- Monday, January 20, 2014
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2014 is monumental for Rising Star
Outreach and you are invited to join with us in celebrating The
10th Year of Rising Star Outreach being established in India as an official NGO!
We were thrilled this past year when our
10th Standard students received the highest marks in the district on
their exams, and the Peery Matriculation School was recognized as number
one out of 410 schools in the Kancheepuram District. Congratulations to
everyone involved in achieving this remarkable accomplishment! It reflects the dedication and hard work of
both our students and teachers. Education provides options and choices—options
that sadly are not available to many children throughout the world—especially
to those affected by the disease of leprosy and the social stigma associated
with it.
Happy New Year!
Sally
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| Early Rising Star Outreach School- 2005 |
10 years ago in
2004, Becky Douglas —Founder of Rising Star Outreach, and Padma Venkataraman—Co-founder
of Rising Star Outreach, gathered with a small group of staff and supporters to
open the doors of the Rising Star School to 27 students from leprosy affected
families. That humble beginning on East Cost Road has grown into the Peery
Matriculation School, where 233 students presently receive a world-class
education! Because of incredible teachers and leaders—coupled with a solid
curriculum in Tamil and English of language arts, mathematics, sciences, social
studies, and the arts, our students continue to excel academically. An
additional 153 students receive an education at local schools near their
colonies through our Perpetual Colony Education Fund. Rising Star Outreach supports the daily
education of almost 400 students!
Recently Dr. Susan Hilton, our Managing
Director in India, shared her feelings about the students,
“Good education is only part of the hope that we all have for our students. We want them to be filled with goodness—a goodness which thinks more of others. In a selfish world, if they are selfless, and if they inspire a future generation to have that same selfless sacrificing service for mankind, and if they contribute to the general happiness and productivity of the human race, I think we will have achieved our goal.”
For those who have participated in the
growth of the school and the education of the students these past 10 years, it
has been a powerful and rewarding journey.
We are enthusiastic about the positive possibilities for our
students as they excel academically, but also as they learn principles upon
which to build their lives and lessons of service to others. Rising Star
Outreach recognizes that education is a powerful tool, which should be available
to every child. We are committed to the mission of giving more
and more students the blessing of an education during the next 10 years!
To kick off the 10th
anniversary of Rising Star Outreach, a special 'Women to Women' volunteer session has been
arranged for women in the United States to use their own talents and skills to
empower women in India, but simultaneously be the recipients of the strength
and goodness of those they are going to India to serve.
You can join the
celebration this year by continuing to
support to Rising Star Outreach. I personally invite you to visit our web site www.risingstaroutreach.org where you will learn about this incredible work and of opportunities
to help further it. Here are a few suggestions:
· Sponsor a Child—For less than $1 a day, you can educate, feed and provided needed medical and dental care for a child.
· Schedule a Presentation in your area—Share the message of Rising Star
by inviting your friends to learn about the mission and work of Rising Star
Outreach.
· Come celebrate with us at different events throughout the year as
noted on our web site!
· Follow our Blog and Instagram and like us on Facebook and help us
spread awareness that leprosy still exists in the world.
On behalf of Rising Star Outreach, I express
gratitude for your belief in this work and for your willingness to share your
love with those we assist. Come join us in this celebratory year and remember, “It’s
not about someone doing everything. It’s about everyone doing something.” Your
‘somethings’ make a difference in giving hope and lifting those affected by
leprosy.
President,
Rising Star Outreach- Tuesday, January 07, 2014
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To end and start the year we had an amazing group on campus and working with some of our older female students.
"Goals for Girls is an international initiative of girls helping girls through the game of soccer.
Goals for Girls connects girls from different countries and backgrounds with their peers around the world in a forum that addresses social and health challenges through cultural exchange and soccer. Since 2007, Goals for Girls has used this unique platform to help disadvantaged girls across the globe by providing access to health and education programs taught through the game of soccer. It gives girls an opportunity to break down cultural and socio-economical barriers to create change through addressing common challenges.
Why Soccer?
In the U.S. soccer is providing healthy, engaging team environments for young girls across the country. Soccer teaches important lessons on and off the field that help young people develop discipline, commitment, healthy behaviors, and peer communication among others. In disadvantaged communities across the globe soccer is more than just a game: it is an important and innovative tool that provides a vital outlet to girls who need creative ways to overcome obstacles." (description from facebook)
"Goals for Girls is an international initiative of girls helping girls through the game of soccer.
Goals for Girls connects girls from different countries and backgrounds with their peers around the world in a forum that addresses social and health challenges through cultural exchange and soccer. Since 2007, Goals for Girls has used this unique platform to help disadvantaged girls across the globe by providing access to health and education programs taught through the game of soccer. It gives girls an opportunity to break down cultural and socio-economical barriers to create change through addressing common challenges.
Why Soccer?
In the U.S. soccer is providing healthy, engaging team environments for young girls across the country. Soccer teaches important lessons on and off the field that help young people develop discipline, commitment, healthy behaviors, and peer communication among others. In disadvantaged communities across the globe soccer is more than just a game: it is an important and innovative tool that provides a vital outlet to girls who need creative ways to overcome obstacles." (description from facebook)
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| Rising Star Outreach Players |
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| photo from: http://goalsforgirls.blogspot.in/ |
"Before Goals for Girls came, I was so scared to meet them. I didn't know how to play, so I didn't like soccer. But now I know how to play soccer, so I love soccer. I was so excited to meet my pen pal Paige. I was counting down the days for Paige to come." --Tamililakkiya
"I think one of the greatest take-always for me this week was watching the girls grow more confident in themselves." --Sarah
"These girls made me feel empowered and admired, especially while playing soccer. I didn’t realize how much we could make a difference in these girls’ lives through just playing soccer." --Lauren
Videos of their time at Rising Star have been posted on Facebook. Hear from the girls about their experience. Interviews were done with Tamililakkia, Satya and Theresa.
Thank you Goals for Girls for bringing confidence and skills to our beautiful young women. It was an experience that they will never forget.
- Sunday, January 05, 2014
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Mumtaj was born in Ramanthapuram District. At the age of 5 she was diagnosed with
leprosy and began treatment in the Karigi Hospital by a mobile medical clinic
hosted by German volunteers. There
includes one other member of her family who also has been affected with
leprosy, her father’s uncle. In 1971, at
the age of 16, Mumtaj was arranged to be married to her husband and to show respect and love for her new husband,
a Muslim, Mumtaj, a Hindu, converted to Islam.
They both moved out of the government leprosy home where they met each
other – a home where they received their nutrition, medical care, basic needs,
and government pensions – into the Ramanthapuram District leprosy colony. The government leprosy home was Mumtaj’s home
for 18 years. But they needed to move
out after they were married because non-affected leprosy people cannot reside
in the home. Many leprosy colony
families live in the colonies because they are family friendly. In the colonies, it is permitted to have your
family live with you no matter their status of leprosy. Mumtaj and her husband were blessed with a
daughter. Mumtaj has two
grandchildren. Her daughter, two
grandchildren, and son-in-law live far away from the colony, and sadly, her
husband passed away 8 years ago.
Mumtaj is 62 years old and has been a resident of the
Chettipuniyam colony for 20 years. Her
mobility is limited, she has no restroom in her house, and she has no income or
support other than the medical support provided by Rising Star Outreach Medical
Team and the financial assistance provided by the government. This colony does not have a communal bathroom
but is currently undergoing the process of receiving one with the help of
Rising Star Outreach.
For more information on Kaylee's interview with Mumtaj please visit her blog.
- Friday, January 03, 2014
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