From the Mailbox
Over the years, Tushita Foundation has connected a diverse group of talented volunteers with our enthusiastic students living in Amber town, near Jaipur. The profound joy of children at the Foundation keeps us going, and an immersive exposure to Indian culture provides an unforgettable experience for our volunteers.
Every now and then, we receive messages that make our day brighter and motivate us to expand our initiatives in providing enriching learning to underprivileged children. We are proud to publish here a list of emails that we have received from volunteers and universities to whom we have recommended them.
Date: June 17th 2016
Addressed To: Mrs. Rosenda Meer (Founder of Tushita Foundation)
From: Geetika Mehra
Hello!
I hope you’re doing well and having a great start to the summer. I just wanted to drop you a line to say hi, and also to update you on where I will be heading for school in the fall. I was in the lucky position of choosing among several really appealing programs, but ultimately decided to return to Harvard for medical school. Hopefully this goes without saying, but the fact that I had the luxury of choosing among great options is thanks in no small part to your letter of recommendation and my formative experience with the Tushita Foundation more broadly. I continue to be so grateful to you for your mentorship, and for the opportunity to learn as much as I did while at the Foundation.
Again, I hope you, your family, and everyone at the Foundation are all doing well. I really can’t thank you enough for your support in taking this next step in my career. I hope our paths cross again soon.
Date: May 3rd 2016
Addressed To: Mrs. Rosenda Meer (Founder of Tushita Foundation)
From: Rowan Saint Clair
I can’t express how happy I was walking back from the post office moments ago. I thought I was picking up a textbook, and I open the parcel to see beautiful Arshi covered in pink powder!
The book is gorgeous. Wonderful. It seems so perfect and special to be receiving the book this time of year. It was around this time I was in contact with you just getting ready to brace myself for India and her powers.
Here a few pictures that will help you get a feel for my New York springtime. I miss you lots, how are you and your projects?
Date: April 25th 2016
Addressed To: Mrs. Rosenda Meer (Founder of Tushita Foundation)
From: Alex Murray
As the one year anniversary of my Indian departure approaches, my thoughts continue to drift back to the times we spent together. Before writing any further, I must convey my continuing gratitude for the opportunities you provided me, the lessons you taught me, and the love you shared with me. You will always remain one of the remarkable people that shaped my life.
In this time, I also had the pleasure of a brief visit from Aurélien. Being with him, even for such a short period of time, had a way of breathing life back into my hopes and dreams. I hope you too will see him again soon.
The book that he provided me is absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t be more proud of the hard work everyone with the Foundation put into its success. Regarding the Foundation, I’m very curious to hear your personal sentiments. I know how dear to you the activities in Amer are. I hope Jan sir is sharing in all of those joys.
I’ve ranted for quite some time and realize that not everything can be said within one email. I plan on writing Veenaji immediately after sending this to you, so we’ll have to save family affairs in Jaipur for a later date.
I miss you, Rosenda ma’m. I wish all the best for you and everyone who touches your life.
Date: April 26th 2016
Addressed To: Mrs. Rosenda Meer (Founder of Tushita Foundation)
From: William Etheridge
Thank you Rosenda.
It is hard for me to fully express how much my experience as a volunteer has changed the trajectory of my life. The Tushita foundation will always live in my heart.
There is a house
Where love is alive
Awoken
By laughing children
Date: February 1st 2016
Addressed To: Mrs. Rosenda Meer (Founder of Tushita Foundation)
From: Alyson Beveridge
Hi Rosenda,
I’m so glad to hear I’m welcome back from you. I apologize for the delay in my response. I have been traveling with my choir in South Africa and have had horrendous wifi. I’m back in the US now. I would definitely love to come back to the foundation for three months. I am not 100% sure what my plans for next year will be. I will go ahead and ask for the funding from my church and keep you updated on whether or not I receive the money to buy a ticket. My ideal scenario would be to come and work at the Foundation for some time before beginning my next chapter in life.
I wanted to thank you so much for all of your help with the letter of recommendation for PIA and let you know I’ve been given a couple interviews. I will know in March if they can offer me a job. One of the options I will be pursuing is volunteering with the American Indian Foundation. I put you down as a reference for this which involves filling out a short questionnaire. I know how exceptionally busy you are, if you receive an email from them and you have a free moment, I would so greatly appreciate it if you would fill out the questionnaire they send you. If you do not have time to do so I completely understand. I so appreciate the very kind letter that you wrote for me earlier this year.
My experience at the Tushita Foundation inspired me to apply to the American India Foundation. India speaks to a deeper part of me. I hope to continue working with people from a different cultural background than my own. Understanding and appreciation for things that our different will build greater harmony in our world.
