2021 Charities Update 1 of 4: Lucky Dozen

George's "Lucky Dozen" Student Sponsorship

Founded in 2008 by George Nepert, FOI Treasurer (I-26) and Sister Mary Therese, past principal of St. Xavier’s School in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. The goal is to provide educational opportunities and hope to very poor and disadvantaged students.  Deserving boys and girls are helped without regard to religious affiliation.

There are two types of sponsorships:

1.  A student who has completed their standard (high school) education and desires to go into college level studies and meets the academic requirements for further studies.  The commitment is for 3 to 4 years at cost of $500 to $2000 per year.

2.  Help for any student in need for a particular time.  This is not time bound.  These are elementary/high school students who could not afford to pay for their uniform, notebooks, and basic school or personal needs.  The commitment is less than $50 to $100 per year.

The first Lucky Dozen group was eight college students in 2008. They now have jobs, some are married, and are financially able to help their families.  Some students now donate back to the Lucky Dozen.  In 6 years, 2014, Lucky Dozen reached the 100 student milestone, actually 101. Currently being supported are 46 students for elementary/high school studies and 36 students for college studies.  Lucky Dozen has helped more than 350 students in elementary/high school and college studies.  The next milestone of 500 students is on the horizon.

The charity is coordinated by Sr. Margaret Power with assistance from Sr. Mary Therese.  All donated money is for the students and Sr. Margaret Power and Sr. Mary Therese receive no monetary compensation from these donations.  It is a registered charitable society with the Indian Government, Society No. 5, Theni, Tamil Nadu, India.

The Friends of India is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization.

Contributions are welcome.  Checks must be payable to 'Friends of India' and sent to:

Friends of India
c/o Roger Olson
26401 Las Alturas Ave.
Laguna Hills, CA - 92653-6233  

FOI has donated a total of $379,729 since 2008.

Work of Sanjeevini Trust in Addressing COVID-19 Pandemic

An Update from Joe Emerson and Ann Brayfield on April 10, 2020

I hope everyone is safe and staying well. We have been self isolating for almost a month now and are sort of enjoying it  - for now.   

India is in the early stages of the pandemic and is on full shut down as best as it can be.  In the villages, where people live in close quarters, masks and hand washing, and social distancing all are very important.  So the Sanjeevini Trust is using the old ambulance to go from village to village to spread the word about prevention.  They go out daily and have been to over 50 towns and villages in Raichur District so far. Here is a short video on the Trust's Covid-19 prevention efforts.

And the young ladies tailoring class, including former graduates, are sewing over 500 masks per day. The Trust is distributing them to villagers for free. Please see pictures below of mask making and distribution.

With all the fear and uncertainty about Covid-19 now, the police, the district administrators, and doctors in the area are all turning to the Sanjeevini Trust to help prevent the spread of the virus. The Covid-19 prevention program has been written up in several newspapers. All of this is thanks to your support over the years. So again a big thanks to all of you!

Stay well!

Joe Emerson and Ann Brayfield

 Mask Production

Mask Distribution

 

A Visit to see Lucky Dozen students in Tamil Nadu by George Nepert October 9-28th, 2019

Please see this link to read about George Nepert's latest visit to see Lucky Dozen students in Tamil Nadu in October 9-28th, 2019.

Please also read the latest donation report with information on plans to sustain the charity and information how to give to this worthy cause.

The Incredible Journey of Friends of India

Brief History of how Fol evolved: Friends fo India organized in 1986 with a small group of India Returned Peace Corps Volunteers: Steve Thompson, Katie Fisken, Kay Stone, Suzanne Zapasodi, Sylvia Morrison, Reid Melton and Randy Baxter. The first FOI Newsletter was printed in 1987 by editor Steve Thompson. The Newsletter was sent as a hardcopy via USPS quarterly for many years. In recent years the newsletter has been sent annually in December electronically only via email. The FOI now runs with zero overhead, it's a labor of love for time invested in Fol .

List of FOI Presidents: Steve Thompson, Brian Hernon, Ed Willett and Jack Slattery.

Treasurer/Editor: George Nepert and Merele Kinsey as data-base for mailing labels for hard copies.

Milestones:

• 1988, FOI became 501(C)(3) tax exempt status with the lRS. 1989, FOI published its first membership Directory

FOI function early on was to have yearly gatherings to talk about India past & present. Also to re-unite with other India RPVC's. It's last gathering was in 2011.

• 1995, Fol began to commit to its first charity
• 1997, Fol began to commit to its second charity (closed in 2014)
• 1997, Fol began to commit to its third charity (closed in2002)
• 2001, Guj.arat earthquake relief efforts donation
• 2004, Fol website started : ganga633
• 2004, Bhavsor, Gujarat, Community Building constructed for the poor 2005, Tsunami Relief Efforts to fishing villages on south India coast 2005, Fol began to commit to its third charity
• 2007, Fol began to commit to its fourth charity
• 2008, FOI began to commit to its fifth charity
• 2010, Haiti earthquake relief efforts donation
• 2012, Fol began to commit to its sixth charity

Documentary on the History of Peace Corps Trainees in Hawaii

Sending Aloha Abroad (30 min.)

This documentary film is the untold story of thousands of American volunteers who lived and trained in Hawaii prior to overseas Peace Corps service, and often settling there after their experience. The landscape of Hawaii is strewn with former Peace Corps members—from politicians to academics to businessmen. The film tells the story of a 10-year period from 1962-1972 when more than 7500 trainees came to Hawaii for months of pre-departure training. They trained in several remote locations throughout Hawaii that resembled actual village sites throughout Asia and the Pacific region. The sites included Waipio Valley on the Big Island and the rustic island of Molokai. The film is fitting tribute to the contributions of Hawaii residents as the Peace Corps celebrates its 50th Anniversary. Executive Producer: Michael B. Thomas Director: Sean Aronson Editor: Debbie Miller, Montaj9 Camera: Sean Aronson, Greg Doi and Henry Mochida Sound: John McFadden Narration: Millicent Cummings Funding: Hawaii Council for the Humanities

To view the documentary on You Tube, click here.