~ Families coming together to help children in India ~
A first hand account of their experience participating in "Pack for a Purpose" in India, by Ericka Baron with Laura Robertson
Traveling
gives us the gift to explore our magnificent world, meet new people
and live extraordinary experiences. It also opens our eyes to the
challenging circumstances that many people live daily to meet their
basic needs and have access to education.
As my
friend Laura and I prepared for our adventure to India, we asked
ourselves how we could make a meaningful contribution to help meet
the needs of those in the country that we would be visiting.
After stumbling upon the “Pack for a Purpose” website we
could not think of a better idea than loading our suitcases with much
needed school supplies for a primary school for under-privileged
children in rural India.
With the
help of parents from Parksites Preschool we received generous bags
full of school and art supplies. In addition, St. John Fisher
Elementary School held a used book sale and $100.00 from the proceeds
was donated to buy additional supplies. It was nice to see how happy
our community’s families were to help and contribute to such a
worthy cause and to be a part of giving back to those as far away as
India.
When we
dropped off our donations, we were warmly received by Anita and
Mandip Singh Soin, the owners of Ibex Expeditions and a partner of
“Pack for a Purpose.” Over chai, we learned about the different
community-based educational programs that Ibex Expeditions helps to
support across India, specifically Chitardai Upper Primary School in
a rural Rajasthan that serves over 300 children from ages 5 to 15
years old. We were glad to know that our donations will be well used
and enjoyed by the children of this school.
Participating
in the “Pack for a Purpose” program was certainly a highlight of
our trip. It gave us the opportunity to have a meaningful
connection with India by giving back to a Country that gave us many
enriching experiences and unlimited kindness.
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