“As I looked around at the faces of the volunteers as they dug latrines, or put oil on foot wounds, or taught in the computer lab, I realized they were in essence storing up 'good vibes' to help them navigate the murky waters young adults often face. They may never return to the Rising Star campus, but they will take with them its positive impact!            I have never talked to a Rising Star volunteer who hasn't been excited about their time in India—last year or six years ago—the mention of Rising Star always brings enthusiastic bursts and exclamations, never mediocre or negative comments. I am personally acquainted with a young man who registered for an online dating service and after reading numerous profiles his attention was drawn to one profile because the registrant mentioned she had volunteered with Rising Star. As he told me later, he wanted to know her better mainly because she was associated with Rising Star.
            Volunteers wrap up their stay at Rising Star and then scatter throughout the world to homes, educational facilities, missions, etc.  BUT what they learn while they are at Rising Star—the glimpses they had into how lives really can change and how alike we are as human beings—these things accompany them wherever they go.  They are like welcome traveling companions of hope and love.
            In this age of cynicism and doubt, Rising Star is an organization that can be trusted. Its ideals and mission are a message to a weary and jaded world that service is meaningful, that each life has value, and that the world can really become a better place to live.”

Have you heard the amazing news? The 2013-2014 10th Standard at the Peery Matriculation School has all passed their exams! Not only do we have that good news, but all 10 have been accepted into the prestigious Saint John's International Residential School in Chennai! You may recognize the name of the school as the one our 2013-2014 11th Standard Girls were attending.
We have been blessed that our 15 Rising Star Outreach/Peery Matriculation School graduates studying in 11th and 12th Standards are all together.

This is an amazing opportunity for our students and we wanted to share a little about what makes Saint John's such a great school for our Rising Stars. St. John’s Academy is an international school located in Chennai. The school has students from the state of Tamil Nadu and other states across India. It also has students from Srilanka, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, and non-resident Indians from U.S.A., Arabian Gulf and Africa. The school creates a conducive atmosphere for competence in academics, cultural understanding, and extracurricular activities. Saint John's Academy is spread out over 32 acres and is made up of a school block, hostel block, administrative wing, sports grounds, indoor stadium, and auditorium. The school has classes from 6th Standard to 12th and has a reputation as being a trend setter in education.


Residential facilities include 24 Office, Vegetarians and Non Vegetarian Kitchen and Dining Halls, Departmental stores, Saveetha St. John's Hospital, laundry services, Salon and Health Club.

Saint John's Academy believes that a student much work hard in their studies but also must have strong healthy bodies. Sports and games are included in the curriculum and are valued for both the physical health effects and character building. Sports include: Field Hockey, Soccer, Tennis, Track, Badminton, Cricket, Volleyball, Basketball, billiards, chess and Table Tennis.

The school also promotes after school clubs, music classes and offers students field trips and excursions.


Rising Star Outreach is very proud of each of our students for their hard work and the examples that they are at Saint John's.  The principle has commented that our kids have a thirst for knowledge and they are different from others at school.  They are social and hard workers and they have made many new friends from all over the globe.  He is proud to have them at his school.

Even though our students are studying off campus they are never far from our mind.  They are visited by staff frequently to make sure they are happy, studying hard and enjoying their time.

Managing Director, Dr Susan visiting 2013-2014 11th Standard

Their acceptance into this international school is a great accomplishment and we are excited for the options this provides them for their future.

Dr. Kuppusamay (Medical Officer), Ms. Sujitha (Administrative Assistant/Field Worker), Sr. Agnes (Nurse),  Ms. Priya (Nurse Assistant), Mr. Mathi (Driver -not pictured), and Ms.Lalitha (Cleaner)

Trichy Office (2nd level only)

Mobile medical van donated by the American Association of the Order of Saint Lazarus

The Times of India 
TNN | Jun 14, 2014, 06.25AM IST
MADURAI: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed at the Madras high court seeking enhancement of food rate for government leprosy homes across the state. One R Pon Karthikeyan, a Madurai-based advocate, has filed the PIL contending that inmates would be able to take quality food if the amount is enhanced. The allotment for such homes remains unchanged for many years. 

Ten leprosy homes in the state accommodate 1,337 inmates. It includes the Madurai centre situated on Y Puhdupatti. It has 161 inmates including 89 men, 65 women and 7 children. The petitioner came to know about the amenities available at the Madurai centre when he paid a visit there recently. 

To know about the food rate (allotment) for every inmate, the petitioner applied for information under the Right To Information Act on April 3 this year. The commissioner for disabled persons, Chennai, replied on May 6 that an inmate's food rate per day is Rs 25, and the rate of the Madurai home has been this for the past 40 years. With this meagre amount, three times meals, tea and snacks have to be provided. Further, the rate for Madurai home was fixed on April 22, 1973, the day the home was started, the petitioner said. 

"Government created leprosy homes to accommodate leprosy-cured people since they were being ignored by the public. Today Rs 25 per day for food is a meagre amount. It is not at all sufficient. It needs to be enhanced to at least Rs 50," the petitioner said. Hence seeking enhancement of food rates in government homes across the state, the petitioner sent representation to concerned officials. As his efforts failed he filed the petition at the HC bench here. When the matter came up for admission before the division bench, it ordered notice to the officers and adjourned the matter.

School is back in session! The first session of volunteers is off to a great start with their education rotation. The volunteers start their day off singing with the UKG kids (Kindergarten Age). The UKG students came to the Peery Matriculation School three weeks ago with slim to no understanding of English, and with the volunteers help they have been able to learn several phrases. These include, "What is your name?", "I am studying UKG," and "I am 6 years old." For UKG English time we are using Reading Horizons, a reading program aided by Reading Horizon's Heidi Hyte.

"Thank you video from the children at Rising Star Outreach to David Archuleta and his fans for making a great week of dental work possible at Rising Star Outreach. Please visit: www.angelsforacause.org or www.risingstaroutreach.org for more information." 

The first day of school was wonderful. The kids were just full of energy and happy to be back at school. Some of the new students were homesick, but after a while they were going along with the others. Students were very enthusiastic and did great at their first day of school. All the kids are beautiful and have such great characters. They are just full of energy, excitement and they are so loving and sweet. Each one of them is adorable.

Playtime was especially fun and exciting. The volunteers did a great job entertaining the kids
and you could see the kids loved it. We all played soccer, pushed them on the swing, played
cricket and we played all kinds of games with them. Everybody did an amazing job the first
day and loved what they were doing. The kids were lovely. We are going to have a great summer!"

-- Claartje America, Community Outreach Coordinator (Netherlands)