February 2010 - CHAMPIONS OF IPP

ASH AND PRIYA YERASI SPREAD JOY TO LADIES



Ash Yerasi and his lovely wife Priya left their home and family in Corona del Mar to spend several weeks in India this past month. They enjoyed their time at Ashraya and Ashagram immensely. Here are a few sweet words Ash wrote during their time on the ground,

“We just spent a few hours with the Ashraya girls. what fun..I have some great pictures of Priya playing with them - Priya was learning to cut fabric and then sew...then they had me use the sewing machine- everyone was laughing. We got to know their hearts and visa versa. We sat among them and had a chance to ask them questions and they had a chance to ask Priya and me questions about our life. Lots of laughs. At the end, a few of the girls asked Priya for some medical advice (Priya is a physician). Please pray for Esther**- she has been suffering from a swollen throat for about a year, losing weight, and has some uncontrollable bleeding. Please pray for her. Esther has such dignity and really opened up to us by telling us about her life prior to [Ashraya]. We really wish we had more time here.”
**name has been changed**

Ash and Priya are champions who are passionate about serving and empowering the ladies IPP works with – and this month they were able to spread the unavoidable joy in their smiles. Ash serves on the board of IPP, and he and Priya are involved with several organizations that reach out to the underprivileged in India. (Priya pictured above learning to cut fabric at Ashraya)


AN IDOHO GIRL LIVING IN KOLKATA



Idaho-born Kelsea Ballantyne speaks fluent Bengali in the streets of Kolkata negotiating the price of produce, directing taxi drivers to drop her at her flat or most often when chatting with Bengali friends. Awarded a Fulbright Scholarship right out of undergraduate school at Chapman University, Kelsea has lived and been a full-time humanitarian volunteer in Kolkata for over two years now – focusing her studies on “the effects of globalization on women in private and social spheres.”

As a volunteer for IPP, Kelsea has helped develop and lead the training of women in sewing centers – using the amazing expertise she has gained as she lives and works with the women she is serving every day at Freeset in Kolkata. Understanding the needs and culture from the inside out is Kelsea’s passion. Named Chapman University Young Alumni of the year in 2009, it is a privilege to have Kelsea as part of the IPP team! (Pictured above shopping for fabrics in Mumbai with Laura Roebuck)

PLEASE CONSIDER TEAMING UP WITH IPP



Please consider teaming up with IPP in 2010 by signing up to donate $5 - $25 a month. By clicking HERE you can follow the simple steps to becoming a part of restoration story of women and girls like Matsumari, like Shabna and like Ester Utani. Your monthly donation will supply training teams with supplies, help sell PUNJAMMIES in the US and build more programs to empower women. None of this would be possible without our faithful donors.

THANK YOU for being a part of International Princess Project!!