Date: December 18th 2015
Addressed To: Mr. Federico Di Puma (Volunteer at Tushita Foundation)
From: Amy L. Scoville-Weaver
Hi Federico,
Thank you for your response! I can hardly wait to read it! (Everything is Pink in My Garden, the book about the Tushita Foundation published by Roli Books)
Yes, shipping can be difficult. Do let me know!
I look back so fondly on my time as a Tushita volunteer. I am returning to the States after spending the past year and a half in London. Does the Foundation need anything in particular that I can send? Books, journals, etc? I haven’t written in way too long and would love to give something back to the children and my friends there!
Date: December 9th 2015
Addressed To: Mrs. Rosenda Meer (Founder of Tushita Foundation)
From: University of Chicago
Dear Mrs. Meer,
Aurelien Bellucci is applying for admission to the Humanities Division at the University of Chicago and has requested that you write a letter of recommendation on his/her behalf. In an effort to make this process as easy as possible for you, we offer the ability to complete your recommendation online through our secure website. To submit your recommendation, please visit the following website….
Date: December 9th 2015
Addressed To: Mrs. Rosenda Meer (Founder of Tushita Foundation)
From: Stanford University
Dear Mrs. Meer,
AURELIEN BELLUCCI is applying for admission to graduate study at Stanford University and has chosen you to provide a letter of reference.
This applicant has waived the right to view your recommendation.
Date: December 7th 2015
Addressed To: Mrs. Rosenda Meer (Founder of Tushita Foundation)
From: Harvard University
Dear ROSENDA MEER,
Thank you for submitting a recommendation on behalf of Aurelien Bellucci‘s application to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University.
Date: May 31st 2014
Addressed To: Mrs. St Clair (Volunteer at Tushita Foundation)
From: Geetika Mehra
Dear Mrs. St Clair,
I volunteered with the Tushita Foundation from January to April of 2013 after graduating from college in the US. As a young woman traveling alone in India, my parents and I were also primarily concerned with health and safety, so I can understand your desire for more specifics.
The apartment provided by the Tushita Foundation was comfortable and there is (wonderful) staff that provides meals and cleans. It is located in what I found to be a rather safe area of Jaipur, close to the seat of government, Civil Lines. The apartment is also located above the travel agency offices of Tushita Travels, and the individuals working there were always very helpful if we ever wanted to book train tickets for visiting other places (the Taj Mahal in Agra, for example). Transportation in a private car is also provided from the apartment to the foundation building daily. The couple that directly supervises the volunteers in Jaipur take care to ensure safety and comfort and often welcomed us into their home and treated us like family.
In terms of actual duties, my routine was typically to wake up in the morning and do yoga with a teacher provided by the foundation. At about 11, we would drive to the foundation and teach 4 classes: one for the village teachers working at the foundation, and then 3 different batches of children. I found the teachers and children very welcoming, kind, and understanding. We would head home at about 6, have dinner, and relax in the evening.
Of course, as I’m sure you know, I felt it was important to be cautious regardless of how safe I felt. I chose not to stay out late at night (past 11 or so) and always went out with my co-volunteer when possible.
I was at the Tushita Foundation for 3-4 months, but was in India for one year and volunteered at several other organizations. The accommodations and support provided by the Tushita Foundation were certainly the most comfortable and safe that I experienced.
I hope this helps provide some context, but please feel free to be in touch if you have any other specific questions that I have not answered here.
Date: September 11th 2012
Addressed To: Mrs. Veena Rathore (Founder of Tushita Foundation)
From: Anthony Emorine
Dear Veena,
Thank you for your very kind email.
It was a pleasure to work at the Foundation. As we put in the album we gave you, we were very happy to work with you two. You are two smart and very competent people, so it was easy for us to do our job.
Back in France, things are less impressive than in Jaipur : the colours are not as bright, and the feelings not as intense. I miss you, I miss the teachers, and I miss the kids. But it’s going to be alright : I hope we keep in touch, and I hope you keep us posted about the news of the Foundation!
Date: September 2nd 2012
Addressed To: All members of Tushita Foundation
From: Phelbé Pace
Dear all,
It is hard for me to think that this message is the conclusion of this two-month Indian journey. Although every single experience has an end, it would be hard tomorrow to say goodbye to the Foundation, its kids, teachers and founders. Today, I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to devote myself to this project for two months and to have participated to its promising development, which all of you had been taking on for a good time.
As I wish the Foundation keeps growing in the near future to help more and more children get education and be happy, here are the recommendations I’d like to share with you, based on my experience as “music teacher”:
- Number of volunteers – to me, three volunteers is the ideal number. Four would be too much and two, too less. In my opinion, Anthony, Cleo and I have benefitted a lot from this configuration, especially when a situation got blocked. For example, when the two of us couldn’t a find solution to any problem or an idea to move on with our projects, we usually got it from the third one.
