In
1991 a Spiritual Teacher in India suggested that I move to a small Ashram
on the banks of The Ganga in the foothills of the Himalayas near Rishikesh.
"Just be with the river," he said, "and everything will
be revealed there."
As
days flowed into months what revealed itself was a large population of
beautiful tribal people living in severe poverty and malnutrition, with
no medical assistance available to them. The children bore this burden
and many didn't survive the harsh winters.
Their situation weighed heavy on my heart and made it difficult to"
just be" there without wanting to do something to help them in
some way... but which way?? ...I didn't know how to help and I felt
incapable of making any contribution that would make a significant change
in their lives, and yet uncomfortable to remain there among them without
doing so.
In the end, I left India, traveled abroad to resume my work teaching
Transformational Therapy and Alternative Healing.
But, try as I may, nothing could replace the memories of the children's
laughter and their joy at the simplest things like learning to write
their own name or sew a button on their torn dress. Within 3 months
I returned to India, this time with the assistance of Spanish N.G.O.
I still felt overwhelmed by all that lay ahead of me. I visited the
Spiritual Teacher again and shared all that transpired since our last
meeting. "Perfectly right," he exclaimed, "that's why
I sent you there, now continue trusting one day at a time. Remember,
life is just a series of individual moments."
I began with 1 small free clinic / dispensary and I primary school.
I was amazed to discover how much I could do with so little money and
effort.
Within a year there were 2 clinics and 5 weekly medical camps in remote
villages. Things just seemed to create themselves if I could just trust
and stay out my doubting mind and keep saying Yes. Schools blossomed
into 13 primary and 2 Jr. Highs going on 4 with hot nutritious lunch
for 600 kids everyday.
We provided assistance to 68 rural mountain, below poverty-line
villages, serving a population of 12,000. The project consisted of Education,
Health care, Organic Farming, Woman's Vocational Training, Environmental
conservation and Reforestation.
One of my biggest insecurities in the beginning was that I was alone
with only two hands. When I expressed this to the Spiritual Teacher,
he laughed and said "whoever gave you the idea You were doing anything.
Trust that whatever is needed will be given." And so it has been since
the first day.. When help was needed volunteers came from abroad and
jumped right in teaching in the schools or helping with the Medical
Camps or planting vegetables for the kids lunch, or building.. as we
keep outgrowing our living spaces.. They brought fresh juice and ideas
to help us grow and expand our services.
One of the people who have helped me
the most is my co-manager and husband Johnson
Oliappuram. He has
been an indispensable part of the project and continues to bring his
much needed services and love to our project.
That's how it stands today...there is always need and space for another
pair of helping hands, so we came up with the idea of:
YES, AN INVITATION
TO SHARE IN THE GIFT OF GIVING!
YES, is an opportunity to share in what is happening here in whatever
way works best for the individual. Not everyone is ready to hop on a
plane and join us in the villages but they can sponsor any of the ongoing
programs or design one of their own.
People from all over the world are saying YES. With
each YES, something else becomes possible here. A few years ago we were able
to say YES to helping 250 children in one of Delhi's worst slums receive
our Educational Assistance Program.
We received a YES to help me create this much-needed web site so
people can visit us on the Web.
We have been able to say YES to purchase more land to build a new junior
high, cafe and...?
E-mail:
Phone:
91 -135:243-5558
