In September of 2006, Candace Silvers led a group of her students to Rishikesh, a small city located at the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India.  As many do from all over the world, we traveled to Rishikesh to immerse ourselves in the rich history and spiritual culture of the region.   

One afternoon, we were led to Seesam Jhari, a small district in downtown Rishikesh.  We had heard about a special school there, and wanted to visit the children.   We were going to see Madelien Broekman and the children of The Kushi Project.   The Kushi Project is an after school educational project created to help the highly disadvantaged children in the area.  Madelien devotes her life to these children by running The Kushi Project in Rishikesh. 

"I'll Be There"
Music and Lyrics By Jonathan Clark

Very few foreigners, if any, visit this part of town, where conditions are harsh and many underprivileged children crowd the streets.  When we arrived, the neighborhood came alive.  People came out of their homes to celebrate our visit with smiles and dancing and walked with us to the school.   

As soon as we saw the children, we knew we would never forget them.  They were waiting for us with gifts in hand - beautifully painted bowls, handmade candles and glittered pictures they had made that day as part of their summer arts and crafts program.  We took lots of pictures, played games, handed out chocolates and sang songs.  We helped give out apples, bread and milk, which for many of the children would be the only meal they would eat that day. Although we were only there a few hours, the children’s joy and exuberance and their pure and unabashed interactions with us will stay with us for a lifetime.  Before we left, Madelien showed us around the school:  A courtyard surrounded with four makeshift classrooms.  The rooms had very little paint and no desks.

 

Over dinner that night, we talked for hours about our day with the children.   Each of us was so touched that we somehow wanted to continue our connection with them.  We decided to take up a collection to support Madelien and The Kushi Project .  Within weeks, the entire school was painted and brand new desks filled the classrooms.

For a small amount of US Dollars, we were able to make a significant difference in the educational lives of the children of Rishikesh.  And that was just some paint and some wooden desks.

We are all very excited about just how easy it will be to provide continued support to Madelien and make sure she has everything she needs to help the children grow up healthy and contribute to society.  With your donations, you can help us to see this through!!

“Give a man a fish, he eats for a day.  Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.”

                           -- Confucious

 

Here’s what makes The Kushi Project different from other charities you may be donating to.  The children are developing their mind, body and spirit and being given the tools needed to become self-supporting citizens who can in turn support others less fortunate to do the same.  The money you give doesn’t just support them today, it provides the tools necessary to teach them, and for them to teach others for generations to come.  If we continue to develop this project, other countries around the globe will begin to see it as a prototype for change – thereby shifting underprivileged areas into prosperous areas of cultural and economic growth.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!