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July President’s Letter

by Katherine Kramer | Jul 1, 2015 | Advocacy, Medical, Padma Venkataraman, President's Letter, Rising Star Outreach, service, Sharon Thompson

We are pleased to welcome back Becky Douglas, Founder of Rising Star Outreach. She and her husband John have been serving the people of the Dominican Republic for the past three years.  Becky is anxious to reconnect with former and new friends and supporters of...
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✨India Staff Spotlight✨ Meet Irudaya Mary ma'a ✨India Staff Spotlight✨ Meet Irudaya Mary ma'am! She is  on the Colony Development team and we feel so fortunate to have such a bright and dedicated member of Rising Star Outreach of India. ⁠
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--Why do you love being a part of Rising Star Outreach?⁠
1. Rising Star Outreach gave me a lot of freedom to work for the people affected by leprosy and their family members. The entire operation in the organization as a colony development staff helps me meet people directly, spending time with them and hearing their needs, which is unique from other organizations.⁠
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2. As a woman team member, I feel safe and secure to work in this organization.⁠
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3. Management believes in me and that I’m capable of visiting and handling the colonies. Similarly, people in the colonies like me and love to meet me. They accept me like their family, and I feel the same for them.⁠
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4. Every day is a special day for me. I am not good at English, I didn't send emails, and I didn't know how to use electronics. But after joining Rising Star Outreach of India, I learned a lot, and organization helps me improve my career.⁠
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--What are 5 random facts about you?⁠
1. I am the only earning person in my family. With my pay, I am feeding my children and educating them. I have two kids; my elder son, Nirmal Prince, completed his Bachelors in Commerce, and my younger son, Vimal Prince, is studying Computer Science.⁠
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2. I love social work because when I was 17 years old, I was impressed by the service of Mother Teresa, so I Studied Community Development and Child Welfare.⁠
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3. I am a strong believer of Jesus Christ, and I am trying to follow his words in the Bible.⁠
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4. I think I am a good mother for my children, a good friend for my friends, and a good person for all.⁠
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5. I am always trying to complete the task within the time period.
Student Star Spotlight! ⭐ Meet our youngest spot Student Star Spotlight! ⭐ Meet our youngest spotlight so far, little miss Megala*. ⁠
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She is just three and a half years old and from a leprosy colony in Pune. Megala started coming regularly to our preschool, there, because her parents wanted her to learn English. She arrived with a timid demeanor and was hesitant to talk to her teachers or make friends. Initially, teachers tried coaxing her to participate in classroom activities. They even did a series of counseling sessions with the young student and her mother to understand how important it is to participate in school activities for her daughter's overall development.⁠
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With consistent support from her school and home, Megala gradually started to engage. Now, she sings poems, dances, and paints. Her parents, and of course her teachers, are thrilled that she found the confidence and shine they saw in her from the very beginning.⁠
Since the Covid-19 pandemic made it mandatory for everyone to stay at home to prevent and control its spread, Megala has actively participated in online classes through WhatsApp and completed her homework on time without fail. The teachers are very impressed by her efforts and dedication. ⁠
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This little star is shining brighter and brighter, and we can't wait to see how far she will go! 🌠⁠
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*Name changed to protect student's privacy
During our Founder Becky’s initial trip to India During our Founder Becky’s initial trip to India, she visited the Puthirankottai colony and fell in love with the people living there. The colony was established in 1973 by leprosy patients who came from different areas of Tamil Nadu. The colony residents survive with the income from their agricultural work and their monthly pension from the government. Impressed by their work ethic and resolve to provide for themselves and their families without resorting to begging, Becky assured them that Rising Star Outreach of India would happily offer support when needed. ⁠⁠
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Just recently, the colony residents made a request to Rising Star Outreach of India to clean and deepen their existing well by 10 feet so that the water level increases and meets their agricultural needs. The proposal was approved, and the Colony Development Unit got to work. The improvements made to the well have made it possible for the colony to better cultivate the land, and they are ready to harvest a very successful crop! ⁠⁠
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The fruits of their labor are both tangible and symbolic. They prove every day that they are more than a disease, and they are not limited to just begging. They lead dignified, hopeful lives made possible by their own resilience and determination.
Special delivery! 🤩 Last year, Rising Star Outr Special delivery! 🤩 Last year, Rising Star Outreach of India staff made their rounds to many colonies and neighboring villages in Tamil Nadu and Bihar to hand-deliver new tablets to enable remote learning for our students. This has been necessary as many of our students *still* are not allowed to return to campus per government regulations. One of our generous partners, Foundation For a Better World, donated many of these devices and are helping bridge the distance between home and classroom. 📚Teachers have a coordinated schedule of class times for the various grades and when that time of day approaches, small groups of students can "check-out" the tablet from the colony. The students can easily submit their homework assignments, chat with their teachers, engage with their classmates, and even access tutoring services if they need a little extra help. ⁠
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We are excited to see the desire and dedication of the students as they have been eager to continue their education while overcoming challenges introduced by the current pandemic. This is just more proof that these rising stars can’t be held back! 🌠
Spotlighting the ingenuity of our female students Spotlighting the ingenuity of our female students for International Day of Women and Girls in Science! ⭐ We have the honor of teaching and supporting some of India's brightest stars who are trailblazing the way for other young girls to enter science-based career fields. We are in awe of our female students' fortitude and dedication to preparing for future opportunities they are genuinely so deserving of. After graduation, a number of our female students have continued to break down educational barriers by pursuing further education and careers in various science fields, including tech, medicine, chemistry, microbiology, and computer science. We are continually inspired by these women who believed in themselves and have yet to let obstacles keep them from changing the world around them. ⁠
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We recognize the importance of women's contributions in science, smashing stereotypes, and defeating discrimination against women and girls in science. ✨Join us in celebrating these brilliant minds by commenting words of encouragement to our current students who aspire to be future female leaders in science!✨
To feel loved is life-changing! ❤️ With Valent To feel loved is life-changing! ❤️ With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you have the opportunity to lift individuals and families that are affected by leprosy in India just by buying your valentine a little something special. Shop AmazonSmile for your Valentine’s Day gifts and a portion of your eligible purchase price will be donated to our organization! Start your shopping with the link in our bio to confirm Rising Star Outreach as your charity of choice. 🥰
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