Celebrating our upcoming September Birthdays! 

So to start off, tell us a little bit about yourself before you became the Sponsorship Coordinator?

I’m a proud graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho, where I studied Communications and Public Relations. After I completed an internship with Rising Star Outreach, I was then hired on as the Sponsor-a-Child Coordinator. I’m really passionate about making a difference, and I look forward to learning and growing at Rising Star Outreach. And when I’m not at the office, I enjoy hiking, exploring, traveling. But most of the time my natural habitat is a good book and a steaming cup of tea.

Talking about natural habitats, what is your spirit animal and what does that say about your personality?

My spirit animal is a turtle. Turtles mostly live in water and explore new terrains while keeping a comfortable self pace. They also symbolize longevity, patience, and intuition. I don't know about the longevity of my life yet, but I'm generally pretty happy being a turtle.



Obviously patience and intuition are great virtues for person in your position. How did you get started here in Rising Star Outreach by the way?

I first heard about Rising Star Outreach through a couple of friends who volunteered with them. They told me how amazing their experience was over in India, and how the organization was a legitimate, honest non-profit. I remember them speaking specifically about how special the kids were at the Rising Star Outreach campus and their emotional experiences with all the leprosy affected in India. I then applied for an internship, got accepted and the rest is history.

And you now are a big part of helping Sponsored Children and their sponsors share those emotional experiences with each other. 

Exactly! Our sponsorship program really focuses on personal contact between the sponsor and their sponsor child. This is something that is really important.

What is the biggest challenge facing the program?

I would say it is the issues of keeping consistently updated with sponsors and because life gets so crazy we often do not receive the changed addresses, phone numbers, or expired cards. This is hard for us to keep track of current sponsors. (Editor note: you can always update your account info by email anielson@risingstaroutreach.org or call the office at 801-820-0466)



What are you looking forward to, both professionally and personally in the future.

Contact Aubrey by email: anielson@risingstaroutreach.org or by phone 801-820-0466

Tragedy struck our campus this past week. It began with beautiful 12 year-old Durga Devi (known to many of us as Anu) getting sick with fever, chills, and nausea. Medical staff treated her normally for stomach flu symptoms, but later in the day she seemed to be slightly disoriented. Dr. Susan immediately took her to the Sri Ramachandra Hospital where she was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis. Doctors put her on IV antibiotics and had around-the-clock care. Our board member, Dr. Anandan, the head of that department at the hospital, took personal charge of her care. In spite of herculean efforts on the part of the hospital staff, Durga’s brain was unable to fight off this pathogen. She passed away two days later.

Two of the other girls in Durga’s group also came down with the same symptoms, but, by the grace of God, both recovered within 24 hours. No other children have been affected.

Durga is fondly remembered by those who knew her. She went by many fun names because she so loved playing make-believe! She especially enjoyed pretending to be one of the Disney Princesses, however she was also known as Tinkerbell and Barbie—but to those who knew her best, she was Anu. Anu was a bundle of energy! She always loved to race volunteers and was one of their favorites because she loved braiding the volunteers’ hair with fragrant flowers.

Anu was very smart and was an excellent student. She did so well in school, in fact, that she tutored other students in English and science. She loved helping others. She was outgoing, fun and very often, the center of attention!

Anu lost her parents early in life. While there was much sorrow as she slipped away from us into the next life, we like to think that, on the other side, there was surely a joyful reunion of Anu with her loving parents. She will be lovingly remembered by her playmates, teachers, housemothers, sponsors, and the volunteers who were all captivated by her innate joy for life.




Becky Douglas

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that Rising Star Outreach announces the passing of a beloved student, daughter, sister, and friend, Varalakshmi V.

Varalakshmi passed away Friday, May 20th due to a drowning accident in the Ponneri Leprosy Colony.  She and her brothers were bathing and playing in the river located behind the colony when she was swept away by unusually strong water currents due to heavy rains. Varalakshmi was preparing to return to Peery Matriculation School at the beginning of June, where she would have started sixth standard.

