RISE UP INDIA is dedicated to helping children living in impoverished settings by providing education and other aid with the goal of stopping and preventing child exploitation.
SHERI & CURTIS
One day in February in the year 2000 in India, Sheri and Curtis were touring around. They planned to go trekking in Nepal. It was to early season so they were burning up some time going overland from Calcutta (Kolkata) to Pokhara in Nepal. They stopped off at the town of Bodhgaya in the state of Bihar to see the famous Bodi tree, under which Buddha found enlightenment. After seeing the requisite sights Curtis struck out from town with Sheri in tow, just walking aimlessly, across a river and into the fields beyond. They saw a temple in the distance and walked to it. In it they met a man cleaning the temple. The man is called Pramod Mishra. Sheri and Curtis talked at length with him. Pramod is a teacher. He told us of a simple school he and another man (Manoj Kumar) were running. They used a small room at the back of the temple as a classroom. The government school in this area is seriously deficient and really if the children didn’t attend school they probably would be working or sent out to beg. Sheri was moved by his story and pledged to support the school.
Photo: This photo from year 2000 shows Sheri, Manoj, and Curtis at the the school. They’re standing in front of the room used for classes at the back of Sujata Temple. There were only 25 students then.
Sheri set up a bank account at Bank of India (no small feat). She has made regular donations ever since then. With this backing the school grew and Pramod set up a Education Foundation Society for the school. Another branch of the school was set up in Bashardi Village. Classes were held outside or in a donated house. Over one hundred students attend at Bashardi Village.
Photo: By 2004 there were six teachers and a bunch more kids at Sujata Temple (Branch I). Classes were held inside and outside in the fenced area.
Photo: Students waiting for school supplies at Bashardi Village.
In 2004 the society was able to obtain a small plot of land at a very low price from a generous landowner. Plans were drawn up for a simple school building. Through Sheri’s donations and from monies given from other donors the $15,000 for the first floor was raised. In 2006 ground was broken for the school building located next to the Narainjana River in Bakrour village.
Photo: Putting up the foundation for the new school (Branch III) in Bakrour Village (2006).
Photo: Walls going up for the new school (Branch III) in Bakrour Village (2006).
Photo: Plastering the walls at the new school (Branch III) in Bakrour Village (2006).
Sheri wanted to take the school project to the next level. Fortunately she met Jessie Roberts in 2006. Jessie just moved to Bend. He has the vision to help children who live in poverty. He created RISE UP INTERNATIONAL a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. RISE UP’s theme is to have “Art and Fashion Fight Child Exploitation and Poverty”. Sheri is an artist so she joined up with RISE UP INTERNATIONAL for the support, the energy, and for the tax deductibility of the donations. RISE UP has programs in China, India, and Nicaragua.
Photo: The first floor is done at the new school (Branch III) in Bakrour Village (2008).
Sheri and Curtis visited the school in 2008. The building is well used, inside eighty students attend grades 1 to 5. Nine orphans live in one room. Upstairs on the roof is a temporary brick structure that is used as a kitchen and classroom. Sheri and Curtis visited the location at Sujata Temple where 60 students in kindergarten and first grade study. Sheri and Curtis also visited the location in Bashardi Village where over 100 students receive two hour afternoon coaching classes.
In order to create a more stable funding base and to raise money for the second floor of the Branch III school building, Sheri and Curtis came up with the Art For India fundraising event. 2007 was the first year for the event and thanks to many generous people it was a very successful. We promised the Board, the staff, the students, and the orphans that when we went back to the USA we would be doing our part to support them. This is the least we can do since they are doing their part even in the face of difficult circumstances. Life is hard in India. Hopefully starting out with some basic education can help prevent child exploitation and poverty.
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Peace
catching up on what you have been doing…so heartwarming … love your committment
We are fellow travellers. I hope to build 74 schools by the time you read this.
Good luck. The govt. says , even after the law passed in 2006 – that there are 12.6 M child labor in India – the actual number is about 45 to 75 M as of 2009
These schools help them escape the loop.
Take it easy.
Bravo! So many people talk about d oing something like this but never do. You did it! My hat is off to you, and I’d like to support your effort in whatever way I can.
Dawn Emerson
Bravo! So many people talk about d oing something like this but never do. You did it! My hat is off to you, and I’d like to support your effort in whatever way I can.
Dawn Emerson