Looking Forward to Sahasra Deepika's Next Ten Years

After visiting India to adopt my two daughters from Bangalore, I was able to see first-hand the poverty that affects so many people in that country. Obviously, there are many children in India in great need of assistance in so many ways. Furthermore, one can realize that there are millions of children around the world who could benefit from assistance from those of us who are blessed with living outside of the poverty cycle. Unfortunately, as individuals, we cannot easily help all these children.

However, as a part of the group of people who helps to support Sahasra Deepika, both by volunteering my time and with financial support, I am comforted knowing that I am helping to make a difference in the lives of a group of needy children in Bangalore, India. The beauty of Sahasra Deepika is that the emphasis is not only on meeting the needs of these children today, but helping them to gain the education and the skills to enable them to take care of themselves (and their families) in the future. Likewise, it is reassuring to me that the money raised for Sahasra Deepika is going directly to the support of these children.

It has been wonderful to see the manifestation of our hard work at Sahasra Deepika unfold over the years. I am proud to be part of an organization where the focus is directly on the children involved where we do not have to redirect money to pay advertising agency or fundraising agency fees to support this endeavor. Of course, all of this would not be possible without the amazing vision and time commitment of Dr. Ramakrishna and his wife, Vijaya Ramakrishna, as well as the network of volunteers and supporters they have organized both in India and the United States. I look forward to the next ten years with Sahasra Deepika and hope that we will continue to be able to serve even more children in the future.

Hyla Harvey, M.D., Charleston, W.Va.

"It was an inspirational experience..."

It was an inspirational experience to be associated with the school and especially the incredible children for a few weeks in the spring. I came prepared to see a mediocre situation and left marveling at the exceptional education, the happy home atmosphere encountered...But I believe the total dedication to the elevation of both body and mind by the Ramakrishnas' is the best gift that a human can give another human. Each child will develop more of his or her potential as a result of having been associated with this caring couple...I will always remember individual children and the love that they bestowed on me, the fun times that we shared together practicing English, preparing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, eating their first McDonald's lunch together, and best of all just talking together about the homeless cats who make their home with me and the kids aspirations for their individual futures. Obviously, I look forward to updates about the accompjishments of each and every wonderful child who resides in Sahasra Deepika Institute! I send my good will and best wishes to all of you.

Donna M. Jones, McKinney, Texas

"Every day these students grow stronger..."

While I have not yet been to Sahasra Deepika, I have had the honor of knowing the Ramakrishnas for nearly 20 years...Through their efforts at Sahasra Deepika, so many lives have been profoundly affected for the better.

As I have raised my children in a world that often makes us feel overwhelmed and useless in the face of so much pain and need, knowing them has been a regular reminder of how much can be achieved with the simple virtues of love, joy and hope. We all share these traits, but through Sahasra Deepika, the Ramakrishnas have found have found a powerful way of sharing and spreading the benefits of lives lived with these virtues at their core. The students and graduates of Sahasra Deepika know all this first-hand. Every day these students grow stronger and more able to continue making a difference for the better in the world.

Sally Hall, Stow, Massachusetts

"We have visited the school, witnessed the children's happiness and seen the growth of the Institution."

Dr. Ramakrishna had deep interest in children. I think this his love for children resulted in the foundation of Sahasra Deepika. He retired from his job with the state government in June 1996. In his retirement party he announced his dream of Sahasra Deepika. Knowing his love for children no one was surprised to hear that. With his unparallel zeal and unsurpassed passion for the cause, he has been working almost nonstop for the school from that time. We have visited the school, witnessed the children’s happiness and seen the growth of the institution. Vijaya and Dr. Ramakrishna must be delighted with the progress. These children are lucky to have a Mataji and Pitaji who care.

Drs. Shreeniwas and Kshama Jawalekar Westford, Massachusetts

"Our love and praises go out to them."

We would like to express our admiration to Vijaya and T.V. Ramakrishna for their enormous accomplishment in making their vision a reality. Their dream of helping children to have a better life through education has come to a realization of 56 children with a home, a school and a new family in a wonderful setting. This all has happened in a 10 year period.

Although we have traditionally viewed their undertaking as a way of paying back it is also a wonderful example of truly paying forward. May their reality continue on and on.

Robert and Nadine Euler, Salem, Virginia