Teenage girls rescued from streets of Calcutta receive educational support from Hope is Life Foundation
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Day care center in a small Indian village gets support for educational needs from Hope is Life Foundation
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Another new library opened in an Indian village, sponsored by Hope is Life Foundation
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Natascha Yogachandra visits village children who are now under the care of Hope is Life Foundation
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Village school receives benches for the children
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Visit to Katavali School, India
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Hope is Life Foundation - Farewell to the Yogachandras -  July 2005

More than 200 guests and friends gathered at the Perinton Community Center in Fairport, New York on Friday, July 22, 2005 in a celebration of hope, gratitude, and to bid farewell to Natascha, Debbie and Nat Yogachandra who have left for India to fulfill the goals of newly-formed Foundation.

                  

                   

Patricia Knapp, Deputy Supervisor,  and as a member of the Perinton Town Board honored the Yogachandra family with a Proclamation on behalf of the Perinton community. While presenting the proclamation, Mrs. Knapp read, "the Yogachandra family, including Natascha, Debbie and Nat, have been instrumental in raising the awareness level in our community about diversity, education and worldwide current events, and whereas, Natascha has accomplished more charitable works in her 11 years than most adults will in a lifetime, specifically the awareness that she brought home to us regarding the need for relief efforts following the tsunami disaster in Asia..."

                       

An exhibition of nearly seventy photographs that were taken of the Yogachandra family's trip to South Asia this past February was on display during the event.

                        

Here are some of the Highlights:

Erin Driscoll, a teacher in the Fairport School District is seen opening the event with a song dedicated to the celebration of hope.

                                     

Elena, Stephen and Angela Ryck of Fairport, New York entertained the guests as they arrived and absorbed the mission of the Foundation through the powerful photos that were on display.

                         

Priya Gupta, daughter of Ram and Prem Gupta graced the audience with a special Indian invocation dance dedicated to Lord Ganesh.

                               

Dr. William Cala, Superintendent of the Fairport School District, summed up the contribution and dedication to the community by the Yogachandra family in one word, "love."

                                   

Mrs. Cynthia Norris-Dorren of Irondequoit, New York, sang a song of unity and hope.

                                            

Clark King, Mayor of Village of Fairport, New York, congratulated the family for their services and wished them best of luck on their mission in India and reminded them of their home in Fairport by giving them each a pin of the village.

                           

 

David Paddock, Principal, Fairport High School commended Natascha for being instrumental in the forthcoming humanitarian trip to India by the senior students of the High School. The school will be taking about 28 students to Cuddalore in South India next Spring to help in the rebuilding phase of the tsunami-affected area.

                                   

And, finally Natascha thanked the friends for coming by playing a piano solo, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

                       

The Yogachandra family - Natascha, Nat, Megan and Debbie at the event.