“Because change is always possible, renewal is always waiting, and hope is never dead.” 

– James Martin, SJ

We are still so excited about our February visit to India! Our supporters who traveled with us to Gurap gave us a wonderful opportunity to see our work with new eyes. Our visitors experienced the safety and trust of the 40-year relationship our Jesuit partners have built with the Santal tribe. And they marveled, as we did, about the high-caliber buildings.

The Gurap model is striving to offer the same level, quality and standard of education that is available to students more privileged than the Santal children, in a protected environment where the students’ confidence can steadily grow, and where the Santal culture is not degraded. It is impossible, as our co-travelers can attest, to not be enchanted by these bright and grateful kids, by this caring community, by their envy-inducing solidarity, and by all the possibility, which is palpable as you walk the grounds!

YOUR support of Tribe Rising India is the missing puzzle piece—with the influx of our resources, the Gurap model is flourishing and the blueprint for other schools, for more educational opportunities for the Santals, is evolving. In other great news, a bill that would outlaw caste discrimination in California has cleared its first big legislative hurdle. An April 25th AP article describes the significance of caste: “Caste is an invisible shackle placed on people at birth. Those of us not raised in that system can’t possibly understand what it does to one’s psyche, the inter-generational trauma it causes.” We are hopeful that this bill will help break the system of caste discrimination and bring positive change to the lives of many!

Paul and I have always believed in the power of relationships, in the power of people to solve the most intractable problems when they work together. We are honored to be a part of this moment in history when so much positive change is happening so quickly, and it would not be possible without YOUR support. Thank you.