The whirlwind of our summer volunteer sessions has come to a close. I can’t believe it is over. I also can’t believe how much was accomplished! So much love has been shown, so many people have been served. We've seen a lot of personal growth and a lot of changing the world.

"This summer in education we have been able to succeed in several ways. However, I feel that the most important way that we were able to succeed was having the volunteers connect with the students. Through one-on-one work in English, reading, and conversation, volunteers were able to give the students the support they need. Volunteers are so important for the development of the students' English, and I have seen the students grow so much because of the volunteers giving their all when they came to education." 

–Emily Hashey, Education Coordinator

Brooklyn Young, our ending medical coordinator, said this, 

"RSO’s medical team had a busy and productive summer. We have served countless patients in the leprosy colonies and have provided numerous services for them, including medicine, assistive devices, physical therapy, and addiction treatment.

The good work that was done is largely due to the time and resources donated by our selfless volunteers. We are grateful for their generosity and are eagerly looking forward to the opportunities awaiting our volunteers and staff in the months to come."

Lon Young, our ending India Volunteer Director said,

"Claartje America, the construction rotation coordinator, flew back home to the Netherlands last Saturday. Although we miss her very much, work in the Chettipunniyam colony is continuing strong. The construction on the latrines has progressed significantly, and the volunteers and Indian workers have built the latrine walls nearly to their final height. Thanks to the hard work of the volunteers, we have been able to work steadily on completing the latrines. The last 3 weeks have consisted mostly of carrying sand for the laborers to make cement and plaster for the walls of the latrines. Over the last few days, the volunteers have been carrying sand to a machine that separates the larger pebbles from the finer sand, then carrying the finer sand back to each latrine to be mixed into plaster for the latrine walls. Although we were carrying sand on our heads almost the entire time, and were very sore by the time we finished the day, it was great to see so much get accomplished on the project.

One of the volunteers, Jordan Harline, said, 'I love socializing with the members of the colony as we work and getting to know them. It’s so great to meet the people that we’re serving in the colony.'"

Perhaps our last volunteer of the summer, Dominique Dumas, sums up the overall take home message of this summer best by saying “Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make good things happen, you will fill the world full of hope; you will fill yourself with hope.”

New - Past - Future Volunteers!  This is a deal that you wont want to miss.  Join us in 2015 for a volunteer experience that will change your life!

"Volunteering with this organization and with the kids and people in India literally has changed my life! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about these experiences! Please please please volunteer! You won't regret it!"  --Volunteer David McLaughlin

 

Picture from Rebekah Schaff

“I love seeing how happy the people in the colony are, even when they are living a life that most people think hard” said Emilee Matheson.  

“It’s sometimes hard to see their ulcers, but it’s good to know that we are helping them get better. The people are so proud and kind to us, hugging and kissing us, and are happy all the time.” 

Indeed we have found a place to serve, to love, and to share in Rising Star Outreach! We love the quote “Nothing worth having was ever achieved without effort” Author Unknown. We came and gave effort and found great joy. This experience is “worth” having. We are leaving here with hearts full of love and gratitude for all of these people.

The selected change agent for session #4 is none other then the beautiful and talented Jordan Harline. Jordan has been with us for session #3 and #4, and through it all she has been operating at 100%. As a registered nurse in Colorado, Jordan has developed great people skills. These skills have shown in all that she has done in India, not only during the familiarity of the medical rotation. The patients and children have fallen in love with Jordan, and it’s safe to say she has fallen in love with them as well, as is evident in her own words:

It's hard to put into words all that I have learned from my experiences in India. The people I have met and the things I have seen have left a huge impression on my heart and I couldn't be more grateful for all that I have learned in these few short weeks. As I spent time in the colonies and with the children I was reminded over and over again of a quote I had heard by an unknown author; "Someone else is happy with less than what you have." I came to India expecting to be serving a suffering people. I thought that my service would be life changing for them and that it would bring a smile to their faces that they hadn't had since the last volunteer came along. I thought I would be a light in the darkness that they so desperately needed. What I realized that first day is that we do bring a smile to their face and they are incredibly grateful for our service. But what I didn't realize is that with or without me they would still be smiling and be grateful for what they have. Despite their circumstances, these people are happy. I think of all the dumb things that I have complained about in my life. Stresses and trials that make us see all the bad things we've got going on make us depressed and frustrated. Coming to India has helped to re-open my eyes to a better way of living. I always have heard that happiness is an attitude and a choice, and the people of India are the perfect example of that. While they may be suffering from the effects of leprosy or living in little huts with little food to feed their family, they are happy to be alive and to serve and help others. They laugh, they sing, they dance, they serve, and they praise God. They are grateful even in the most difficult of circumstances.

The people of India will always hold a special place in my heart. The majority of that place is occupied by the beautiful children I have come to know at the school on campus. These children are so special and have taught me more about love and acceptance than I could have imagined. No matter who you are or where you come from or what you say or do they LOVE you. They pass no judgment; only hugs and kisses.

The lessons I have learned from India are ones that I don't think I could have learned any other way. I am so grateful that I have had this opportunity to meet and love these people. I hope to bring home with me a continued burning desire to serve and love the people I come in contact with everyday. Because serving and having an attitude of gratitude is what brings true happiness in life.   --Jordan Harline

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”                         --Buddha

Thanks for all you have given Jordan! We will miss you!

