Sponsor a Child

There are 74 children at Rising Star that need sponsors.  These kids really are amazing and capable of such amazing things.  They will change the world.

If you would like to sponsor a child click here for more information and who is needing your help. 

Some Videos

I have so many videos and I have yet to share.  SO... today I have uploaded some recent fun ones.  I just love how these kids say my name, it is my high almost every day.  I will try and be better with sharing more videos of what is happening in India.

A little place I like to call Jayraj-ville

This past Friday I went out with the medical team and the other long term volunteers to Mogalvadi Leprosy Colony.  This is one of our favorite places to go because the people there are so amazing and so happy.  There is one inperticular named Jayraj that is so lively, energetic and gives way more back to us then we could give to him.  Not only does he give to us but I have a feeling he is the life and soul of this colony.  He's the life of the party!

When you come and do medical you first unload the van and set up the tables, chairs, stations, and medical supplies.  What touches me every time is that the people here don't wait for you to do everything for them.  They want to help you however they can.  So they will help carry things and help set up.

Once everything is set up patient folders are handed out and evaluations and vitals are started.

This day happened to be a holiday for the Indian schools so we were able to see some of the little kids from the area.

Medicine and medical materials are logged in the patient files and distributed to patients.  Below Jayraj is getting his medicine for the next two weeks.

Here are Carl and Miranda at their stations.  Carl is washing feet and Miranda is working with the nurse applying bandages, etc.

Here is Berlyn with her buddy Saroja.  She is such a sweet woman who takes care of her husband with so much love.

I was with Berlyn at the blood pressure station and glucose testing.

Here Berlyn is using her nursing skills with a needle.  This is their least favorite part of our visits...

I love this picture because I can here Jayraj  sing and laugh as he strikes his pose.

Last time Berlyn was here she videotaped Jayraj singing and dancing.  This is her showing him, he thought it was great!

Here is Saroja with her husband.  Their relationship is so beautiful.

At the end of medical is the fun part where we get to socialize and dance and sing.  We are often taken into homes and given tours of where they live and where their family lives.  

When people first get here they are so caught up in the fact that these people don't have things.  We in America are use to things, we think people are poor if they don't have the clutter and toys. When I walk in there I see that they have everything they need.  They have food, shelter, and family... They are happy.  We were at dinner last night and one of the volunteers had said he noticed that the people that we serve in the colonies have a light in there eyes.  They have a light that not all of the other Indian's have, they are really and truly special.  They may not have material things but they have what counts.

I love these people. 

Here is Anandan and me.  Anan likes to play the attack game.  You point and yell attack at them and they can't move, you HAVE to freeze.  He made a change to the rule that if I am laughing and he says attack I have to keep laughing.  To un-freeze them to have to say "Release."  We like to play this at restaurants because you attack before they get the food to their mouth and make them freeze.  Then you eat the food of their fork... they can't do anything to stop it.

I think leaving is the hardest part.

And then Anan starts making reverse music and we feel better.

Here are some things we see on the road:

The true meaning of .... lice

Sometimes you wake up in the middle of the night and you think something is ...off.  Then you feel something crawling on your arm in the dark.  Then sometimes to pinch whatever it was that was crawling on you and you use your iPod as a flashlight.  Sometimes what you see is lice.

I feel that I have been accepted and feel truly apart of India.  I have lice.   It's true!  So I took my trusty lice kit into the bathroom and proceeded to treat and brush out my hair.  It was basically a disaster so Julie took pitty on me and helped me comb.  That is love!  When someone will sit with you and help you comb out dead parasites, you know you are loved.

So after a few hours of cleaning I am sitting on my bed, so tired from the very short night and ready to work.  I'm actually really grateful that India cancelled  school for today. Thank you India!

Lost and Found in Bangalore

Our trip to Bangalore started one dark night at 3 AM when we got in the vans to drop off the volunteers for their trip to Delhi.  We went with them so we could catch a bus over to Bangalore.  We drove two hours to the airport and dropped the group off and then Anan took us over to the bus station.  when we got over there he found us a nice bus but we couldn't but a ticket until the bus left two hours later.  So we drove to the Marriott and dropped another volunteer off and made our way back.  Anan made us take a nap because we were still too early and then as the time got closer we walked with him over to the bus.  He had us wait in this little room until the bus was ready to load.  This is where he told us to be safe and careful and not to talk to any men on our journey.  Anan stayed with us and got us on the bus and in our seats then he watched the bus reverse out of the stall.  The next thing we knew is he was driving next to the bus on the streets out to the freeway.  I think he went to Delhi with us to make sure we made it OK. That's our buddy!

