A Special Visit Today.

Today was an exciting day, my dad and his friend from work came to see the Hope Foundation-Tannery Road School. It was exciting for me because he would get to see the kids that have captured our hearts and the school that takes care of them. Our journey was full of contrasts. Let me explain...

Kaval Byrasandra

I tell the driver, "Last bus stop in Kaval Byrasandra." A seemingly nervous look comes over his face as his forehead makes a wrinkle to reassure my suspicions. The driver hasn't been to this part of town, he probably never thought he would be driving his high-end Toyota though the narrow streets. We make it to the bus stop and a teacher joins us to show him the way (we usually take a short walk through the allies to get to school, not big enough for a car). A simple bridge over the creek running through this part of town tells me we are close. There is a bitter smell of sewage, the A/C can't filter out. We weave through cross streets that are more like front yards, kids playing, livestock eating, women washing, idols blocking the road. The driver tells me it is a Muslim area. Not thinking much of it I said, "Yes it is, the school is about a third Muslim, a third Hindu, and a third Christian." He was trying to indicate his nervousness, as I would later find out.

We reached the school with a bag full of books, flash cards, pencils, maps and Dictionaries we just bought. Thanks to the women from the Portland Church who raised some money and compiled books at midweek! Thanks to my dad and mom who bought dictionaries, maps, pencils for the students and packed them all the way here... halfway around the world. I took my dad to meet the kids in each room and gave them some world maps we bought from a street vendor.

Me, Sunjay (Dad's friend), Joyce and Ian (background)

Their comments were great, they loved the building HOPE Foundation provides for the kids and my dad said, "It feels very peaceful here..." It could not be more true, the school is an oasis in the middle of a very poor neighborhood. The school is doing more than just educating the community it is constantly giving in Bangalore, India in a very special way. The school should be a model for other organizations and cities of a place where children are encouraged to thrive.

We gave out some maps... 8th Standard

Third Standard

My dad showing where America is on a map to 3rd Standard.

Autographs... 6th Standard

I'm so glad my dad was able to come and see what we have been doing!

For some reason I could not get Ian Correa, the CEO of HOPE Foundation in any of these pictures, you can kind of see his head behind mine.

The kids all left for home as we drove off, many of them live on the road we took home.

The car in this neighborhood was fascinating to the kids, it was a big contrast for my dad and Sunjaya as we all returned to the Leela Palace to have dinner. There is so much poverty and wealth co-existing. In India and all over the world there are people who give back and make a difference, an impact that can be seen through this school and through the people it touches. That is why we came, to get more individuals to feel a part of what HOPE does for people here in India and around the world.  If you live in India and are wondering about a way to give back, come visit the school, donate your time and talents or financially support a cause that will change a child's life.

Here is the picture of a plaque placed by a large contributor to HOPE School: EMC

Visit HOPE Foundation and contact someone about getting involved today!
Soon (mid October) you will be able to see the Tannery Road School website Children Profiles... that is what we have been working on for the past three weeks.