Treasure Chest of Thoughts

Today, our youth once again made me so proud as they dug into their pockets as they symbolically dug  a well for a lady illustrator in India who has no running water in her house. 

Exceeding our goal of $180 (the cost of one tube well), we raised $244.35.  No matter what kind of day you are having, that cannot but make you feel better!

Karuna Chitraker, a folk artist, preserves the pata style of art (framed pictures, usually in scroll form that, as it unrolls, tells a story) through her illustrations in Maura Hurley Basu’s children’s book To the Local Bazaar.

Thanks to the contributions of those at Batesville High School, Karuna will now have running water in her house!

So many gave, but please let me share Terran’s contribution with you.  Junior Terran J brought her piggy bank to me in which she had been saving money to give to some charity.  When she heard about our cause, she decided to donate her collection to Karuna…all $59.68 of it!  I know…doesn’t that just make you feel good?!

Author Maura Hurley Basu and her family also live in India, where she runs Mustard Seeds Library & Activity Room for the children in her community…and does good deeds, such as working to ensure that Karuna will get her tube well.

Maura is the sister of a teacher friend of mine, Margo Baker.    If Ms. Maura is the least bit like her sister…well, then, she, too, is a very special person!

Thanks Margo and Maura for blessing me and our students at Batesville High with the opportunity to give forward.