Varalakshmi and her little brother Veera came to our school in June 2012, where she immediately made an impact on all who met her.  She was a fierce protector of Veera, possessed just the right amount of mischievousness, had an infectious laugh, beautiful smile, and warm sparkling eyes. Varalakshmi worked extremely hard in school. She had a love for education and was able to progress quickly despite the demanding curriculum. Numerous volunteers have tender memories of spending time with Varalakshmi and Veera during playtime, tutoring Varalakshmi during the education rotation, and walking her back to the hostel when she finished her extra studying at night school - she loved getting to hold the flashlight. Her faithful sponsors are sure to cherish the letters and school work she has sent to them and we thank them for their years of love and support.

Varalakshmi has two younger brothers that will be returning to school in June. Veera (8 yrs) will be entering 4th standard and Vignesh (5 yrs)will be one of our new kindergartners. This will be a difficult time for these brothers, her devoted father, grandfather, and the Ponneri Leprosy Colony family. The children attending our school, the housemothers, teachers, and staff who have grown to love and depend on Varalakshmi, will also miss her terribly. Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers in the coming months. Culturally appropriate grief counseling will be available to all Peery Matriculation School students when they return to campus in a few weeks. If you sponsor one or more of our beautiful students, please consider reaching out to them. The support of your relationship with your sponsored child is so important at this time.

Click on the link above or email "kids@risingstaroutreach.org" to write digitally to your sponsored child

Learn more about Sponsoring one of Varalakshmi's classmates

Donate and learn more about the College Scholarship Fund

Jean started volunteering with Rising Star Outreach in 2006. She didn’t have much in the way of financial resources, but as a photojournalist she knew could visually document the growth and challenges as RSO grew from a few rented rooms on the side a busy road, to a beautiful, sprawling campus on the outskirts of Chennai. From humble beginnings, RSO has become a much sought-after school and source of pride and help to many people suffering from the scourge of leprosy. She had no idea where this journey would take her, but Jean is so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing organization. Every part of her experience has been wonderful, but for Jean the best part by far has been spending time with the children and watching them grow.

To see Jean’s complete 2014 photo collection visit her blog or watch the video.

Jean and Dhnalakshmi

What make you pledge to sponsor Dhanalakshmi?

Each of my trips to India were spent mostly taking photographs. I didn’t get to spend as much time with the children as I wanted because there was always something to document. On my fifth trip to India, I saw a posting with photos and names of all the children who needed sponsors. Over the years, I had donated my time and photography skills to helping RSO spread the word about the great work they were doing, but I had not sponsored a child yet. As I looked through the names and faces of the children, one in particular stood out for me because we share the same birthday! I just knew that Dhanalakshmi would be the little girl I sponsored.

"But when I ... met the children and saw that they were real and that the sponsorship directly impacted their lives, I wanted to be involved." - Jean

How did you volunteer experience change the way you felt about sponsoring Dhanalakshmi?

When I was in high school I did a report on a non-profit organization that raised money to help children. They would send you a photo and bio of the child you agreed to sponsor. I never knew if that particular child actually received help directly from their sponsors, or if the same few photos of children were used over and over again. But when I got to RSO and met the children and saw that they were real and that the sponsorship directly impacted their lives, I wanted to be involved. I love that I have met Dhanalakshmi and held her in my arms and played with her. My heart sings every time I receive one of her precious letters.

Editor's Note: We love this picture so much that we have it hanging in the office

Why are programs like Sponsor-a-Child so important?

They are important because they directly impact the children’s live for the better. While they come from loving families who want the best for them, the children at RSO don’t have much in the way of financial means. Sponsorship gives people a way to help the children receive a quality education and good medical care, as well as help for their parents in becoming self-sufficient. It’s also important for the children to know that they are people outside their family who love and care about them.

"It’s also important for the children to know that they are people outside their family who love and care about them." - Jean

How has sponsoring Dhanalakshmi affected you and your family?

It has reaffirmed my faith in the goodness of people. And by having a personal connection to Dhanalakshmi, and so many of the children at RSO, I look forward to watching them grow and seeing where life takes them.


What is the most meaningful part of the Sponsor-a-Child program?

