Dear Friends,
It has been too many months since I have written an update on the ashram. Please forgive me and know that your continued support lives on strong in our home called ‘ashram’.
There is so much to share.
The children are well. On August 8th we received a one-week-old baby. Jhanvi was found abandoned in some bushes by the side of the road several miles from the ashram. Gratefully she is healthy and thriving. Sumiran, affectionately called ‘Simi’, came to the ashram in November when she was four months old. Her father died in an accident while her mother was pregnant. Relatives adopted her two older siblings; Simi was brought to the ashram where her impish face makes everyone smile. She is now 16 months old. In February 2009 one-day-old Sita joined us. Weighing only 3 ½ pounds Sita spent several days in Delhi at Sir Ganga Ram hospital, which provides free medical care for ashram children. She is now 20 months and a spitfire.
On the other spectrum, Renu, Mala and Manjula have graduated college with a BBA. Renu and Mala are working in Jaipur; Manjula has a job in Haridwar. Meena just completed her second year of dental college while, in July; Vijai Raj started his second year of college in Chandigarh. Vijai is studying towards a BA with an emphasis in sports. He dreams of career as a teacher, coach and trainer and is currently on the school’s Olympic Weightlifting team. Recently he took second place in a statewide competition. Since July, Babita joined a nursing program in Delhi, Ritu started college in Chandigarh, and Swati is studying commerce in Dehradun. Anju, who married in February 2008, completed her BA and gave birth to a daughter in late October. It’s amazing to think of these children, who came to us so little, lives in crisis, finding their way in greater society.
In between there are children of all ages. There is a healthy gang of 5-7 years old who run the ashram; Deepak and Mahesh are now 10 years old. Rachna, Veena and Punita are in 6th grade; Jaya and Uttam are in 12th.
Sri Ram Vidya Mandir (SRVM), our CBSE affiliated school is thriving with 550 students. Led by Mrs. Jyoti Nandi, principal for the past two years the school is working hard to meet the needs of students from varied backgrounds. Special emphasis is being given to training teachers in new education methods while supporting a host of co-curricular activities.
We have a wonderful sports program in the school. Last year the school won the East Zonal Girls 14 and under field hockey tournament and qualified for nationals. Savita, Jyoti and Samata were chosen for the state all star hockey team while Gautam and Rajpal played on the state handball team. Apparently years of ultimate Ultimate Frisbee are perfect preparation for team sports such as handball. Last week Arpana (AKA Pinki) was crowned under 16 state champion in the 100m sprint. Pinki then teamed with Jyoti and Pratibha, a SRVM student from Shyampur, and one other girl to win the state championship in the 100m relay. Both Pinki and Jyoti have have been chosen for the national under 16 athletics meet in February.
The clinic continues to support local health care opening twice weekly for treatment and medical support. Several times a year trips are made to remote villages where medical camps are established. The outreach program supports those whose medical needs require retraining in new careers.
In February 2009 Sri Ram Ashram became the first Crossfit affiliate in India. Crossfit is a wonderful fitness program and it has taken the ashram by storm. From humble beginnings with a few older boys participating the program now includes over 30 children ages 4 – young adult. The Crossfit community has been very supportive. Last December Crossfit Headquarters sent elite athlete and trainer Chris Spealler to work with the children. Coach Spealler has long been our favorite Crossfit athlete and one we follow carefully through articles and videos. Imagine living in a small rural ashram in India and having your favorite athlete visit. It was a huge thrill for all of us. And his inspiration lives on daily. Through Crossfit the children are strong and fit, in sports competitions they run circles around the other team and can do so all day long. Best of all they have the confidence to know it.
In May, long term supporter Vinaya Malmet, brought several of her students and former students from NYU film school to shoot a documentary about the ashram. Six years ago Vinaya produced the documentary “Jewel in the Jungle”. This film, titled “Lifting Dreams” will focus on the older children who have left the ashram to pursue their dreams as well as those children currently at the ashram. The grand opening is scheduled for the New Years retreat at Mount Madonna Center. There will be a second grand opening in India on March 13th when some of the film crew and family members will join the children for the showing.
We continue to be blessed with much support. This past Diwali over 30 guests joined us in celebration. I think it was our best Diwali ever. Throughout the year guests’ trickle through, each one brings new skills and energy. In the lives of children there is no replacement for showing up. We are grateful for everyone who supports us both physically and monetarily.
Our Trustees continue to get stronger. We have an excellent group of Indians both locally and from Delhi who help in so many ways. And while we continue to face daily challenges I can safely say that management wise we are stronger than ever.
My new years goal is to post more often on the web site so please keep checking for updates. We also have the following links where you can get more information about about the ashram and it’s various activities.
Facebook – Sri Ram Ashram Group
Facebook – Crossfit Sri Ram Ashram Group
Crossfit Sri Ram Ashram website – crossfitsriramashram.com
Also, for a nice gift consider purchasing A Crossfit Sri Ram Ashram T-Shirt. Proceeds from these shirts will be donated to support our Crossfit program at the ashram.
There is so much to say, I could continue this letter forever!
Thank you to everyone your spirit lives on in this most wonderful project.
In peace ,
Rashmi
<
