In 2024, Tribe Rising sponsor and board member Lily O’Neill traveled with Annette to Gurap to meet the children and see the school. Her experience was unforgettable:

“On that winter morning of February 2024 in Gurap, our dear Fr. Vinay gave me only minutes of advance notice when he asked me to say a few words to the several hundreds of Santal students gathered for an early assembly on the first day of school. Two days before, we had joined in the cultural festivities and blessing ceremonies of the big new school building. After the assembly, teachers would gather their students to walk together into their new classrooms.

“I am multilingual. Yet when I thought of the languages of my young audience, which included Hindu, Bengali and Santali, I could only remember the Santali word for thanks. As a parent of two sons, I stood in front of those hopeful faces. Gratitude and love flooded my heart for those who had paved the way to this moment over the past 65+ years. My own small contributions for generational change follow the work of the Calcutta Jesuit Fr. Tigga who first pitched a tent and built a tiny hut in Gurap, of other Jesuits who dedicated their lives to the mission of the Santals, of Fr. Maria Joseph who so sincerely shared his hopes for this people in the Bay Area, of Paul and Annette Venables who heard the need and figured out ways to help, of Fr. Vinay and teachers who tirelessly create a loving campus, and of all who contribute to offer hope.

“I realized at that moment in the assembly that all our efforts had been worth it, and all uncertainties would simply need to be overcome. With a big smile, I shared through my translator: ‘We love you. We are happy to be here with you to celebrate the first day at your big new school.’”