I’m just grateful that I am able to help in any way I can. We are so blessed in this country and it’s important to know that not everyone in the world, especially females, is as fortunate. Like everyone who experiences India or Rising Star Outreach, it helps put everything into perspective.

"I look forward to watching them grow and seeing where life takes them." - Jean

Jean's video about India:


Jean's blog can be found here: http://www.shifrinphotography.com/blog/india-land-contrasts/

as told by our Sponsor-A-Child Coordinator

Some of our students practicing yoga

1. Volunteers Make the Difference

The majority of our sponsorships start as a result of our volunteer program. Some sponsors are former volunteers while others are friends or family of former volunteers.

2. Each Child has Four Sponsors

To ensure that each child has the love and support they need to succeed and make the financial burden smaller on each child, we aim for each child to have four sponsors. At this point, we haven’t reached that goal, but every day we get closer and closer!

3. Your Donation Provides More Than Just An Education

The majority of the students on our campus live on campus full time. Your donation provides for education, clothing, healthcare (including check-ups and dental care), healthy meals, nurture, and the priceless feeling that they can accomplish their dreams.

Our students present their projects to some visiting board members

4. The Birthday and Holiday Fund

Each child’s birthday is celebrated on campus with treats for all the children and gifts for the birthday child. Sponsors may wish to contribute to this fund, which also provides for special meals and holiday celebrations.

5. The Star Store Teaches Responsibility

When sponsors send gifts to their children, the gifts are placed in the Star Store and are reserved for that specific child. The students earn stars for good behavior and performance at school, which they then exchange for their gifts in the Star Store. Additional gifts are available at the Star Store for any child to purchase.

6. The Longest Continuing Sponsorship Started in 2001

The Sponsor-a-Child program started in 2001 and many of our original sponsors are still sponsoring to this day. I’m sure Sathya K. and Pasitha Beevi U. are grateful for the life-long support of these loving sponsors.

Sponsorship Coordinator Rachel (me) and the Sponsorship Board

7. Failed Credit Cards Are The Number One Reason Sponsorships End

While it’s true that a sponsor can choose to end a sponsorship for their own personal reasons, the biggest reason is failing credit cards. Generally, this is due to the issuance of new cards for fraudulent activity or an expired card.

8. We Don’t Just Send You Updates Through the Mail

It pays to check your email because we do send copies of homework, photos, videos, and general updates electronically from time to time.

9. You Can Email Your Child

Everybody loves a handwritten letter, but sometimes it takes a while to correspond when we’re hand delivering mail to the other side of the world. When you email your child, the Sponsorship Facilitator in India prints that email, gives it to the child, and helps them write a letter back. Generally speaking, the children will still write a hand-written letter back to you. Email your child now at kids@risingstaroutreach.org.

10. Families Love Sponsoring Together

Our favorite letters that come into the office for students in India are from children here in America. Sponsoring as a family is rewarding on many levels as children learn about and sacrifice for another child.

Volunteers are future sponsors

To ask a question or start sponsoring a child, please contact Rachel Moon at rmoon@risingstaroutreach.org or 801-820-0466.

Founder Becky Douglass, Board Member Christy Dixon, Director Amy Humphrey

March President's Letter: Ricky and Christy Dixon have shown that by involving others, love is truly magnified!

Judy (right) with friends Vicki Depew, Jeri Colton, and Kerri Wall

Judy Brock calls Atlanta GA home, along with her husband Jeff. She has four daughters and two sons along with their amazing spouses who they love and adore. Not to mention their four grandson's that rule their world. They all live in the Provo, Utah area so she travels west as often as possible to be with them. She is currently the Stake YW President in the Cartersville Ga Stake (of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and loves to hang out with the youth. She loves cardigan sweaters and warm slippers. Anything by the water is a vacation to her and dark chocolate isn't too bad either. For the last 25 years she has volunteered with her local Family Violence Center and more recently with Shiloh United Methodist Church's Daily Bread Food Pantry. She is looking forward to more opportunities to work with Rising Star Outreach and the wonderful people associated with it.

