Mission: University

As T.S. Elliot once wrote: “April is the cruelest month.”

This year, as the world has sheltered at home and worked to make sense of the evolving Covid-19 outbreak, our Mission: University program has had to adapt just like everyone else.

Since the middle of March, most schools in India closed and our students were sent home. Then, on March 24th, the entire country of India was put on strict lockdown…all 1.3 billion people…with harsh punishments for driving and virtually all unnecessary movement. This order is in place until May 3rd.

Students have been doing classwork on the computer and completing assessments online as they await the news concerning the future of their respective programs. At this time, it’s unclear what college students in any country will be doing before the end of the term, but we’ll keep you posted.

Most importantly, all students are safe and healthy. In fact, there have been no cases of the coronavirus within the mission gate’s, which is a blessing...with very few cases in the whole state.

This fall, we’ll have three more students joining our Mission: University roster (Rosey, Coreena and Jackie), bringing our total to 11. We couldn’t be more proud of the work our kids are doing and look forward to more successes as our program unfolds.

For now, like the rest of the world, we’ll just wait and see. From all of us at the Mission: University program, we hope you are also safe and well, with the cruelest month behind you. Here’s to better days ahead. We’ll get there.

Thanks for all your support,

John

One down...five to go.

Most college in India is six semesters, so our little Mission: University team is on it's way. For most of our kids, the semester break coincided with the Christmas holiday, so nearly everyone was home at the same time. Sunny (3rd from left) is in the architecture program and didn't wrap things up until just before New Years; he's also in a five year program so he has a bit longer to go. But still, all eight students did overlap for long enough to pose for the attached picture. The first complete and official Misison: University pilot program participant's portrait!

The first semester marks are not in for everyone, but we do have a few highlights to report. In his BioTech program at Uttranchal University, Clifford (4th from left) received the 2nd highest marks in the class! And in her Social Work program at Himgiri Zee University, Sonia (5th from left) topped them all, finishing first! And while grade certainly are not everything, we are extremely proud of the hard work these kids are putting in.

In the coming weeks, we'll be preparing college applications for at least three more students. For those who know the farm kids, Rosie, Jackie and Coreena have all expressed interest in pursueing higher education. Coreena and Rosie already have sponsors...but if you or someone you know might be interested in sponsoring Jackie, let me know. He's a great kid, interested in potentially pursueing business. No hard numbers exist for Jackie's program just yet, but in general we've found college costs around $2000 - $2500 per year.

And so Semester 2 starts up and our Mission: University students are back at it. For everyone who helped make this possible, please know what a profound impact you are having in the lives of these children. None of them ever dreamed of going to college but thanks to your support, it's happening!

With deep appreciation,

John