- Time spent at the foundation – I have to agree with Cleo and Anthony: two months are quite short. However, the purpose of this adventure was to work for the Foundation as volunteers, not as teachers and it is difficult for me to imagine that a volunteer project could last six months. Maybe, the stay of the next-year volunteers could be extended to three months maximum, which would definitely give them more time to make adjustments in their programs if need be and prepare their final project.
- Week Schedule – if three volunteers come to the Foundation next year, I can’t think of another way to optimize the time they will spend with each class during the week. On this matter, I disagree with Cleo and Anthony: I believe it would be a shame that volunteers spend less time with the kiddos. Despite of their very young age, I was surprised by their potential (in mathematics notably !) and I felt that they were more receptive to a way of teaching based on visuals, actions and games. Thus, next-year volunteers should be aware that teaching to the kiddos is very different to the rest of the kids at the foundation.
- Music class – It would be hard for me to draw a simple and single conclusion about the music class I gave to the kids. Overall, I felt that all of them were happy to sing and learn English songs. I also felt that they were easily getting curious about music instruments, their sound and western music in general. On a personal note, it also revealed to me how much I wanted to improve my skills in music to be able to share many more musical moments with people! To give tips to the next year volunteers, I should nonetheless focus on the difficulties I was confronted with during the two months. The first one was the choice of the song. The Foundation kids are used to working on English vocabulary, not so much on grammar. As a consequence, they don’t know how to make sentences and read a full text in English (which is a different alphabet than their own besides). Because of that, the songs that the next year volunteer should suggest to them must be very easy. The point of making them sing is to make them have fun, improve their diction and get them more familiar with the western music. I felt at some point that I was wasting the time I had at my disposal with the middle-aged children by teaching them a song that was too difficult for them. The solution I found was to make them sing the chorus only and simplify the lyrics. They eventually did it very well! Also, I would recommend the Foundation to find a volunteer that has a real music background. I’m not sure for example that I managed to help the children sing on the right pitch. I worked with them on rhythm and English but not so much on “singing skills”. That’s why it would definitely be a plus for them if they had someone specialized in music to give them insights about it. Finally, whatever the program of the next-year volunteer will be, I feel that he should always link the activities he will do with the kids with grammar practice. For example, during the first half-hour of the class, he could teach the children about a famous singer/band and then, make them write some sentences about what they have learned together. The last half-hour should be dedicated to songs practice. It’s more or less what I have done with the old kids and it worked well.
- Teachers: All of them have something special and I was very glad to have them all by my side during these two months. Their level of dedication is huge and their eagerness to teach and give to the children is really strong. Given their potential, I felt that it would be awesome for them to follow training formation in teaching and in English so that they could move on with new ideas, new methods of teaching and a better comprehension of the English language and culture. Saying that, I don’t mean that their level of English and teaching revealed some room for improvement. I’m saying it rather because they expressed these concerns to me (e.g. Guita and Rukhsar). Helping the teachers have more confidence in themselves and feeding them with new ideas throughout the year is a very effective way to invest in the Foundation.
- Foundation development : I am convinced that all of you are concerned about this point and I know you already have plans on this issue. I just wanted to let you know, from an “observer’s” point of view, that the main steps I would see important to make for the Foundation future would be the following: space, Internet and a pharmacy.
I’m sorry for not being very synthetic but there was so much to say and I could say even more about the amazing moments I had with these breathtaking kids, these talented teachers and all of you being so committed to the Foundation. I wish it will keep growing and amaze lucky strangers like us who will have the chance in the near future to know you and this wonderful project.
Rosenda, Jan, thank you for convincing me two months ago that it was not unreasonable to go to India at this period of my life.
Veenajee, Gajju Bana, thank you for making the time I had at the Foundation and in India one of the most enriching and pleasant journey I ever had in my life.
Cleo, Anthony, thank you for your support and everything you bring to this project. I learnt a lot with you.
May this foundation have a future as beautiful as the one it will surely give to the kids.
Date: July 30th 2012
Addressed To: Mrs. Rosenda Meer (Founder of Tushita Foundation)
From: Cléo Fatourechi
Dear Rosenda,
Thank you for caring so much about us.
As you said, we are having a very good time with the children, and I think they are too.
Regarding our life in Jaipur, it is wonderful ! We go and visit every Sunday, falling in love with the beautiful pink city. And we have so many projects in mind, especially doing the numerous markets and bazaars. The visit of the Amber Fort was also very nice, and I learned so many things about maharajas. In addition, we benefit from Gajju Bana and Veenajee’s insights about Indian habits, tradition, behaviours, and that is very precious. Finally, I think it’s their generosity that makes this summer so special. They never stop taking care of us, and they made my birthday (last Thursday) a very beautiful day.
Thank you, dear Rosenda, for giving me the opportunity of knowing more of India in this way.
PS: I forgot to mention the food, which is, of course, amazingly delicious every day!