Judy and her family

It’s Valentine’s Day, and my first full day home from India and Rising Star Outreach.  The roses and card from my sweetheart were waiting for me on the kitchen table as I walked in the door from a long day at church.  I hugged my husband, and felt the love that he has for me; but this year, a new chamber in my heart was opened.  A chamber filled with love for the children and families affected by Leprosy, for the volunteers and interns, for the founders and dedicated board members and employees that have devoted years of service to our brothers and sisters in India. I wanted them all to know how much I have grown to love them, how grateful I am for the opportunity to rub elbows with each and every one of them.  I wanted to give them all a paper heart with expressions of love and gratitude for opening this chamber that always existed but was not yet revealed.

with our students

It all started several months ago, when I met Jeri Colton at the Salt Lake City airport.  We were both flying back to Atlanta and recognized each other as fellow volunteers that worked at the Atlanta Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I explained that I was in Utah to visit grandbabies and she said she was there to attend a board meeting for a charitable organization.  I asked which one and she began to describe the work of Rising Star Outreach.  I was immediately interested.  Just as our conversation was starting, we were asked to board the plane.  We said good-bye and promised to finish the conversation “one day soon”.  I boarded the plane and took my seat by the window.  Moments later, Jeri boarded and low and behold she was on my same row, aisle seat.  I quickly took the middle seat.  “One day soon”, had arrived and for the next four hours we scoured through pictures and details of Jeri’s recent experience in India and Rising Star Outreach.  By the time we landed, I was all in.  It was one of those moments of pure clarity that Rising Star Outreach was for me.


I returned home and told my family and friends all about it.  I got crazy confused looks and comments like, “Leprosy? There’s still Leprosy in the world?” and “Leprosy? Are you crazy?  It’s contagious you know”.  I fought the doubts and fears that others had planted.  I tried to clear up the myths as I moved forward to join Jeri and the other volunteers for the Women to Women session in January 2016.  My excitement grew even more when my dear friend, Vicki Depew committed to join me.  “There is safety in numbers”, I remember thinking.  My resolve was secured.

Medical Service

Vicki and I met Jeri and her friend Kerri at the airport. Three of us “new and naïve”.  Jeri was our faithful leader and mentor.  We were filled with excitement and hope for what this adventure might entail.  My focus was on what I could give.  I had no idea that what loomed ahead was what I would receive.

Judy and Divia

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the most beautiful children.  We quickly unpacked and toured the campus on our way to recess.  It was on that first day, that I met Divia, sitting alone with a two inch plastic baby doll that she was rocking in a handful of leaves.  I knew immediately that I wanted to be her sponsor and her friend.  Later that evening, Jeri and I attended a prayer meeting with the children.  The young women called to us, “Auntie, auntie, sit here”.  We sat. The service was in Tamil but the spirit was sweet and inviting.  One young women asked Jeri if she had the bible on her cell phone.  Jeri said yes.  She asked Jeri if she could open to Joshua chapter 1 and pointed to the verse.   Jeri looked at me, and showed me the verse. It was Joshua 1:9. “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Not just any old scripture, but my favorite scripture.  The very scripture that rescued me from a tragic car accident years prior that took the life of a young 9 year old boy named Joshua.  My eyes filled with tears.  My doubts were extinguished and my original clarity confirmed. I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be and that God was there too.

Our first morning at Rising Star, Curtis, one of our faithful volunteer coordinators encouraged us to move out of our comfort zone and to spend some time in the Growth zone. He did caution us to beware of the panic zone and not to push too hard.  Leaving the comfort zone was easy.  I left it in Atlanta.  Everything going forward was about managing my growth zone.  A talk I love by one of my religious mentors is titled, “What lack I yet?”  I found myself asking that question repeatedly and every day new opportunities for growth were provided.

The Artist that pained Judy's "Tree of Life" picture with her

I’m back home now.  My heart is full as I jump back into my comfort zone. The question I hear most often is: “Was it life changing?”…. I look in awe and reply honestly without hyperbole; “yes, it was… but the jury’s still out…”  I received so much more than I gave.  I pray that I can fully assimilate all that I learned towards a better me. And on this Valentine’s Day, reflect not just on the love I feel from others but the love that comes from truly loving another.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffjudy.brock
Mormon.org: https://www.mormon.org/judy