Love appears in many forms. It is the intangible that gives birth to tangibles, and holds them together.
It is an over-used word, but the emotion it encapsulates is anything but. We need more love in this world, much more of it than we have today.
On this blog, I’ve always gone on about compassion and kindness, and yes, love. Love of fiction, of self, of all living beings, people, food, travel.
In that spirit, I bring you a festival of love (with thanks to Holly Jahangiri, who gave it its name):
Flowers last a week, learning is a lifelong gift. Give in the honor of the one you love. The giving can be in the form of contributions, or it could be in the form of sharing on social media.
Yesterday, with Pushpa Kumar and Sophiya Tirkey
As some of you know, I’ve been talking about a school in New Delhi, that started in a dustbin and transformed many lives in the last 14 years.
The teachers at the Project Why Okhla Centre do not wear capes, but they’re heroes all the same:
Sophiya and Pushpa, who helped set up a school in a dump-yard despite opposition from local goons and politicians,
Mithu, who has not let his lack of legs get in the way of teaching computers to children in his community.
Naresh, who has turned dozens of near-dropouts into toppers.
Here’s Sophiya, talking about her experience at the school:
If the centre shuts down, these teachers face losing their jobs, jobs that they helped create in the first place.
For Valentine’s day this year, my hope is to band together with fellow-bloggers to create a blogathon that would help raise funds for this school so it can get a breathing space of six months. We’ve joined hands before, and let’s hope we can do it again!
We’ll start a Linky list on the 14th February, Valentine’s Day. You can participate in the blogathon on any day from the 14th to the 28th.
UPDATE: SIGN UP FOR THE BLOGATHON HERE.
During the blogathon, write one or more posts to talk about love, any kind of love at all, and about honouring the ones you love. All we ask is at the end of your post, you mention the fundraiser, and add the graphic above.
What are you doing this Valentine’s day? Would you like to write for this Blogathon? Would you like to save a school on this Valentine’s day?
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My post is up!
Thanks so much! Will add it to the linky list!
Hi Damyanti – thanks … I’ve just contributed … late, but done. It is an amazing story with some truly wonderful people … I wish them all the best – and I know you’ll keep us updated – cheers Hilary
Thank you so much, Hilary, and it isn’t late at all. The teachers and students at Project WHY are very thankful indeed for your kindness, and we will definitely keep you updated on the goings on at the Project WHY Okhla centre which your help will keep open for the crucial time we need to find a stable source of funds!
Sorry! Got it, Project Why!
Thankyou, yes, the school is at Project WHY. Thank you for your support of the school and the blog post! I hope people from your audience decide to help out 🙂
What is the name of the school? And where do I find the linky? I have my post ready, but want to be sure of the name of the school before I post it. Thank you!
Thanks so much for the blog, the shares on social media and your donation! Absolutely grateful for the support!
Seems like I’m late in here but since the linky is open for a while I’m in too. This is a fabulous initiative.
You’re not late at all. The blogathon will be open until the 28th of February, so feel free to link up at any time.
Thank you so much for your support. The teachers at Project Why will appreciate it.
I will do my bit for this great cause. Will share my post soon!
Thanks for the tweet love for Project WHY, Shilpa. Will look forward to your post. So good to have you back in the blogiverse.
Hi Damyanti:
I’m in. Great cause.
Thanks, Stuart. That’s very kind–will contact you the minute the linky list goes online.
Have no words to express my gratitude to you Damyanti for this wonderful initiative to help save our school. Every teacher every child deserves our help as they are all such wonderful soul and an inspiration to all. I am deeply touched by the overwhelming support. God bless you all
Great effort. I am in.
Thank you so much. I’ll let you know as soon as the blogathon linky list is up.
Sure. Thank you.
I will try! This is a lovely thing you are doing to try and help. I’ll come back after Valentines and sign up… http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
Thank you so much, Lisa. I’ll let you know as soon as the blogathon goes online on the 14th.
Will do my best to help… have been inactive from blogging for a long time now… need to get back into the mode and help people.
Roshan, you do such brilliant work via your blog.
Would really appreciate your help via your huge blog and social media following for this blogathon. The teachers at this centre will start going without salaries from March if help does not come in. I visited them last week for a very quick trip and the situation is indeed quite dire.
Hi Damyanti, count me in.
Thanks so much, Lata. Will let you know as soon as the blogathon goes online.
Want to definitely join in.
Namratha, thank you so very much! Will inform you when the blogathon is live.
A school that needs a lot of love, and people who, do, too, for all they have done for their families, and for other families, too. I hope this school is saved–this one deserves it!
Thankyou, Shilpa. This school indeed deserves all the support it can get. I saw such wonderful success stories fromm Project WHY on this recent trip–Naresh, for instance, has worked as a shoe salesman and waiter before he was supported by Project WHY to become a teacher.
Over the past 20 years, he has transformed dozens of lives–I was staggered by his impact on so many lives–his students have joined the army, done MBAs, are employed in offices and nonprofits, have become models and photographers–I met some of them last Saturday, and was bowled over.
Love can forge links and help rebuild lives. Writing about love must surely be more constructive than indulging in tweets of vitriol.
Maureen, absolutely. I want us to talk about love, share it. Being kind costs nothing, and can give be so beneficial.
What a lovely way to spread some love this Valentine’s Day, Damyanti. You are so right that flowers last a week but learning lasts a lifetime. 🙂 Bless you for the opportunity to help. <3
Thanks for offering to help, Diana! I hope we can work together to keep this school open and give a gift of learning.
My next post won’t be until February 25 but it will be just in time to participate!
That’s wonderful, Alex! So happy to have your support on this. Any mention of the blogathon on your social media would be wornderful, as well.
Thank you for sharing and I hope your dream comes true!!… 🙂
“The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.” Frederick Buechner
Thankyou so much! Pls join in, if you think you’d like to help.
I am in
Thanks, Sunita! It was lovely meeting you. SO grateful for your support of Project WHY.
What a great way to raise awareness.
Thank you. It is in line with the way I think of love: a universal force for the good that finds expression in so many ways.