“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.

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.

“Working with the volunteers was a remarkable experience for me…I saw volunteers experience joy and excitement as they taught and played with the students. There was a change in their hearts as they touched and hugged those whose lives are so very hard, but who are also a thankful and happy people. There was magic as I watched volunteers who came to India and Rising Star thinking they would help others, then see the change in their lives as those affected with leprosy graciously gave joy to those serving them. That’s the magic of volunteering!”

Sometimes we like to highlight a group or individuals that are examples of Change Agents. This next group are using their change for change.

Jeanie Owens from Towne Meadows Elementary School explains how her school is making a difference:

"Here at Towne Meadows Elementary in Gilbert, AZ I formed a club about 7 years ago called RAK, or Random Acts of Kindness. We do various service projects throughout the year to benefit the less fortunate. This year during National RAK week in February we chose Rising Start Outreach as the focus of our service project. We distributed collection jars to each classroom teacher for them to collect coins from their students. We called it "Coins for Kindness". At the end of the week we collected all the jars and totaled up the money collected to prepare to send it off to Rising Star Outreach. This was a well received collection by all and we are thrilled that we could help raise over $300 and make a difference in the lives of children that are in great need."

"We choose to "fill" buckets rather than "dip" into them."

We would like to thank Jeanie Owens and the Towne Meadows Elementary School for their support and kindness to those in need.   Their donation of $300 is going to the Perpetual Colony Education Fund.  This fund aids those students who attend local schools if they are not able to attend Rising Star Outreach's school due capacity availability.  The fund helps pay for transportation, school supplies, mandatory uniforms, etc. In 2012 these grants were given to 116 and in 2013 they were given to 153. These grants are repaid each year, growing the fund, so more families can receive this help to send their children to school.

“People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world. They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes.

Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations,

 and yes, the world.”       --Beth Clark

(left to right)  Sally Read, Sakthivel Venkatraman, Kelly Sharma and Ankush Sharma

Durga Devi and Sakthivel

Ankush Sharma, Sharon Thompson, Kelly Sharma, Sakthivel Venkatraman and Sally Read

(left to right) Ann Herlin, Sandra Rigby, Sally Read, Saktivel Venkatraman, Christine Cronquist and Sharon Thompson

Two of the Women to Women volunteers shared their thoughts about their time spent at Rising Star:  Suzanne Stott and Ann Herlin