Our bus left at 8 AM from the Chennai/Madras City Center Bus Station.

This is our bus.  Yes- it comes inclusive with astro-turf!

We were able to sleep a little on the bus and we watched part of a Tamil Movie with subtitles that they put on just for us.  When the movie was over they played Tamil music basically as loud as the speakers could handle. 

Our bus driver was quick and he got us there about 2 PM.  we made a few bathroom stops.  They were clean- but primitive...

When we got into Bangalore we passed the Google Campus and some other familiar names. Bangalore is called the Silicon Valley of India because of all their tech companies.  Our diver asked where we were going and he dropped us off near our hotel.  From there we took a rickshaw to the hotel.  We had to fight a little with the drivers because they said it was going to be so much money and we had to keep walking away.  This is not our first time so we got them down to a reasonable amount and we all fit into one with our bags and jackets.  Yes I said jackets because like the Bay Area- Bangalore is cool and it was about 15 degrees cooler there. 

We stayed at the Justa Residance.  It was amazing and there was a soft bed and a shower!  A SHOWER!!! When we got there the room was being cleaned so we went to the restaurant and had some lunch.  This is what happens after a long day of traveling;

And Callie gets the giggles...

I don't know if you noticed, but there is a TV on the wall... and it's playing the Olympics!  The day just gets better!

We saw a mall down the street when we drove in so we decided to go to the saree shop and then the mall.  when we got to the saree shop they were waiting for us!

I made the mistake of going upstairs where I got the most beautiful black saree with beading that I paid way too much for but it really is so beautiful...  Now I just have to have a place to wear it!

after the saree and I got the boys a Cricket Board Game we went over to the mall where we did more shopping!

                                           

                              

We were so hungry and we were looking all over for a place to eat where we didn't need to be dressed up for.  We were told to go to this road ( I don't remember the name) and there is where there are restaurants all over.  We were told by one lady to go to the light and take a right and there will be places to eat just past the mall.  so we did that... and there was nothing.  So we hopped in a rickshaw and went to the street with food.  What we found out two days later is that she got her words mixed up and she should have said left and McDonald's and TGI Fridays was right there.

We were dropped off and we went looking for some food.  We ended up at a sandwich pace because it was either that or we kill one of the group and eat them.  Very hungry group!  Well the sandwich was a flop for me because it was COVERED in mayo.  I gagged down the sandwich and we went in search of something else.  We landed at KFC where we got a bucket of Grilled Fiery Chicken that I ate happily.  So many things were happening in this KFC.  There was a mad sitting across the room that was eating what looked like the best thing he has ever eaten.  He would roll his eyes and lick his fingers and just sat there loving that chicken.  Then we got these mixed sodas that were themed and one of them was green in color and tasted like dawn dish soap mixed with death.  Then Amy started singing to a song mixed with us being super tired, it was so comedy. 

 We made a deal with ourselves that if we found dinner we would make it back to the mall in time to get some Haagen Dazs ice cream... every night.  And we did.

True sadness is when you are eating real ice cream, (not just warm cool whip-like ice cream) and its gone after 2 min.

The next day was another adventure!  This day was amazing and I will take you on our journey.

Once upon a time there were four American girls in India.  They traveled to a far off city in search of fun and a shower.  When they got tot he city of Bangalore they heard tale of a palace!  A grand palace.  So they asked around to their inn keeper and she was not sure where it was.  So they went to their coachman (rickshaw driver) and they showed him on the map where they wished to go.  The hopped in the cart and off they went to the magical palace.  The driver took them to the grand gates and said it was just through there.  They froggered there way across the street and stood before the gate.  But the little american's were confused... where is the palace?  They walked around the gate...

nothing.

They walked down to the next gate and .... nothing.

There was a sign that said Palace Sheesh Mahal.... but no palace.  The little American's were so confused.  So they went back to the main gate and stepped onto the Palace Grounds.  The palace grounds were full of amazing creatures.  

Dogs basked in the shade and sunlight like they had nothing to guard and no cares in the world.

The place was so magical that rodents couldn't survive.

They saw many wounderous pillars and adornments... but no palace could be seen.  Where was it?  

They asked security guard after security guard and they showed them the picture of this spacious palace.  They were waived on and told to enter deeper into the palace grounds.

