The new campus project of Kamalini got a big boost from many friends and family during some events held this year in the U.S. During a recent sunny evening, seventy people gathered at the home of Michael and Jackie Winn in Lake Bluff, Illinois.

Mrs. William (Patricia) Spencer had assembled a host committee and with the co-ordination of Mary Clare Starshak, brought people together for a memorable evening to hear about India and Kamalini. Sarah Starshak designed the invitations featuring the lotus flower, evoked by the Hindi meaning of the word Kamalini, and arranged the poster display of the site plan for the new Kamalini campus. The guests enjoyed an elegant buffet dinner before learning from program advisor Barbara Spencer about how Kamalini is reaching to underprivileged girls and women in the national capital region of India.

In early May, Steve and Suzanne Cameron also hosted an evening gathering in their home in Newport Beach, California, for their friends to learn about Kamalini from Barbara Spencer. The Raney family were there--one of whom, Meg, had volunteered at Kamalini. Guests were interested to learn about student volunteer opportunities at Kamalini, and wanted to hear stories about how underprivileged girls had benefited from attending Kamalini. Steve Cameron, who is in real estate development, gave

encouragement to persevere in patience in the process of setting up a new institution and getting all the approvals needed to construct a new campus. After the presentation, Mary Clare Cameron entertained the guests with a performance on the piano of an Indian snake charmer's tune. Suzanne Cameron had also arranged a presentation earlier that week to the junior high students at Our Lady Queen of Angels School about India and Kamalini.

Donors for these events made their contributions to American Initiatives, as we have joined hands with Kamalini to raise funds for the new campus project of Kamalini. Our two organisations have jointly presented a grant proposal to Caja Navarra bank for construction of the new academic building. By mutual agreement, we have created a fund for Kamalini that enables U.S. donors to collaborate directly for Kamalini's new campus via internet or check donations, one-time or monthly, and through matching gifts, and gain tax benefits by giving to American Initiatives.

The individuals at Kamalini have since expressed their gratitiude for the efforts of the Spencers, Starshaks, Camerons and Winns to make these events a success in promoting the work of Kamalini and bringing people together to talk about how we can help others in India. We thank each and everyone who has contributed toward the project and we hope we can continue to spread the good will.

For more information about Kamalini, see our Projects page.