“None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody—a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns—bent down and helped us pick up our boots.”
— Thurgood Marshall, American civil rights lawyer
Dear Friends,
As we prepare to celebrate the 250th birthday of America, this inspiring reminder from Thurgood Marshall speaks to something we all know to be true: none of us succeeds alone. We are shaped by the people who encourage us, teach us and reach out a hand when we need it most.
At Tribe Rising, we see this truth every day. Connections—student to student, heart to heart, mission to mission—are what make our work possible. Together, we lift one another up and create opportunities that none of us could build alone.
Josie volunteered at the Tribe Rising table during the Mill Valley Music Festival last year—and she didn’t forget the faces of the kids that kept scrolling on the slideshow.
When her history class assigned a “Change the World” project, challenging students to choose a topic they cared about and create a three-week plan of action, Josie knew exactly where to look. Devon and I both choose to focus on collecting athletic clothing for the Gurap students because we both very much care about sports equality. I have done projects promoting sports equality with girls in the U.S., but I wanted to expand it past what we know and include all kids. After working with you and Tribe Rising last year, we thought this could be our opportunity to make a real change.
“Sports have been huge parts of our lives and that is exactly how we became friends—because we were on the same basketball team. So we want kids all around the world to have the same chances to have fun and make friends.”
When we visit West Bengal next, we’ll be carrying a suitcase full of chances for fun and friendship in the form of athletic clothing for our Gurap girls. In friendships, sports, education and all of life—having the right equipment matters.
As you know, University of San Francisco (USF) students and Bay Area high school students have been having Zoom meetings with student leaders in Gurap. Our student leaders from USF are currently working on a plan of engagement for next year and the future expansion of this program—including student volunteers and visitors who can share their expertise with our Gurap students.
Is the idea of connecting with our Gurap students speaking to you? Listen in on a student Zoom meeting. Tutor online. Or, if you would like to join us in February for the inauguration of the dining hall, please let us know as soon as possible. The group of potential visitors is growing!
Our annual gala is just two months away, and tickets are selling fast!
Thanks to you, our generous donors, every day we are able to better equip our students with the resources they need to rise above abject poverty. Together, we are providing the opportunities Santal families have longed for across generations.
You are not just building a school—you are building an “infrastructure of opportunity.” And we are so grateful.
In our very uncertain world, we are certain that we can create real change through connections that matter.
See you on August 30 for a celebration Gurap style!
Happy 4th of July!
Aima sarhau,
Annette
PS—For a copy of our latest Impact Report, email [email protected].
Many thanks to the Rotary Clubs of Tiburon! Inspired by Rotary’s mission of building connections around the world, two local clubs joined forces to fund a new geography lab for our students.
Imagine growing up having never seen a globe or a topographical map. For many of our students, this lab will open an entirely new window to the world. Maps, models and hands-on learning will bring geography to life while helping students prepare for India’s national exams.
The Rotary Club of Tiburon Sunset’s $3,000 grant, the Rotary Club of Tiburon-Belvedere’s $1,500 grant, and a special honorary gift recognizing our visionary gala leader, Kalpana Reddy, came together to make this lab possible. It’s a wonderful example of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared purpose.
Would you like to help open another window for our students? Our students are eager to learn, and two more hands-on labs—physics and chemistry—are at the top of our wish list. These spaces will give students the opportunity to experiment, discover and build the practical skills that deepen their understanding of science.
We’d love to talk with you about sponsoring a lab or helping equip one. Every new learning space expands what’s possible for a child. Curious? We’d love to hear from you at [email protected].
