finding rickshaw.

(Note: The next few entries are guest blogs from my family and friends who have visited Ahmedabad recently.  My parents, Smita and Piyush, entered their posts below.)

The Umeed* visit was an uplifting experience! Rick had planned a special meeting so Piyush and I could share our life experience with the kids – I was hesitant since I fear public speaking – but looking at the smiling faces of the students following Piyush’s talk, I stepped up and braved it out  and shared my dream – achieving a college education late in life (Rick and I graduated college the same year!).

Me with the Umeed students.

We had a short Q/A session following the talk. The students did a great job of introducing themselves, indicating what program they were enrolled in and sharing what they hoped to achieve from their training – they all want to come to America!   Piyush began to explain that to come to America they first had to apply for an H1 visa!  Rick quickly reminded them that “India is the new America”.

I hope the Umeed vocational training gives these kids a leg up in life – I hope it lifts them to bigger and better places.

Rick’s in the right place – I believe this experience will leave a mark on him – a very good one!

*Just a side note: Umeed was a pilot vocational training program initiated by Saath – it was so successful that the Gujarat Government adopted and subsidized it in 38 locations.

-Smita Desai (Rick’s Mom)

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Smita and I have been visiting India almost every year. But this year, we made plan to visit India for special reason- to see Rick, who had gone to India for 10 months to work with Saath.org, NGO. We met his co AIF fellows Natassia, Ekta, co workers at Saath and Umeed. We were very much impressed with Saath and Umeed and work they do in slums of Ahmedabad. The teachers at Umeed were hardworking and nice. We had a great time interacting with young students of Umeed.

I went on a marketing rally for Umeed.

Smita, Rick and I lectured about hardwork and dedication. It made me happy to share personal stories from when I was in Nadiad and how my family helped me. This lecture and going on the marketing rally were memorable experiences, which I will cherish for long time. Rick, we are proud of you.

-Piyush Desai  (Rick’s Dad)

~ by findingrickshaw on January 26, 2009.

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