"All of you reading these words have loved someone, have done someone a kindness, have healed a wound, have taken on a challenge, have created something beautiful, and have enjoyed breathing the air of existence. Every moment you make a difference."      -- Random Acts of Kindness

Before joining Rising Star Outreach I've usually have been a bit weary of most charities, especially ones that want you to sponsor a child. One of the questions that usually rise is: are these children real or is this just a gimmick? I did not know now much about Rising Star Outreach, nor have I heard about it before Amy Humphrey contacted me. I did learn that Rising Star Outreach had child sponsor program; however, while interviewing with Amy for my position, I learned that Rising Star Outreach has a campus in India for educating children. The campus is also used as a home base to go out to other colonies to provide medical care of those affected by leprosy. My about question about the children of Rising Star Outreach was answered: they are real. You can see videos of them and the campus on our website and on YouTube. Providing for the education and boarding of the children on campus is made possible because of child sponsorships and other donations the organization has received.

Since joining Rising Star Outreach, I feel blessed to be a part an organization that facilities the care of those in need. There are a lot of people in need in various parts of the world, India being one them. Rising Star Outreach's initiatives serve those in need. Some of the fruits of Rising Star Outreach's work are the campus, the education of children of those affected by leprosy, and the medical treatment for those affected by leprosy. I am proud to be a part of Rising Star Outreach and, in a small way, be a part of this great cause and mission.

--Karl Prince

I soon found my way to India as the medical  long term coordinator. I served throughout the weeks in the leprosy colonies.  I would return to the volunteer hostel wishing I could only do more. It was an honor to work with those affected by leprosy. I wanted to serve, completely, selflessly, but I couldn't help returning from the colonies and not feel as though it benefited even more. I was filled with gratitude, acutely aware of others needs, compassionate, and constantly felt like I wanted to give the world a hug. Yes the world, and I would start with the patients of the leprosy colonies.                                                                                                             Shortly after my time with the people of India an opportunity to continue serving them presented. I was thrilled to put it mildly. I now am fortunate enough to work alongside the very people who make this program possible. I am reminded daily of the power if individuals across the world, and look forward to the changes for good we can and will accomplish individually and together. To those skeptical of my world changing hugs: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has."-Margaret Mead

Volunteer Program Manager

 “It was so interesting and so moving to hear about this colony, and how they work together to support one another and the colony. Watching the people interact you could just tell there was a great sense of family there,” said Tregani Barney.

Ever since I was 15 years old I've wanted to travel to India. My ostensible passion for the country came from my AP Human Geography class where we studied India’s culture, religion, and social systems. But if I’m being honest, I fell in love with India because I fell in love with an Indian boy. Ridiculous, I know, but very true. My point in relating this is to show that for 11 years I've tried to find the best way to come to India, and I absolutely found it with Rising Star Outreach. I came to Rising Star expecting to give, serve, love. What I didn't realize, however, is that I would be receiving so much more than I could ever give. I've been taught lessons I didn't anticipate through my experience and the people I've had the privilege of interacting with.

The first lesson is the power of positivity. Working in the colonies, especially on medical days, you see the pain and suffering of the leprosy affected first hand. It is a shocking experience to see your first patient who doesn't have fingers or an ulcer so deep you wonder if it can ever heal. Despite the overwhelming odds facing those who struggle with this debilitating disease, they remain positive. They literally have every element of society working against them, extreme pain, and live in conditions that would make it difficult to ever feel comfortable and yet, I see smiles of gratitude and happiness. I don’t understand it, I truly don’t.




The house mothers on campus are ready and willing to do a volunteer’s henna or wrap a sari. The students will ask you how your day was and keep asking questions, taking no thought about themselves (well, most of the time they are kids, after all).

Again in Chettipuniyam, I was handing bricks to construction workers Deveraj and Milo, where they were building the foundation for a latrine. The woman’s whose latrine we were working on came out of her house and started talking to me. She invited me to stay at her house next summer, eat her food, and sleep comfortably- all because I was handing a couple of bricks to the actual workers. I want to spend every second of my life thinking about others; the we, not the me, needs to become my priority.

I've seen firsthand the beautiful effects that one act of generosity can have. I want to live life fully and lose myself in generous service daily.

The third lesson I've learned is less tangible. India has made me want to be better. Loving people, truly and fully, and having that manifest through your actions, as well as the management of your time, is all that matters. I simply want to be better. My time with Rising Star Outreach has not been long enough; I haven’t given all that I want to give just yet. I am forever grateful that I was able to be a part of something so great, so powerful.

-- Alexandra Sullivan
Summer 2014 Volunteer
(United States)

            "I think one of the most beautiful parts of any country are the people that reside there. I've definitely seen this to be true in India. My favorite experiences have been talking and playing with the children, laughing with the Indians we work with, or hugging those we serve. A highlight from the trip was the day I was asked to be a substitute teacher at the school. I was a little nervous, and I wasn't sure what cultural differences to expect in the classroom. The day turned out to be incredible! Each class started a little crazy as students got back from their breaks, but once we were going they were extremely enjoyable classes. The students were so respectful, quietly standing up by their seat each time they answered a question and very participative and engaged in the class. I feel so privileged to have had that opportunity here. I’m really going to miss the kids here, but I’m excited to bring all my experiences back and use in my classroom in America. I hope I can share piece of my experience with my students there."