LEAF International India was started by our friends at Wilmington Yoga!
Project Overview
There are two music programs at the Home of Hope Orphanage in Kerala in southern India. The female program includes instruction in traditional dancing and rehearsing for the marching band. The co-ed program provides keyboard lessons to 22 students three times a week and guitar lessons to 13 students twice a week.
“This program is transforming the lives of these girls and helping them heal, sing and dream of a better future.”
–Sarah Hipp, LI Coordinator
Partners
- Wilmington Yoga Center - The founders, Kristen and Loren, are members of the LEAF community and visit India often. They approached Home of Hope Orphanage to begin the project.
- Home of Hope Orphanage - Home of Hope is home to orphaned and abused girls, many of whom were child prostitutes or beggars blinded by the Mafia to accrue more sympathy and money. The orphanage provides a safe haven for hope and trust by addressing their physical, educational, medical and moral needs. There they are free to play and laugh. They stay until they are adopted, married or ready to live independently. For more information, please see their website: www.homeofhopeindia.org
"I am inspired when the children compose their own music!" -Mr. Suil, India Teaching Artist
Meet A Student
“Reena was six years old when she was brought to Home of Hope on July 13, 2005. She and her mother, a mental patient, came to Kerala from Bhopal and had a very difficult time surviving. Reena fell into the hands of the beggar Mafia, who blinded her left eye and severely damaged her right eye by poking a darning needle into it. This cruel act was done to make her a "better" beggar. The sisters took her to the eye doctor, but they weren't able to do much due to the damage done to her nerves in the left eye. Even with what has happened in her past, and her limited vision, Reena has grown into a happy child at Home of Hope. She is in the 5th grade, speaks Hindi fluently, and has become friendly with the sisters. She is a delight to all at the orphanage.”
-Excerpt from The Home of Hope website
