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weaving wholeness
‘Weaving Wholeness’ intricately peels off the layers of systems of oppression — showing the moment to moment impact on the body-mind of the child, the intergenerational wounding on communities, and the institutional perpetuation through education.
-Romana Shaikh
“I write for our children of today and our children of tomorrow.”
This is a process of education transformation that weaves the inner work with the outer work — systemically and systematically, personally and collectively.
Photo Credit: Simranjeet Singh
This book is strewn with sentences that strike on a deep bell of truth. Read them. Slowly. Again and again. Until the truth that they unlock in you becomes your own permanent discovery, and you can no longer see the world, or the children and people in it, in any other way. – Robyn Whittaker, Co-Founder, Africa Voices Dialogue
‘Weaving Wholeness’ is a process. A process of discovering an old secret.
And suddenly, I understand. The book's most repeated phrase, "Pause and Breathe," serves as a profound invitation to the heart and mind of the reader. It whispers to pause amidst the relentless pace of our lives and breathe in the beauty, depth, honesty, and love offered here and now. To breathe the fabric of Wholeness woven by Love and Justice closely held to our faces. So we do.
- Ani Mkrtchian, Head of Seroond School Turnaround Program, Teach For Armenia
The book is a journey through many inquiries. It reminds you to slow down and gently locate yourself as you read. End each chapter with a pause. Take in the questions. Contemplate the discussion.
‘Weaving Wholeness’ is a journey of examining the personal and systemic.
Part 1
How do we see the whole child?
Visibilizing the interaction of systemic factors, trauma, and intersectionality as it shows up among children in the context of poverty and at school.
Part 2
​What does each child need from education?
An invitation to reckon with systems of oppression, locate education as the work of social justice, and reimagine its purpose.
Part 3
How do redesign education and schools for a whole child education?
Envisioning a new paradigm of education that is built on the principles of connection, embodiment and integration, and draws from across disciplines, knowledge systems, and real-life examples of schools.
Her exploration of how systems of oppression influence education allowed me to reflect on my role in fostering environments of equity and care, and to do so across racial, socioeconomic, and international contexts. — Adam Carter, Co-Founder, Via
Part 4
How can I rise as an ancestor?
An invitation to the work of Love and Justice as we pause to recognize the relationship between personal transformation and systemic transformation, and inquire into shifts we can make as organisations and as a collective.
‘Weaving Wholeness’ is an embodied exploration.
The illustrations and diagrams give form and colour to concepts and make the invisible visible. Take in the artwork and expand your exploration into feeling, sensing, and intuiting.
Curious about how to begin your journey? Let Romana’s story introduce you to the three questions underlying the work. Click here to access the .pdf and audio format.
What readers are saying
"... a gift to those committed to reshaping the world through education... [Romana] shares the path to transforming ourselves so that we can transform classrooms, schools and in turn the world."
– Wendy Kopp
CEO & Co-Founder, Teach For All, USA
"I have always asked, why are children in many contexts not thriving academically and otherwise as expected even when they attend school regularly and there are teachers to teach them? ‘Weaving Wholeness’ by Romana Shaikh helped me to better understand why and the true meaning of the whole child development approach. This book crafts an ideal dream of every child as they strive to unlock their potential."
– George Abu Foday
Programme Manager, National Youth Awareness Forum, Sierra Leone
"A call to action for educators, policymakers, and communities to create an education system that nurtures every child's wholeness."
– Joanne McEachen
Founder, author, former New Zealand Ministry of Education leader
"... a compelling call to action and an invitation to re-imagine education for all who care about education, child welfare, equity and sustainability... not just an intellectual exercise but a heartfelt discovery of the transformative power of education in any society."
– Folasade Adefisayo
CEO Leading Learning Ltd, former Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Nigeria
"As educators and those interested in not only what but how we hand over to the next generation, `Weaving Wholeness’ is a critical read for the times we live in."
– Sandy Dias Andrade
Psychotherapist & Founder-Director of Just Being Center for Mindfulness and Presence, India
"Bringing her empathy, courage and vulnerability to the conversation, Romana’s voice resonates with us much like the meditative guide, asking us to close our eyes so that we may see more clearly. The future she is asking us to imagine is audacious and yet, the very least we owe our children."
– Zia Akhter Abbas
President and CEO, The Citizens Foundation
"Part manual, part exploration of inequality, and part a deeply personal, spiritual journey, this book has it all! [Romana] connects us to both ancient wisdom and modern competence in a beautifully executed work which is neither hectoring or difficult to understand. A must read!"
– Chris Underhill
Co-founder, Elders Council for Social Entrepreneurs
"A groundbreaking and essential resource for anyone involved in the lives of children—whether you're an educator, parent, caregiver, community worker, social worker, policymaker, or philanthropist in education and equity."
– Sumitra Pasupathy
Founder-Partner, Karuna Advisory Impact
“This book is a gift from my heart to yours”
Every copy of Weaving Wholeness comes hand-packaged with a few small tokens and a personalised, hand-written note from the author.
This book isn’t just for educators, parents, and policymakers; it’s a rallying call for anyone who cares about the future of our society. It’s a powerful reminder of the vision and commitment needed to build an education system that fully embraces and values every child.
- Larisa Hovannisian, Founder & CEO, Teach For Armenia
Excerpts from ‘Weaving Wholeness’