Thanks!

Hi,

Here is a big thank you to all the ppl who made it happen!

Hi,

I would like to thank you all for being the pillar of support in my efforts. What started out as a doubt, then a challenge has now culminated in a humbling experience.

Before I started training for my first marathon, I had doubts if I could even cross 3 miles. I am now officially an 'Ultra marathoner'!! Yes..I did it ..I ran 50 miles..and I even beat my own expectations. I thought a time of about 9 hours and 10 mins was slow - turns out that it was fast enough to get a 2nd place finish in my age group -

http://www.doitsports.com/newresults3/client/14723_21388_2006.html#%204

Ya...ya..there were only 6 people in my age group :)

But, the sense of accomplishment was not in finishing a physical challenge - but, for being able to be a part of a change that we all wished for.

On December 9th I finished my first 50 miler. The next day I left for India, where I made visits to efforts that we supported through these marathon efforts. Just three days after what I thought was a big accomplishment, I was brought down on my feet :

The Banyan :

This effort supports the treatment, recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of mentally ill destitute women.

(Note: Being destitute in India literally means being homeless and left to fend for oneself in the streets.)

You can read about my site visit and also other documents at http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=604

(Dec 2006 - Jan 2007)

I also have video footage of my visit (Its mostly in english)

The Bharathi Trust Resource Center :

I was fortunate to spend time and document all the efforts at the resource center in Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu.

(To save email space) Please check out http://www.ashanet.org/austin/projects/siddamma.html

I have attached my site visit summary and translation of the video. (The video was in Tamil, the local language)

Seva Chakkara Samajam :

http://www.ashanet.org/nycnj/projects/scos.html

This is an orphanage that Asha Austin had supported in the past. I had a lot of fun playing 'kho-kho' (an indian game) with all the kids. My mom came along and enjoyed the visit a lot too! This was not a visit to document - I wanted to have a nice time after all the usual courtsey visits at home with the extended family :)

I should have a few photos from the visit when my dad emails it to me.

St.John's Leprosey Rehabilitation Association :

This is a new proposal that I was fortunate enough to come across. The incidence of Leprosey is the highest in India among all countries in the world. Significantly, the social stigma associated with the disease also seems to be the highest in this part of the world.

An organization started and run totally by the affected people, started a school with some early support. The primary reason being discrimination in the normal streams of education. We have a proposal from them and Asha Austin will be discussing it soon.

I have video footage of the visit (Its in the local language - Tamil). I have not translated it yet.

What can I do for you ?

These experiences (site visits) have a profound impact on how I think, act and live. At the same time I am not 'blinded' by passion. I strive to make the visits transparent and resourceful. A good part of the videos actually were questions/interviews from me. Also, all financial details are out in the project website.

If you are interested in getting a copy of the video please send me an email or just call me. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding any efforts supported by Asha Austin.

You all make what Asha Austin is - you trusted us and have been the instrument of socio-economic change in India.

Thanks again for keeping my clock tick!

Thanks,
Santhosh.