Philantropic Projects

Nagaland, India -- Kiyevi Village children with Marko.

Through my company, VitaStar Solutions, I am currently participating in one philanthropic project and have plans to expand into additional areas. The following is a brief description of my current effort and a short description of future efforts I hope to pursue. It is my belief and commitment to social responsibility because it is the personal values of both my wife and I.

Cultural Exchange Program: The U.S. State Department has a program to promote cultural exchange between the United States and other countries. The program implements the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. The purpose of the Act is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. Educational and cultural exchanges assist the Department of State in furthering the foreign policy objectives of the United States.

Kiyevi Village Chief and Marko examine village water supply dam.

My company, VitaStar Solutions has participated in the Cultural Exchange Program as a “Host Company”, and provided a structured and guided work-based learning program to one foreign cultural exchange trainee, as set forth in an individualized training plan that enhanced both the trainee’s understanding of American Culture and society and her skills in her occupational field through exposure to American techniques, methodologies and expertise. The cultural exchange trainee is from Nagaland, which is located in the Himalayan foothills in Northeast India.

Future objectives include “reciprocity, which means the participation of a United States citizen in an educational and cultural program, to go abroad, specifically to Nagaland. It is hoped that we may identify doctors and engineering expertise in the area of electrical power, water supply (dam construction), and agriculture to provide assistance as part of the cultural exchange program, directly to remote villages in Nagaland.

I will be happy to discuss this program with anyone who would like more information or might be interested in participating in this program.

Nagaland, India -- Little Lights Orphanage Children

Little Lights: Shown in the picture on the left are the “Little Lights” of the “Little Lights Orphanage” nestled in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. Here, a loving and nurturing atmosphere is provided for orphaned, abandoned and unwanted children from some of the poorest and remotest hill tribes of Northeast India. My company is a proud supporter of the Little Lights Home. Visit www.littlelightsorphanage.com.

Logan: On the right are pictures of a handicap-equipped van and Logan, a young boy, with multiple sclerosis (MS). His grandmother takes care of him and takes him to the children’s hospital for treatment, but she had used a regular vehicle, which was a little difficult. I learned of Grandma and the boy and donated my personal handicap van shown in the pictures -- formerly used for my mother who is now deceased. A volunteer, Gary Morris, came to Florida and drove it back to Tennessee, where Grandma and the boy live. Another volunteer, from Wilks Detailing in Springfield, detailed the van without charge. Grandma was extremely happy and thankful for the gift. Hopefully, some day the boy will be able to use the van hand-controls to drive himself.

Anashu Academy: India has more children than adults. Poor and needy children in the rural areas outnumber the children in the towns and cities. The Leadership Training Center came into existence in 1993 to train men and women to provide wholesome education for poor and needy children -- the school’s leaders graduated from the Dallas Theological Seminary, USA; and, the schools are supported by churches in both the U.S. and Canada. Six schools were established in West Bengal, Sikkim and Tripura States and in Nepal. The school was named the Anashu Academy, which in the Sanskrit language means “Ray of Light” and they provide a nurturing environment for the children, their parents, and their community. Indeed, education dispels darkness and removes ignorance. The Anashu Academy is a 503C U.S. charitable organization and I am a proud supporter of their mission, for I believe it is a truly good cause for the children and it is strategically important for the U.S. to have educated Christian children familiar with the goodness of the United States, in all parts of the world.

“Man becomes great exactly in the degree in which he works for the welfare of his fellow-men.” Mahatma Gandhi, non-violent philosopher, 1869-1948.

“There is no greater insight into the future than recognizing... when we save our children, we save ourselves”. Margaret Mead, 1901-1978, American cultural anthropologist.