When EDSI President George John invited associates Jonathan Matheny and Jay Siefert on an eight-day trip through India, it was more than a vacation; it was a chance to re-commit support to a school founded by his grandfather more than 70 years ago.

George, Jonathan and Jay made the 21-hour journey by plane, bus and car, eventually arriving at the small Village of Ullannoor in the State of Kerala, along the southwest Indian coast. The highlight of the trip was visiting George's boyhood home, meeting his remaining relatives, and visiting the primary school started by his grandfather, M.K Varghese, in 1937. Mr. Varghese served for years as a regional government education inspector, and he personally funded the creation of the school to help improve the lives of area children in the Village of Ullannoor.

The EDSI group brought an assortment of basic school supplies for the children, who were delighted to meet a grandson of Mr. Varghese and his friends from the United States. It is a rarity for these children to experience such distant guests, and equally unusual for the three men to be treated as global celebrities. Jay and Jonathan were especially moved by the warm and generous spirit of people who lead such simplistic lives in comparison to Western society.

The EDSI staff has adopted the school, and will provide these children with the educational basics necessary for them to reach their full potential. Plans are underway to determine needs for updating classroom facilities and school grounds. Jonathan has also made a commitment to return to Ullannoor at the end of the year to teach these students.

 

 

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