On June 10th, I will be on a plane to Chennai in southern India—24 hours later, I’ll be leading warmups on a dirt floor to students from the leprosy colonies. For these kids, the likelihood of getting an education—or a job—is nonexistent, unless something is done to help them.  Even if these children don’t have leprosy themselves, they are born into a caste system that prevents them from having the chance.  And I want to help change that.

            As a teacher for Promethean Spark, I’ll be teaching essential life skills through dance at the Rising Star School for leprosy-affected children. We teach confidence, discipline, perserverance, self-esteem, leadership, goal-setting, and respect—qualities these children need to succeed in school, at home, and in their communities. This, paired with the topnotch education they are receiving at Rising Star, is how we hope to break the cycle of poverty within these colonies. Promethean Spark is also forming a youth dance troupe from the leprosy colonies to tour India with educational programs and, it is hoped, change the way Indian society views the people it has deemed untouchable. Leprosy, and the prejudices against those afflicted with it, is curable. We—you and I—can help.   

            I have fallen in love with Promethean Spark. This organization teaches life skills through the performing arts to impovershed children in India, Kenya, and Costa Rica, with more programs to come. Promethean Spark builds strong relationships within the community, then trains local volunteers to run the programs on an ongoing basis. The local people are invested, the programs flourish, and we continue to be heartily welcomed in.  Visit www.prometheanspark.com to see photos and videos of the work we do.  You can also visit www.risingstaroutreach.org to see the school where I will be teaching!

What I bring to these kids personally is my deep love of dance as a healing art, my dedication to bringing change on a larger scale, and, most importantly, my commitment to stand as the source of positive growth for these children.  They will learn through experience and example that never giving up, choosing to do their best, supporting others as a leader, and allowing possibility will literally change their lives.

I am raising $2,500, which will go directly to Promethean Spark, to get me to India and provide modest housing and board with the other Rising Star volunteer teachers. I will be documenting the experience so that, upon return, I can share with you just how much your donation meant. Whether $1 or $100, it adds up, so give what feels good. Join me in the joy of helping these kids.

Donating on this site is easy, fast, and secure.  However, FirstGiving will take a small percentage for the service, so if you want your entire donation to go directly to my program, write a check to "Promethean Spark" with the memo to "Shiloh Goodin, Promethean Spark" and mail it to Shiloh Goodin, 2053 8th Ave, Apt 4F, New York, NY 10026. Either way is great!

All donations are entirely tax deductible, and the website will send you a receipt for your records.  If you write a check directly, I will send you the tax deductible information for Promethean Spark directly.

            If you have any questions or want to hear more about the project, call me. Let me share with you the joy this project brings to my heart.

Thank you for helping this longtime dream come true. It is only the beginning! 

Shiloh