care; I will use it in my life.

I tea stall was neatly arranged, it was good to see children speaking to people confidently.