Spring Break 2015. Best idea ever: take a group of teens to India to work at orphanages. And thus was born: Mission Masala.
A little background. Rainey and I leave this weekend for India. For the first week, we will be touring with my eldest son Ben, his girlfriend Leah as well as Leah's mom Julie Rothfeld.
Plus - making a very special appearance - is Jessica Marshall (the daughter of a dear friend of mine from Barbados, Val Marshall, who passed away several years ago). Jessica is also on a gap year (like Ben) and she has been with Ben in Thailand for several weeks doing some crazy things including going to Mahout school (where they lived at an elephant conservatory and learned to ride, feed and bathe the elephants) as well as working in a hospital in Phitsanulok. Ben has gross stories of watching cancer removal surgery on a patient's eye socket. Ben and Jessica fly over from India on Sunday to meet us in New Delhi.
The first week - when it is just the six of us - we will be sightseeing and traveling. First the Taj Mahal and then on to Varanasi (to see ritual bathing and adoration of the Ganges) and finally the hustle and bustle of Mumbai.
Next Thursday, my younger son Jordan along with 5 teens from TAFS (Teen & Family Services) as well as Ms Eileen, teen counselor extraordinaire, fly over to meet us. We then start an eight day trip through India working at two Miracle Foundation sponsored orphanages along the way.
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If you've never heard of the Austin, TX based charity The Miracle Foundation, google them. What a great organization! The founder, Caroline Boudreaux, sponsors 1,500 Indian orphans at 11 different orphanages throughout India. She has dedicated her life to changing the lives of some of the most forgotten and underprivileged. So inspirational.
Caroline is graciously allowing us to visit two of the orphanages and work with the kids for the Spring Break week. The teens will travel from Madurai in the Southeast corner of India (close to Sri Lanka) to Agartala, in the Northeast and close to the border of Bangladesh, We come bearing gifts of crafts, projects, games and toys for the kids (all generous donations from TAFS families and the Rothfelds). And we also have some sightseeing stuff planned to introduce the teens to India: the good, the bad and the very ugly !!!
Stay tuned to follow our adventures...
A little background. Rainey and I leave this weekend for India. For the first week, we will be touring with my eldest son Ben, his girlfriend Leah as well as Leah's mom Julie Rothfeld.
Photo: Ben, Ms Julie and Leah
Plus - making a very special appearance - is Jessica Marshall (the daughter of a dear friend of mine from Barbados, Val Marshall, who passed away several years ago). Jessica is also on a gap year (like Ben) and she has been with Ben in Thailand for several weeks doing some crazy things including going to Mahout school (where they lived at an elephant conservatory and learned to ride, feed and bathe the elephants) as well as working in a hospital in Phitsanulok. Ben has gross stories of watching cancer removal surgery on a patient's eye socket. Ben and Jessica fly over from India on Sunday to meet us in New Delhi.
Photo: Ben and Jess at Thai Temple
The first week - when it is just the six of us - we will be sightseeing and traveling. First the Taj Mahal and then on to Varanasi (to see ritual bathing and adoration of the Ganges) and finally the hustle and bustle of Mumbai.
Next Thursday, my younger son Jordan along with 5 teens from TAFS (Teen & Family Services) as well as Ms Eileen, teen counselor extraordinaire, fly over to meet us. We then start an eight day trip through India working at two Miracle Foundation sponsored orphanages along the way.
Photo: from left to right: Eileen Knight (counselor), Gabi Daugherty, Will Johnson, Jordan Penchas, Alex Lutz and Xavier Barron (Jackie Taylor is not pictured...yet)
If you've never heard of the Austin, TX based charity The Miracle Foundation, google them. What a great organization! The founder, Caroline Boudreaux, sponsors 1,500 Indian orphans at 11 different orphanages throughout India. She has dedicated her life to changing the lives of some of the most forgotten and underprivileged. So inspirational.
Photo: Caroline plus kids from one of the orphanages
Caroline is graciously allowing us to visit two of the orphanages and work with the kids for the Spring Break week. The teens will travel from Madurai in the Southeast corner of India (close to Sri Lanka) to Agartala, in the Northeast and close to the border of Bangladesh, We come bearing gifts of crafts, projects, games and toys for the kids (all generous donations from TAFS families and the Rothfelds). And we also have some sightseeing stuff planned to introduce the teens to India: the good, the bad and the very ugly !!!
Stay tuned to follow our adventures...
7 comments:
Post as often as you can... you know that I follow along!
Congrats Zoe. It's a wonderful thing that you are doing, both for the orphans and for the young people that you are giving such a great opportunity to.
Safe trip!!!
Roy Hall
How exciting!!
Blessings to All!
I am so glad you made this happen - I know Caroline is thrilled to have met you. I pray you all have a safe trip and a wonderful experience.
Looking forward to seeing these updates! This is probably the closest I will get to "visiting"India. Have fun everyone, create an amazing memories and be safe!
Alex have a great time and we all love you over in Texas. Be Safe.
Gratreful for your willingness. Say hi to Xavier for me.
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