Dr N.K, Vijayalakshmi is the Social Welfare Program Officer in India.  She was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India and attended college at Stella Maris College and graduated with a degree in Sociology.  Dr Viji then specialized in social work and medical psychiatry. She worked as a community development teach and school counselor in the Presentation Community Service Center and later jointed as a project Coordinator in the global fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. After nine years of her professional career she joined the PhD program as a full time candidate in the Madras School of Social Work.  She researched tuberculosis for seven years and received her PhD in Social Work through the University of Madras.

We thank Dr Viji and her team for the help and love they share with others. They are truly making a change in their country. 

Ann shares her love of the Volunteer Program, especially the medical rotation. She has been able to see the change and the light in the eyes of the volunteers and the patients they serve.

August 15th was Independence Day here in India, celebrating 67 years of independence from the British Empire. The students practiced for many days marching round and round the track under the hot sun so they could perform well for their Independence Day program.

On the morning of Independence Day as teachers, housemothers, and volunteers came out for the festivities, each person was given a small Indian flag to pin on their shirt. There were two beautiful rangolies decorating the school grounds near the flagpole.

Each "house"--Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, and Ruby--marched around the track in time to a steady drum beat provided by Vimal (10th Standard).

Then there was a drill done by each house and multiple pyramids by boys and girls groups. Some of these were quite thrilling to watch and we all held our breaths until it was complete. We are glad to say that no one was hurt! Phew!

We were so lucky to have Sara Garrett, niece of Rising Star President Sally Read, as our guest of honor and speaker.  Sarah was here as a session volunteer with two of her children. She gave a beautiful speech about independence and freedom and was honored with a ribbon garland and a beautiful scarf.

They definitely saved the best (or funniest) for last...dancing by the younger children. It was SO fun and absolutely delightful to watch them shimmy and shake as they followed their teachers' movements. What adorable little children we have at Rising Star!

 

Happy Indian Independence Day!

 

 

--Rebecca Young



We have a new video released today!  For parents thinking about experiences you want your children to have I think you will enjoy these thoughts from Christine. Christine has taken her three girls to India, and they have all seen a change.  In themselves and in those they serve.

A thought for the day : 

This Throwback Thursday we are featuring a favorite of Rising Star.  This video was compiled by Ember Hobi a volunteer of Rising Star Outreach.  You might recognize her from when her family took the challenge and Lived Below the Line (less than $1.50 of food and beverage per day) for 5 days.   She selected music by talented Bianca Merkley who was a singer at our Benefit Dinner in March 2013.

This video was first shared on June 22, 2011.   I invite you to watch this amazing composition of two incredible people and supporters of Rising Star Outreach.

Rising Star Outreach is proud to release the first of a series of videos talking about the work and history of Rising Star Outreach.

We need each of you to #share the video, #repost, and #like so we can get the message that leprosy is a disease that is still out there and most importantly, CURABLE.

A special thanks to our talented photographers: Josh Cross and Evan Carpenter

Editing: Scott Wilhite 

And to all our amazing supporters and volunteers.  Your hard work, donations and time spent with us is changing the lives of generations.  There is no thanks large enough for what you do. 

Thank you and I hope you enjoy the video!

This video is from talented Ember Hobi who has done so many amazing videos for Rising Star Outreach.  This one is so cute and will have you dancing along in no time.  Check out these kids and she is right, "Rising Star Volunteers: You are Remembered in India!" -- Ember Hobi

Posted January 5, 2013

Volunteer Today!

Nancy Sorensen is the Principle at Manila Elementary School.  Nancy and Manila Elementary School have been amazing supporters over the past years with fundraisers and sharing their knowledge that leprosy still exists and affects millions. This video is from Nancy's visit from 5 years ago to the campus.  We thank her and all the students at Manila Elementary for their example,  humanitarian work and for lifting those with leprosy.

"Manila Elementary's Principal, Nancy Sorensen, on her visit to India / Rising Star Outreach.The students and community of Manila Elementary in Pleasant Grove, Utah raised over $3,000.00 to buy bunk beds for all the older boys and girls at Rising Star Outreach."

I had the pleasure to be a long term coordinator with Danielle the Summer of 2012.  This brought back so many precious memories of that Summer. The Rising Star Outreach Campus is like Heaven on Earth.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I have. I love these kids and can't believe how much they have grown in just a short time!
--Callie Reagan
Director of Programs and Outreach

This Thursday's Video is from June 2013 when Cody Barker from People Water came and partnered with us to India.  He is now on his own as The Chief Water Giver and is partnering with us again for Session 5 this summer.  If you have ever wanted to work on wells or other water projects this is your session!  Join Us!

Lance McGavin posted this video July 21st, 2009.  I love this video because you can hear the Rising Star Kids sing.  It is so sweet!  Prepare to have your heart melted.

Jean traveled with the Women to Women group this January to India and she has compiled some of her images spanning the Rising Star campus, staff, children, Indian life and its historical buildings. We are so blessed she is sharing her talent with Rising Star Outreach, she is a Rising Star Outreach Change Agent. 

"It's nearly impossible to capture India with still photos, but I tried to at least represent a small bit of it. India is such a wonderful assault on the senses that you really need the sounds, smells, taste and feel to have the full experience. Hopefully these photos will give viewers a tiny window on the amazing country that is India." -- Jean Shifrin

http://www.shifrinphotography.com/gallery/W2W/index_2.html

This video was posted by Dani Shurtleff who was a volunteer and staff member of Rising Star Outreach. Dani posted this video three years ago on January 31, 2011.  The video was made by another Rising Star Outreach friend Evan Carpenter.

This video shares the thoughts of some of our past volunteers and their experiences working with the leprosy affected in India.  

Doug Jardine posted this and many other videos for Rising Star Outreach.  Watch this short 7 min video that features:  Jennifer, Sathya, Padma, Becky, David Archuleta, Stacey Tookey and so many more.

Don't forget to give this a thumbs up and share with others!

It's our Throwback Thursday where we showcase some videos from our past.  We hope you enjoy this one with Dr. Scott McGavin sharing his feelings about Rising Star Outreach and David Archuleta's service to those affected by leprosy in India.

This video was posted  February 19, 2009 by djafanshare