The Story

I think it's high time that I explain more about where I am and what I'm doing.

Rising Star Outreach of India is a very unique yet powerful school for children from leprosy colonies.  The campus is located in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India, and is located a little over an hour outside of Chennai.  While 80% of the students here come from the colonies and board here on campus, the remaining 20% of the student body is made up of children from nearby villages.  This ratio is ideal as it helps integrate students from both backgrounds into each others lives, and it supports the acceptance of leprosy affected people into the general population of India.  The school offers high quality education in all the standard subjects-- math, science, languages (English, Tamil, and Hindu), social and world studies, and so on.  My job, then, is to support one of the school's missions, to teach the students life skills (i.e. character skills: leadership, respect, concentration, patience, endurance, etc.)-- but I get to do it through dance, using the Promethean Spark Methodology.  These skills prepare students to be more successful in furthering their education and securing jobs.  This methodology was created by Shaun Parry (see this blog post to learn a little more about the creation of Promethean Spark International), and it is recognized as a valuable and deeply meaningful program on campus.

The story of how Rising Star Outreach of India is very eye opening and inspiring.  I invite you to watch the following documentary of the story.  Although it is nearly one hour long, I promise that you will not regret the time spent watching it.  Please Note:  This documentary was made before the Rising Star Outreach of India campus was established, but it still offers necessary information to fully understand the history and mission:


You may also consider reading a bit of the history here from the Rising Star Outreach website, although it has been greatly summarized.  I still highly recommend the documentary!


A few comments about leprosy:

  • Yes, it still exists-- it isn't a disease that went away with the days of the Bible.
  • Do NOT use the word "lepers", as this is seen as a derogatory, outdated, and discriminatory term.  Please use the phrases "person affected by leprosy" or "leprosy-affected person."
  • Leprosy is easily curable through modern medicine-- and it's fairly affordable!
  • About 98% of the world is naturally immune to leprosy.
  • Leprosy is only contracted by continual contact with nasal or mouth droplets from someone with leprosy that has gone untreated.
  • Leprosy is known to cause disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage.  

It is an honor to be a part of this nobel mission of eradicating leprosy in India.  I encourage everyone to become more educated on the subject of leprosy, and if possible, find a way to help in whatever way possible-- big or small.  Thank you to those of you who to took the time to read this!


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