They found the clay tennis courts but still no palace. 

They met a man along the way who passed them, not saying a word but walking like he knew the way to the Palace.  They thought, "hey! Let's follow that guy!"  So they did.

Their journey was getting longer and they walked and walked.  One little American, Little Miranda was scared by noises just off the path.  Who knows what could be off the path at the enchanted Palace?

They came to a large tree that bordered a park... it wasn't just any park. 

it was an amusement park.  An amusement park?  "But where is the palace?" all four little American's said.

They found them selves walking into a big open field, still following their guide who steadily was putting distance between him and the little American's.  Why could this be?  They walked further and further and they saw more people.  People were hiding in the grass!  What could they be doing in the grass?  Could it be??  Yes!  This area was being used as a restroom for all Bangalore citizenship that cared to use it!  Was our guide trying to loose us this whole time because he needed to go? 

Oh those silly little American's!

Now what will they do?  Do they turn around and go back out?  Do they hop the fence and play in the amusement park?  Do they do what their guide just did and climb a cement wall to get to the city streets?

                             

They decide to talk to the cows that are eating and laying around the enchanted Palace.  

"Excuse me Mr and Mrs. Cow, but do you happen to know the way out of the palace grounds?"

Silently they motioned to the wall and there they found signs appearing and leading them to the exit.

They walked and walked along the path using the signs provided to find their way out.

They passed the Palace garbage dump and building material heap but no Palace was ever seen.

Finally the little American's made it out of the palace grounds but never saw the palace. They believe it was put under a spell so people can't see it, or maybe the villagers had taken it down never to be seen again.  The little American's will never know what happened to the palace but they do know that it was time for lunch after all that walking.

The End 

(Of the Palace Story)

But really we asked everyone and they told us we were walking in the right direction!  THERE WAS NO PALACE!

Then we hopped back in a rickshaw and went to Cubbon Park which is like Bangalore's Centeral Park.  

On one side there is the new Cricket Stadium.

We got there and the driver let us out, but we had to cross the street.  We waited here for about 5 min before we were finally able to cross.  I don't think India says "no jaywalking" because everyone does it.

                                                     

Just outside of Cubbon Park we saw the Golden Arches-  Yup McDonalds.  We decided to get some to go and have a picnic in the park.

                                  

                                  

All thought left us when we entered the McDonald's and we promptly forgot the picnic and ate everything in site. Including the nasty blue drink that tasted like toothpaste.

                            

Here are some shots of Cubbon Park.

                           

                           

                            

                           

                               

                                       

                              

Outside of the park are some of the Government Buildings.  These buildings are beautiful in person.  We were sad we couldn't get closer.

                              

 After the park we tried to go to Pottery Town that was in the city.  No drivers had ever heard of it so we asked them to take us to a market.  They said Commercial Street and we said, "no, we want like street vendors."  They said they would go to Commercial Street so we jumped in and went with it!

BEST IDEA EVER!  

We actually spent two days here wandering and shopping.  The vendors were great and it was nice to see all the different people living in the city.  This felt like real India.

Auto area

Fresh meat area

I like to call this "Before and After" (above)

This little guy was wearing a sweater. It was cool that day...

This thing was literally crazy.  It had creepy eyes and and under-bite with a weird smile... he just sat in the corner watching you while being creepy and weird and a little crazy.

I love this shot.  This is totally India.  Don't litter and then there is trash piling up right by it.  

Fresh fruits and veggies everywhere!

We sampled along the way.

We found this vendor that was selling sarees for 100 rupees.  That less than $2 for like 7 yards of fabric.  It was amazing!

This guy stopped me.  I finally understood what he wanted.  He just wanted me to take his picture.  So I did!

(Dad- this is for you!)

Sun setting behind the church.

By the way-  They draw the mustaches on the mannequins. 

 After we pulled ourselves away from the market we went and found some steak and got our ice cream! 

We started the morning off right!  Hot Chocolate!

Then we went to the lake and did paddle boats.

Went for a walk.

Then we went back to the market again to see more of the streets.

That night we went to see the new Batman movie.  This is when we found the TGI Fridays.  The movie let us out 10 min too late to get something to eat before it closed so we went to bed.  Oh and the movie took my last remaining Reece's Candies. Stupid theater!

We left Saturday morning on a bus.  This one was a lot more crowded but just as nice.

After our week- we passed out.

We are back at Rising Star.  It feels like home.